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' Clty of BELIT,wlsconsln luir.■■■■ PROCEEDINGS OF THE BELOIT CITY COUNCIL 100 State Street, Beloit WI 53511 Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Presiding: Charles M. Haynes Present: Sheila De Forest, Chuck Kincaid, Kevin D. Leavy, David F. Luebke, Mark Spreitzer, and James E. Van De Bogart Absent: None 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Forum at Beloit City Hall. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY/ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Vice President Spreitzer presented a proclamation recognizing Bridget Witt's participation in Team USA's Duathlon Program to Bridget Witt and proclaimed September 23, 2012 as Bridget Witt Day. Ms. Witt thanked the Council and said that she is thrilled to represent Beloit and the United States in Nancy, France. File 7148 b. Vice President Spreitzer presented a proclamation supporting participation in Library Card Sign Up Month for September, 2012, to Beloit Library Director Kristy Howe. Ms. Howe thanked the Council for their support of the Library. She said that Library Card Sign Up Month is an annual event; however, the Beloit Library staff has decided to go above and beyond this year to encourage people to obtain library cards and use the services available. She provided the Councilors with bookmarks and posters produced for the campaign. File 7148 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Community Development Director Julie Christensen presented a public hearing and proposed ordinance to amend section 7.243 (3) and to create section 7.244 of the Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 7 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Beloit and to amend sections 6.2.8 and 6.3.3 (b) (1) and table 6.1-1 and to create section 8.300 (m) (5) of the Zoning Code, Chapter 19 of the Code of General Ordinances for the City of Beloit relating to the Keeping of Chickens for a first reading. It was noted that the Plan Commission recommended denial 4-1. Ms. Christensen discussed the concerns of staff based on in-depth research and studies of comparable and local cities with regard to this topic. President Haynes opened the public hearing. • Liz Perry, 330 W. Lakeside Street, Madison, spoke in favor of the ordinance to allow chickens. She said that she works with the Dane County Humane Society to re-home chickens and said that she would be available to assist in Beloit if needed. • Tom Boswell, 115 Highland, Evansville, spoke in favor of the ordinance to allow chickens. He said that he understands the concerns of staff with regard to this issue but that he believes there are bigger problems to worry about including the industrialization of agriculture. • Kristy Handrich, 740 Grant Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance to allow chickens. She discussed the history of her group's efforts to bring an ordinance allowing backyard chickens to the City Council for consideration. • Kurt Handrich, 740 Grant Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said that supporting backyard chickens is a movement and asked the Council to support the community. • Daniel Youd and Beatrice Youd, 1969 Riverside Drive, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. They said that raising chickens teaches kids about responsibility, is healthy, benefits the environment, and saves money.