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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes MINUTES Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Meeting December 19, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLLCALL The meeting was called to order at 4:45 P.M. Present: Michael Beeth, LorRae Crubaugh, Steve Cummings, Loren Dieck, Michael Nigl, Paul Sobralski, Cecil Streeter, Steve Voss Staff: Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary Mr. Dallman reported that he had received Nikki Hronis’ resignation from the Committee. He stated the Mayor would be appointing a new Committee member in the very near future. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Beeth for approval of the November 28, 2011 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Sobralski. 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 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. MR. STREETER ARRIVED AT THIS TIME (4:53 P.M.), MAKING AN 8-MEMBER COMMITTEE 2)Discussion on public education opportunities on wildlife management Mr. Streeter stated he had discussion with the school district’s curriculum personnel and they are looking at grade levels that are compatible to what the Committee will be requiring. The Committee needs to design worksheets which could be used for civics and wildlife/nature units containing question/answer (Q & A) formats would be best to use with an elementary, middle and high school focus. Mr. Cummings inquired as to offering the information/worksheets to the Boys’ & Girls’ Club. Mr. Streeter stated that once the grade levels worksheets with Q & A’s are developed, then those worksheets can be provided to educational groups. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 19, 2011 3)Update on deer management projects Mr. Dallman stated that the timing of an aerial is dependent upon the weather as there is a need for 3-6 inches of snow. Also, with respect to the aerial, the DNR’s scheduling calendar needs to be considered as they are scheduled to do the Milwaukee Metro area aerial first, but if that area does not get snow, the DNR goes down their list of areas requesting aerials. The DNR aerial survey needs to be done before any culling efforts are scheduled. Once survey is completed, the proper for permits from DNR can be applied for. Ms. Crubaugh inquired if the permits would be site specific with respect to the culling? Mr. Dallman stated he was not sure and that he would need to research that information. He stated he had a call and an email into Chris Jacques of the DNR, but Mr. Jacques has not yet responded. Discussion ensued relative to sharpshooters – how many times would they come back (if they only got culled a small percentage of the deer); if the sharpshooters are not able to cull all of the deer, then are bow hunters allowed in, etc. Mr. Dallman stated with respect to how many times the sharpshooters are used is dependent upon funds available - how much a community wants to spend. The success rate is a big factor too. As far as bow hunters being used, that is a question that Mr. Dallman would have to research as well as check with the City Manager and Police Chief. Mr. Beeth suggested that volunteer bow hunters would be good to have as a back-up plan especially if the grant funds dry up. Mr. Sobralski inquired as to how a volunteer bow hunter is chosen. Mr. Dieck stated that the volunteers would need to prove that they are qualified and noted it is a tough call to determine if someone is qualified. Mr. Streeter suggested that the Committee continue to monitor the possibility to allow bow local hunters to compete from a lottery. Mr. Nigl stated that he advocates taking as many deer as possible out of the quarry property because once that population is eradicated, the problem is gone. Mr. Voss and Mr. Beeth both concurred because eradication would not be in the entire community, it would be just one site. Mr. Cummings stated one of the most important aspects of culling the deer in the quarry property would be done to prevent starvation. 4)Topics for next meeting Discuss educational purposes and schools worksheets  Updated car and deer accident reports  Discussion about turkeys and ground hogs.  Update on deer management  Discuss what other communities do about their deer problems/projects/issues; do any other  communities have quarries in City limits. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 19, 2011 CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items not on agenda) Lori Meitzen, 1064 West South Park Avenue, stated she would like information on ground hogs that are coming from the Quarry property onto her property. Who does she talk to about the City’s policy on ground hogs and making sure the Quarry’s neighbors don’t get infested as well. OTHER BUSINES With respect to a prior Committee question as to what City department follows up with collection for carcasses, he stated that unless there is a report/call from the Oshkosh Police Department, the Street Department does not collect the deer carcasses. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Streeter for adjournment; seconded by Cummings. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary