City Council Moving Forward With Chicken Ordinance Despite Opposition

After weeks of on-again, off again debate, the Glenwood City Council has passed the first of three readings of an ordinance that would allow residents to raise and coop chickens within the city limits.

The reading passed by a 3-2 vote following some heated discussion at the council’s regular meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 13. Council members Jessie Lundvall, who initiated the legislation last spring, Craig Florian and Wade Rodman voted in favor of the measure. Dan McComb and Susan Hirschman voted “no.”

Prior to the vote, five city residents expressed their opinions on matter. Four people voiced opposition to the ordinance and one person said he supported it.

Bob Wray and Gary Cameron voiced concerns about potential health and sanitation issues the chickens could create. They also questioned how the ordinance would be enforced, stating they feel the city is failing to address nuisances and enforcing ordinances already on the books.

Don Hall also has health and enforcement concerns and noted he is among many Glenwood residents who find it outlandish that the city is pursuing the ordinance.

Hall’s comments were interrupted by Rodman, who said he was angered that the chicken discussion was worthy of such strong public opposition.
“People are more concerned about chickens than whether the (city) bills are being paid,” Rodman said. “That’s what makes me mad.”

Christina Bacon said chickens don’t belong in the city, period.

“I live in town for a reason – because there are rules,” she said. “City limits are city limits. Country life is country life. As a (city) taxpayer, why should I have to look at a chicken coop?”
The one resident who spoke in favor of the ordinance, Stephen Hunt, noted the ordinance allows for up to five chickens that must be contained in a controlled environment. Hunt also told the council he knew of six other people who might want to raise chickens if the ordinance is passed.

Before the vote was taken, council member Dan McComb said fellow council members “are going to do whatever they want to do”  despite the wishes of city taxpayers. McComb said  he’s talked to around 70 Glenwood citizens about the issue over the past two months and he’s yet to encounter anyone who thinks passage of the ordinance would be a good idea.

“I’ve got a bunch of people who have told me ‘no’ and that’s how I’m voting,” McComb said. “I represent the people and they don’t want it.”

Three readings of the ordinance must be passed before it becomes law. Some tweaks to the ordinance are expected before council members are asked to pass a second reading (Sept. 27), including the establishment of permit fees and fines and the removal of language that would allow turkeys and other fowl to be raised in the city.

Angie Winquist Named Finance Director

The council passed a motion to add the position of finance director to city clerk Angie Winquist’s job title. With the new title comes an hourly salary increase from $21.63 to $24.04.

Office assistant / deputy city clerk Mike Flack’s position is being elevated into a full-time job and his pay rate is increasing from $10 an hour to $15.

The city will also continue to use Clint Fichter as a financial consultant.

Mayor Brian Tackett said retaining Fichter’s services is a “financially responsible decision” on the council’s part. Tackett noted Fichter receives no benefits from the city. Fichter was brought in last winter to assist the city in erasing its general fund deficit and establishing sound financial practices for its day-to-day operations at City Hall.