Supporters of The Ice Cream Barn owner Bill Neuens attended Monday’s council meeting to seek approval for the animals, but city officials said there’s no quick remedy.

The council, by a 5-2 vote, agreed to explore a change in a city ordinance that prohibits the harboring of livestock. As proposed, a business district will be identified where animals could be kept under a special use permit, but only on a case-by-case basis.

“Unfortunately, this year you won’t have the cows there,” Mayor Dale Alessandrini told Neuens near the end of a 55-minute discussion.

According to City Manager Jordan Stanchina, the earliest the process could wrap up would be October.

JULIANNE CHOUINARD, 5, and sister Annabelle Chouinard, 7, in back, visit the cows Monday, June 6, 2022, at The Ice Cream Barn on Iron Mountain’s north side. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

Neuens, who didn’t address the council, was represented by attorney Greg Seibold, who asked for an ordinance amendment that would be “good for the city.”

Several citizens spoke in favor of allowing the cows, which children have been able to pet and feed at the farm-themed shop that opened this past weekend at 606 N. Stephenson Ave. Neighboring business owner Jerry Grailer said Neuens has created a tourist attraction for the city, not unlike the deer at Iron Mountain City Park.

Chapin Street resident Eric Huotari complimented the entire enterprise, which includes a silo built for group gatherings. “I see nothing but good by Bill having these cattle,” he said.

Council member Pam Maule said she “loves the idea” of the cows but wondered if Neuens knew they were prohibited.

“You can’t (just) break the law. Why not come to the council and ask? Do it all the right way,” she said.

THE ICE CREAM Barn opened this past weekend at 606 N. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

The no votes came from council members Nathan Zemar and Kyle Blomquist, who noted the cows were never part of a site plan for the business.

“They’re being kept 50 feet from a highway,” Zemar said, warning the city will be sued if the cows get loose and cause a crash.

City Attorney Gerry Pirkola will draft an ordinance change the council can consider for adoption. Neuens could then seek a special use permit through the Iron Mountain Planning Commission, with the permit subject to final council approval, Stanchina said.

“This popped up eight days ago,” he said of the animal ordinance violation.

Alessandrini said that, in making any allowance for The Ice Cream Barn, the city must be sure to protect the integrity of the ordinance.

Council member Cathy Tomassoni said input from the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department should also be considered.