I just came from the Public Safety mtg. and many new restrictions were added and will go to the full City Council June 28 @7pm. I have requested a copy and will post all of them as soon as I get it. Some that I remember: a permit and $20 yearly fee, MANY restrictions for the coop (including concrete) and it cannot be closer than 20ft from your property line and you cannot add their droppings to a compost pile!!! I suggested using Missoula's Ordinance as an example but Mr. Uden used the one provided by the citizen OPPOSED to Urban Chickens! Very frustrating!

Lets hope the suggested ordinance not require such stringent restrictions that peoples ability to realistically have chickens is hampered. The chickens are much quieter and do not create nearly the smell that dogs do. I hope that personal biases of council members not hold sway as it seems that the loud minority have been able to pull their ears.

I believe this will make it difficult for some to own chickens, especially requiring the coop to be 20ft from the property line. I have only heard 2 private citizens go against Urban Chickens and the silent majority doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and I hope some of the majority will stop being silent! I can't believe the City Council is willing to spend so much time and energy on such a small issue. I know they have more important things to do!

I have only heard 2 private citizens go against Urban Chickens and the silent majority doesn't seem to have a problem with it.

Umm... if they are silent, how do you know if they have a problem or not? Just saying.

I don't think having concrete for the coop is at all reasonable. It is a big deal to build or have built a concrete pad. It is not necessary at all. We have had chickens for years and do not have concrete. I hope this is rescinded......

What about the mayors sheep? Humm u gunna let him get away with more

does he live in town and really have a sheep!!!!

Why just allow chickens? I was hoping for a couple of pigs and maybe a cow.

Having to be 20 feet away from a property line seems pretty tough, especially when you take into account most people have neighbors on the left, right, and back. Then in addition to that you need to have the room for your chickens, too. I went out and looked at our yard. We have a pretty huge yard, on a corner lot, and after measuring out what the requirements need to be I'm not even sure we would be able to do it.

Seems like the people who don't want them in town would get their way after all, since this restriction alone would limit a LOT of people from being able to have them. So discouraging.

The recommendations still have to pass the full City Council. Please contact the Council members before Tuesday (the 28th) and let them know this would be onerous! Please attend the City Council mtg this Tuesday at 7pm.

Regarding Sheep, they are now included in the prohibited animal paragraph. When the Mayor briefly had them, they were not prohibited. I feel the Mayor has been fair and helpful regarding this issue. Mr. Uden is the only one who has repeatedly said he is against chickens in town and he made the motion regarding the new restrictions for the coop. He is also the Chair of the Public Safety Cmte.

@ Richard: many people have privately expressed support and have said they are glad the Ordinance passed but have publicly been "silent". In my personal survey of residents, no one has told me they are against Urban Chickens. I have tried to address any concerns and questions expressed by the 2 citizens and the Council members speaking against Urban Chickens.

Mr. Uden is the only one who has repeatedly said he is against chickens in town and he made the motion regarding the new restrictions for the coop. He is also the Chair of the Public Safety Cmte.

As of tonight's Miles City Star, it appears he will be running for mayor.

Where are all the Chicken Little jokes? Richard?

Can anyone post council members e*mails so we can express opinions through e*mail?

If you wish to protest, write a letter (or a phone call) or appear at a City Council meeting. Aside from this not being a real e-mail bunch, e-mail appears lazy (sorry, young'uns but it does to older folks) and is not as influential. Best way is still putting it in writing or showing up in person.

So the Council has nothing better to do than sit around choking the chicken?

You know what I've found about e-mail? It's the lazy who don't respond.

It's also writing - and not wasteful.

[This message has been edited by Buck Showalter (6/24/2011)]

Where are all the Chicken Little jokes? Richard?

I haven't a "klew".

"Aside from this not being a real e-mail bunch..."

Mainly because they're confused and intimidated by the technology.

"e-mail appears lazy (sorry, young'uns but it does to older folks) and is not as influential."

Disagree. Email is just as if not more effective in that it can reach a greater audience and in near real time. Those who choose not to participate are the lazy ones, afraid to make a change and afraid to have to keep up. They're also afraid that they'd actually have to face the responsibility of answering for their actions to a responsive and involved audience.

"As of tonight's Miles City Star, it appears he will be running for mayor."

If indeed Uden is elected, would he then be allowed to sink more than one police vehicle through the river ice?

As mayor, since the mayor is the chief law enforcement officer of the town, would he be allowed to shoot more holes in a single business ceiling or is he allowed to shoot just one in multiple businesses?

Inquiring minds want to know!