Hutto City Council wrap up for Feb. 18, 2010

Hutto City Council wrap up for Feb. 18, 2010

By Matt Painter Friday, 19 February 2010

HUTTO — The Hutto City Council met Feb. 18 in its regular session. Three annual reports were presented to the council by the following individuals:

• Jeff Phillips, Hutto Historic Preservation Commission
• Fire Chief Scott Kerwood, Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 3
• Police Chief Harold Thomas, Hutto Police Department

Chief Thomas summarized 2009 Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data that is collected by his department and reported to the United States Department of Justice. UCR data is comprised of Part 1 crimes, which are major offenses, and Part 2 crimes, which are less severe crimes. Thomas reported that there was only one major Part 1 crime in Hutto in 2009, which was a homicide.

The council also received a quarterly investment report from the finance department. The yield on the city’s investments is fluctuating between 0.4 and 0.6 percent. This is due to rates set by the Federal Reserve.

The council passed the first reading of an ordinance which would completely overhaul the current rules governing animal control within the city limits. Should this ordinance pass on the second reading, one of the things that will change is the regulation of exotic animals. Under the proposed ordinance, the owner of an exotic animal would be required to receive written permission from the chief of police to possess the animal. The new ordinance will be open to public comment at the next council meeting prior to the second reading.