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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-07 Item 2C, Wild Animal Mgmt ~ ~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: July 9, 2007 Agenda Item: 2.C. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Michelle Wolfe; City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager 77If!) SUBJECT: Wild Animal Management PTRC Recommendation BACKGROUND At the June 25th Regular City Council Meeting, the Wild Animal Management PTRC Recommendation item was removed from the agenda and placed on the joint PTRC/City Council Work Session for discussion. Staffhas included a copy of the information from that meeting for your reVIew. RECOMMENDATION Staff has provided the information for discussion between the PTRC and the City Council. Staff is requesting direction from the City Council on how to proceed on this topic. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhillsIPR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Wild animal management work session07.doc ~ ~HILLS Request for Council Action Agenda [tern: ......................... ..m BudgetedAmounf ....... ..:: . .....~Q Actual Amount: $500 Funding Source: ..".....". _ _ _____<?_~_~~E~.I.".IE"~~~_c!=__M_!.!x~.~,..~,_"~l?_~~_~!_!. 7.C. Prepared By: Michelle Olson .,.." Dept.: PUblic-Works Council Mtg. Date: ..........."."... - ---------- J"urie-25,2-o1ff--.- Final Action Needed By: ....~}u.ne-.25:-2~97..". [~9J)nc11J~fip=~]m1fqti~~~1.ftfu'iliRmtgi]JmL"._"."_"___________._._....,..,..,..,.".""__________._.__._..,."_._._.___~_______.______....................._._____________..........,.........____________,...........................__________......................_.__________........."._. iStaff is requesting direction from the City Council on how to proceed with the Lake Johanna Improvement Society request and also on the! I possibility of requesting assistance from the PTRC in drafting a Wild Animal Management Policy. ' Staff is requesting direction from the City C-oii-nCifo'Jl'''how-to-pr()"cee,fwltil-the'''Lake''J"ohan-niiTmprovemenfS'oci'ety-requesfii'ntfiifso-o'n'''t"h'e ,possibility of requesting assistance from the PTRC in drafting a Wild Animal Management Policy. r !The PTRC recommends the City of Arden Hilis contribute $500 to the Lake iJohanna Improvement Society Goose Removal Program for 2007. The motion i 'r carried 6~1. _____._........"."."m___________.._............."..."_________ __.____........m.""m_________._._.........."m_________.._.....".....____.__.........".. iPTRC: : 06/19/07 i:SjjjYj!ft\tli!igjID:O:cililllj!~Jilfiil~~i'jI!ifl01fs~. X i Memo/Letter: Dated 06/20/07 from Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager 'Resolution No.: iOrdinance No.: !Engineering Recommendation: .. "._________.........".".".".._ ___n__......."."...._____ __.........."..."..m_______ .__.......".".._..______ ._........."."".."____ _._........".".""".____ ____._............."._______ ___._..."...._..________ !Attorney Recommendation: f------t ! X IOther: 10/16/06 City Council Work Session Minutes, Reque'st letter from-take Johanna Improvement SocTety dated 03/15/2007, Response letter from Karen Barton dated 3/26/07, and public inquiry information provided from Jennie Michels at the May 29,2007 Regular Council Meeting. ~Qarrclal~1mp)1Hawn~~FG~~l'~ ; If the City Council chooses to contribute to the Lake Johanna Improvement Society, in previous' years it has been charged to the General i Fund - Mayor & Council- Miscellaneous Community Projects. However, this $500 contribution was not put in the budget for 2007. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhiIls\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Actions\ Wild Animal Management 607.doc ~ ~~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: June 20, 2007 Agenda Item: 7.C. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Michelle Wolfe; City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Wild Animal Management PTRC Recommendation Backe:round At a City Council Work Session on October 16,2006 the topic of wild animal management was discussed. At that time, City Hall had received a number of complaints from residents regarding geese, wild turkeys, deer, and moles destroying vegetation, fouling the area, causing property damage, and becoming aggressive. The City Council considered methods such as: controlled hunting of the animals, non-lethal management teclroiques used by the DNR (including barrier fences, scare tape, energized fences, hazing, and landscaping), and trapping and relocation. After the discussion, the City Council came to a consensus that staff should only address wild animal management issues that could impact public safety in Arden Hills. Staff was directed to provide information to the public regarding these issues when requested. The minutes from that meeting are attached for your reference (Attachment A). The Lake Johanna Improvement Society has facilitated a Goose Removal Program since 1996. The City has contributed $500 to this program since 1996. In March of this year, the Lake Johanna Improvement Society sent a request (Attachment B) for a donation to this year's program. The City notified (Attachment C) the Lake Johanna Improvement Society that the City would no longer be able to contribute to this program. This decision was based on direction from City Council gave to staff in October of last year. On May 29th, Ms. Jennie Michels, a board member of the associatiou, attended the City Council Regular Meeting to ask the City to reconsider their position (Attachment D). The City Council asked staff to bring the topic to the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) for discussion and recommendation. The PTRC discussed it at their June 19, 2007 meeting and recommended by motion that the City contribute $500 to the Lake Johanna Improvement Society in 2007 for goose removal. The motion carried 6-1. The committee stated the following reasons for their decision: \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Wild animal management 07.doc City Council Wild Animal Management 2 . Water Quality: In the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, under the Protected Resources Section, pages 65 and 66, it states: Lake Management requires the collective and collaborative resources of the residents, a variety of governmental agencies, and the institutional and commercial property owners within the area. To date, there has not been a coordinated effort between the City, Watershed District, Ramsey County and the Lake Improvement Associations to address water quality issues. The City may be the appropriate agency to pull together the various lake associations and government agencies to take further actions to protect lake water quality. This information seems to state that water quality is important to the City and encourages associations to address water quality issues. It appears that Lake Johanna Improvement Society is attempting to do that through their Goose Removal Program. . Public Resource: The Committee feels strongly that Lake Johanna is a public resource that should be protected. The consensus was that the City should share in the responsibility. . Public Health Concerns: The Committee feels that public health is a safety concem. Therefore, the support request from the Lake Johanna Improvement Society seems appropriate based on the direction given to staff in October of 2006. The PTRC is aware that the City is in a difficult position when it comes to groups and organizations requesting donations to help support wild animal management. The committee expressed a willingness to draft a Wild Animal Management Policy to help address the various requests, should the Council so desire. Financial Implications If the City Council chooses to contribute to the Lake Johanna Improvement Society, this contribution has in previous years been charged to the General Fund - Mayor and Council - Miscellaneous Community Projects. However, due to the direction given in 2006, there was no mouey allocated to this line item for 2007. This amount could be absorbed within another line item in the Mayor Council budget. Another possible funding source could be to utilize the Storm Water Fund, as water quality has been identified as a concern. Staff Recommendation Staff is requesting direction from the City Council on how to proceed with the Lake Johanna Improvement Society request and on the possibility of requesting assistance from the PTRC in drafting a Wild Animal Management Policy. Wild Animal Manae:ement Discussion June 25, 2007 Attachment A: City Council Work Session Minutes from October 16,2006. ARDEN HILLS ClTY COUNCIL - October 16, 2006 Mouods View School District Resolutioo Discnssion- City Administrator Michelle Wolfe noted that the Neighbors United group requested the City of Arden Hills to pass a resolution supporting the passage of an operating levy for the Mounds View School District on November 1h. At this time, the City of Shore view has passed a resolution supporting the operating levy. The Cities of New Brighton and Mounds View have decided not to take fonnal action in support of the operating levy, but agreed that individual council members could support the initiative by writing letters or voicing their personal support to the School Board and Neighbors Untied. In the past, the City Council has agreed not to support or disapprove the actions of other political bodies. Councilmember Holden recommended that the City remain status quo in regard to nOltaking a stance on political issues that are not deemed City business. Councilmember Grant said that he does nol believe it is the City Council's role to support levy referendums through a resolution. Councilmember Pellegrin said that he does not support the City's passing of a resolution on this matter. Mayor Aplikowski said that she is not supportive of passing a resolution created by a parent or neighborhood group that is not directly affiliated with the school district. Members of the City Council agreed that the proposed resolution will not be placed on a future City Council meeting agenda. Geese Removal Discussion- Community Development Director Karen Barton noted that the Canada Geese numbers in the metropolitan area have grown dramatically over the last few years. City Hall has received a number of complaints from residents regarding geese, wild turkeys, deer, and moles destroying vegetation, fouling the area, causing property damage, and even becoming aggressive. There are a number of ways in which the City could deal with nuisance wild life. None of the proposed methods are 100% effective. The proposed methods may also not be socially acceptable or without cost to the City. The following is a list of methods for which the City Council may wish to consider regarding wild lite nuisance control: . Controlled hunting of the animals; · Non-lethal management techniques used by the DNR, induding barrier fences, scare tape, energized fences, hazing, and landscaping; . Trapping and relocation. Mayor Aplikowski said that she does not believe that wild life nuisance control should be the responsibility of the City. It should be a resident and homeowner association issue. , ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 16, 2006 Councilmember Pellegrin said that animal control is not a public safely issue. It is more of a quality of life issue. Councilmember Larson noted that the City currently contributes $500.00 per year towards geese removal for Lake Johanna. There have been problems with geese at the beach in the past. COlmcilmember Pellegrin said that in his opinion the only reason why the City should get involved in wild animal control is when it is deemed a public safely problem. Councilmember Grnnt said that he is not supportive of the City providing assistance for wild animal control. Councilmember Larson said that the City may have a problem with geese at the Tony Schmidt Park public beach if they do not continue to remove the geese on a yearly basis. Mayor Aplikowski noted that the beach should be the responsibility of Ramsey County and not the City. Councilmember Larson said that Ramsey County has refused to pay for this service in the past. City Administrator Wolfe said that City staff will provide information to the public regarding animal control issues and will only address animal control issues that could impact public safuty in Arden Hills. Council Comments and Reqnests- COlmcilmember Larson raised a question about proposed variances to driveways. He was wondering if the City Council should review the issue of multiple access driveways at a lIture meeting. It was his understanding that the City Council's intent was to have one paved driveway access per property owner. Members of the City Council were in agreement that residents should be allowed only one paved driveway access in Arden Hills. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe Slated that a few of the residents along Siems Court are upset about the narrowing of the roadways in the 2006 PMP project. City staff is working on a response to the resiqents concerns anq will forward a copy of the response to you in the weekly administrative report. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Work Session meeting at 9:45 p.m. Beverly Aplikowski Mayor Michelle A. Wolfe City Administrator . Wild Animal Manae:ement Discussion June 25. 2007 Attachment B: Request letter from Lake Johanna Improvement Society. Dated: March 15,2007 \ tf".} < Lake Johanna Improvement Society March 15, 2007 City of Arden Hills Ms. Karen Barton 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Dear Ms. Barton: The Lake Johanna Improvement Society would like to thank the City of Arden Hills for their continued support of the Goose Removal Program for Lake Johanna. The Goose Removal Program has positively impacted the quality of the lakeshore and areas surrounding Tony Schmidt Park. This program has successfully removed 612 geese from Lake Johanna since its inception in 1996. We would like to ask the city of Arden Hills for $500 for lhis year's program. If you have any queslion, please conlact me at 651-635-9913. Sincerely, . clv A -, 0('fu' cJut; JJJ~~ ~i~- CociJnator (Goose Removal Program) Enclosure cc: Roberta Thompson .....,:. ,'.J' ,-, . :'; ,'..'.' : .:,;.!:.: :.<,. --- 'l:-" .;\.; "r .:~' "',' .C ~;.:.::: .. f~""::' ',:!';...: ,ok. i' ., ,','''' '.-{, :. ...~ _d" .; i.,,-: ." ~ ;;:-":';,'1 !~:. ~!l.!-..' ... '(', ,~ : .r::: :> ; ~:;. " . ,.: ~~t::;..l;':'~_"(~' .... (. ".":"'i. . . ".;.'. ~ EN HILLS March 26, 2007 Ms. Jennie Michels Coordinator Lake Johanna Improvement Society c/o Sharon Durheim 1690 Lake Johanna Boulevard Arden Hills, Minnesota 55112 RE: 2007 Goose Removal Program Dear Ms. Michels: In response to your letter of March 15 requesting $500 for the 2007 Lake Johanna Improvement Society's Goose Removal Program, unfortunately, it is the City's position that wild animal control be the responsibility of residents and/or homeowner associations, unless the wild animals pose a public safety threat. Therefore, we are unable to contribute to your program at this time. You may wish to check with the DNR or the University of Minnesota to discuss control options. If you have questions or if I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me at karen.barton@ci.arden-hills.mn.us or 651-792-7817. Ikcb cc: Roberta Thompson City of Arden Hills .. 1245 West Highway 96 .. Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5743 Pbone 651.792.7800 . Fax 651.634.5137 .. www.cLarden-hiUs.mn.us Wild Animal Manae:ement Discussion June 25, 2007 Attachment D: Public Inquiry Information from Ms. Jennie Michels - presented to City Council at their Regular Meeting on May 29, 2007. May 29, 2007 My name is Jennie Michels, I live at 3436 Siems Court I am here on behalf of the Lake Johanna Improvement Society. I am a Board Member for this group and head up a program for goose removal on Lake Johanna. On March 15, I wrote a letter to Karen Barton and asked the city for funds to help in our Goose Removal Program she replied on March 26th stating City's position was that wild animal control was the residents' responsibility, unless the wild animals pose a public safety threat. I started this program in 1996 because of the health concerns I had for my children as well as other swimmers using the park on Lake Johanna. On average a goose produces four pounds of waste per day per bird. If a high . concentration of goose droppings accumulates in shallow portions of the lake it produces an unhealthy level of bacteria in and around the lake. Since the programs inception we have successfully removed 612 geese from the area and the water quality (bacteria levels) and surrounding areas (i.e. walking paths, beach area) has dramatically improved. There are many residents of Arden Hills who use Lake Johanna, including Lametti Lane, Arden Hills #3 Lake Association, Lake Lane, Island Beach Club-this lake is used by hundreds of people who live in Arden Hills. The City of Arden Hills has generously supported our program every year since 1996. We ask that you reconsider you position and help in our effort to keep the area around Lake Johanna as safe and clean as possible.