No chickens in the city limits says commission

By Jessica LeDuc
Blade staff writer
Concordia City Commissioners didn't agree on it, but came to the conclusion Wednesday night to not allow chickens in the city limits.
On a 3-2 vote, Commissioners voted not to change the city's animal ordinance, which would have permitted female chickens and other domesticated fowl within the city limits.
In January, Paul Huber asked the Commission to revise the existing ordinance to allow chickens in the city limits, because he wanted to raise them for their eggs and meat.
After a study session concerning the issue, Commissioners had a revised ordinance in front of them at last night's meeting.
Huber told Commissioners that he had been approached by several people asking that roosters be allowed in addition to female chickens. He said instead of purchasing chicks at a farm store, some individuals were interested in having their own.
He said that it did not make him any difference if roosters were allowed.
"I do know when roosters get older they can get mean and loud," he said.
He suggested roosters be treated like a dog who is creating a nuisance by barking too much.
"If it's causing problems, then you need to make supper out of it," Huber said.
Commissioner Lyle Pounds made a motion to approve the ordinance as it was presented, but it died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Gary Fraser said he had talked to a number of people, and 90 percent of them said they did not favor chickens in the city limits.
"A lot of people were surprised that we were even considering it," he said.
Commissioner Charles Johnson said he was in favor of the ordinance, but wanted to add that only female domesticated fowl be allowed. He made a motion, which was seconded by Pounds to that effect. It failed on a 3-2 vote, with Fraser, Tim Parker and Marsha Wentz all voting against it.
During his city manager report, Larry Uri told Commissioners about several grant opportunities.
He asked the Commission to consider applying for another Community Development Block Grant, this time for the flood control structure at Plum Road.
The City has been fortunate to receive a CDBG for the last three years, Uri said, the most recent being for housing rehabilitation. He said the current thought is to apply for a $500,000 grant–with a 50-percent match from the city–for the Plum Road dam.
He explained that one of the categories for application is health and safety, which he said he thought would be a good match for the dam project.
Uri also encouraged the Commission to consider applying for Cloud County wind farm funds to begin replacing the city's playground equipment.
The funds are distributed by the Cloud County Commission and come from Horizon Wind Farm's payment in lieu of taxes agreement. Applications are due by March 30.
Uri said $200,000 could easily be spent on replacing the aging playground equipment. If the City were to receive funds, he said, the equipment on the west side of the City Park would be replaced first, followed by the Second Street Park.
Any request for the wind farm funds must meet requirements supporting innovative projects that enhance quality of life, prosperity and safety of citizens of Cloud County by creating additional educational, recreational, social, health, community development, and economic opportunities.
During Commission comments, Pounds asked how his fellow commissioners felt about naming the tennis courts in the City Park after the late Jack Mitchell. Mitchell was the tennis coach at Concordia High School for many years, as well as the supervisor for Summer Recreation's tennis program.
All Commissioners were supportive of the idea, and Uri said he would put together an ordinance for the next meeting.
In other business, the Commission appointed Mike Linden to the general contractor position on the Board of Building Trades. Linden will fill the unexpired term of Dennis Fleming, who resigned in January. His term will expire on May 31, 2013.
The Commission also accepted an application from Shawn Starr to have the house at 912 East Seventh placed on the city's demolition program.
After a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, where no action was taken, the Commission adjourned to a study session to discuss the water billing policy.

• For the record 2-21 - Feb. 21, 2012
• For the record 2-17 - Feb. 17, 2012
• No chickens in the city limits says commission - Feb. 16, 2012
• Courthouse 2-16 - Feb. 16, 2012
• School board approves contract extensions - Feb. 15, 2012
• For the record 2-15 - Feb. 15, 2012