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Regular meeting June 27, 2005 great pest controllers and weeders. He thanked Mr. Wagner, Ms. Welsch and Ms. Brot for taking this issue on, because it is important. The proposed ordinance is a good start, but there are some issues with it that the Council needs to address. Lisa Santa Cruz, 629 Midland, is here to support the keeping of chickens in University City. She supported Mr. Bray-Hoagland’s comments. She stated that the ordinance, although a good start, had several issues that make it less than desirable. One, the permit fees were very high and secondly, the coop size in the ordinance is very large, which is not necessary. Barbara White, 7506 Milan, also supports chicken ownership. She feels; however, that the proposed ordinance is punitive in tone and the permit fees too high. Cara Marie Spencer, 1237 Meyer, stated her support of chicken ownership in U. City. She also echoed earlier comments about the permit fees being high and the problem with the large size of the coop. She also mentioned, as the ordinance is written, the coop would have to be placed in the middle of her backyard and she has a very small backyard, which most are in the northern lots around her. She didn’t understand the need for a diagram, especially since the most popular way to raise chickens is via a moving coop. She mentioned that cleaning coops would not be a problem since it would be very similar to cleaning out a litter box. She mentioned the City’s ordinance, 8.24.150, which addresses the keeping of sheds and animal enclosures. She also felt that chicken ownership being unlawful, as stated in the ordinance, was harsh. She encourages the Council to work with them in revising this legislation. Joy Stinger, 7639 Westmoreland, a Clayton resident, has kept chickens for the last seventeen years. She has thirty-six chickens and the neighbors are fine with them. She sells their eggs. She also has roosters, but she keeps them in a brick garage at night and does not let them out until 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. She worked with her neighbors on this time schedule, and they have been very supportive and have not complained about the manure or cleanliness of the coops. Tracy McCreery, 8420 Delmar Blvd, Suite 201, is the district aide for Senator Joan Bray. She read written testimony from Ms. Bray, who was unable to attend the meeting. She states that she has been working with the Agriculture department in encouraging investing in sustainable agriculture, in its use and well as in educating other about its practices. She believes that the public is demanding more organic foods and this is apparent is the success of Wild Oats, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. She mentioned several challenging issues related to farming and agriculture and the apparent lack of leadership from the state in the important subject. She said that is up to local government to encourage people’s ability to meet their desires and needs for healthier eating. Organic foods are very high and beyond the means of many to purchase regularly to obtain benefit. She believes there is a healthy benefit to keeping chickens, Page 14