City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Patrick Sundberg, and Mark Cross were present. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Community Development Director Josh Doty, Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson, and Police Chief Matt Maier were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Review of animal regulations relating to chickens and goats Community Development Director Doty explained based on public comments received during both July council meetings, staff was directed to provide an update on city regulations related to chickens and the use of goats for sustainable clearing of invasive or unwanted weeds from property. Community Development Director summarized the current city ordinance regulating chickens and proposed some suggested changes to the ordinance. The council could consider eliminating the annual renewal of chicken permit fee and increasing the chicken run height. The council could also consider reevaluating the need for neighbor consent and minimum lot size requirements. Community Development Director Doty explained the city code is silent on the use of goats, which means goats are not allowed unless the city approves code amendments. Staff could propose a revision of the ordinance to allow the commercial use of goats for sustainable clearing of invasive or unwanted weeds and plants in all zoning districts for a specific timer period not exceeding 30-days per property per year, provided the animals are safely contained with temporary or permanent fencing. Staff would also proposed ordinance language protecting environmentally sensitive environments from the use of goats. The council suggested the ordinance contains a provision that a sign containing an emergency phone number is placed on a property with active goats. The council discussed if a neighbor should have a say if a property owner is allowed to have chickens. The council consensus was to direct staff to bring their comments to the planning and zoning commission for review. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 8/19/2025 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator