Reference: City of Brighton Municipal Code changes Chapters 6 and 8
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager
Prepared By: Paul Southard, Chief of Police
Date Prepared: October 7, 2020
PURPOSE
To request changes to City of Brighton Municipal Code chapters 6 and 8
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Safe, Active and Engaged Community
BACKGROUND
Routinely changes are required to the City of Brighton Municipal Code. These changes are the results of implementing best practices, updated obsolete information, creating conformity in enforcement, rewording hard to understand language and to address new challenges the community faces.
Chapters 6 - Animals and 8 - Health and Safety are in need of updating.
CONCLUSIONS
The Brighton Police Department Community Services Division is requesting the following items within chapters six and eight be changed.
6-4-10 - Definitions. Place in code the definition for Community Service Officer. Currently, we address animal control officers and code enforcement officers. Both of those job positions incorporated under the community services officer.
6-4-100 - Rabies vaccination required. Change the language to be clear vaccinations must remain current. The old code spoke about when animals needed to receive routine vaccinations was cumbersome and confusing language.
6-4-230 - Running at large. Adding a microchip requirement when an animal is found running-at-large. Currently there is no requirement. This will assist in having animals returned to their owner more timely and may reduce the animal always being taken to the shelter thus reducing cost to pet owners. Currently Brighton is the only agency using the Adams County animal shelter that does not require this.
6-4-440 - Accumulation of animals. Added potbellied pigs which are already allowed but the number of animals had not been defined. Additionally, we want to add an item addressing how many liters are allowed so we do not have puppy mills, cat mills etc...within the city.
6-4-500 - Improper treatment of animals. Further define unsafe tethering by explaining what is safe according to American Kennel Club and setting rules for tethering.
6-4-600 - Impoundment; disposition; fees Add microchip language when we impound an animal and additional fees resulting from microchip implantation.
8-6-40 - Weeds and grass- notice to cut weeds and grass Change the time an owner or occupant has to bring a code violation into compliance from 7 days to 10 days which is consistent with community service division practices.
8-6-60 - Notice to maintain landscaping Change the time an owner or occupant has to bring a code violation into compliance from 7 days to 10 days which is consistent with community service division practices.
8-8-30 - Weeds unlawful growth Change the last sentence in paragraph (b). Currently, if your lot is zoned agriculture you only are required to maintain a 20 foot perimeter with the weeds cut to 6 inches. Because of our piecemeal zoning we have agriculture lots which are not being utilized as agriculture lots and the weeds extend well beyond the 6 inches. We currently cannot enforce them cutting the entire lot. In the fall when the tumbleweeds dry out and they blow into residential areas from the middle of the agriculture zoned lots we are left unable to enforce any code violations.
8-8-150 - Outdoor storage of materials Add language to the code with the intent to avoid construction debris accumulating in trailers or backyards. Indoor furniture being kept outdoors, metal scrap yards, etc...
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no additional financial impact to the city.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1. Approve
2. Decline
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Police Department, therefore, recommends approval of the requested municipal code changes.
ATTACHMENTS
• Summary of changes requested to the City of Brighton Municipal Code