Urban Chicken Talk Barely Takes Flight
The Port Washington Common Council will continue a discussion about urban chicken keeping inside city limits at its next meeting after the issue was tabled — though not all aldermen were in favor of the move.
The Port Washington Common Council voted to table a discussion about an ordinance that would allow the raising of chickens within city limits during its meeting on Tuesday night.
The suggestion to hold the discussion until the council's next meeting came from Ald. Paul Neumeyer, who said a resident in his district had planned to give a presentation about the issue — but was unable to attend because of a medical emergency.
Aldermen were split on the issue, voting three in favor and three against tabling — forcing Mayor Tom Mlada to issue the final vote; he chose to allow the discussion to be tabled. Ald. Jim Vollmar was absent from the meeting, causing the even number of council members; Aldermen Joe Dean, Douglas Biggs and Dave Larson voted against tabling; Aldermen Neumeyer, Michael Ehrlich and Dan Becker were in favor.
The council first discussed researching urban chicken keeping in early February — and though the idea was met with much opposition from aldermen, the body instructed City Administrator Mark Grams to at least research the topic in surrounding areas.
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"Although I have lots of concerns about having chickens in the city, I also had lots of concerns about bees," Ehrlich said during the early February meeting, referring to a debate just more than a year ago about urban beekeeping in Port Washington that — despite extreme initial opposition — ultimately resulted in an ordinance allowing honey bees inside city limits.
Grams had included three examples of Wisconsin municipal ordinances where chickens are allowed to be raised, including: Wauwatosa, which was approved about a month ago; Whitewater; and Lake Mills.
"Most of the communities that have it tend to be out it in the rural areas of the state," he said. In his notes to the aldermen, he also said most ordinances seem to allow four to six chickens and never any roosters, that setback requirements are offer included and that many ordinances require approval from neighbors.
Some urban places in Wisconsin, such as Madison and Green Bay — already have ordinances allowing the birds. In these communities, four hens are allowed per household and no roosters.
The council will meet next at 7:30 p.m. March 19 at City Hall.
Greg
12:19 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I think that priorities and resources need to be identified. The city has bigger fish to fry. I don't know of many businesses that are going to rush to Port because it has a chicken ordinance, maybe we can get a Tractor Supply to move in across from Pizza Hut.
Terry
3:17 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I agree. Changing Port into Green Acres is not what I want my city government spending its time on right now.
Plus I don't want the things living next to me.
Tim Schwister
9:40 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I was at the meeting and I was quite frankly disgusted by it. Several people attended to make their voices heard and were simply not allowed the opportunity - for or against the matter at hand. The Mayor did not know that he had to cast the deciding vote on the measure and had to be told by the other members of the council. Unacceptable. On top of that, the measure was tabled because two people from one ward were not able to attend, for a very valid reason, I might add. HOWEVER, that does not mean that the mayor or the council should disregard the opinions of those of us who did attend, and did interrupt our schedules to do so. It was a slap in the face. It was unprofessional, and it was a deciding factor in my decision to never vote again for any incumbent member of the City Council, the mayor included.
Tim Schwister
9:43 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I should add that immediately after the measure was tabled without the people in attendance being allowed to voice their opinions, about half the people in the room immediately got up and left. That includes a gentleman and his two children who had come with a presentation of their own. "Sorry, kids. Shut up and get out! Your opinion is not wanted.".
Jolene Patterson
10:27 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tim, Thanks for taking the time out of your scheduled to be there last night. I hope that you and everyone else that was able to come do so again at the next meeting. This has been the problem all along and poses the need for all that want this to become a reality to speak up and let your Alderman know what you want.The alderman apposed to this are the ones that have not been called and let known that their constituents are interested. I urge you all to call City Hall and your Alderman and let them know. If anything this should be a wake up call to the community on just what is going on at these meetings. If your Alderman is not interested he just votes what he wants and in this case that is what they are doing, and your voice is not heard and it does not matter. LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
Terry
11:32 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Absolutely right Jolene.
Hopefully enough of us can call our aldermen and get this thing stopped before it gets out of hand.
Tim Schwister
9:55 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Jolene, you are absolutely right, and I have done so twice already. My alderman never answers his phone, though. EVER! He also never returns phone calls.
Annie Bahringer
9:46 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I'm sure the chicken debate is not taking up a lot of these people's time. It's a ten minute discussion at the most, and having it tabled will give them time to research and learn about the benefits of letting people have their own chickens. This would be offering us a chance to be self sufficient, to not have to rely on big farms that breed disease instead of nutrition.
Brendan Boyle
10:15 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Seems to me that the :common council spending time addressing citizens cares be it chickens or lack of revenue from buisiness taxes is their job. I don't see how any resources are being wasted by listening to a presentation. If the decibel level of 6 hens is less than a dog and they don't use my yard as as their waste depository. I don't see a problem.
Tim Schwister
10:18 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Annie, it was already tabled once before so the city administrator and city attorney could research it. That research was presented last night. What is the point of tabling it again if the research has already been done?
Mary Boyle
10:25 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
It is a shame that those present weren't given a chance to have their say - the discussion certainly could have been continued to the next meeting to allow comments from those who couldn't make it. I don't think Port's in danger of becoming "Green Acres" anytime soon - even if the ordinance is granted, it's unlikely that more than 10 households will actually attempt this (although mine will be one of them;)
Jolene Patterson
11:56 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
F.Y.I.
There will be a class on Urban Chicken Raising at our library here in Port Washington on Saturday, March 16th, 10AM-11Am. this class will by given by Sandy Sandlin. Then from 11AM- 12PM Sandy's husband Steve Sandlin will be teaching about Sauerkraut making. If you are interested in this please call and sign up for the classes.
I would encourage our Alderman to come be seen and be educated on Urban Chickens to show the city that they have an open mind on the issue.
Tim Schwister
9:57 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
If they show up they will probably try to pass an ordinance banning sauerkraut making :)
Lyssa Beyer
1:10 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
For anyone interested in having your opinions heard on this issue, be sure to speak during the Public Comments section; there is an opportunity for this both at the beginning and ending of the meeting. The discussion item within the agenda does not allow for public appearance at that exact time, it can only be made during Public Comment by law. Just an FYI.
Lyssa Beyer
1:10 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Unless it is listed on the agenda as a public hearing, for example.
Tim Schwister
10:03 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Lyssa, you were there. I was sitting right behind you. The "Public Comments" section went (as I explained before) "okarethereanypubliccomments? ok, goodmovingonthen". We weren't even given an opportunity to raise our hands and the public comments were not specific AT ALL. There was no topic announced for any public comment. The preceding topic may have been road repair and then it was time for public comments and people didn't know if they were required to comment only on road repair or if they could comment on urban chickens, which had not been addressed yet. It was sloppy and unprofessional, to say the least.
Lyssa Beyer
11:02 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
Hey Tim,
I do agree that the public comment section went quickly without much time to respond; though — had someone stood up or raised they're hand when the mayor said "OK, moving on then," I assure you they would have allowed the comment. I've seen it before. "Oh someone does have a comment. OK."
The public comment session never has a specific topic tied to it, it's always an open forum for any issue to be brought forward, and the council is not allowed to respond at all to the public comment; that is, the session is meant as a one-way street and not a conversation — it's just the nature of the public comment forum.
That being said, it is unfortunate that most residents do not understand that the system is set up this way. I didn't know this either until I started working in a professional capacity and attending such meetings.
Mike Didier
11:52 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
With all the talk in the City of Port about raising chickens. We thought we would let you know that in the Township chickens ARE allowed in residential districts (With some restrictions).
http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/townport/Ordinances/Chickens.pdf
Greg
3:37 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
"Slaughtering/butchering chickens is not permitted"? What do you do with them?
Jolene Patterson
10:27 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
Thanks Mike for the heads up!
Jessica White
8:33 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Same thing you do with your pets. Take care of them. What makes a chicken different than a cat or a dog?
Greg
10:57 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Let me check.
Wings, feathers, beak, eggs, and they taste better.
Terry
9:09 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
sweet baby rays barbecue sauce....
conni marschke
2:18 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
i have always loved chickens. they are geat pets, we can eat there eggs. they are also low maint. and a joy to any family. my kids grew up with turkey, ducks, goose, and laying hen. they learned a lot from the maint. and care for raising them from chicks..