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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes MINUTES Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Meeting September 26, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLLCALL The meeting was called to order at 4:45 P.M. Present: LorRae Crubaugh, Steve Cummings, Loren Dieck, Michael Nigl, Paul Sobralski, Steve Voss Absent: Michael Beeth, Nikki Hronis, Cecil Streeter Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER Mr. Maurer introduced the new Committee member, Paul Sobralski. Mr. Sobralski is a lifelong hunter, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Crubaugh for approval of the July 25, 2011 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Dieck. Motion carried 6-0. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. BUSINESS 1)Review monthly car accident reports from Police Department Ms. Wendorf reported that the Oshkosh Police Department had not been able to provide updated information in time for tonight’s meeting. She stated as soon as that information was provided, she would update the statistical spreadsheet. 2)Discussion on public education opportunities on wildlife management Mr. Streeter was absent from the meeting and unable to give a report at this time. Mr. Maurer stated he would contact Mr. Streeter on educational opportunities in conjunction with the school district before the next regularly scheduled meeting. Ms. Crubaugh stated there are grants available (City Block Grants, DNR, etc.) that might bring in some money to make the Committee’s ideas happen. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE TWO SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 3)Discuss deer management options Mr. Maurer stated he is looking for a recommendation/direction from the Committee to conduct another deer culling with sharpshooters this winter. Mr. Voss stated he was in support of a culling as the Committee has exhausted every other option. He noted there are still problems with damage from the deer in the Quarry area. He stated that on Page Two of the July 25th minutes, it was stated, “Reproduction controls are difficult to manage, not cost effective as well as questionable since it may be necessary to resterilize an animal. The DNR has had limited field trial success in this endeavor and it is currently not allowed by the DNR.” This Committee has stated they wish to be proactive and this is the way to do it before the deer come back out and cause more damage. Mr. Cummings stated with the Management Plan in place, the request for a culling doesn’t have to come before the City Council. Mr. Maurer stated there would still be a need for a permit from DNR for baiting and a waiver from the Common council for the discharge of firearms, etc. Discussion ensued relative to the cost of a culling. Mr. Maurer stated he believes that the sharpshooters charge $100 outright plus $100 - $200 per deer. Mr. Nigl inquired as to how many deer would be taken. Mr. Maurer stated the Vulcan Quarry owners do not think there are as many deer as in prior years and that’s why we would look at the Armory property as well. Mr. Voss reminded the Committee that the DNR would not give the City a grant to eliminate all of the deer (species). Mr. Nigl inquired as to how much money is allotted in the budget for a culling? Mr. Maurer stated there is nothing budgeted other than the expense for nuisance control. The cost most likely would run $3,000 - $4,000. Ms. Crubaugh stated that she is disappointed that the Committee seems to be back at square one because the DNR ties the Committee’s hands. She feels the Committee needs to take more of a leadership role, but doesn’t feel the Committee is given that freedom. Mr. Nigl inquired if the sharpshooters would have free access to the Quarry? Mr. Maurer stated they would not have free access. Culling details would need to be worked out with various City entities as well as with the Quarry owners. Berms may need to be built as there are residences on the west side. There would be restrictive times and days that need to be addressed as well. Mr. Dieck inquired as to the possibility of entering into a five-year contract to keep future cullings in the mind of the public. Mr. Maurer stated that may not be possible due to budget constraints. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE THREE SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 Mr. Nigl inquired if the DNR would commit to a 5-year plan? Mr. Maurer stated he did not know and stated that he would have to research that. Mr. Dallman stated it would be necessary to keep up with the survey so they know how many deer are actually out there. Mr. Cummings stated he would rather have the deer shot by the sharpshooters than have them starve to death. Mr. Dallman stated that’s where the education comes to mind. It was the consensus of the Committee to move forward with a culling. 4)Update on Vulcan Quarry Mr. Maurer stated he had discussions with Doug Averkamp of the Vulcan Quarry. Mr. Averkamp stated that the project is on hold for raising the fence to 8-ft. or any higher. Mr. Averkamp had noted there has been less deer in the Quarry property since last year. Peter Dunn, DNR Captive Wildlife Administrative Warden, stated that installing an 8-ft. or higher fence does not make a property a game farm or sanctuary. Mr. Cummings stated that Ellen Barth (Area Wildlife Supervisor of the WDNR) was emphatic that the deer within the Quarry boundaries belong to the State. If that is the case, is there anything in the State statutes that provides that the state needs to pay for damages done by the deer within the Quarry? Mr. Maurer stated he was not aware of any and stated if that was the case, other municipalities would have uncovered that. 5)Topics for next meeting Proposed topics include educational brochures. Another proposed topic includes current regulations regarding waterfowl hunting on waterways in the City. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items not on agenda) Lori Meitzen, 1064 West South Park Avenue, stated she is of the opinion there are less deer in the Quarry area as she has seen approximately four at a time within the fence and the Quarry. She stated the berm on South Park comes around to her backyard and the employees of the Quarry are digging the berm up now and blasting in that area which is most likely scaring the deer away. Linda Grant, 1405 Cambridge stated she saw three yearlings and two mature deer about 5:30 AM this morning that looked like they were coming from the quarry area. She noted that due to the deer, she has lost a lot of vegetation from her yard. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE FOUR SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 Mr. Voss stated one reason why there are not as many deer in the Quarry could be that there is an opening in the fence as well as a path by the mini-warehousing units on Mason Street. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Cummings for adjournment; seconded by Sobralski. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary