Just finished speaking at today's 5:15 PM city council meeting in support of backyard hens.
Making a public statement is easy. You fill out the card in the lobby and hand it to the city clerk. (She is always professional and friendly.) Currently our topic, "Backyard Hen Support", is not on the agenda so you check the box that states, "non-agenda topic". The public comment portion of the meeting is near the beginning, so once done, you can leave. Easy.
You are allowed two minutes to speak. A non agenda topic is provided for 20 minutes. So, 10 people wanting to speak on the topic of backyard hens could each give a two minute speech ... 20 people could give a one minute speech.
Here is a copy of what I presented to our council members:
Thank you Honorable Mayor Goh.
Let me begin by recognizing what a great privilege and honor it is to stand before our elected city council members and have an opportunity to be heard. Thank you for your courage, your willingness to listen to others, and for the integrity that is needed to hold a position of leadership.
I am sincere about that statement; whether you support my position on the legalization of backyard hens or not. Thank you for being a Council Member.
It is known that I am part of the large and ever growing Backyard Hen Community. Two years ago, this Backyard Hen Community spent months informing this council regarding the safe and positive qualities of backyard hens. Through that work, our council passed ordinance amendments with safeguards and restrictions that allowed for backyard hen ownership. I thank the council for doing that.
However, the new ordinance did not go into effect.
With the recent election cycle and new council members, it is my intention to work respectfully with the city to build on the good work that has already been accomplished with regards to legalizing backyard hen.
At a future meeting, I will present an updated ordinance proposal that takes into account the concerns learned from community members. This council has the ability to work together, find common ground, and make the needed compromises to legalize hen ownership. And then, stand behind that decision.
I would like your input. I have provided you with my contact information and encourage you to reach out to me with any questions.
Thank you again for allowing me to be heard. Let’s finish the work that has been started and make Bakersfield “hen friendly”.
Contact:
thebubh@gmail.com