Update on Proposed Amendments to Chapter 10: Animals

In July, the City Council recommended the public hearing be postponed for the introduction of Ordinance 21-11 until the City has made recommended changes and has received public engagement on the matter. City Staff have generated a questionnaire and are requesting City Council input before distribution to the public. The proposed questionnaire generates questions about previously discussed animals, and standards for maintaining them. The proposed Ordinance has also been updated to include information received since the item was last discussed.

Notification is not required at this time. When the Ordinance returns for introduction, the City will post a public hearing notice in the Anoka County Union Herald.

Polco Survey Questions
The proposed questions were designed to reach the individuals within the City of Ramsey while verifying information (ownership, legal age of participation [18+ years]), and determining demographics related to the responses (zoning district, parcel size, answers to animal questions).

City Staff met with representatives of Polco to help formulate the types of questions that the City is looking for answers to. The proposed questions require the participant to respond with a positive or negative answer; there are not any options for "indifferent" or "middle-of-the-road" responses. This is designed so the City can achieve direct answers on what citizens are hoping to see in the Ordinance in regards to regulation of agricultural animals including roosters, beekeeping, and cats. All of these items have been previously discussed with the City Council and citizens present at the City Council regular meeting on July 27, 2021.

The last two questions cover anything that may have been missed by City Staff, and make sure every participating individual is notified when the introduction of the Ordinance is presented.

Summary of Ordinance Changes
The changes the Ordinance include the following:

• Reduced property sizes and an increased number of chickens allowed
• Inclusion of mini-cows, mini-pigs, bison, emu, rabbits, fainting goats
• 2 roosters allowed on parcels 2.5 acres or larger with a zoning permit
• Regulate number of agricultural animals based on property size instead of animal units
• Beekeeping as a zoning permit
• Private Kennel License will be required for five dogs, instead of four dogs
• Definition and standards for cats including impoundment

Alternatives
Alternative 1: Recommend a public survey for a certain duration, and direct City Staff to incorporate responses into Ordinance for further review.
Alternative 2: Recommend a public survey for a certain duration, and direct City Staff to bring the responses back when received for additional discussion.
Alternative 3: Do not recommend following through with a public survey. Direct Staff to introduce Ordinance at an upcoming City Council meeting as proposed.
Alternative 4: Do not recommend following through with a public survey. Request additional changes from City Staff based on discussion.

Staff is supportive of every alternative.

This case is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff is seeking additional input on the attached questionnaire, and next steps for the Ordinance.

No motion is necessary at this time. Staff is looking for guidance on next steps.