Agenda - Council - 09/11/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

additional $50 fee, and ifthere is a third violation in a 12 month period the fme would be $150. Councilmember Dehen stated the only other change he would request is that they have a dangerous dog license listed at $500. Dangerous dogs are a big problem and he would ask that license amount go up to $2,000 to be cost prohibitive in any resident housing this type of dog, especially in light of there being a number of incidents recently with dogs biting kids. Usually these injuries are significant. City Attorney Goodrich advised these fees have to be of some relationship to the effort staff 'puts in to the licensing, such as with things like background investigations. police Chief Way indicated the City charges for the sign that is provided and does an inspection. There are very few of these dogs because of the insurance. Ramsey has had two or three in the last five to seven years. That tag sticks with the dog, and if they move the dog somewhere they are required to notify where the dog is going. Councilmember Dehen stated sometimes the dangerous dog designation has been eliminated after a year and he wants to be sure the City is getting plenty of license fees if people are going to own those dangerous animals. police Chief Way indicated the police Department goes out a couple of times and they give the owner a sign. The big key is the insurance. Usually they cannot get insurance, and it is so cost prohibitive that they put the dog down. Councilmember Elvig requested information regarding what is classified as a dangerous dog. police Chief Way indicated the classification is based on the second biting incident; it is not based on the severity of the bite and it has nothing to do with the species. Councilmember Dehen stated if a dog bites someone it is declared potentially dangerous and the owner has the right to appeal that designation. If it bites twice it is designated dangerous. If it is designated dangerous the owner is supposed to muzzle it and keep it in a kennel. That dangerous dog designation will carry through the balance of that dog's life with a requirement that the dog have a microchip in the ear. However, a prosecutor may say they will allow someone to have a dangerous dog designation for one year and then it goes away. This was a Ramsey case and that dog is now no longer considered dangerous. These signs can be removed. He is not in favor of very low licenses if they can discourage that type of thing through licensing and justify it. police Chief Way suggested rather than with the licensing, if someone's dog bites that it is addressed through the fine, rather than a fee. Councilmember Dehen suggested fees at $200 for the first bit and $2,000 for the second bite. If the dog bites once it will bite again. Usually they get kids and it will be in the face. City Attorney Goodrich indicated he and Police Chief Way can review this section. It cannot be done through fees; it could be addressed through the fme penalty or prohibiting them. Councilmember Elvig suggested amending the language to state 'home structure moving permit', rather than simply 'moving permit' ,and that the septic tank fee be clarified by stating 'septic tank installation fee'. Councilmember Look inquired how the $50 charge for signs plays out with regard to the Council direction that no signs would be in the right-of-way. He asked in what situation the signs referred to would apply. police Chief Way replied this refers to un-permitted signs. There would be an administrative ticket and if someone wants to appeal there is an appeal process. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Olson, Dehen, Jeffrey, and Look. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Strommen. -200- -