NEW ULM — The city’s leash law will return to the New Ulm City Council tonight for approval or further modification.

The recommendation would amend the code and reinstate a leash law in the parks.

On June 12 the Happy Trail Dog Park Committee recommended to the Park and Rec Commission that the city require dogs and cats to be leashed in city park areas other than the dog park.

In 2004, the city council removed the leash requirement from the parks, but made it a requirement for the recreational trail. Since then, parks are considered the same as any other land in the city. The requirement states: dogs and cats must be on a leash or “under the direct control of an accompanying person.”

During the June 20 city council meeting, City Attorney Roger Hippert raised concerns about how to define or prosecute “direct control.” In addition, he mentioned the city has been involved with incidents and cases regarding dogs running at large causing injury to other animals and people. Hippert believed a legal clarification was necessary.

The discussion of whether leashes should be a requirement proved controversial in June. Several individuals spoke in favor and against leash laws. Even the city council was conflicted over the best course of action. No consensus was reached and the issue was tabled.

As the recommendation currently states the leash law would be reinstated in parks, but would not affect the rest of New Ulm.

In other news:

• the council will consider whether to fund the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation (NUEDC) for 2018 or use the funds to fill a long-vacant Assistant City Manager position.

Currently the city subsidizes the NUEDC at $50,000 per year. At the same time the Assistant City Manager position has remained unfilled since 2011 and the duties were dispersed to other staff and department heads.

During work sessions the council considered refilling the Assistant City Manager position to perform City/PUC actives as well as economic development duties. This would eliminate the need for the $50,000 subsidy and would effectively eliminate the NUEDC Director position held by Brian Tohal.

The council will need to determine whether the city is in greater need of an Assistant City Manager or NUEDC Director.

The Assistant City Manager position is estimated to require a $97,000 minimum salary, but would have additional responsibilities in addition to economic development. The NUEDC Director position costs less, but focuses on economic issues.

• The council will decide whether to approve or deny the variance to allow twin and row homes to be constructed in Milford Heights.

The variance request came from Al Poehler on behalf of S & P Development. Both twin homes and row homes are constructed with a common wall on the lot line dividing the homes. This allows for separate ownership of each unit. However property zoning requires a side yard setbacks. In order to construct these types of homes a variance allow zero foot side yards is needed.

The council is expected to approve the request. The Planning Commission previously recommended that variance and the city has expressed strong interest in developing Milford Heights.

• The PUC is seeking approval for two spots in the municipal parking lot located at 127 N. German Street as electric vehicle only recharging spots. These location s would be exempt from time limit or overnight parking restrictions.

The PUC has approved the purchase of the charging equipment and is prepared to install it if approved by the council.