The Wayland City Council will have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, to talk about permitting or banning the raising of chickens within the city limits.

City Manager Joshua Eggleston said he hopes to have the meeting at the Wayland Middle School cafeteria in case there is a larger than usual audience, but he has not received official word yet.

The city more than a year ago began deliberations on the possibility of crafting a chicken ordinance, but the issue was dropped after former City Manager Tim McLean left. Eggleston  last month told City Council members they should soon revisit the matter to decide yes or no one and for all.

Surrounding communities such as Dorr Township have adopted ordinances permitting chickens, but opponents say they are more rural in character and urban farming presents different challenges.

Eggleston said he hopes to have information providers on both sides of the issue available at the special meeting.

In other business at Tuesday night’s meeting, the council:

• Approved the purchase of a new police cruiser, a 2019 Chevy Tahoe for $32,757, to replace the 2013 Tahoe, which will be sold. Eggleston said the purchase price came in more than $2,000 under budget.

• Heard an explanation of the sounding twice last week (Aug. 28 and 29) of the warning siren. He was told may residents thought it was a tornado siren, but he responded that it was a outdoor warning system that is activated when winds reach 60 miles per hour or conditions are suspected of being favorable to creation of tornadoes.

• Was told by Eggleston that the cost of salt for use on streets during the coming winter has increased by as much as 70 percent.

“We may have to look at alternatives before we commit to moving forward.” the city manager said.