ROCK SPRINGS — After hearing from residents in support and opposed to revisiting the issue of allowing chickens within city limits, the Rock Springs City Council decided not to revisit the issue.

The vote wasn’t unanimous however, with Councilors Larry Hickerson and Rob Zotti voting in favor of revisiting the ordinance 3-527. Back in 2013, the Council voted not to allow chickens within city limits.

After tonight’s vote, Councilor David Halter said though he spoke in favor of revisiting the issue at the last meeting, he has since heard from a majority of constituents who are opposed to hashing over the issue again, so he voted against it.

Councilor Tim Robinson and Mayor Tim Kaumo echoed what Halter said, both saying the majority of their constituents were also opposed. Mayor Kaumo said everyone needs to respect the wishes of the majority.

“It’s time to respect the decision and move on,” Mayor Kaumo said.

The Discussion

Prior to making a decision, the Council listened to both sides.

Rock Springs resident Mackenzie Bertagnolli who has 12 chickens, once again asked the Council to consider revisiting an ordinance allowing for chickens. During previous meetings, Bertagnolli has asked the Council to reconsider looking at the ordinance.

“I’m not here because I got caught with chickens,” Bertagnolli said.

At a previous meeting, Bertagnolli asked for the ordinance to be revisited after animal control recently showed up at her house informing her that chickens were not allowed within city limits. Since then, she moved her chickens north of town with a family member so she can keep them.

Bertagnolli said she will keep coming back in front of the Council until she can get them back on her property.

Jennifer Ortega not only spoke in favor of having chickens, but brought her bird to the meeting to show support.

“She wants her birds back,” Ortega said.

Ortega said her friend just wants to be with her chickens and have them continue to provide her with eggs. She said she wouldn’t know what to do if someone told her she could no longer have her pet bird.

Rock Springs resident Brent Johnson spoke in opposition saying he is not only opposed to chickens within city limits, but any other farm animals as well. He said he specifically moved to Rock Springs because it provides a good quality of life.

Another resident said he spoke against the issue back in 2013 and will continue to speak against it.

With all comments made, Mayor Kaumo said he knows the Council will be “damned” regardless of the decision it makes in this situation, however a decision had to be made.