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Hartington City Council eyes fines for city chickens, poultry
HARTINGTON — Any chickens, poultry or other fowl in the Hartington City limits may soon be on the chopping block.
The Hartington City Council Monday discussed the city's current ordinances concerning chickens, poultry and other fowl. City Attorney Nikki Brandt said the current ordinance bans city residents from keeping the animals on their property. However, she said, the ordinance does not include any penalties for people that violate the ordinance.
Mayor Mark Becker told Council members he has heard complaints from city residents about people housing chickens on their city property.
After scouring through city ordinances, Becker discovered the current law does little to stop people from housing the animals.
Brandt told the Council some cities allow such animals in the city limits, but a permit must be obtained first and then annually renewed.
After a lengthy discussion, the Council decided to ask Brandt to draft an ordinance that would fine anyone who knowingly houses chickens, poultry or other fowl. It was agreed a $100 fine should be imposed on any offenders. If the matter is not resolved right after notification of the violation, the Council suggested fining the individual an additional $10 per day for every day they are in violation of the ordinance.
The Council also held a public hearing Monday for a liquor license for Skylon LCC, operated by Corey Kramer. There were no objections and the license, which allows the facility to sell on-sale beer, wine and spirits, was unaimously approved.
Also Monday, the Council approved a building permit for Brandon Eickhoff. He plans to build a 112x50 foot storage unit at his Comfy Feet business west of Pomps. Eickhoff said this will be an extension of his Broadway Storage business.
The building will have eight stalls to allow for indoor storage of large vehicles. Hartington- Newcastle Schools has already agreed to rent five of the stalls, he said.
The Council agreed Monday to allow Mike and Karil Adams to block off a portion of the street in front of their 204 N. Oak Street home for their annual Fourth of July party.
The Council granted their approval to allow Eric Kloster, a trained paramedic, and Alicia Kloster, a trained EMT, to join the Hartington Ambulance Squad.
Council members also discussed concerns they had received about a resident that was using their home as a business and had 'junk in their yard.'
Council members discussed the issue, but felt there was nothing they could do at this time.
The Council also took several actions at their May 27 meeting.
For several years now, the operators of the Fly By Night fireworks stand on Highway 57 have set off some fireworks to entertain their neighbors — residents of the Arbor Care Center.
That fireworks display has grown over the years and has become quite lengthy and is now drawing quite a crowd.
Mayor Becker has said he’s been impressed with the fireworks show, but also concerned about the safety of the show with many people crossing the highway to view it.
The Council agreed at its May 27 meeting to close Highway 57 from Franklin to Bow streets on Monday, June 30, from 7:30-11 p.m., for the fireworks show.
The nursing home is also planning snacks and a social time beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks are then slated to launch when the sun goes down.
That was just one of three road closures the Council approved that night.
The Council also agreed to close down a stretch of Broadway and Centre streets downtown on Aug. 2 for Hartington Dayz. They also agreed to close the road through Felber Park early that same morning for a Hartington Dayz Fun Run.
The next Hartington City Council meeting is set for 5 p.m. June 23.
