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05-20-2004 Minutes - SpecialCommission Action # 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. Page 1 Commission Action # 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. Page 2 Commission Action # 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 Page 3 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