SPRING CITY--Four separate issues concerning Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Ordinance, Dog Ordinance, Animal Ordinance and Surplus Property Ordinance were discussed during a public hearing held April 2.

Large animal ordinance

The large animal ordinance brought about the most discussion of all the public hearing topics. Spring City has no ordinance in force to deal with large animals becoming a nuisance to neighbors. Council members say there is dire need to have some kind of guideline to ensure the responsible management of large animals within the city limits.

Councilman Boyd Mickel said the formula used to determine how many animals allowed on a city lot is the same as that used by the Forest Service.

One animal unit is defined as one horse, mule, donkey or other equine (one mare and colt); one cow, steer or heifer (one cow and calf); five adult sheep with lambs; four goats with kids; four llamas; five alpacas; and no swine. The city is proposing to allow four animal units per one acre of land.

Most residents that spoke at the hearing were angry that the city wanted to assign a number as to how many animals can be kept on lots. City council members said the issue needed to be addressed because they are receiving so many complaints from citizens about some people having too many animals in one area, waste disposal problems, odors, not enough feed or an animal's ability to move about freely and a general lack of care.

Councilman Tom Allred said the city needed to start somewhere by passing an ordinance, because as it is now, with no ordinance, the city cannot do anything to resolve the problem. The city needs to be able to enforce proper, responsible, animal management.

OHV ordinance

The proposed ordinance says that no one under 8 years of age may operate a vehicle on city streets or roadways. Persons under 16 must be under direct visual supervision of an adult who is 18 years or older and must have a valid driver's license. Persons 16 years or older must have a valid driver's license. All persons under 18 must wear a U.S. Department Safety-rated helmet.

Streets that are closed to OHV travel are Main Street north from 100 to 300 North; Main Street south from Center Street to the south city boundary line; Main Street from 300 North to south Spring City boundary is not a state or county highway; Main Street is closed to OHV travel except Center Street to 100 North.

The maximum speed for OHV on streets and roadways is 15 mph. A maximum of $50 per offense will be assessed for speeding.

Councilman Mickel said the ordinance is based on state law and the current ordinance must be updated each year. With the new ordinance, no yearly updates would be necessary.

Chad Beck, resident, asked about current trends to allow licensed four-wheelers on streets. Councilman Mickel said that four wheelers must have turn signals, license plates, etc., but are still not allowed on Main Street to county lines at both ends of town.

Disposal of Surplus city property

The purpose of this ordinance is to have a procedure in force to deal with property that should be sold or otherwise disposed of. The city will be able to declare property that is in nonuse, obsolete, in disrepair, or lack of need as surplus property.

Real property is any property that is considered to be real estate or land owned by the city. If the council determines that any real property owned by the city is surplus and that it is in the best interest the city will follow certain guidelines in disposing of it.

Animal control ordinance

The Animal Control Ordinance name would be changed to Dog Ordinance that pertains to licensing, at large dogs and the number of dogs allowed per household.

The current number of dogs allowed per household is three, unless a dog is inherited from a family member or friend. However, when the dog dies, it cannot be replaced.

No commercial kennels will be allowed inside city limits and dog runs must be 50 feet from the street.

All dogs must be licensed due April 1 of each year. Dog license applications must contain the dog owner's name, address, and phone number; dog's name and description, a copy of immunization, spayed/neutered record that is photocopied onto the application form that shows the date of procedure, vaccination and hydatid treatment with the veterinarians signature.

The receipt should show the description of the dog licensed, year licensed, sex of dog, if spayed or neutered, number of tag and statement showing amount of fee and if fee is paid.