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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes MINUTES Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Meeting January 28, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLLCALL The meeting was called to order at 4:50 P.M. Present: Harris Ahmed, LorRae Crubaugh, Loren Dieck, Michael Nigl, Steve Voss Absent: Michael Beeth, Steve Cummings, Doris Dehn Staff: Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Crubaugh for approval of the December 17, 2012 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Nigl. Motion carried 5-0. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) Lori Meitzen, 1064 W South Park Avenue, inquired if staff had any knowledge of the recent Vulcan Quarry sale. She stated she had seen survey workers placing survey stakes in and around the Vulcan Quarry property recently. Mr. Dallman stated that the cullings have stopped. He does not know the owner’s identification to date so he is unable to contact them to be able to resume the cullings. To date, ten (10) deer have been culled in the Quarry. He stated he will discuss the matter with Community Development Director Allen Davis to see if he has further information on the new owners. Mr. Nigl suggested that staff check the Assessor’s Tax Roll for identification of the new owner. Mr. Dallman stated he was not sure that the Assessor’s Tax Roll would have that information up-to-date as it takes a while to process deeds, but noted that staff will check on same. BUSINESS 1)Review monthly car accident reports from Police Department It was noted that there were quite a few deer/car crashes in November. The January figures were not yet made available. 2)Proposed items for submittal for the City’s website (information website links) There were no new proposed website links to review and approve. 3) Discussion on study information regarding contraception in free roaming deer Ms. Crubaugh suggested that the Committee find out what other cities/counties are doing by way of deer contraception. She stated that the key factor is what the Wis DNR wants and suggested that staff invite someone from the Wis DNR to attend the next meeting for the conference call with the representative of the Humane Society of the United States. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE TWO JANUARY 28, 2013 It was suggested that staff forward the Committee’s “questions” for the Humane Society of the United States representative ahead of time for the February conference call to enable their staff to research the questions/answers. Mr. Dallman stated he would forward the questions to Bryan Woodbury of the Wis DNR first who could coordinate them with his Madison representative. He is certain that Mr. Woodbury would be available for the February conference call. Ms. Marks distributed a list of the proposed “questions” (said list on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) that she had received to date. Chairman Voss stated that if any of the Committee members had additional questions they would like posed for the conference call to please forward them onto Ms. Marks as soon as possible. Ms. Crubaugh inquired if an aerial survey had been completed yet. Mr. Dallman stated he was hoping to be able to have an aerial survey completed this week. He reiterated that several factors must be considered with respect to the contraception in free roaming deer; i.e., the cost for doing it; City’s involvement; how do we contain these animals, etc. He stated that the animals need to be contained within an area of 30-50 ft maximum. Chairman Voss stated that animals become most unpredictable when they are being contained. Mr. Dallman concurred with Chairman Voss and stated that a large animal veterinarian needs to be on-site as well when attempting the contraception initiative. 4) Discussion on Jackson Street (landfill site) relative to “dump deer” Mr. Dieck stated he has not had the opportunity to discuss the issue with County Executive Mark Harris yet, but hopes to do so in the immediate future. He stated that once the landfill does formally shut down, the deer will grow in numbers. He is of the opinion the formal closing of the landfill will most likely occur in spring or summer at the latest. 5) Deer Management Update Mr. Dallman reiterated that ten (10) deer were culled from the Vulcan Quarry before staff was told that the Quarry was closed. Staff is waiting for snow cover to attempt to do another aerial survey and it is hoped that the aerial survey would happen this week. Mr. Dallman stated he would attempt to arrange a meeting with the Armory representatives, himself and Andy Ladron from Wildlife Management Services to discuss possible future cullings in the Armory area. 6) Topics for next meeting Update on educational purposes and schools worksheets a.Updated car and deer accident reports b.Conference Call with a representative from the Humane Society of the United States and the Committee c.Update on the new Vulcan Quarry owners d.Deer Management Update e.Update on educational purposes and school worksheets f.Discussion on Committee meeting dates CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items not on agenda) There were no citizen statements. URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE THREE JANUARY 28, 2013 OTHER BUSINES & ADJOURNMENT Mr. Dallman stated that staff would like to have the Committee meetings conducted on a quarterly basis or every other month basis, rather than a monthly one since he did not feel that there was much business to address at this time and the meetings were getting redundant. He requested that the Committee to consider that proposal. Chairman Voss suggested that Ms. Marks send an email out to the entire Urban Wildlife Committee members as to their preference on meeting dates and noted the matter could be discussed further at the next regularly scheduled meeting. There being no other business, Motion by Crubaugh for adjournment; seconded by Ahmed. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:27P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks Recording Secretary