Live at Ogden Village Board, Oct. 6, 2022

Chickens are on the agenda. #itshappening #maybenot #ilovechickens

Discussing the rail trail. Apparently, the village can’t enforce ordinances on the railroad. Basically, the railroad can just ignore them.

A resident is here to ask about a storm sewer the village is installing.

Doing housekeeping stuff- approving consent agenda, which is bills, minutes, treasurer’s report and bank statements.

Discussing reinvesting CDs.

Discussing request to build on to 107 E. Broadway. This is the old feedmill building. The zoning board moved to approve it. Ben motioned to approve it, Brandon seconded. Jim Haan saying Ken Cooley contacted him saying he supported the work. He owns the adjacent property.

Reviewing Billy Bob’s Parking Lease. The lease is currently $100 for 1 year. They want to cancel the lease. Ben asking if they will put up signs that say “public parking” but Sue says in the lease it states it’s public parking so the signs aren’t necessary. Sue saying that would be a slap in the face to Billy Bobs so the village could just say this is public parking so use it. Audience member saying that a lease may be advantageous because then if a person leaves Billy Bobs intoxicated its clear that is their parking lot, ect. They are doing away with the lease.

They are discussing approving the 2022 Tax Levy ordinance for $86,591. It’s less than five percent increase from last year so there is no need for a special budget meeting.

Discussing installing a fuel tank by the maintenance shed. Approved. It will be a 16-week turnaround. Not to exceed $6,500. Purchased tank from Certified Tank.

You can trick or treat in Ogden on Oct. 31 from 5: 30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

They are purchasing new floor mats for the village hall not to exceed $2,000. They approved the purchase of four trees for $2,000. They approved a tree removal quote for $18,500.

Chicken time. Brandon is discussing hens only. Sue and Kelly are discussing how they just redid the ordinance regarding animals. “We have discussed it no less than five times,” Sue said. “Well, let’s make it six,” Ben said.

Sue is arguing that chickens are “nasty and smell.”

In the defence of Chickens, I lived in Urbana and my neighbor had chickens and I didn’t even realize it.

Sue is not wanting chickens at all. Brandon said “it feels like you aren’t even giving this a thought since you have discussed it four times before.”

Brandon asking if they can put it on the ballot.

Ben saying it would be a tie into the past of being an agricultural town.

Sue saying what will your neighbor think?

Brandon: who cares they have a fenced-in yard? Brandon saying it could benefit FFA students who want to raise animals.

Sue saying “Move to the country” if you want chickens.

Basically, to recap: Sue is anti-chicken. Audience member discussing how they can’t enforce animal ordinances currently, ect.

Basically, this is the same discussion all villages have regarding the enforcement with anything. You are just hoping people follow ordinances.

Brandon is going to think about the best way to approach it.

“So seven times” Sue said.
“That’s fine,” Brandon responded.

I would be curious what the average resident thinks about chickens.

Discusing atvs on the rail trail.

Discussing the Halloween decorations outside village hall.

meeting adjourned.