Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-16 Health and Public SafetyOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY AUGUST 8, 2016 4:43 P.M. Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Other Council Present: Others Present: Agenda: Bill No. 16 -E John Voorde, Oliver Davis, Jo M. Broden Karen White, Dr. Fred Ferlic Regina Williams- Preston, Randy Kelly, Gavin Ferlic Kareemah Fowler, Jennifer Coffman, Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Adriana Rodriguez 10- Integrated Approach to Address Canada Geese Committee Chair John Voorde called the meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee to order at 4:43 p.m. with one item on the agenda. Bill No. 16 -60- Integrated Approach to Address Canada Geese Committeemember Oliver Davis introduced Bill No. 16 -60, explaining that the Council is still looking into this issue because this is a topic the Council has not dealt with in the past. This resolution is here to challenge us to put a plan in place so the City of South Bend will not be caught off guard. His understanding is that as of right now, the City of South Bend does not have a problem with geese. Aaron Perri, Executive Director of Parks was present along with John Martinez, the Director of Facilities and Grounds, and Gary Harrington, a Naturalist employed by the Parks Department. Mr. Perri stated that the Parks Department does not currently have any relocation plans in place for any wildlife besides mice control and things of that nature. He explained that he is proud of the fact that when things like this come across the desks of the Parks Department, they are looked at with a lens of environmental responsibility. The only decision to come across his desk related to wildlife is when the staff had issues with beavers eating the trees along the riverfront. There were a few options available such as trapping or euthanizing the beavers, but the staff ultimately realized that the trees could be protected by wrapping chicken wire around the bottom of the trees. As a result, the beavers were able to stay in their natural habitats, and the trees were safe from harm. 455 County -City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • South Bend, Indiana 46601 Phone 574- 235 -9221 • Fax 574- 235 -9173 • TDD 574- 235 -5567 • www.SouthBendIN.gov JENNIFER M. COFFMAN ALKEYNA M. ALDRIDGE EMILY SEXTON CHIEF DEPUTY/ CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK In 2007, two - hundred and twenty (220) geese were tagged and relocated from Elbel, but they came back soon afterward. The golfers have complained about the geese, but for now they are living in harmony with the golfers. Committeemember Davis asked if there have been issues at Leeper Park. Mr. Martinez responded that they find messes on the sidewalk there, but that can be handled with a normal sidewalk blowing just as they do after the grass has been mowed. The maintenance schedule varies with the weather, but it gets done about once per week for standard maintenance. Mr. Harrington asked around to many of his colleagues and did not hear of many complaints about geese from them or the public. Mr. Perri stated that by putting together the Natural Resource Management Plan and the Ecological Advocacy Committee, there will be resources out there to help with these issues as they arise. Committeemember Jo M. Broden stated that it is reasonable that this would be one of the first items on the agenda of the new committee. Those from the public wishing to speak in favor: Mercedes Howard, Main Street Village Apartments, submitted a packet of information from Geese Peace, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Angela Eberhart, started the "Save the Goose" Page and is completely against feeding the geese. She has many followers on her page, where she educates people to not feed the geese. It would cut down on the poop and geese approaching people. Geese are being stoned and treated like trash, and that is why she is trying to educate people to stop feeding them. It was unfortunate what happened in Mishawaka, and she hopes to never see that happen again. Linda Stomatachamberg, has been a resident of South Bend for twenty -five (25) years, and she is proud that the Council wants to use non - lethal solutions. The solution is not to kill these geese; we have to learn to live with nature. Ken Glennon, South Bend, Indiana. The issue with the Canada Geese is a very natural thing. We are in the center of the Mississippi flyway, so millions of geese fly over us every year. They nest here, and they do not leave until they are done raising the goslings from February through August. When they see a mowed field of grass with water nearby, it is guaranteed they are going to stop and nest there. We can be proactive in the environment and discourage the geese from nesting in our parks. The flyover of the geese is a beautiful thing, so as a community, we have to consider what we have and how we maintain our parks. Dogs could be used, but they have to be used consistently. Mr. Glennon left a narrative which is available in the City Clerk's Office. Darcia King- O'Blenis, 934 Riverside, there is a problem at Leeper Park. She has called and sent pictures, and she does not go to Leeper Park anymore because of the sidewalk issues. The park 2 looks great, but the maintenance workers cannot keep up with the sidewalks. The feeding of the geese might be the issue, but people are walking in the street to avoid the sidewalks. Rama Ganesan, Granger Indiana, is a humane educator with the Ethical Choices Program and the founder of Vegans of Michiana. On behalf of Vegans of Michiana, she thanked the Council for caring about the geese and being so humane. These problems are human created; it is not the geese's fault. Angie Brechtel, 58582 Elm Road, Mishawaka, thanked everyone for opening the meeting to the people of Mishawaka. She presented a sign from the Carolina Wildlife Refuge Site that explains the educational reasons why feeding the geese hurts the geese and the environment they live in. Committeemember Davis said that it would be nice to have signs there for people to see why the chicken wire is wrapped around the trees, just like there should be signs to inform people of why they should not be feeding the geese. Committeemember Davis made the recommendation that this resolution be included in the business of the Ecological Advocacy Committee. Committeemember Davis made a motion to send Bill 16 -60 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation subject to the inclusive language which will be submitted by the 7:00 p.m. meeting, it was seconded by Committeemember Broden, and carried by a voice vote of three (3) ayes. With no other business on the agenda, Committee Chair John Voorde adjourned the meeting at 5:11 p.m. Resp "Submitt John , C Ri