Broken Bow council adopts ordinance requiring proper disposal of animal waste

The Broken Bow City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1258 on April 12, adding Section 93.52 (Animal Waste) to Municipal Code Chapter 93 after a unanimous roll-call vote.

City Administrator Dan Knoell told the council the ordinance addresses a city-wide problem with pet owners failing to pick up animal feces from parks and athletic fields, saying, “this is a city-wide issue that needs to be addressed immediately” and that owners often “do not pick up any of the waste,” which has left fields soiled and has caused people to soil clothing or shoes.

Knoell said more than 40 teams will use the city’s baseball and softball fields this summer, and the State Legion Tournament also will use those facilities, creating urgency for cleaner fields and enforcement. He recommended the council waive the three-reading rule and adopt the ordinance at the meeting.

Council member Larry Miller introduced the ordinance and moved to suspend the statutory rule requiring three readings; Council member David Schmidt seconded and the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Schmidt, Miller and David Baltz voting aye. Miller then moved for final passage and Baltz seconded; upon roll call the three members present voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1258, and Mayor Rod Sonnichsen declared the ordinance adopted.

The transcript does not specify the ordinance’s effective date, penalties, or enforcement mechanics beyond the general statement that the ordinance will allow city employees and police to hold the public responsible for proper disposal of animal waste. Those details were not specified in the record.

The council’s adoption came during a public hearing opened at 6:04 p.m. and closed later in the same discussion; the meeting record shows no recorded dissent to final passage.