Council considers kennels

Dogs running at large is becoming a concern for the Kimball City Council, as board member James Schnell and Kimball Mayor Keith Prunty broach that subject as well as dog kennels within city limits at the latest council meeting, April 19.

“Last Friday I got jumped by two citizens both upset because we are not keeping dogs from running at large,” Schnell said.

Prunty added that he had fielded a complaint about kenneling dogs, as well and broached the subject of licensing dog kennel businesses within city limits.

The current ordinance limits the number of dogs a resident can own to three without a kennel license. That number jumps to ten dogs over the age of nine months for those with the kennel license, and there are no zoning restrictions within residential areas.

“I would like to have this on here just for discussion and direction. If you buy a kennel in Kimball you don’t have to notify your neighbors,” Prunty explained. “With barking dogs and everything else, I would like to have maybe the same process as a mobile home permit so at least you have to notify your neighbors.”

Prunty continued that Kimball residents are limited to three dogs within city limits, and there should be a list of different requirements.

Currently, according to City Administrator Daniel Ortiz, anyone applying for a kennel license there is no public hearing or notification, unlike the aforementioned mobile home permits.

Some residents actually have four or five dogs in residence, Ortiz added, and for those citizens it makes more sense to apply for a kennel license. The current local ordinance requires that each animal have access to separate lodging, as well.

“Currently we have, for this year alone, three kennel licenses that have been issued,” Ortiz said. “One is for four dogs, one is for seven and one is for eight.”

Council could decide to issue a license and then either the city could send notification to neighbors or council could decide that a public hearing is needed.

“How do we decide if this guy can have four dogs but the other guy can’t?” council member Christy Warner said. “That is my concern.”

Police chief Darren Huff reported that his department has had complaints from neighbors of the licensed kennels specifically regarding noise.

Council considered requiring any resident with four or more dogs to purchase a kennel license and to limit the number of dogs in a licensed kennel to ten.

Additionally, they discussed including a revocation clause, of sorts, that if three complaints are fielded in any given month regarding a licensed kennel, the license may be revoked.

The ordinance could include direction for city administration to notify residents via certified mail when an application for licensing is made within 300 feet of their home as opposed to holding public hearing.

Warner asked for additional time to review the ordinance, as well as any potential changes before voting and the matter was subsequently tabled until the council meeting scheduled for May 17.

The board approved hiring a special projects coordinator following discussion at the previous council meeting and a subsequent joint meeting.

“We discussed getting a special projects coordinator to kind of get a lot of projects that have been on the back burner off the ground,” Ortiz said. “We interviewed three people. Julie Schnell was the one picked from the group just because of her background and the ease of being able to fit right in.”

Ortiz said the city would like to apply for a Community Development Block Grant prior to the end of May for projects downtown improvements and utilities.

“Talking to Julie, she was looking for more of a part-time and temporary basis,” Ortiz said. “I request that you consider your appointment. Typically most employment positions don’t require council approval, but where she is married to James (Schnell, council member), this requires council approval in offering her this position.”

After ensuring that there was no legal concern, council voted to hire Julie Schnell as the special project coordinator with board member Schnell abstaining.

Other actions by the board:

Approved a conditional use permit for a garage at 211 N. Elm St. for Sue and Randy Kennedy

Received ACE revenue return for fiscal year 2015-16 of $3,925.14

Granted $1,000 in Keno funds for the Andy Shaw Memorial Softball tournament

Approved $3,000 in Keno funds for the Kimball Ranch Rodeo

Granted a $2,500 Keno grant for the Kimball Youth Football league

Appointed Meg Strauch to the tree board to replace Danessa Anderson

Accepted a contract and grant award for the Senior Handyman Project

Heard job vacancy analysis – more on this issue next week

Heard a recommendation from the compensation committee – more on this issue next week