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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: