The issue of whether or not to amend a city ordinance to allow an expansion of allowable poultry was discussed once again at the May 14 Peterson City Council meeting.
A resident request for the city to consider modifying the existing ordinance was first discussed at the April council meeting. At the time, the council wasn’t aware how broad the definition could expand and chose to direct the City Clerk, Violet Richardson to seek more information. The detailed findings impressed the council.
Chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys are the most common birds associated with domestic poultry. However, a quick internet search shows additional birds including guinea fowl, peafowl, quail, pheasants, pigeons, and even ostriches and emus fall under the definition of poultry.
“It covers quite a few types that we would not like in the city because of noise or mess,” noted Mayor Chris Stezel at the May meeting.
Councilor Kristina Grindland suggested allowing no more than chickens and ducks, but expressed concern about policing things. “Is it on us to make sure they have adequate water for their animals?” It was determined that it falls under the same presumptions about the basics – food, water, and shelter – for other animals such as pets.
Councillor Gail Boyum suggested the council ask legal counsel about specific wording for the ordinance. There have been no citizen comments received regarding the possibilities.
In new business, area resident Mark Reisetter spoke to the council by invite of Boyum. Reisetter is a long-time angler and supporter of Trout Unlimited. He’s begun a petition to officially name the creek beginning in a spring just north of Airport Road and the Root River State Trail and running some 1,500 feet to the Root River. The creek is already a designated trout stream by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It begins on property owned by Boyum.
The process to name a body of water requires a petition by 15 Fillmore-County registered voters. From there, the petition goes to the Fillmore County Commission for review. If approved there, the petition and county approval go back to the DNR.
“I think having a name gives it value. What a marvelous cold water fishery we have. Globally and nationally, a spring creek is really a rarity,” said Reisetter. “Somebody once said, of all the water here on earth, only 3% is freshwater and of that 3%, we used to say 2% is frozen in the poles. So, we’re talking about 1%. Of that one percent, only 1% of that is in a river or a stream. Most of it is in big bodies of water. Of those rivers and streams, only 1% of 1% of that one perfect comes from a spring creek, so that’s what a treasure it is; what a gem we really have.”
Boyum, a history buff, suggested that the name Haslerud Creek as a waterway can’t be named for any living person. Peterson city council ultimately doesn’t need to weigh in, but she felt the city should. The founder of Peterson was Peter Peterson Haslerud.
“That’s where the town started, right there at that stream,” she added.
Seelbinder noted his only concern about weighing in was people coming onto private property.
“Minnesota Statutes, and my pockets aren’t really deep enough to test it … my interpretation of the law is whether the property owner wants it or not, a designated trout stream, I can walk up. But, since they started the trout stamp and then with that money started paying landowner easements for angling, the consensus in the state seems to be that if an angling easement hasn’t been sold, you’d better keep off,” added Reisetter.
The petition will go forward to the county when done. The county will take public comment before moving forward.
The council reviewed and approved a request from Linda Jenkins for a carport at 121 Prospect Street, provided the carport meets all zoning ordinances and is used only for storage of an automobile, not for general storage. The issue did not go through planning because there were no easements involved for access.
Fireworks set off by private citizens and campers at the city campground will be capped at no later than 11 pm on July 4. Concerns after late fireworks last year prompted the time cutoff.
“11 p.m. is late enough. We’re a town,” noted Councilor Justin Simon. “We don’t need to be sticklers, but 11 is late enough.”
“It falls under a noise ordinance anyway,” added Councilor Tracy Seelbinder.
When discussing Public Works, Director Jeff Rein alerted the council that a backflow valve on the well and a return valve at the wastewater treatment need replacement. The work shouldn’t cause issues with a water shutoff, but it will be recommended that property owners conserve water on the day of the work. The city will send out a notice to residents and businesses.
Rein also proposed the city have its sewer mains blasted out and televised to determine the condition. They were installed in 1970 and there are roughly 10,280 feet of plastic sewer line within the city. The estimated cost is $9,100 for 5,000 feet. Rein suggested breaking the work into several phases over a few years to make it more cost effective and to allow the city to budget for the work. The last time the work was done was 2015.
“Let’s plan ahead and budget for it so we don’t get a banger of a bill right out of the gate. We can do the lower spots with less slope do first. Then, if good, maybe not do the rest,” he added.
“Thanks for looking into that. It could save us money in the long run,” noted Stenzel.
Lastly, the upcoming three-act musical play, “The Shop,” coming on Friday, May 23 will be held at the city bandstand. The threatrical company planning the event is expecting about 500 people.