HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Materials: FW_ barnyard animals in Medina - Spengler, CFrom:Jessica Rossman
To:Aimee Kellerman
Subject:FW: barnyard animals in Medina
Date:Monday, February 8, 2021 9:54:59 AM
Hi Aimee,
Resident Cindy Spengler is unable to come to this afternoon’s Council meeting to provide live public
comment, so she requested that we use this email as her public comment for tonight’s meeting.
Thank you!
Jessica
From: Jeffrey Spengler <JSPENG@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 2:12 PM
To: Jessica Rossman <jrossman@medina-wa.gov>
Subject: barnyard animals in Medina
Dear Mayor Rossman,
I have been a resident of Medina for 33 years. For most of that time life has been tranquil.
Unfortunately, the last six months have been quite the opposite. I have a neighbor two doors
away to the east who has demonstrated a frank disregard for my welfare and is infringeing on
my property rights and the rights of the rest of the neighbors surrounding him.
Several months ago we were awakened every morning at 5 am with his rooster crowing. This
stopped with it's removal. Over the past two months we have had geese, ducks and chickens
roaming my yard. More recently, I have had 4 pigs running through my property at various
times throughout the day and night. His goat and sheep can be heard at all hours bleating.
On warm days we and the other neighbors, as well as passers by, can smell the stench. Before
this gentleman moved in I could go out at night without fear of what I might run into. Now I
have to be cautious that I might run into unwanted animals at all hours. I have small children
at my house. I cannot let them play in my yard without worrying about their safety. I have
contacted the police on three separate occasions about the pigs and ensuing mayhem. With
each of these phone calls I learned that they have received numerous complaints from other
neighbors about the same thing.
I conducted a survey of the surrounding neighbors. Most of the neighbors had expressed that
they too had called the police to complain. One neighbor complained that her yard, adjacent
to said neighbor, was now infested with rats. I too am seeing rats in my yard. Another
neighbor has taken in three of his cats because they were not being cared for by him. I had
one of the cats sleeping on my front porch for months. Another neighbor was awakened with
said neighbor and his sheep in the neighbor's backyard at 11 pm.
I am concerned for the welfare of these poor animals: 4+ pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, goats,
sheep and cats all living in the confines of just 1/2 acre. I know other areas of Bellevue require
more land for that number of animals. In addition, the back of the property, where the pigs
are penned, has a significant slope which drains into a natural stream which subsequently
flows into the ponds in Medina Park and eventually Lake Washington. The environmental
concern is strong for fecal contamination as well as possible other contaminants. I am
concerned about my safety. I am also concerned about my property and it's projected
property value going forward with this menace.
I find this invasion of my property to be intolerable. I purposly did not buy a house in the
country. Instead, I bought here in Medina where I pay high property taxes. We have a
significant tree policy but to my dismay nothing regarding barnyard animals per Medina
police.
I would like to have you and the Medina City Council address this problem and make it
unlawful for barnyard animals to live in Medina. As I have stated, I am not the only one
complaining about this problem per Medina police and my personal polling.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at 425-417-1197.
Sincerely,
Cindy Spengler
7804 NE 12TH Street
Medina, Wa, 98039