06-09-25 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 9, 2025 15 Discussion ensued regarding changing the license fee to $20.00 but have it remain a 2-year license. Mayor Grant said for the coop, if we allow six chickens, a flat minimum of 20. He doesn't know if that meets the minimum for chickens. Councilmember Weber said the U of M recommends 2-3 square feet per bird. That would be 18 square feet maximum on six birds. Councilmember Monson asked if we want to put a maximum size on this. Mayor Grant said it currently reads 12-25. Should the minimum be 20-25? Councilmember Rousseau would like up to 30 be allowed. Councilmember Monson asked if the 20-25 includes the run. Mayor Grant said that is just the coop. He noted the time and notified there was about five minutes before the Regular City Council Meeting. Councilmember Weber said he would like to touch on setbacks. He thinks 20 feet. Council recessed the work session at 6:55 pm. Council reconvened the work session at 8:14 pm. Mayor Grant summarized the changes proposed during previous discussion. He said we need to talk about the exercise yard or the temperatures. Councilmember Weber said 174 square feet per bird is enormous. The U of M says it's optional, they recommend the run is typically enough for exercise. Mayor Grant said if we increase the number of birds by three, you increase the exercise yard. Councilmember Holden said even on farms, chickens don't go far from the coop. Some will wander but most of them stick close. She thinks it can be changed to 200 for six chickens. That's 10 x 20. Councilmember Monson asked if it is optional. But if they have one it should be 200 square feet? Or do we want to require an exercise yard? Councilmember Holden said she thinks we need to require and exercise yard. Coyotes can jump over the six-foot fences in the back yard. She thinks we should require an exercise yard for the health of the birds. Councilmember Weber reiterated that U of M says that is optional. Mayor Grant said giving them an exercise yard is important. Having an area that is 10 x 20 isn't that big.