Minutes 2011 1003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

MINUTES Page 4 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting — October 3, 2011 9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR 8.B.2. Business and Housing Development Committee Meeting of September 8, 2011. Accepted as submitted. MOTION: Motion Making No Changes to the City's Existing Policies Regarding Urban Farming at this Time Public Comments on Item 8.B.2.: Janet Palma, San Leandro resident, distributed a handout to the Council and spoke regarding the risk of salmonella from chickens. Kristine Konrad, San Leandro resident, requested that the Council consider this item. Ms. Conrad commented that her children are involved in 4 -H and are learning the importance of urban farming for sustainability. Mika Lacabe, San Leandro resident, commented in support of allowing the keeping of bees and chickens, and suggested regulation could be as simple as limiting the number of animals allowed. Vince Rosato, San Leandro resident, commented on abuse by irresponsible animal owners, and the public health issues involved with keeping chickens. Gayle Hudson, San Leandro resident, commented on the benefits of urban farming, and disputed the arguments against raising chickens. Ms. Hudson provided a handout on San Leandro Urban Farming, a group which is advocating changing the ordinance to allow keeping chickens and bees. Scott Terry, San Leandro resident, commented that he is a beekeeper, and urged the Council to allow beekeeping in the City limits. Amy Chovnick, San Leandro resident, continued Scott Terry's comments, requesting that the Council consider allowing bees as other surrounding cities do. Mia Ousley, San Leandro resident, commented that urban farming has allowed her to supplement her family's diet during difficult economic times. AnaSofia Abate, San Leandro resident, in a letter read by her mother, Mia Ousley, commented that chickens pose no threats, and asked the Council to allow them. Aaron Bukofzer, San Leandro resident, commented that many other cities allow keeping of chickens and bees, and requested that the Council consider changing the ordinance that now bans them.