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Regular meeting June 27, 2005 Given the vast poultry population in this country, it seems exceedingly unlikely that an avian influenza outbreak will occur in the very small number of chickens that may be introduced into University City as a result of the proposed ordinance. That, coupled with the very low risk of transmission of avian influenza to humans in general (particularly when birds are kept under sanitary conditions) leads me to conclude that introducing small numbers of chickens into University City poses essentially no risk to the community from avian influenza. Ms. Brot moved to amend the ordinance to only one inspection and requiring a second inspection only in response to complaints. The motion died for lack of a second. Ms. Welsch asked guidance from her senior colleagues on the Council. She believes that the modifications requested by the citizens this evening would require a substantive change to the ordinance. She wonders if it would be more appropriate to table the bill now and make some of the modifications and then bring it back for consideration. Her concern about moving forward this evening is the high fee that would be retained during the year pilot program and the concerns with the placement of the coop on the lot. There are many valid concerns brought up that would justify that this bill be tabled and brought back on July 18. She will be open to the majority of the Council regardless. Mayor Adams agrees. It would not be sound to move forward with a flawed piece of legislation. It makes sense to table the bill and correct it before moving forward. Mr. Wagner said that there is no question that the bill is flawed and he doesn’t believe that there was any expectation, as it was being crafted, that this would be a perfect bill. University City has gone 99 years without a chicken ordinance. He agrees that this may be overly cautious, but there are a lot of people out there who do not want this ordinance passed. This bill would be authorizing a pilot program, so he would like to see this ordinance passed. This is a big step to just get the pilot program implemented. Admittedly, it is not perfect and it will probably never be perfect – but it is a start. Ms. Brungardt apologized to her colleagues for not getting on board and helping to craft this particular legislation. She does have some commitment and knowledge of organic gardening, being a teacher of this discipline at her child’s school. She has an organic garden in her home. She would like to agree with Ms. Welsch that tabling this bill and coming back July 18, with a more appropriately crafted piece of legislation, may be the best way of managing this. She offered to help with the modifications to the bill. Ms. Colquitt said that she is in favor of tabling this bill, but unlike her colleagues, she is not in support of the bill. She would like to hear from some of the other residents to make sure that this is something that they are comfortable with. If they do not have any problem with it, then she won’t either. She would like this tabled until July 18. Page 16