Public Safety & Welfare Committee

CITY OF VERONA PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE COMMITTEE OCTOBER 8, 2018 VERONA CITY HALL MINUTES 1. Call to order: Heather Reekie called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Heather Reekie and Katie Kohl were present. Evan Touchett was absent. Also present: Police Chief Bernie Coughlin, Planning Director Adam Sayre, City Attorney Bryan Kleinmaier, City Clerk Ellen Clark, and John Beale, owner of Beale Enterprises. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2018 Public Safety and Welfare Committee meeting. Motion carried 2-0. 4. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Special Event Permit application from Le Jordan, Verona Area Chamber of Commerce, for Main Street Trick or Treating and Costume Party on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. This is the second year for this event, which will be held at Hometown Junction Park. The trick or treating route will begin at the park, proceed down the east side of Main Street, then cross Main Street south of the intersection of Main Street and Verona Avenue and proceed down the west side of Main Street, ending at the park. Tailgating tents for non-Main Street businesses will be set up in the parking lot at the corner of West Park Lane and South Main Street. Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to approve a Special Event Permit for the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Main Street Trick or Treating and Costume Party on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Motion carried 2-0. 5. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Special Event Permit application from Stacey Burkart, Verona Public Library, for a donor appreciation party on November 2, 2018 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The library is planning a donor appreciation event for November 2, 2018. Wine and beer will be served at the event, however a Temporary “Class B” license is not required, as there will be no alcohol sales. The wine is being donated by the Friends of the Verona Public Library and the beer is being donated by Wisconsin Brewing Company. Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to approve a Special Event Permit for the Verona Public Library donor appreciation event on November 2, 2018 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Motion carried 2-0. 6. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 18-923 amending Section 10-1-26 and 10-1-27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Verona relating to parking on Commerce Parkway. The owner of Beale Enterprises, 529 Commerce Parkway, informed the police department of vehicles that were being parked on both sides of the street adjacent to and across the street from their loading dock driveway. This parking is limiting, and sometimes blocking, their access to ship goods, and is creating a potentially unsafe environment. This parking situation has become more prevalent with the success of neighboring business, The Duluth Trading Company at 515 Commerce Parkway, as well as the establishment of Ordinance No. 18-910, which restricted parking near the  loading dock entrance to Pure Sweet Honey Farms during business hours. The proposed ordinance is being recommended as a solution to this problem. This item was discussed at the August 16, 2018 Public Safety and Welfare Committee meeting. The consensus of the committee at that time was to not take action on the item until more information was available. The committee asked staff to discuss the issue with both parties involved, and have them come back to another committee meeting. Chief Coughlin stated that he and Planning Director Sayre have spoken with Mr. Beale and Jeff Parisi, owner of the building at 515 Commerce Parkway (Duluth Trading). The Police Department has tried to work with both owners, but employees of Duluth Trading Company continue to park close to Mr. Beale’s driveway and in front of the mailbox. Off street parking was suggested to the owners at 515 Commerce Parkway, but it was met with resistance. Ticketing is done from time to time, but is not effective. Sayre stated this is a fair compromise for all businesses on Commerce Parkway. This ordinance eliminates time-of-day parking restrictions and adds permanent no parking on the west side of Commerce Parkway for a distance of 493 feet, and on the east side of Commerce Parkway for a distance of 405 feet. Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to approve Ordinance No. 18-923 amending Section 10-1-26 and 10-1-27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Verona relating to parking on Commerce Parkway. Motion carried 2-0. 7. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 18-924 amending Titles 7 and 13 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona, Wisconsin relating to the keeping of chickens and to the keeping and raising of chickens. The proposed municipal code text amendment will amend Title 7 and Title 13 to allow for the keeping and raising of chickens. In general, persons wishing to keep and raise chickens would need to obtain a license from the City Clerk and conform to the Zoning regulations. Mr. Sayre reviewed the items of note for the proposed changes to Title 7 and Title 13, including:  Obtaining an annual license prior to January 1 of each year, or within 30 days of acquiring the chicken or chickens.  Providing proof of livestock premises registration with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.  Applicants renting property that wish to obtain an chicken-keeping license shall obtain written permission from the owner(s) of the property.  Providing proof of written notification to all property owners within twenty-five (25) feet of the Applicant’s property stating the Applicant’s intent to keep chickens on his or her property. Notification is not required for renewal of a license.  Chickens shall be permitted on lots where the principal structure is a single- family detached dwelling unit, duplex, twin house, a school, or a group daycare center.   No more than four (4) female chickens may be kept on a property. Roosters are prohibited.  The sale of chickens, meat, eggs, or other chicken by-products is prohibited.  The slaughtering of chickens is prohibited.  Chickens shall be kept in the chicken coop or the chicken run at all times.  The chicken coop shall be located only in rear yards and meet all setback requirements. Ms. Kohl stated she is uncertain about the necessity of the notification requirement in the ordinance. Mr. Sayre stated the notification increases awareness, and may cut down on the number of calls received by staff when someone installs chickens. Mr. Kleinmaier stated one merit of notification is possibly stimulating a valuable conversation as to where the coop and run will be placed in the yard. Chief Coughlin stated that requiring notification forces the talk between neighbors. Ms. Kohl suggested a standard notification letter, supplied by the city, making it clear that notification of neighbors is a courtesy. Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to recommend to the Common Council to approve Ordinance No. 18-924 amending Titles 7 and 13 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona, Wisconsin relating to the keeping of chickens and to the keeping and raising of chickens. Motion carried 2-0. 8. Adjournment: Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to adjourn at 6:05 p.m. Motion carried 2-0. Ellen Clark, City Clerk