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Home My WebLink About17. 13-464 OCTOBER 8, 2013 13-464 ORDINANCE FIRST READING (CARRIED LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: REPEAL URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE INITIATED BY: URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Approved A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH REPEALING SECTION 2-59.2 PERTAINING TO THE URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the Common Council created an Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee on October 27, 2009 for the purposes of identifying the best practices for urban wildlife management; evaluating past accomplishments, specific problems and options related to wildlife management; creating a nuisance abatement plan or plans as necessary and evaluating that plan or plans; and WHEREAS, the Committee worked with city staff, interested citizens and the Department of Natural Resources and developed a wildlife management plan which was approved by the Committee on February 28, 2011 and by the Common Council on March 22, 2011; and WHEREAS, the purpose and goals of the Committee have been achieved through the development and implementation of the Urban Wildlife plan. The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh does ordain as follows: SECTION 1. That Section 2-59.2 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee is hereby repealed and the City of Oshkosh gratefully acknowledges those members, current and past, who have served the City of Oshkosh on this Committee. SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication. SECTION 3. Publication Notice. Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted ordinance#13-XXX REPEAL URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, on October 22, 2013. The ordinance repeals provisions relating to the creation and responsibilities of the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee. OCTOBER 8, 2013 13-464 ORDINANCE FIRST READING CONT'D The full text of the ordinance may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 215 Church Avenue and through the City's website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us. Clerk's phone: 920/236- 5011. City of Oshkosh Parks Department 805 Witzel Ave.,PO Box 1130 Ray Maurer Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130 Director Ofkli Gu H (920)236-5080 (920)232-5316 FAX ON THE WATER TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director DATE: October 3,2013 RE: Repeal Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee BACKGROUND On October 27,2009 the Common Council created the City of Oshkosh Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee. The following purpose, duties and functions of the committee were identified: (1)Identify best practices for urban wildlife management (2) Evaluate what has been accomplished with respect to urban wildlife management in the past (3)Identify and evaluate specific options for wildlife management (4)Identify areas within the City where urban wildlife present specific problems (5) Create specific nuisance abatement plans for different species/areas (6) Annually evaluate nuisance abatement plans and recommend changes The committee held its first meeting on December 14,2009. The committee worked cooperatively with citizens and Department of Natural Resources staff to identify and research best management practices for urban wildlife. The research and management options were developed into the City of Oshkosh Wildlife Management Plan which was approved by the committee on February 28, 2011 and by the Common Council on March 22, 2011. The Management Plan is available on the city website on the Urban Wildlife Committee page. ANALYSIS Since approval of the Wildlife Management Plan, the committee has struggled to identify meaningful tasks and agenda items. The committee has not met on a monthly basis for the past two years,instead attempted to meet every other month and more recently had discussions about quarterly meetings. Achieving a quorum has become a challenge and we believe the lack of tasks since the Plan was approved is the largest factor in this. At their Monday,September 23rd meeting,the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee voted 4-2 to recommend to the Common Council that the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee be repealed. I have provided a copy of a memo distributed by Committee Chair Steve Voss. As stated in the memo,with the Wildlife Management Plan completed by the Committee and approved by the Common Council in 2011,direction and management strategies have been provided to city staff and the plan will continue to be implemented annually. The recommendation to repeal the committee was made knowing the purpose,duties and functions of the committee have been completed and incorporated into the City of Oshkosh Wildlife Management Plan. The committee members also discussed and recognize that if the need for such a committee arises in the future,the Common Council could recreate a similar committee. FISCAL IMPACT Repealing the committee would eliminate staff time devoted to meeting planning and attendance,as well as meeting minute preparation. pectfully Submitted, Approved: ay Maurer Mar Rohloff Parks Director City Manager Memo To: Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Date: September 23,2013 J From: Steve Voss, Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee Chairperson S ri /- — Re: Repeal of Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee This past June, I took the opportunity to meet with Ray Maurer, Parks Director, and Chad Dal!man,Parks Operation Manager,to review the City of Oshkosh Wildlife Management Plan and the duties of the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee. Following the meeting, it seemed apparent to me that the committee has completed its duties and functions as assigned by the Common Council. By completing and continually implementing the Wildlife Management Plan, I believe the goals of the advisory committee and the City have been achieved. As Chairperson of the committee, I suggest that the members of the committee recommend to the City of Oshkosh Common Council that the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee be repealed. In respect to the committee's goals and objectives, I have provided the duties and functions as stated in the municipal code: SECTION 2-59.2 URBAN WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (A)Membership and Terms The Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee shall consist of nine(9)members,one of whom shall be a Common Council Member.At initial appointment,2 members shall be appointed for a one(1)year term,3 members shall be appointed for two(2)year terms,and 3 members shall be appointed for three(3)year terms.Thereafter members shall be appointed and serve three year terms,except the term of the City Council representative shall be a one(1)year term. (B)Purpose, Duties and Functions:The Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee shall: (1) Identify best practices for urban wildlife management (2) Evaluate what has been accomplished with respect to urban wildlife management in the past (3) Identify and evaluate specific options for wildlife management (4) Identify areas within the City where urban wildlife present specific problems (5)Create specific nuisance abatement plans for different species/areas (6)Annually evaluate nuisance abatement plans and recommend changes As I stated earlier, I believe the Wildlife Management Plan, which was approved by the Committee and the Common Council,satisfies these goals and will continue to be referred to and implemented by city staff. Thank you all for your contributions and dedication to the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee for the City of Oshkosh. Together,we have made significant advancements in educating the public and developing an Urban Wildlife Management Plan for the City of Oshkosh.