Hurley council approves pit bulls as service animals

By PAMELA JANSSON

pjansson@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — The Hurley City Council on Monday evening amended the city ordinance to acknowledge that pit bull terriers used as service animals are exempt from the city’s ban on that breed.

“Obviously, we’ve been dealing with this for awhile,” said Police Chief Chris Colassaco.

Colassaco said the issue will be “very tough moving forward” to address because owners of pit bull terriers could simply claim that their pet is a service animal.

“It’s not an easy battle for us,” said the chief.

City Attorney Ray O’Dea agreed but said the city is not without power in addressing dogs that specifically have proven “vicious.”

The chief later told The Globe that, in such cases, the city always has had the power to remove an aggressive animal.

In other news, council members approved the continuing use of the summer hour schedule by City Hall staff.

“They are working out quite well,” said Mayor Joanne Bruneau of the summer hours. She added that members of the public are pleased with the flexibility in which they can conduct business in the office of the City Clerk/Treasurer Stacey Wiercinski in City Hall.

The hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

The council also:

— Voted to revisit at next month’s council meeting a request from Rick Metoxen of 405 2nd Ave. for help from the city in addressing the loss of a 75-year-old silver maple in his yard, due to disturbance from recent utility construction.

— Approved a staging/laydown site lease with Northern States Power Company, a subcontractor of Xcel Energy. The lease describes the site as tax parcel 236-0156-0000. “As long as we have access to everything we need, we’re fine,” said Scott Santini, who leads the city’s Department of Public Works.

— Voted to approve a parking lot/driveway permit application from St. Paul Lutheran Church at 309 2nd Ave. N. “We don’t need a conditional use permit or anything,” said Santini.

— Approved a biannual inspection checklist for Eagle Bluff Golf Club.

— Approved a payment of $682,009.13 to Jake’s Excavating and Landscaping LLC in Ironwood in relation to the 2nd Avenue utility construction project.

— Voted to refer to the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee a conditional use permit application from owner Lori Munn to allow for short-term rentals at 210 Maple St.

— Amended the city’s ordinance in relation to inoperable vehicles, junk and appliances on private property.

— Heard from councilman Jamey Francis, who chairs the Police, Fire and License Committee, that a July 12 open house by the Hurley Fire Department went well.

— In relation to the same committee, Francis added that several buildings, including vacant houses on Cary Mine Street and 9th Avenue, are being considered for demolition.

All votes were unanimous with all members present.

The timing of this month’s meeting was changed from the second Tuesday of the month because of the primary election occurring on that day.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. in the Hurley City Hall.