HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.k. Authorization to Contract for Wildlife Management and ControlAGENDA ITEM: Authorization to Contract for Wildlife
Management and Control
A SECT N:
PREPARED BY: Gary Kalstabakken, Chief of Police
Dan Schultz, Director of Parks a
Recreation
AGENDA NO. Consent
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution
APPROVED BY:
OQ.)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve a resolution authorizing the City
Administrator to retain the services of a wildlife control company.
4 ROSEMOUNT
City Council Meeting: July 5, 2011
CITY COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ISSUE
City Code 7 -5: Bows, Firearms and Trapping regulates hunting and trapping of animals within the City. A
clause provides for an exception for "any person duly appointed and designated through city council
action for the purpose of wildlife management and control." In order to quickly implement this exception,
staff is requesting prior authorization from Council to enter retain the services of a wildlife control and
management company when a public safety concern arises due to wildlife.
BACKGROUND
The adoption of the exception clause as part of amendments to City Code 7 -5 in September 2008
anticipated that there may be occasions when wildlife management and control may be required. While
there is no specific wildlife identified in the City Code, the two most common animals that wildlife
management and control issues arise related to in suburban settings are deer and coyotes. Both are
adaptable and are routinely seen within the City.
In recent years, coyote sightings have become more common across the metropolitan area and some
coyotes have been reported to have displayed more aggressive behavior toward people and pets. In most
cases coyotes exist within communities without little or no direct impact on residents and no action is
taken. However, a number of communities have taken action to control coyotes by authorizing selected
persons to trap or otherwise control coyotes when confrontations between people and coyotes become a
concern.
There have been a couple of cases in Rosemount in which a coyote has displayed unusually aggressive
behavior. In order to be prepared to quickly respond in cases when a public safety concern arises due to a
specific incident, staff is requesting the prior approval of Council to retain the services of a wildlife control
company or person. This will allow staff to bring in a company without needing to seek approval at the
next Council Meeting following a report that causes a concern for public safety. Staff will be able to react
more quickly when a public safety concern arises.
The retention of wildlife control services will be based upon the recommendation of the chief of police
and director of parks and recreation to the city administrator. A report of aggressive coyote behavior will
be investigated by police and /or parks staff before a recommendation is made to the city administrator.
Two likely companies to be retained for wildlife management have been identified as Oak Ridge Wildlife
Control and Wildlife Removal Services. These companies have done work in other communities and staff
will only enter into any agreements after meeting with each company and seeking feedback from those
cities that have used the services. Costs are dependent upon a number of factors including the number of
traps used and the frequency of checking the traps that occurs. An estimated based price is $250 plus a
per day charge.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Administrator to retain the services of a company for
wildlife management and control in the event that a public safety concern arises related to wildlife. This
retention for services will be in addition to authority already granted to police officers.
2
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2011
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF WILDLIFE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT.
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemount has a great deal of wildlife habitat in open spaces and park
land,
WHEREAS, wildlife may at times create a public safety hazard for residents and domestic animals,
and
WHEREAS, the City occasionally has received complaints regarding coyotes displaying unusually
aggressive behavior towards persons or domestic pets and other nearby communities have also
received similar complaints on occasion, and
WHEREAS, the City Code provides for the control and management of wildlife by City Council
action, and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that the response to a wildlife complaint may frequently
require a quick response to protect the public safety of the community,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is
authorized to retain the services of a wildlife control company,
ADOPTED this 5th day of July 2011, by the City Council of the City of Rosemount.
ATTEST: William Droste, Mayor
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Motion by: Seconded by:
Voted in favor:
Voted against:
Member absent: