05-20-2004 Minutes - SpecialCommission
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CITY OF SALINA, KANSAS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
May 20, 2004
7:00 p.m.
The City Commission convened at 7:00 p.m. in a public forum for citizen input: pertaining to vicious
dogs.
Those present:
Mayor Monte Shadwick, Chairman presiding
Commissioner Deborah P. Divine
Commissioner Alan E. Jilka
Commissioner Donnie D. Marrs
Commissioner Paul G. Webb
comprising a quorum of the Board, also present:
Dennis M. Kissinger, City Manager
Greg Bengtson, City Attorney
James Hill, Police Chief
Jennifer Wyatt, City Prosecutor
Yvonne Gibbons, Salina -Saline Health Department Director
Rose Base, Animal Shelter Director
Absent: None
Mayor Shadwick opened the public forum.
Dennis Kissinger, City Manager, summarized the current city ordinances and recent court
rules and legislature actions.
Kay Burns, 328 S. 11`h Street, commented that Salina has a pit bull problem. She
suggested that the dogs be kept indoors and allowed outside for bathroom use and must be supervised.
Scott Phelps, 757 Choctaw, suggested the need for stronger law enforcement and owners
to carry insurance policies on dogs and homes.
Sherly Wiesner, 916 Park, commented on a recent dog attack of a child. She suggested
that the city keep a list of vicious dogs and require temperament training.
Pam Holt, 424 S. Phillips, commented on the need to protect adults and the elderly, as well
as children. Ms. Holt then commented on the latest legislature "one bite rule". She felt that obedience
classes are not enough, and the need to hold the owners responsible.
Alicia Sutton, 1216 Apache, suggested that owners use electric fences to contain their
dogs. She expressed that it needs to be the owners responsibility and require obedience training.
Derrick Lee, 2519 Edward, commented that pit bulls are dangerous and if the city does
nothing about them, the city should be held liable.
Linda Phelps, 200 S. 3rd, explained that her dog was attacked and killed by a pit bull. She
also expressed that she is scared to take walks due to the pit bulls in her neighborhood.
Cynthia Kibler, Concordia (dog trainer), explained that it is not the dog's fault, but the
owners. The owners are training the dogs to be mean. She felt there should be stricter laws and
require obedience training.
Anita Gilbreath, 1012 N. 8`h, stated that pit bulls are not dangerous and to ban them was
not the answer. She continued by saying that the city needs better law enforcement and stricter
penalties.
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Kelly Forsberg, 512 Washington, commented on her daughter that was attacked by the
neighbors' pit bulls. Ms. Forsberg questioned as to where the funding will come from to enforce the
policies that are in place and the need to do something about the dogs running at -large.
A discussion between Commissioner Jilka and Ms Forsberg followed on what Ms
Forsberg would like to see done; which she is in favor of banning the breed.
Ryan Forsberg, 1520 Cheyenne, expressed his support on banning pit bulls. Mr. Forsberg
felt that pit bulls were bred to kill.
Brian Peterson, 127 E. Beloit, expressed the need for tighter restrictions on fencing,
harsher penalties, and temperament testing.
Sam Nunamaker, 1234 N. Santa Fe, felt that the ordinances in place do not protect the
citizens. Mr. Nunamaker expressed his support for breed banning.
Amy Montre, 117 S. Eastborough Road, expressed the need for laws to be enforced and
additional animal control personnel.
Scott Worlock, 756 Hancock, commented on his past pit bull experience and favoring of
the banning of pit bulls.
John Yost, 102 N. 8`h Street, commented on the need for dog ixaining and owners'
responsibilities.
Joe Porter, 1719 S. 11`h Street, expressed that by banning breeds, more problems will be
created. Mr. Porter felt that harsher penalties should be enforced.
Theresa Roy, 314 N. Kansas, stated that she owns a pit bull and is a responsible owner.
She noted that she has never had any problem with her pit bulls and they are around her children.
Josie Soto, 735 Leslie, commented that she owns a pit bull and has total control of her dog.
She also expressed that she takes extra precautions to ensure that her pet is not running loose.
David Sorrell, 740 Highland, stated that dogs can unexpectedly become aggressive and
chain link fences do not hold them in.
Morris Wendt, Postal Worker, expressed his support for banning specific breeds. Mr.
Wendt also thanked the animal shelter for their help.
Marvin Pratt, 1927 Lewis, commented on his past dog attack experiences and that owners
are not being responsible. Mr. Pratt supported the need for dogs to be tagged, licensed, and insured.
Brian Chance, 444 S. 9`h, expressed his support of not banning specific breeds, but banning
people with multiple violations from owning dogs. Mr. Chance also supported the need for obedience
training and temperament testing.
Matt Hine, pit bull owner, expressed that it is the owners' responsibility for the pet and
banning pit bulls was not the answer.
Heather Montray expressed that she did not support banning of specific breeds.
Ginger Jones, 870 Pontiac, felt that all dog owners need to carry liability insurance and the
need to have more guidelines in place.
Erin Baker, 512 Washington, stated that people do not know how a dog is going to react.
Jennifer Gullian, Lyons, quoted Texas Dog Temperament Statistics and the American
Temperament Society ratings.
Monika Losey, 661 Briarcliff, expressed the need to increase restrictions and penalties.
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Roger Kaiser, 1006 Rainbow, felt there is a need for pit bulls to be banned.
Alan Pickering, 641 S. 5th, favored the ban on pit bulls and believed that any dog that bites
should be euthanized.
Amber Worlock, 856 Hancock, commented that there were more instances of pit bull
attacks than any other dogs and needed to be banned.
Joe Aleshire, 880 Willow, expressed his support of the pit bull ban.
Cindy Johnson, 907 Pearl, did not support a breed specific ban.
Keith Hansen, Tescott, stated that there has been more labrador bikes than pit bulls. He
continued to say that the ban would just bring in bigger dogs to the community.
Katie Berg, 110 W. Republic, did not agree with the ban, but favored more enforcement
and larger fines.
William Salmon, 744 S. 10th, favored the ban and expressed his gratitude towards the
police department for their enforcement.
George Blosser, 611 N. 10th, expressed his opposition on the breed ban and the need to
enforce regulations. Mr. Blosser suggested using similar procedures as for DUI repeaters.
Rob Pickrell, 360 Morris Drive, commented that a large number of the pit bull populations
are aggressive and obedience training is critical. Mr. Pickrell continued to say that the city needs to
have stricter controls and law enforcement needs to have quicker response.
Tracy Kirby, 507 S. 12th, suggested that aggressive dogs need to be neutered.
Eleonor Jones, 870 Choctow, voiced her support on the ban of pit bulls and other vicious
dogs.
Herman Wiesner, 916 Park, commented that the community needs to have more questions
answered.
Beanard Wojcik, 753 S. 9th, wanted stronger penalties and for the animal code and fees to
be reviewed annually by an established committee, a pamphlet mailing of the animal code, and owners
signing a compliance order when getting tags. Mr. Wojcik also commented that irresponsible owners
should not be able to own dogs and owners need to have liability insurance.
Greg Hanson, no address, favored tighter, more specific laws.
Mr. Kissinger then responded to a citizen question pertaining to animal control personnel
being on duty for 24 hours.
Public forum adjourned.
Monte Shadwick, Mayor
[SEAL]
ATTEST:
Lieu Ann Elsey, City erk
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CONSENT TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
We, the undersigned, being duly elected, qualified and acting Commissioners of the City of
Salina, Kansas and constituting a majority of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Salina,
Kansas, do hereby consent to the holding of a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the
City of Salina, Kansas on the 20th day of May 2004, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of the following:
1. Public input and discussion on the vicious dog ordinance.
Dated this 17th day of May, 2004.
Monte Shadwick, Mayor
14im 44
Deborah P. Divine, Commissioner
an E. Jilka, Co issioner
D. Marrs
G. ebb, Commissioner