HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 08.27.2012 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
AUGUST 27, 2012
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Doug Poehls Dick Fritzler
Tom Nelson Bruce McGee
Bill Mountsier
Others Present: Rick Musson
Dog Ordinance
Doug Poehls, Chairman, summed up the last meeting in July by stating that Doug Ruebke, County
Rabies Commissioner, had visited. Bruce McGee had presented a revision to change Laurel's
ordinance to be much like the Billings ordinance.
Chief Musson stated that there presently isn't a control on cats in the Laurel animal ordinance. Cats
have an instinct to roam and it would be beyond the means of the department to control cats with the
current manpower and finances. Rick stated he met with Connie Crowe, Animal Control Officer, to
resolve issues with someone who knows the business. Rick said the ordinance should have within it a
clarification for vicious dogs. A dog that bites and therefore may be a dangerous animal should not be
included with a nuisance dog. He suggested that the ordinance be written so it is easy to understand.
Discussion continued with the restrictions of keeping a dog in a home when under quarantine. Rick
said it is not feasible to contain the animal at the police department. Other areas of concern with dogs
are clean-up of animal waste and confinement of animals that are in heat to a house, garage or
building. It would be more likely that a record of nuisance dogs be kept with the police department
and not with the court. Rick said fines are best left with the bond schedule of the courts.
Tom stated the area of concern that was brought to the committee's attention was the issue of a vicious
dog. He suggested that the city change the ordinance pertaining to dogs that are vicious. The change
can be specific to the problem and not include more than the city can manage or afford. He agrees that
the rules and regulations of a vicious dog should be separate from a nuisance dog in the ordinance. A
vicious dog is one that will attack and bite where a nuisance dog will bark or howl and cause
annoyance or disturbance to another person. Therefore, there may not be a need to condense the
Billings ordinance to fit Laurel.
More discussion will be heard at the September 24 meeting.
Parking
Police Chief Musson and Bill Mountsier went to a meeting regarding parking. Rick spoke of an
ordinance to permit no parking areas. There is a problem of parking around the sports complex. There
will be curbs painted and no parking signs will be put up. Parking space will be available for safety
and emergency vehicles.
Respectfully,
Secretary, Neva Hall