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Council discusses ordinance about fowls
By Gina Williams
Standard Democrat
SIKESTON – The City of Sikeston’s ordinance about livestock, domestic animals and poultry on properties was the topic of discussion during City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Jan. 29 at City Hall.
Sikeston Department of Public Safety Capt. Jon Broom discussed the issue with council members.
The City of Sikeston has an ordinance in place, but recently individuals have approached council members at meetings to increase the number of chickens allowed.
Broom reviewed the ordinances in other Missouri cities, including Cape Girardeau, Columbia and Jefferson City, governing the quantity of chickens allowed and their proximity to neighbors.
“In general, it looks like about six is the common number that a lot of these jurisdictions have,” Broom said. “We actually reached out to some folks who have chickens in town, and we talked about noise — and we were all in agreement that roosters make a lot more noise than chickens do.”
Mayor Greg Turnbow said he spoke with numerous residents in the area, and the majority of them wanted at least six chickens.
Following much discussion, the Council decided to form a committee comprised of Broom, council members David Teachout and Tom Robison and Sikeston Community Development Director Barry Blevins to develop an ordinance update that will be presented to the council at a future meeting.
Also on Monday, the City Council approved Sikeston DPS to acquire a message trailer/board using funds from an FY2023 SHSP award.
According to Broom, the grant fund was originally for a $14,986 project.
Broom said they were unable to purchase a drone due to grant limits on Chinese-built drones.
“After conversations with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, we learned the awarded grant funds were still available to us and that we could make a different purchase using the funds,” Broom said. “So we did some more research trying to find an American-made drone.
According to Broom, Sikeston DPS came to the conclusion their department would benefit from purchasing a Stalker MC360 messaging trailer with difficulties or dangerous conditions as they travel on roadways.
The message board costs $19,250, which is $4,264 less than the available monies in the Sikeston DPS equipment budget.
Blevins also spoke with Council regarding Lambert Engineering and Surveying’s work on behalf of G Copeland Enterprises LLC to rezone 491 Davis Blvd. from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial Zone in Sikeston.
Before accepting the rezoning of 491 Davis from light industry to heavy industrial, the Council deferred the rezoning and requested a city rule requiring fences for specific enterprises. There is also a concern about an easement near the site, and Council unanimously agreed to table the subject until all issues were resolved.
Also on Monday, Council heard from Scott County Presiding Commissioner Danny Tetley, who discussed the county’s proposed half-cent sales tax for the April ballot.
“I just wanted to make you guys all aware that the Scott County commission has decided to put another sales tax on the ballot in April,” Tetley said.
Tetley reported that the proposed countywide half-cent sales tax failed by 98 votes in November.
Tetley said he believes he needs to do a better job of promoting and explaining why the sales tax is necessary.
Tetley said if voters approve the tax, it would help fund all county departments.
In action by Council:
—Council approved changing Chapter 505, Article XV of the existing construction code in 2021 to correct a discrepancy error.
—The Council heard the first reading of a bill that, if passed at the Feb. 5 meeting, will establish a program agreement with MoDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program to extend the rail path along Linn Street. The entire estimated project cost was $563,310, including a local match of $112,662.
—Council heard the first reading of a bill that, if passed at the Feb. 5 meeting, will relocate Magazine Trace to the north side of Baker Lane.
—Council accepted Susanne Chitwood’s appointment to the Library Board of Trustees on an interim basis. Chitwood will succeed Connie Thompson, who recently passed away. The term will expire in June 2025.