Scobey Council Discusses Chicken Ordinance
Scobey City Council members discussed the community’s existing chicken ordinance during their meeting held on Tuesday, July 28.
Zoning administrator Steve Berreth reported that the zoning commission is requesting that the council reconsiders the chicken ordinance. The two applications submitted are not currently in compliance. Zoning commission members are working with property owners to get into compliance by October. The council’s suggestion is to enforce the ordinance as is and, if not compliant by Nov. 1, issue fines. Both boards feel that they have spent enough time on the chicken ordinance issue. Council members feel that they did what they could do to allow chickens within city limits.
The ordinance allows up to six chicken hens on a single-family parcel. The owner must obtain an annual permit from the City of Scobey. The chicken hens shall be provided with a covered, predator- proof chicken house that is thoroughly ventilated, of sufficient size to allow free movement of the chicken hens, designated to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained by the owners, be at least two square feet per chicken hen and the coop, enclosure cannot be more than six and a half feet at its peak in height and must be affixed to the real property and not mobile nor movable. Predator-proof chicken houses shall be a secure structure with no gaps, use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, have secure locks on all doors and incorporate defenses against digging and climbing predators.
Mayor Morgan Lekvold said that both the city council and Daniels County commissioners want decals added to the sheriff ’s vehicles. Three or four of the vehicles are currently blank.
Council member Niki Larson feels the city isn’t getting the law enforcement that it is paying for. Lekvold would like to see more community policing.
Public works director Steve Berreth said crews will begin blacktopping city streets. The new garbage truck had a hydraulic leak, but it has been repaired.
A fence application for a residence on Fourth Avenue West was approved.
A resolution proposes to increase the residential and commercial sewer base rates by $1. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.
A contract for the 20262027 fiscal year was approved to have Howard & Howard Law Office provide legal services.
City officials will research funding options for trail network developed by Great West Engineering. Phase 1 of the five-year plan would begin at the school, head northeast on Second Avenue through C Street, continue to Plainsman Field Road, cross Highway 5 and turn right on Chapman Road. Estimated cost is $296,325.
