Assistant to the City Manager Virginia Martin said the new ordinance would address several animal-related issues. It would enable the police to cite owners whose animals disturb neighbors and to prosecute owners if their animals become a nuisance.
The ordinance would also require that dogs be prevented from going onto others’ property, require dogs be leashed off-property unless they are trained to respond to voice commands, require pet owners to clean up after their pets, require outdoor animal enclosures to be clean and have food and water and require a special use permit for anyone who wants to have five or more dogs.
The measure passed 7-0. It will go into effect after the second and final reading on July 14. Copies of the ordinance will be available in the city manager’s office.
Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church owns some property on North Hill Street and hopes to convert one property into a transitional home. The site, at 455 N. Hill St., is one of the last properties in a medium-density residential district that could be used for such a purpose.
Pastor Gerod D. Duff spoke at the evening phase of the meeting.
“Our vision and our goal from the starting point is to help offenders transition back into general society,” he said.
He said they need people to mentor them so they do not return to criminal activity.
Commissioner Joanne Todd said much of the transitional housing in Griffin is from out of town and the city can only absorb so much.
“I think it’s in your favor that you’re local,” she said.
The commissioners voted 5-1-1 to approve the permit, with Commissioner Bill Landrum opposing and Commissioner Doug Hollberg recusing himself due to property ownership in the area.
The commissioners also discussed a measure that would enable the city to participate in a West Central Georgia Workforce Development Corp. program, a program that would help the city meet its own needs and “provide mentoring for today’s youth.”
The board passed the measure 7-0.
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