By Fawn Porter/Staff Writer

An effort to muzzle noisy animals in Mustang raised a squawk among City Council members Tuesday night leaving the measure unable to scratch out enough support for passage.

A 4-3 vote rejected the ordinance that would have granted the city authority to take action against loud animals in residential neighborhoods, excluding rural estates. The ordinance would have applied to small animals other than dogs — noisy dogs are already included under city laws — and large animals are not allowed in high-density residential neighborhoods.

The move to put an ordinance on the books came after a resident of the Heights neighborhood complained about excessively loud roosters crowing at all hours of the night and early morning. Other than his complaints, City Manager David Cockrell said the city has received a total of five complaints against noisy animals, including cats and a goat.

He said under this ordinance, a resident would have to “offended to the level” that he or she would sign a complaint form.

City Councilman Joe Conner, who voted against the measure, said he couldn’t see why some types of animals — such as fowl — were allowed in heavy residential areas when there was no real way to control their noise level.

Councilman Scott Gibson said he’d spoken with the owners of the roosters, who told him they planned on getting rid of their birds. With that in mind, Gibson questioned the need for the ordinance if the situation had already been resolved.

Wondering whether the ordinance had enough support to pass, Councilman Keith Bryan called for a vote, with the ordinance failing 4-3. Gibson, Conner, and Council members Kathleen Moon and Len Scott dissented.

In other business, Council members authorized the resurfacing of some asphalt streets in Canadian Estates — the first municipal street project under a five-year plan adopted during budget hearings in May.

Escalating and unstable costs of petroleum-based project forced city officials to hold off on the project, said interim Community Development Director Mike Rutledge.

“With current oil prices changing, and the cost of asphalt components dropping, the contractor (Silver Star Construction) can now meet the original projected bid amount,” he said.

Price estimates for the project are just under $252,000.

A move from the parks and recreation department to require background checks for all volunteers and coaches using city-owned facilities met with unanimous Council approval.

Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles said the policy will require Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation background checks, as well as the signing of a release that they are not, nor have ever been, sex offenders. The push was unanimously recommended by the city leisure board, and the city of Mustang incurs no expense for the background checks as they are the responsibility of the organization.

City Council also passed an ordinance authorizing pedestrian signals be placed on all new traffic signals where needed and also authorized the use of Town Center as a designated emergency shelter.

In other business the Council voted to:

• create a City Planner II position;
• purchase and install a memorial plaque for former Community Development Director Jim Turner, who died in January and;
• accept and award bids for the renovation and upgrade of the heating and air conditioning unit at the city fire department.