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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.02.87 Council Packet AGENDA COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MARCH 2, 1987 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE AGENDA 3. APPROVE MINUTES a. February 17, 1987 4. CITIZENS COMMENTS 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a. Accept Donation of $5000 from American Legion - Fire/Rescue 7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider Tax Forfeited Property b. Certificate of Indebtedness - Fire/Rescue Truck c. Donnelly Claim for Damaged Wagon and Pickup - Conciliation Court 10. MISCELLANEOUS a. Police Pigeon Eradication Policy 11. CONSENT AGENDA a. Capital Outlay Request - Drafting Equipment - Engineering b. Capital Outlay Request - Air Conditioner for Sweeper - General Services c. Schools and Conferences Request - Finance d. Schools and Conferences Request - Police e. Approve Payment of the Bills 12. ADJOURN 13. ADD ON a. Request to Attend Conference THE AGENDA IS CLOSED OUT AT NOON ON THE TUESDAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. AGENDA REQUEST FORM ITEM NO. 10 NAME: Gale Sprute DEPARTMENT: Council DATE: February 18, 1987 �a1- �1 cry" MEETING DATE: March 2, 1987 CATEGORY: Miscellaneous SUBJECT: Police Pigeon Eradication Policy EXPLANATION: Continued from February 17, 1987 - REFERENCE MATERIALS/RESPONSIBILITY: Explanation - Larry Thompson/Stan Whittingham REFERRED TO: (NAME) DEPARTMENT: Larry Thompson Administration Stan Whittingham Police GVC�e S GNATURE r MEMO TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL SUBJECT: PIGEON ERADICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 26, 1987 A question came up during the previous meeting regarding the Police Department's pigeon eradication program. It was noted that the Police Department had discharged firearms within the City limits in order to eradicate pigeons. The major concern expressed appeared to be the City's policy relating to pigeon eradication. The City Code states "It shall be unlawful for any persons, except police officers in discharge of their duties . . . to shoot or discharge any firearms . . . within the urban districts . . . ." Further, the code states "The Village Council shall adopt such rules and regulations . . . to control . . . animal pests." Police Chief Whittingham and I have reviewed Council minutes from the mid- seventies. We did find a reference to pigeon eradication, but it was during roundtable discussion and no specifics were recorded. A review of City records indicates there is no written Council policy re- lating to the eradication or control of any pests. I have discussed this matter with Mayor Akin, Leon Orr, Jerry Gorgos, Chief Whittingham and Sgt. Churchill to gather background information. All agree that the issue was discussed at a number of meetings, but do not recall any specifics. Mayor Akin noted that it has been an ongoing problem and that the police were directed on a number of occasions to take care of the problem. Mr. Gorgos stated that a controversy did arise when the police used poison to control pigeons, which was stopped. Chief Whittingham and Sgt. Churchill stated that the Department has been shooting pigeons within the City limits as long as they can remember. Sgt. Churchill stated that Larry Pilcher, a reservist, and Officer Steigauf have been shooting pigeons for approximately the past ten years. A pellet gun or shotgun with light loads is used. It appears that, while there is no official policy, it has been a long standing practice for the Police Department to eradicate pigeons. While the matter has been discussed previously by the Council, I find no mention where the Council took action to stop the eradication. It is my opinion that, based on the information I have gathered, that if there is a problem, it is the lack of a written policy. From time to time, situations arise or practices are noted where grey areas exist that require direction from the Council for clarification. It is my feeling that when these situations occur, even if they are long standing practices, that it be noted in some fashion by the Council. Therefore, this matter is being brought to the Council for consideration. azuei ).!7;1, 70‘.7,00 cc: Stan Whittingham Lar Thompson Dan Churchill file City Administrator MEMO TO: Larry Thompson, City Administrator SUBJECT: Informal Policy on Pigeon Eradication DATE: March 2, 1987 Per our conversation, I have put together a list of items based on information received from officers of the department, who have been involved in pigeon eradication . This list pretty well out- lines what the officers have been doing over the last 10-12 years , that we have been involved either at the request of residents within the city or observation by officers of concentrations of pigeons in certain areas . The following is an informal policy on pigeon eradication. 1 . The officers do not shoot the birds on any building. 2. The angle of the shots fire are nothing less than 45 degree angle. 3. If the home or building is located in the rear, they use a 45 degree angle away from the building. 4. They use a shotgun only if straight up in the air shot or a very slight angle. 5 . Number 9 buckshot, low powder trap load is used in the shotgun. In the 22 it is a C cap shell or low powder 22 short . 6 . There will be no shooting early Sunday mornings because of church. 7 . Will not stay in one place too long, so people don' t gather. 8 . Will use a squad car , if on the street, red lights will be displayed. 9. They will pick up the birds and dispose of them properly. The only thing I can add to the above list, would be to include an item in which, any time the police department will be involved in the eradication, that sufficient notice would be published in the newspaper to alert the citizens of Farmington, that officers would be out and about to eradicate pigeons within the city. Respectuflly submitt- . Stan V. Whittingham Chief of Police SVW/mw cc rn ck C<)--