City Council Update

The Council gave a thumbs down to a mandatory spay and neutering ordinance, gave a semi-thumbs up to the Fireworks Ordinance and supported the recommendations of the Budget Advisory Committee.

Speakers at the meeting pointed out the difficulty in enforcing a spay and neuter ordinance and the concern that only law abiding citizens would be impacted and not those the ordinance was intended to punish. In reviewing ordinances in other cities, it was not clear that the ordinance had any impact on pet population and typically reduced the number of pets that were licensed.

The Council voted 3-1 to continue the practice of allowing non-profit agencies to sell safe and sane fireworks in the weeks leading up to Independence Day. The Council also agreed to impose a fee on each fireworks booth in order to recoup the staff cost associated with ensuring that each booth was in compliance with the ordinance. Staff had recommended a $700 fee, the City Council ultimately approved a $350 fee.

The Council heartily endorsed the findings of the Budget Review Committee, which included extending the life of the Committee. Staff was directed to find a time in early May where the City Council could hold a study session in conjunction with the Committee.