Failing to pick up after Fido just got a bit more costly in Humboldt.
City councilmen approved Monday a new ordinance that puts more responsibility on pet owners to properly dispose of animal waste.
Residents are required to “immediately remove any excrement deposited” by an animal upon any public or private property not owned by the pet owner such as a neighbor’s yard. Cats are included in the ordinance.
Humboldt City Administrator Larry Tucker said the city has received several complaints of animal waste being found in yards of residences and businesses.
Violators could be fined up to $500, Tucker said.
The ordinance also makes it illegal for pet owners to have their animals on public or another person’s private property without “some means for the removal of excrement.”
Animal owners also must promptly remove and sanitarily dispose of animal excrement in any pen, run, cage, shelter, yard or other place where an animal is kept. The waste must be disposed of in such a manner to prevent the breeding or infestation of flies or other insects.
There is one notable exception, Tucker said — service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs.
The city’s new ordinance, which passed with a 7-1 vote (Wayne Carson opposed), was modeled after an ordinance recently adopted in Lenexa, Tucker said.
Councilman Don Walburn asked if animal urine could be included in the ordinance.
“Dog urine does a number on bushes,” Walburn said
There is no provision for urine, Tucker replied. “I don’t know how you could get dog urine off a bush,” Tucker said.
Councilmen also noted the prevalence of stray cats in the community, including one report of at least 19 felines underneath a local business.
They urged Tucker and Police Chief Daniel Onnen to resume touting the availability of the city’s animal traps.
A resident can set up the trap, and if an animal is snared, it is handed over the city.
“If you have 19 cats at one place, you need to solve a problem,” Councilman Sam Murrow said.
Councilmen also fielded complaints from residents about cats.
Cats are subject to the city’s leash laws, just as dogs are, Tucker noted.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, who have considered instituting a hiring freeze to maintain an austere budget in 2010 and 2011, agreed to look at city vacancies on a case-by-case basis.
They agreed to seek a replacement for police officer David Holcomb, whose resignation was accepted, on a 7-1 vote, McReynolds opposed.
Councilmen also awarded additional sick leave to maintenance employee Robert Krone, who used up his allotted leave. His additional sick leave pay will come from a pool provided by fellow city employees.
Several employees were recognized for their longevity with the city.
Edward Harner was recognized for being with the city for 35 years as a janitor; Jeffery Tilman and Paul Lucke, firefighters, Roger Vincent wastewater superintendent, and Eugene Lundine, maintenance worker, were each cited for their 20 years with the city; Krone, Lora Hunt, assistant city clerk, and Steven Lucke and Mark Criger, firefighters, have been with the city for 10 years; and Scott Lucke, John H. Hodgden and Jeffery Marquez have been with the city for five years.
The five-year employees received certificates. Longer-term employees received other service awards. Harner’s award was an oak wall clock.
THE COUNCIL’S next regular meeting was postponed from Oct. 11 to Oct. 18 because the former date coincides with a League of Kansas Municipalities conference in Overland Park. Councilman Vada Aikins was appointed as a voting delegate to represent Humboldt. Councilman Otis Crawford also will attend as an alternate.
The owners of three properties, at 1104 S. 10th St., 617 N. Sixth St. and 918 Mulberry St. were cited to appear in Humboldt Municipal Court for violating the city’s nuisance policies.
Councilmen also approved raising the bulk water tank rates, to $1.50 per 150 gallons. Buyers had been charged $1 for 150 gallons at the distribution center, near Humboldt’s water treatment plant, since 2003, Tucker said.
The added revenue is not significant, Tucker conceded, but would offset some of the revenue loss over the past three years.
The city sells on average 300,000 gallons of water a year.
McReynolds urged city crews to clean up the area near the distribution area, particularly vines that have begun to grow unabated.
