The agriculture program representative stressed that hands-on experience with animals is important for student learning, citing that involvement with livestock teaches various skills and contributes to meeting graduation requirements, as well as eligibility for scholarships. However, the placement of livestock in a residential neighborhood raised concerns among council members about the appropriateness of such an initiative and its impact on the local community, including possible odor and noise issues.

The city attorney clarified the complexities involved, noting that while state statute permits schools to conduct classes involving animals, there are zoning requirements and processes to adhere to. The potential need for a zoning board review and the procedure for a text amendment application were highlighted. Debate ensued over whether the current statute is applicable when a school is no longer present and whether the city has the authority to make exceptions in such cases.

The council also discussed the operational aspects of the program, including the construction of a new barn and securing grant funding. Concerns about the adequacy of the proposed animal pen size and the involvement of the school board in the decision-making process were raised. The need for input from other counties with similar programs and ensuring the program meets all necessary regulations were also part of the discussion. Members expressed commitment to moving the process forward while ensuring full compliance with legal and zoning requirements.

In addition to the livestock debate, the council meeting included a presentation on the city’s fiscal year 2022-2023 audit. The auditor provided a clean opinion. The city’s financial status was discussed, including the unassigned fund balance, revenues, expenditures, and the financial health of utility funds. Attention was drawn to the city’s capital assets, their useful life, and pending replacements. Outstanding bonds and federal award spending, which triggered a single audit, were examined, with the audit revealing no compliance issues with the major program.

The council underscored the importance of supporting children’s education through hands-on learning activities and stressed the need for precise information in decision-making processes. There was a focus on expediting the review of a pending grant and an amendment to the BZ that would allow for more public hearing. The need for thorough research and discussion before making any decisions was emphasized.