It looks like the chickens will have to sit on the roost another two weeks, at least. ON A RELATED note, the Iola City Council approved a contract renewal with the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility for the next year. IN OTHER NEWS:
“The hens are laying the eggs, we need to get going,” Councilman Steve French said during Monday night’s city council meeting.
Any decision was tabled for further deliberation, regarding an ordinance that Code Services Officer Shonda Jefferis has drafted. Those in support of the ordinance said the loose knots must be tied up, while those in opposition listed numerous reasons why they don’t believe chickens should be allowed in the city limits.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m an animal lover and I’m not against chickens, I just don’t think they belong in the city,” Council member Sandy Zornes said.
She and Don Becker said the community has expressed concerns over chickens in Iola, including sanitation, space issues and neglect of the animals — they cited the current overpopulation of dogs and cats as a major argument against the ordinance.
French, however, said many of the concerns could be addressed through a “model ordinance” that city officials could enforce, complete with misdemeanor penalties for those in violation of requirements.
Council members Nancy Ford, Bob Shaughnessy, Beverly Franklin and Mayor Joel Wicoff were not present for the meeting. Jon Wells made the motion to table the decision until next meeting, to revisit some of the issues. He cited Levi Meiwes and Jacob Riebel’s petition as his major driving force — the two 4-H students garnered more than 150 signatures from the community in support of the ordinance.
“I have 150 signatures in front of me, that’s far more than we have gotten from anything else,” he said.
The contract stipulated a $5 increase from $85 to $90 per animal that the city brings into the shelter. Any other fees will remain the same.
In 2013, the City of Iola paid $12,820 to ACARF for its services, and recouped $3,610 from citations for animals running at large — quite a large gap, as French noted.
“We have to close this gap,” he said. “We are spending too much money at ACARF.”
Jefferis said some animal owners work around the citation. They wait out the three-day holding period at ACARF, then “adopt their animal back” to avoid any citation from the city. She said a possible amendment could increase the holding period to 10 days, possibly prompting the owners to get their animals back sooner.
However, she said many of the animals that are picked up are not registered at all, making it nearly impossible for the city to recoup any sort of funds expended.
— The city approved a purchase of a new bucket truck for the electric department, at a cost of $95,175.39 from Electric Technology LLC, out of Oklahoma City.
— A bid was accepted from The Victor L. Phillips Co., Joplin, for a backhoe, costing $62,500.
— Following a 15-minute executive session, council members approved an “interim contract” with EMS Director Ryan Sell. Under the contract, his pay will be increased by $800 per month.
“There’s not real extra pay for this position,” Administrator Carl Slaugh said. “I think the council recognizes there is extra work involved.”
There was no pay increase when Sell was initially selected to replace former EMS Director Ron Conaway.
City on the roost over chickens in city limits
