Hampton ends licensing requirements for bicycles, plumbers, and cats

The Hampton City Council awarded Ryan and Kelsey Card with the August 2021 Image of Pride award during their regular meeting on Thursday, August 12.

The Cards are the owners of God Fuel, a new café located at 703 Central Ave. W. Starting up the new shop involved repurposing an old auto service station into a café.

"They've done a lot of work to the old station there," said council member Bill Hodge, who nominated them for the award.

The Cards were not able to attend the meeting, but were happy to be recognized for their work in renovating their building.

"It's good to know that they do this and encourage others," said Kelsey Card.

In other business, the council held a vicious animal hearing following an incident with a dog owned by Reyes Montes on July 16. Both the owner and the victim, a neighbor, were present for the hearing and both parties acknowledged that the dog had gotten loose and attacked the family, resulting in a bite.

The council unanimously voted to have the dog declared vicious and ordered it to be removed from the city.

Moving into regular business, the council acknowledge the receipt of the recent planning and zooming meeting and set public hearing dates for new zoning amendment ordinances to be considered. The public hearing will be set for the next regular meeting on Thursday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m.

The council also held the third and final reading of an ordinance that would amend the city code, repealing the licensing requirements for bicycles, plumbers, and cats, along with adjusting the licensing requirements for domestic dogs. The new rate for dog licenses will be $5 per year for neutered dogs and $8 per year for un-neutered dogs.

Following the final reading, the ordinance was adopted.

Similarly, the council held the second reading of an ordinance to amend the licensing requirements for garbage collectors, transient merchants, and tree service professionals.

Under the new ordinance, the annual license fee for garbage collection will increase to $200 and tree services will be $50.

For peddlers, solicitors, and transient merchants, the new ordinance will require documentation on the applicant and any employees or vehicles they have, and will cost $100 for a 30 day permit.

The council also approved a resolution approving an application for federal grant money from the Airport Rescue Grant Program. The city is asking for up to $32,000 to go to the Hampton Municipal Airport.

Moving into department reports, Police Chief Bob Schaefer reported that police have executed another three search warrants recently, resulting in four arrests.

Public Works Director Doug Tarr reported that paving behind Quick Star will begin this week and asked for patience from the community as the road work is being done.

Tarr also reported that the Hampton Aquatic Center had to be closed temporarily, following a high bacteria test, which he said is a common issue during hot days for heated pools.

"We'll hopefully be reopening as soon as we get a passed test," said Tarr.