The Niles City Council is expected to consider an ordinance that would allow people to keep chickens on residential properties at the next council meeting July 11.

The ordinance was introduced at Monday’s regular meeting where the mayor and a few council members made it clear which way they would be voting.

Councilmen Tim Skalla, Bill Weimer and Mayor Mike McCauslin all said they are opposed to allowing chickens in the city.

Councilmen Dan VandenHeede and John DiCostanzo both said they are in favor of the ordinance, which would allow residents to keep as many as four chickens (no roosters).

Weimer and Skalla both said the majority of their constituents have told them they are not in favor of the ordinance.

In citing his reasons for opposition, McCauslin said the city does not have the staff or resources to enforce the ordinance in the likely event that people do not follow the rules.

“It asks for and creates a lot of additional problems,” he said.

As mayor, McCauslin would not have a vote on the issue unless there is a tie vote among the eight council members. McCauslin’s vote would break the tie.

VandenHeede, who has voiced his support for residential chickens many times in the past, did so again Monday night, saying he is glad to see the ordinance will come up for a vote.

DiCostanzo was the only other council member to vocalize his support for residential chickens.

“I don’t like the government putting limits on how to use our property,” he said.

According to the ordinance, chickens would have to be confined to a pen and coop area that is impenetrable to dogs, cats or other wildlife.

The pen area would have to be located no closer than 15 feet from any property line and no closer than 25 feet from any neighboring residence or occupied structure. The pen area would also have to be in the back yard and kept clean and free of odors.

A violation could be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

Also Monday, the council:

• Adopted a resolution to confirm the special assessment of $20 per parcel for the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service. City Administrator Ric Huff said the assessment, which was approved by voters years ago, would expire at the end of the year. He said there is no current plan for how the assessment would come up for renewal.

• Renewed the city’s membership with Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance at a cost of $14,000.

• Hired Utility Financial Solutions for $4,500 to perform a rate design for the city’s utilities customers from Niles Township.

• Approved the reimbursement of $150,000 to William F. Alford Company for a billing error that resulted in the company being overcharged for electric over a period of several years.

• Accepted a $400,000 grant from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust for the removal of the Pucker Street Dam. Jeff Dunlap, utilities director, said the city has received more than $1.5 million in grants for the project thus far.

• Accepted the bid of $849,000 from Franklin Holwenda company, of Wyoming, Michigan, for construction of the return activated sludge improvement project at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Dunlap said the bid came nearly $70,000 under projected costs.

• Approved a one-year reservation of land near the Main Street Bridge for the placement of the Richard Hunt sculpture, Hybrid Form II. Huff said it is contingent upon funding becoming available for the placement of the sculpture.

The council also approved the following events Monday:

• Chapin Mansion Arts and Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16 at the Niles History Center

• Patriot Walk on Riverfront Park trail Sept. 11

• Niles Main Street’s Fantasy Feast Community Dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 13 downtown

• Bridge Bash Dash 5K from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5 downtown

• Fort St. Joseph Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6-7 at Riverfront Park

• Niles Burn Run from July 8-10 in Riverfront Park

• Riverfest weekend event Aug. 5-7 in Riverfront and Plym Parks