Delinquent Accounts And Domestic Fowl Ordinance Discussed;
By Jessica Wald
The Napoleon City Council discussed a variety of topics during the regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, September 2, 2025, when council members present included Mayor Moos, Bob Humann, Mike Heying, Rich Bjerklie, John Wald and Rod Kleppe, while Clark Haas was absent.
Mayor Moos updated the council on the former Downtowner Bar & Hotel, as the account is delinquent in all utilities. He noted he submitted the claim to small claims court and since the business, which is no longer operating, was an LLC, makes the business owners not have to pay for the delinquent utilities bill, which totals $3,300. He said the owners, Stephanie Gause and Adam McIntosh said they won’t pay the utilities. Moos said there is nothing the city can do, as the next step is that small claims court will certify the request.
As previously discussed Moos presented an updated domestic fowl ordinance, as he made changes to a different city’s ordinance. After reviewing the changes, the council gave several different opinions. Wald questioned if they could decrease the application fee to $150 from the requested $250. Moos said the higher price might deter those who are not serious about raising chickens and abiding to the ordinance. Heying asked if they’d consider increasing the number of fowl that can be raised in town, from four to six, as this may help supply bigger families with enough eggs. He also questioned if the applicant should be the property/house owner. The council noted a few other cities that have updated their ordinances to have increased number of chickens to help supply more eggs. The council agreed to look into a few more situations and bring the ordinance suggestions back to next month’s meeting. Moos noted the ordinance for backyard chickens isn’t a for sure thing and anything can still be changed/suggested, but something to consider.
The council also discussed the new public comment policy put into place by the legislature. The council approved to allow a total of three people to have public comment at the beginning of a meeting, with each person receiving. . .