Local snake owners are asking aldermen to consider the local impact of a new dangerous and wild animal ordinance that was to go into effect Aug. 1.
The issue was again discussed during Monday night’s regular aldermanic meeting.
Homeowner Derick Monday asked aldermen for clarification of the city's newest ordinance, which as it reads now, could ban many of his reptile pets housed at his home on South Jackson Street.
The ordinance prohibits any deadly, dangerous or poisonous reptile, or any such reptile over eight feet in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital or animal refuge.
Monday said his snake pets that are at his home are all under the eight-foot limit and are not venomous, deadly or dangerous, and they could not survive outdoors. He said he does have two larger snakes that are currently being housed in the county.
Aldermen last month received a 27-signature petition of residents of the South Jackson Street area who oppose snakes and mice being housed nearby.
City resident Brandt Ehrhardt, and county resident Elmer Leach, also spoke to aldermen about the negative impact of the new ordinance.
Ehrhardt said the ordinance over-steps protection concerns and is a violation of citizen's rights.
Leach, who also has pet snakes at his home in the county, asked aldermen to re-vote on the ordinance. He also asked aldermen to provide a list of specific snakes that they deem to be deadly and dangerous.
Monday recently provided a list of his snakes to city officials for review.
Mayor Gary Brown said the new ordinance is being reviewed by the city's code office and the City Attorney Camm Seay.
"We're doing more research and interpretation of the ordinance," Brown said. "Before anything is done you would likely be given 30 days to comply with provisions of the ordinance."
Monday said if the ordinance prohibits his snakes being kept in the city his family would move out of the community.
"Reptiles pose a one in nine million chance of being a threat to citizens, far less than many other animals," Monday said. "We are willing to give a little if you are."
City Administrator Clayton Lucas said last month that the city’s newly revised ordinance mirrors state regulations, except that the city's ordinance prohibits any snakes that are more than eight feet long. State regulations require registration of snakes more than eight feet.
Inspections would be done by the Animal Control Officer to determine whether any reptiles kept in the city limits meet the criteria to be prohibited. Some inspections have already been done.
Monday said he doesn't currently operate a business and his reptiles are not raised and sold, they are family pets. He said if he eventually starts such a business that he understands he would have to relocate a commercial building.
Other action
• Aldermen approved purchase of three 250-KVA single-phase transformers at $3,500 each from Solomon Corporation, and 2,500-feet of underground primary wire at $6,850 from Fletcher-Reinhart. These purchases are for the Salem R-80 School District construction project and the city will be reimbursed costs by the school's engineering firm.
• Aldermen also approved purchase of two 250 KVA single-phase padmount transformers for the DCAI construction project on the city's south side for $6,700 from Solomon Corporation. The city will be reimbursed by the property owner.
- Aldermen approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a quit claim deed for the release of an easement on property at 903 Thomas, owned by Cindy and Charles Maledy.
- Aldermen also approved a bill from Tyler Technologies Inc. for $8,115.96 for annual maintenance of the utility billing software.
Reports - Lucas reported that the city now has two certified building inspectors, Code Officer Jarred Brown and Lloyd Sanderson.
- He said the clarifier at the sewer treatment plant has been sandblasted and primed and will be painted as weather permits.
- Work on the Park Street project is progressing.
- Lucas said Truman Trailer Park owners haven't met the deadline for completing improvements, but significant progress has been made and he suggested a 30-day extension for the improvements. He said Park Street Trailer Park is in compliance with city code and Center Street Trailer Park received its annual license renewal before new code requirements were passed, but improvements are being made there.
- Flag Football sign-up will begin after school starts and the city swimming pool will close the day before school starts.
- Brown reported that there are currently 22 locations of residential nuisance violations and building that need to be cleaned up or demolished.
- He reminded residents that house numbers are required to be posted and limbs must be cut in four-foot lengths to be picked up by city crews.
- Brown said a special recycling day is set for Oct. 9 for electronics and tires at the city maintenance shed. There is a fee.
- He said a list is being prepared of upcoming city paving, water line and sewer line projects to be done.
- Aldermen Kenneth Nash asked about a bill for cameras. Seay said the cameras were purchased at his request for use by the city building inspectors.
- Nash also asked about clean-up, repair and securing of the restrooms at the City Park. Brown said the requests have been taken care of. He said restrooms must remain open during times that the park is open and activities are in progress. Nash also requested that two boards be replaced on park playground equipment.
- Aldermen Philip Giaomelli reported that clean-up and culvert repair is needed on city property on South Henderson Street. The culvert has collapsed. Alderman Haydn Powell also requested a cost quote for constructing a through street there.
In Closed Session:
Aldermen voted 3-1 to change a recent reprimand for a city employee from written to verbal. Name of the employee was not released. Aldermen Nash voted against the change.
