Sidney passes updated animal ordinance, looking to fill Airport Authority vacancy

SIDNEY, NE — Sidney's city council updated one of the town's ordinances during its meeting Tuesday evening. 

The Sidney City Council voted 5-0 to approve Ordinance 1824, which updates the animals section of Sidney's codified ordinances.

The changes updates the definition of a dog or cat owner. Under the new language, any person who harbors any dog or cat for 10 days or lets the animal stay in or around their house, store or enclosure for 10 days is considered the owner. That person then becomes liable for any violations of the animal ordinance.

Ordinance 1824 also updates what zones people can keep livestock in, including fowl. With the changes, the keeping of sheep, horses, cattle, mules, donkeys, goats, pigs, other hooved animals and domestic or wild fowl is only allowed in Agricultural (A) zones, Agricultural Residential (AR) zones and Rural Residential Estate Zones (R1a). 

Also at Tuesday's meeting, city manager David Scott informed the council there is a vacancy on the city's Airport Authority Board. 

Scott said board member Shannon Odiett retired from the position in June. The city is accepting applications for a replacement. Scott said Tuesday, the city has already received one application. 

Although the Airport Authority's board members are elected, the council appoints someone to the position when their is a vacancy mid-term. The person who takes the position will serve until December 2026 when Odiett's term is set to expire. 

After the city closes the application window, they will be given to the mayor and city council for consideration.