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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes MINUTES Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Meeting September 27, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLLCALL The meeting was called to order at 4:50 P.M. Present: Michael Beeth, Grady Bullington, LorRae Crubaugh, Steve Cummings, Richard Hall, Nikki Hronis, Cecil Streeter, Steve Voss, Excused: Wendy Suzuki Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary Others: Brian Woodbury, DRN Wildlife Biologist APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Hronis requested that page 4, paragraph 7, should be amended by deleting the word “Play” in the sentence of that paragraph, to-wit: “She stated there is a program called “Play Trap Neuter Release” for feral cats.” Motion by Hall for approval of the August 23, 2010 minutes, as amended. Seconded by Crubaugh. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. BUSINESS 1)Review monthly car accident reports from Police Department Mr. Hall stated he was surprised at the numbers in September 28, 2010. Mr. Maurer stated the numbers are low most likely because the Police Department does not have the full history for September to date. Staff will continue to update the spreadsheet and send out with the monthly packets. 2)Update on quarry owner cooperation with deer management Mr. Maurer introduced Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager, who joined the Parks Department in June. Mr. Maurer stated that Mr. Dallman has been involved with and has knowledge of goose eradication. He stated that both Mr. Dallman and he took a tour of the Quarry property earlier this afternoon. Before they went into the quarry property, they were able to see an aerial of the area. Mr. Maurer will request a copy of the aerial. He was surprised that there is not much habitat area within the quarry and more surprised that there are any deer in the quarry since there is a limited amount of food and vegetation. He reported that they saw eight (8) deer between 2-3 PM today. Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Minutes Page -2- SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 The representatives of the quarry believe that there are approximately 15 deer in the quarry property. He feels the Armory property has more of a deer concentration. Mr. Maurer stated he would like to find out more history of the quarry property and discuss details with the City Attorney and the quarry’s legal council. Mr. Dallman stated that the actual land area of the quarry looks deceiving as there are rock walls close to the fence line. Mr. Maurer stated he will attempt to get a large aerial of the quarry area in time for the next regularly scheduled meeting. Ms. Hronis inquired if there was any vibe from the quarry management about the size of the herd? Mr. Maurer stated it appears that the herd has been managing itself as two (2) fawns recently fell off the cliff. It doesn’t seem like the herd size is a big issue with the quarry. Mr. Beeth inquired as to what the quarry staff does with dead deer? Are they required to report them to the DNR? Mr. Woodbury stated their deaths do not need to be reported, but it might be a good idea so the City is aware. 3) Discuss Draft Management Plan Discussion ensued relative to deer population goals. Mr. Woodbury stated the DNR does not survey the public as to how many deer they want. Most municipalities go through a process of doing a survey and starting at a certain number of deer designation. He stated it is hard to measure what people want. Discussion ensued as to how many deer per square mile would be a good goal. Mr. Beeth inquired if it was known what the future plans are for the Armory property, i.e., will the Armory keep it as a wooden area? Mr. Maurer stated the committee needs to set the goal now – “X” number of deer are acceptable now. The number could always be adjusted accordingly. Mr. Cummings arrived at this time (5:09 PM), making an 8-member committee Mr. Voss inquired even if there are hunting seasons for rabbits and raccoons, is it legal to live trap them? Mr. Woodbury stated yes, it is. On the DNR’s website -http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/regs/ it lists the species that can be trapped/removed without a license, but only on private land and not state/DNR owned land. Mr. Beeth inquired if a wooded lot is a quality habitat? Mr. Woodbury stated the quality of a habitat is not in our (DNR) equation. Mr. Beeth inquired if cemeteries were considered woodlots? Mr. Woodbury stated that would be dependent upon what is on the ground that could be used for food. Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Minutes Page -3- SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 Mr. Woodbury suggested that under the Coyote/Fox sections (page 7 of the proposed Management Plan); another control method would be to bring in your cat and dog food even if it’s a temporary measure. Also, the addition of contacting the local nuisance control/licensed professional for removal similar to the control methods under the raccoons/opossums paragraphs. He suggested adding the DNR’s website for trapping raccoons/squirrels – http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/publ/ Discussion ensued relative to migratory birds and Mr. Woodbury suggested the DNR’s website – http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/09Waterfowl.pdf. Mr. Cummings stated the opening paragraph on page 7 of the proposed Management Plan refers to the City’s Municipal Code as to no use of a firearm within the limits of the city. However, during duck hunting, it is allowed as long as the hunter stands in the water wherever the City limit ends and shoots out into the water. After further discussion, it was determined that page 1 of the proposed management plan was okay; page 2 – a determination needs to be made as to the goal population for deer; page 3 – under the Deer Management History, it was suggested to add the history of the establishment of the Urban Wildlife Committee. Page 4 – under Trapping and Euthanasia, remove the bullet point “Could not find any groups experienced in this type of activity”. The contraception paragraph is good. Ms. Hronis stated to date, there has been no change in that no one in Wisconsin has used this method. Page 5 – concern was expressed with the word “sharpshooters” as some people are not comfortable with that verbiage. After considerable discussion it was the consensus that the last paragraph shall read, “To actively manage deer, the City should obtain a permit from the DNR. Once the City has the permit, the deer will be harvested. Final locations will be recommended to the Police Chief.” Page 6 – with respect to the goal population of geese in Menominee Park, it was suggested to change the second sentence, “the goal is to remove 100 geese and addle eggs in at least ten nests”. Page 7 is okay with the addition of Mr. Woodbury’s suggestion of adding another control method would be to bring in your cat and dog food even if it’s a temporary measure. Page 8 – it was suggested under Cats to add another bullet point of “If you locate a lost or stray cat, contact the Oshkosh Area Humane Society”. Also, the addition of contacting the local nuisance control/licensed professional for removal similar to the control methods under the Raccoons/Opossums paragraph. Also suggested adding the DNR’s website for trapping raccoons/squirrels – http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/publ/ Ms. Hronis stated the Humane Society cannot take/adopt a feral cat. If a person traps an outside cat (feral), then they can do TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release). 4) Discuss other community’s management plans Ms. Hronis reported that she had a lengthy conversation with Sue Black, of the Milwaukee City Parks Department. She also had conversations with Chief Bill Rutton of the Kohler Police Department and Don Bullwrath of the East Troy Parks. Transcript of said conversations on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes. Discussion ensued as to the box trapping method and Mr. Dallman stated it is not easy to box trap and it is his opinion that it is not humane. Deer are skittish by nature and by box trapping the deer tend to torture themselves. Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Minutes Page -4- SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 5) Discuss applying for Urban Wildlife Abatement Grant Mr. Maurer stated he will follow up on inquiring as to procedure/costs/possible grant for doing a professional aerial survey. Ms. Hronis inquired if there had been any recent deer complaints in the Vulcan/Armory areas? Mr. Maurer stated not now, but maybe in the next two months as deer movement increases. Mr. Voss stated he saw ten (10) deer recently in the Armory area Discussion ensued relative to a possible future aerial survey. It was the consensus of the committee to pursue an aerial survey. Mr. Maurer stated he will make a few calls to see if there is any funding for an aerial survey. 6)Topics for next meeting (October 25, 2010) Review monthly car accident reports from Police Department  Update on quarry owner cooperation with deer management  Approve Management Plan  Topics for next meeting (November 22, 2010)  Mr. Beeth requested a map of the three areas, to-wit: Vulcan Quarry/Osborn Avenue; county landfill to Highway 41, and property owned by EAA. Mr. Maurer stated he will attempt to obtain maps of these areas for the committee. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items not on agenda) Lori Meitzen, 1064 W South Park Avenue, distributed pictures of her property (said pictures on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) showing increased property damage by the deer, including loss of various plants, bushes and trees. She also has issues with infestation of ground hogs. Steve Barney, Oshkosh, gave his opinion on contraception. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Beeth for adjournment; seconded by Streeter. Motion carried 8– 0. The meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary