Council sets report plans in motion on themes of small livestock

The Moby Dick Goats and the future of small livestock dominated
much of Monday's City Council Session

Prince Rupert City Council has charted a tentative path towards a possible review of the city's livestock regulations, as Council members moved forward on a plan to have staff compile a report on the issue for future consideration.

The topic of livestock in the city became a current theme in the weeks before Seafest when Teresa Lee  the owner of the Moby Dick Inn brought in two small goats to tend to the weeds and overgrowth of the lot adjacent to the Second Avenue West hotel.

Ms. Lee spoke to council on Monday evening, recounting her recent use of goats on her property, explaining why she chose to use the goats from Hazelton and how she had not given any thought that it would become a bylaw issue. She observed as to how popular they had become in the city during the short period of time that they were here.

"I never thought anything about bylaws, if I knew that bylaws did not allow it I never would have brought them in. I never thought anyone would pay attention but me and my family, but as soon as they came to the lot everyone paid so much attention to the two goats" -- Moby Dick Inn owner recounting the popularity of the two goats she had brought to her property prior to Seafest.

She also noted how the city had stated some interest in reviewing the bylaw, asking what kind of timeline the city may have towards reconsidering the current bylaw and if there is a possibility of a change that would allow for livestock in the community.

In a review of the popularity of the goats prior to Seafest, she also noted that many in the community continue to ask her when they will return and some have suggested that they could Crowd Fund to help her pay any fines that the City may have assessed had she kept them, though she stressed for Council how she follows rules and bylaws.

During the Committee of the Whole session, Mayor Brain took advantage of the questions to explain the process that the city could take towards the topic, noting that they were scheduled to discuss what path to take later in the evening as part of the Regular Council Session.

He explained how the first stage would be a staff report which would explore all the issues that led to the original bylaw in the first place and what areas of concern that the City should make note of should they wish to revise the livestock bylaws, with the Mayor noting that the over riding item of note is what is best for the animal.

Thanking her for coming forward to discuss the issue with council, the Mayor observed that it was hard to determine a timeline for her at the moment and that while her original use of the goats was well intentioned, the city can't make for special arrangements.  He did offer to keep her advised as to the process ahead for the review.

Moby Dick Inn owner Terese Lee spoke to Council on Monday
seeking some information on the city's plans for any review
of the small livestock bylaws in the community

When it came time later in the evening for the discussion on the goats issue, all of those council members in attendance on the evening had comments and observations on the issue.

In the follow up discussion, Councillor Adey offered his support to the motion, making note of his past interest in the topic and the need to get expert advice on what is best for the animals, exploring such areas as climate, what factors were considered for the original bylaw and what kind of veterinarian support is available in the community.

"I feel very obligated to support this because this is what I was suggesting  needed to happen before we can make thoughtful decisions on the issue.   I view this as an opportunity to get the expert advice on the point I was making, on what's best for the animals. And as Mayor Brain has said,  that hinges on things like climate, it hinges on whatever the reasoning was behind the original bylaw and I think most particularly it hinges on the kind of veterinary support that can be provided. And we don't have those answers  and I think that this is the way to get it. --  Councillor Nick Adey speaking on the city's plans for an analysis and feasibility report on small livestock within the city of Prince Rupert

Councillor Randhawa asked for some elaboration as to what forms of livestock the mayor might be looking to incorporate into any changes.

In response, Mayor Brain recounted the work of the 2030 Sustainable City policies and the area of small scale livestock such as goats, pigs and those types of animals, noting how some livestock won't work in the city environs.

Those concepts were outlined one year ago as part of a presentation that the Mayor made to Council on his ambitious 2020 Sustainable City vision,  that document which was co-authored by Ken Shaw of Transition Prince Rupert and Coast Mountain College put a focus on food policy objectives.

The section on food and livestock from the
Sustainable City 2030 report
(click to enlarge)

The full Sustainable City 2030 report can be examined here.

At Monday's Council session, Mr. Brain also explored the range of the spectrum of factors for the report and council to follow up on, with the main element that of what is best for the animals and what capabilities the city has to protect them.

Councillor Mirau observed of the public support for the goats in question and the frequent calls for backyard chickens in the community; he also offered up the unique urban design and limited lot size that makes for Prince Rupert properties and how it may impact on any ability to host small livestock.

Councillor Niesh noted that if the current themes of social media were to be taken account of all would be in favour of goats, he then reviewed many of the issues that Council needs to take a look at and get more information on before making any changes to the current bylaws.

Councillor Skelton-Morven echoed many of the comments that were made by the previous council members.

Council then voted to recommend to direct that staff develop the report on the options related to the concept of livestock in the City of Prince Rupert.

You can review the full twenty minutes of discussion on the theme from the City's Video Archive, the pertinent times are the 37 minute mark and the Council discussion period starting at the 53 minute mark.





For more items of interest related to Monday's City Council session see our  Council Timeline Feature here.

A wider overview of sustainability issues for the City can be found here, while further items of interest on past Council discussions can be explored here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review