The Atlantic City Council unanimously approved the final reading of two rule changes and the first reading of another at their Wednesday meeting.

The Council passed the final reading of a rule change regarding the number of days the Atlantic Animal Control Office holds an animal before it becomes available for adoption. Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson had requested that the number of days an animal is held be changed from seven business days to three. The change aligns the city with the state required three days. The city hopes this helps animals minimize their stay and stress. Licensed dog owners will be contacted if their pet is found wandering.

The Council also approved the final reading of an ordinance changing zoning regulations. A number of changes to building heights and setbacks were included in the ordinance in hopes that residential property owners would have greater flexibility to improve their properties. These changes would eliminate the costly and time-consuming process of applying for a variance in some instances.

The first reading of an amendment to traffic code enforcement procedures was also passed. The changes will increase the fine amounts for regular parking violations and snow emergency violations. The changes will align the city with fine amounts in other nearby cities. The Personnel and Finance Committee recommended the council approve the fine increases which will go from $10 to $30 for regular violations and $25 to $50 for snow emergency violations.

The council also approved a key monitoring policy for the city. Alexis Fleener was appointed to the Community Promotion Commission and Megan Mewhirter was added to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Those appointments replace the resignation of Christina Bateman from those spots.