New Two Harbors pet ordinance limits households to three dogs, cats

Talk about it

After several months of public hearings, the new Two Harbors pet ordinance got its first reading Monday.

The ordinance sets a three-dog and three-cat limit, Councilor Seth MacDonald said. If a resident owns more than that number, a 60-day amnesty period has been granted.

“You can come down and license your animals without any issues and you will be allowed to keep them,” MacDonald said.

However, as the excess pets die, a resident would not be able to replace them unless granted an exception license.

Councilor Steve Detlefsen had asked MacDonald to clarify the three-dog and three- cat rule at the council’s earlier 5 p.m. meeting.

“What are you going to do when someone tells you they want six cats?” Detlefsen asked.

MacDonald said the Lake County Humane Society could issue exception licenses for those kinds of cases.

“You could have 10 dogs if you wanted,” MacDonald said. “But it needs to be allowed by the Lake County Humane Society. They’re involved in inspecting the home and making sure the dogs and cats are safe and are licensed.”

He added that neighbors would also be taken into account.

Under the new ordinance, rabbits are allowed but chickens and pot-bellied pigs are not. Previously, all three had been banned.

The Lake County Humane Society would be the only place that could authorize pet licenses. Suggested license fees are $10 for spayed and neutered animals and $20 for animals that are not.

The new ordinance also requires licensed veterinarians to report to the animal patrol authority every suspected rabies case.

Water meters

Councilor Mary Rosati asked Detlefsen for an update on installation of water meters for the community. She wondered when the meters were going to be inspected and how many had been installed.

“It’s been a really big program, when you look at the vouchers and see how many have been installed,” Rosati said.

Detlefsen said the program was moving along. He said he knew at least 250 meters had been installed two or three weeks ago.

“If it’s a licensed plumber, we’re not going to inspect them,” Detlefsen told Rosati. “I don’t think we’re doing any inspecting unless there is some issue that the plumber comes up with that all has to be looked at.”

The meters are turned on after they’re installed. City Administrator Lee Klein said inspections are occurring when readings are taken of the water meters. In the course of finding the reading, the effectiveness of the water meters is judged.

The Public Works Department is hiring for the position of assistant public works director. Two candidates will be interviewed: Gary Fabini and Jim Gilbert Jr.

Campground expansion

Councilor Jerry Norberg proposed awarding the engineering bid for expansion of the Burlington Bay Campground to SEH of Duluth, contingent on successful negotiation of pay; the motion passed unanimously. “We need to agree on a price,” said Norberg.

At the 5 p.m. meeting, Detlefsen emphasized that one of the sticking points was a preference that a civil engineer be on site to oversee the project and look out for the city’s interests. “I don’t want this project going south,” he said.

Currently, the IRRRB has issued $150,000 for the campground expansion. Klein said $1.25 million for the project is currently included in the state bonding bill, to flow through the Department of Natural Resources. The state bonding bill was still making its way through the Legislature when the News-Chronicle went to press.

Plans for the project are still undergoing changes and the city is waiting for the final site documents.

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