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• Tonya Johnson, 2720 Scotties Drive, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She said
<br /> that there are no health concerns or risks associated with the keeping of backyard
<br /> chickens according to UW-Madison and Beloit College professors.
<br /> • Jamie Gaffke and Ruth Vater, 719 Bushnell Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the
<br /> ordinance. They said that most animals make noise and have a smell to some degree,
<br /> but the solution is proper ventilation. They said that complaints by neighbors are rare and
<br /> that they can be solved through voluntary compliance or enforcement action.
<br /> • Tani Rudolph, 2114 Liberty Avenue, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance and said that
<br /> she is ready to have some in her backyard.
<br /> • Adam Hinkle, 812 Blaine Avenue, Janesville, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said
<br /> that chicken coups are not a fire hazard, and if that is a concern for the Council, they
<br /> should amend the ordinance to prohibit electricity in coups.
<br /> • Krista Voysest, 1300 Bushnell Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She said
<br /> that this issue will not raise any additional concerns for landlords because they have to
<br /> sign the application and allow tenants to keep backyard chickens.
<br /> • Maribeth Miller, 2481 Oxford Lane, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She said that
<br /> backyard chickens will not negatively impact property values or the City's reputation. She
<br /> said that Beloit is known for a lot of great things and permitting backyard chickens may
<br /> be one more.
<br /> • Mary Hallock, 732 Hobart Place, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She said that
<br /> there are typically only isolated instances of abandoned chickens and that the City could
<br /> contract with farmers or the Dane County Humane Society to make sure these chickens
<br /> are treated humanely.
<br /> • Oswaldo Voysest, 1300 Bushnell Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said
<br /> that he understands concerns with adequate staffing to administer the ordinance, and he
<br /> requested that the ordinance be amended to limit the number of permits to 30 for the first
<br /> year.
<br /> • Deb Crocket, 1014 Emerson Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She
<br /> requested that the ordinance become effective on January 1, 2013 and noted that there
<br /> have not been any cities that have repealed their ordinance allowing chickens.
<br /> • Nellie Conover-Crockett, 1014 Emerson Street, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
<br /> She said that she wants to have chickens and that this process has shown her how
<br /> citizens can be involved in the government's decision-making process and make a
<br /> difference.
<br /> • Beth Goodspeed, 1965 Pebble Drive, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She said
<br /> that she respectfully listened to staff's concerns and that the supporters have worked to
<br /> address them. She requested that the Council amend the ordinance to limit the number
<br /> of permits in the first year and make the effective date of the ordinance January 1, 2013.
<br /> • Larry White, 707 Highland Avenue, Beloit, said that he is neither for nor against the
<br /> ordinance. He said that he grew up in a small town where neighbors help each other and
<br /> that he would help neighbors with their chickens for a few eggs.
<br /> • Kathy Vickerman, 722 Oak Street, spoke in opposition of the ordinance. She said that, at
<br /> the Plan Commission meeting, Operations Director Chris Walsh and other staff members
<br /> shared valid concerns. She said that some of her neighbors do not mow their lawns or
<br /> shovel their walks and are not responsible enough to care for chickens. She requested
<br /> that the Council vote against the ordinance.
<br /> • Jason Vincent, 3537 Eagles Ridge Drive, Beloit, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said
<br /> that there are benefits to raising chickens locally and that employees in every industry are
<br /> being asked to do more with less. He said that he does not see the need for a limit to the
<br /> number of permits because there is a natural vetting process associated with the start-up
<br /> costs to appropriately raise chickens.
<br /> • Joe Hanson, 2516 Clifcorn Drive, Beloit, spoke in opposition of the ordinance. He said
<br /> that he has been a landlord for 20 years, and he cited the number of complaints about
<br /> raising chickens in the City now while it is not permitted. He requested that the Council
<br /> vote against the ordinance because the landlords will end up having to clean up the mess
<br /> left behind from renters with chickens.
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