03032009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • TXDOT approves the location of the curb cut onto Hunter/Hopkins and construction plans for the center turn lane and the deceleration lane improvements in substantially the format indicated on the PDD Concept Plan. • Extra space is provided for a single-stream recycling. • No potable water in the amenity pond. • Relocation of utility poles to be paid by the developer. 24. Discussion on the Animal Ordinance and provide direction to staff. Councilmember Thomaides reported on his meeting with Animal Shelter staff regarding options to microchips and enforcement. He was also concerned about the rescue operations. Councilmember Jones explained to the public how we arrived here. He did have questions and reservations initially, but the overall goal of killing less animals was appealing. Don McLeod, South Austin, TX, is a veterinarian and provides the microchip when requested by the owner. He quoted President John Adams, "The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is no force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence." He recommended making this optional and not mandatory. Sonya Kraus, 503 Uhland, stated that she is in favor of voluntary micro chipping. Last week her • boss's pets were stolen. She contacted the company where the microchip was registered. They pulled up the number and asked for a current picture and description and sent a flyer to area clinics and pet businesses. At 5:30 Thursday afternoon, the animals were located in Town Lake Animal Shelter. They were home before 24 hours had passed. She thinks the thief realized that the animals were chipped and could be traced. She noted that collars can choke the animal, and there are health issues even with rabies. All her animals are chipped; none have had any issues. John McGlothlin, 7 Greenpointe, stated that this charade not the role of city government. He said it is scary that the seven of them are out to help him. He commented on Councilmember Thomaides' thinking that legislating the size of leases is a good idea, but a good idea is not based on the size of the group outside city hall. He said that the next time Council may offend less people, but it is still just as egregious. This is not the role of government. He implored them to return to what they campaigned on and to focus on roads and things that they campaigned for. William Barnes, 1419 RR 12, stated he is opposed to the mandatory tagging of animals. He said it should be his decision on whether to have his animals tagged. It is not smart to place an additional cost to the citizens. He noted that Councilmember Thomaides stated that he and Councilmember Jones were in agreement, and that fines would not affect the average citizen. That is what they said when the federal income tax was instituted. It appears to him that there is still not a consensus. William Alan Barnes, 1414 Clyde, stated that this is incrementalism of government. This has • been on the docket year after year. He would like to see a mandate that it is illegal to see this again within a year. He reminded the Council that this not the federal government where it is RM030309 Minutes Page 9