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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda: Study Session Item C: CoyotesDATE: TO: FROM: SUMMARY DISCUSSION August 3, 2010 Mayor and City Council Office of the City Manager Donald Penman, City Manager By: Linda Garcia, Communications, Marketing and Special Projects Manager SUBJECT: COYOTES Recommendation: Provide direction In response to recent comments made to the City Council by residents, on July 20 the Council directed staff to schedule a study session to discuss coyotes and whether or not the City should reinstate a trapping program. This report summarizes the issue and provides the Council with some of the background reports on this subject that were prepared in the past. As requested by the City Council, attached are some of the background reports about coyotes that were prepared in previous years. These reports describe the situation experienced with "bold" coyotes and they describe the trapping program that was used to help alleviate the problem. The trapping program was initiated at the request of residents who believed that coyotes .in this area were becoming increasingly "bold," coming down from the foothills, in search of food and water. While coyotes naturally fear man, some believe that when they are in close proximity to humans they lose their fear and become more aggressive; this was the case at that time and once again is the genesis of the current comments from residents. The trapping program instituted by the City in 2005 involved the retention of Animal Pest Management, a firm with extensive experience in this type of work. Trapping was done on an as needed basis throughout the year in 10 -day. increments using humane foot - snare type device approved by the California Department of Fish and Game. The snares were placed in strategic locations according to noted activity and public consideration, and were checked on a daily basis during the trapping period. The City did not trap at the Arboretum or Santa Anita Park. Below is a summary of the coyotes captured: Mayor and City Council — Coyotes August 3, 2010 Page 2 FY2007 -2008 53 FY2006 -2007 56 FY2005 -2006 63 Since State law does not allow the trapping and release of coyotes into another area, the trapped animals were euthanized by lethal injection. At the core of this issue is the question of whether or not trapping works to reduce the number of coyotes in a particular area. Opinions and anecdotal information representing both sides can be found. Some believe that coyotes repopulate in larger numbers when trapped and others believe that a certain number of coyotes need to be trapped to instill fear of man into the remaining coyotes. Additionally, there is an emotional component in that whether or not someone believes trapping coyotes will reduce the population on a permanent basis, when there is one of these animals in their yard, near their children or pets, they want it removed. In terms of recent community interest/calls /complaints about coyotes, City Hall staff receives periodic calls, perhaps an average of one or two a month. Police Dispatch has received 5 calls about roaming coyotes since May 1 and the Pasadena Humane Society has told us that in the last four months they have received an average of 1 -3 calls a day from Arcadia residents about roaming coyotes. Public education is a factor in dealing with wild animals such as coyotes, bears and peacocks. Toward that end, the City regularly uses its outreach vehicles such as the City Newsletter, the Hot Sheet and the City website to provide information about these animals and particularly to advise residents to not do things that will attract wild animals to their home or neighborhood. Direct mail has also been used on a targeted basis, and the City has held informational meetings in coordination with the Pasadena Humane Society. While education is important and will continue, it should be noted that disseminating this type of material does not necessarily compel residents to act in a certain way. FISCAL IMPACT Should the City Council wish to institute a coyote management (trapping) program the cost is expected to be the same as it was in previous years - $2,500 per ten -day trapping period or $30,000 annually. A contract would need to be awarded and funds appropriated at a future City Council meeting. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council set a current policy on coyotes and, if desired, direct staff to initiate any action as deemed necessary. Attachments: Memorandums dated September 30, 2004, March 15, 2005 and November 15, 2005 DATE: September 30, 2004 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: William R. Kelly, City Manager SUBJECT: COYOTES We have been advised that a resident may approach the City Council at next Tuesday's meeting to ask you to initiate a trapping program for coyotes. For your information, the City's policy on coyotes is outlined in the attached letter that was sent to all Homeowner's Association Presidents in mid - August. One of the first questions that should be asked is: "Is there a problem with coyotes in the City of Arcadia ?" As bureaucratic as this may sound, it is true that the answer to that question depends on how "problem" is defined. Staff has received some reports of coyote sightings and we agree that the coyotes seem to be getting bolder as time goes by. Does this constitute a problem? Certainly it is a nuisance and a potential threat/public safety issue. The Los Angeles County Agriculture Commission tells us that September - October is the busiest time of year for their trapping team. An increase in coyote activity during this time is expected because they are coming down from the hills looking to "fatten up for the winter." On the surface, trapping seems like a logical solution, but it does have issues. Cities that trap have done so as a result of incidents that have taken place in their community and it has not eradicated the problem. The traps do not catch all coyotes and they may provide the public with a false sense of security. On the other hand, Arcadia does not have direct experience with trapping and we may want to try it on a trial basis to see firsthand whether or not it works, as . well as to demonstrate our concern and compassion to residents. Keep in mind, though, that trapping and mandated euthanizing of the coyotes is likely to draw some (perhaps a large amount) public protest. One of the most effective ways of dealing with coyotes is for everyone in the area to do what they can to keep them away. Things like not leaving food outside, using the "scarecrow" sold by the Humane Society and keeping small pets inside all serve as deterrents, but they are not a guarantee that coyotes will not come down from the hills to seek food and water. Further, it is human nature for people to not inconvenience themselves unless the situation directly affects them and if they, personally, have not seen coyotes in their neighborhood or do not believe there is a problem, they are less likely to take steps to keep the coyotes from visiting. One analogy would be peacocks - Mayor and City Council - Coyotes September 30, 2004 Page 2 there are residents who literally hate the birds and there are others who love having them in the neighborhood, on their street, even on their property - not only will they not implement distractive measures, some intentionally do things to attract them to the property. Of course, coyotes are considerably more of a threat than peacocks, but I think it is an example of the fact that not everyone sees a situation the same way and it does no good for one household to keep pet food inside if the person living next to them leaves it out. The following options are suggested for your consideration: • Keep the City policy as it is today and continue to use public education efforts to try to get people to not keep food and small animals outside. With regard to public education and relying on residents to implement measures to deter the coyotes, staff is not convinced that this is particularly successful or that another "special mailing" is a good use of funds. We have used City Newsletter articles, doorhangers, cable television and information meetings in the past and although they are useful in terms of disseminating information, they do not compel residents to act in a certain way and therefore do not keep the coyotes away. • Begin limited trapping - hire the Los Angeles County Agriculture Commission to put humane snares in places coyotes frequent. County staff would meet with residents in the affected areas and also tour the City and foothills to find good places to locate the traps. The traps may be placed on private property, with the property owner's consent. County staff would visit the traps on a regular (hopefully daily) basis and if a coyote has been caught the staff person will euthanize the animal on the spot via chemical injection. The County is unable to provide an exact cost for this service until they are able to survey Arcadia and determine how many traps would be needed (they bill by the hour). For comparison purposes, the City of Glendale spends approximately $1,000 a month on trapping and they have caught twelve (12) coyotes since January of this year. The traps used by the County are spring - loaded restraining devices. We are told by an Inspector for the Commission that no person has ever been caught in one of the traps and that even if a person were to be caught in a trap the device is designed in a way that the individual would not be harmed. I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on this matter. Attachment cc: David Hinig, Chief of Police DATE: TO: March 15, 2005 SUBJECT: COYOTE MANAGEMENT Recommendation: Provide direction SUMMARY Mayor and City Council STAFF REPORT a teo Office of the City Manager FROM: William R. Kelly, City Manager, By: Linda Garcia, Communica ons, Y arketing and Special Projects Manager In response to increased citizen concern, the City of Arcadia has recently increased its efforts in dealing with coyotes. Specifically, we have combined public education with a limited trapping program for which we have hired the County of Los Angeles. As for documented incidents concerning coyotes, the Police Department has received one report of a bite and one report of an attempted bite (that did not break the skin). Staff continues to receive calls and complaints about the animals and as such we are bringing the matter to the City Council to obtain direction as to a future course of action. DISCUSSION Coyotes are wild animals and their behavior, by many accounts, is becoming bolder as they are becoming more accustomed to living in residential areas. Along with the benefits of being a foothill city, Arcadia is also subject to potential dangers of encountering native wildlife. The possibility of these animals coming out of the hills and into the city proper will always exist, no matter what the city does to try to prevent such from happening. This is particularly true because in addition to lushly landscaped homes and parks, we also have the Arboretum in town and a racetrack, both of which have coyotes on the premises. As mentioned above, the City recently embarked upon a limited trapping program using the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures. Four coyotes have been captured (and euthanized as required by law) to date and we are still receiving comments from residents about coyote sightings or alleged coyote "incidents." Mayor and City Council - Coyote Management March 15, 2005 Page 2 Tonight there are two alternatives being presented to the City Council for consideration. Public education is a part of each alternative. Whichever way the City Council decides to go, staff will continue to spread the word about the need to be on the watch for coyotes and the need to not do things that attract them to the neighborhood. The options listed below have come to be after internal discussion and conversations with residents, County Arboretum and Pest Management representatives, and Santa Anita Park. Staff is asking the City Council to provide direction relative to how we should proceed at this time. CONTINUE WITH THE CURRENT PROGRAM Use the County to install traps as is necessary and feasible. When possible, traps are installed on public property and they are installed on private property when there is a request by the homeowner and a strong indication of coyote visits. County staff monitors the traps. TAKE A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH IN DEALING WITH COYOTES This approach involves hiring a pest management firm to spend a certain amount of time in the city for a specified period. The company would place traps and monitor them daily, and they would work with the HOA's and residents to try to find coyote tracks so that the traps can be located where the animals frequent (public and private property). It should be understood that hiring a pest management firm is not a permanent solution to the problem. The results of a ten -day period could be that no coyotes are caught or sighted and on day 11 one or more appears. For this reason, if the Council decides to go down this road staff suggests that you consider a 6 -8 month trial program. That is, we would use the pest management company for 10 days, off 30 days, on 10 days, for the specified period of time. In addition, it should be made clear to the public that while we are doing what we can to avoid problems, we are not in a position to provide this type of service 365 days a year, every year. For a period of 6 -8 months, using a pest management service for 10 days, off 30 days, on 10 days, would cost in the area of $21,000 + -, some of which would need to be appropriated from the General Fund Reserve (and the remainder budgeted for fy2005- 2006). Included in the fee is working with residents to identify coyote tracks and the places they frequently visit; placing and monitoring traps; and disposing of any trapped coyotes. (The area under scrutiny does not have to be limited to neighborhoods where there is an HOA or to neighborhoods surrounding the Arboretum or racetrack.) Mayor and City Council - Coyote Management March 15, 2005 Page 3 Because there are continued sightings of "bold" coyotes, and concern over the impact of their living and roaming in areas that are inhabited by people, staff believes that increasing our efforts to control the coyotes is a responsible way to try and manage the problem. The suggested period of 6 -8 months will hopefully be enough time to have an effect on the number of coyotes and to hopefully serve as some type of deterrent to keep the animals from returning. This amount of time will also get us through what many consider to be the "coyote season." Unfortunately, this is not a permanent solution and it will not stop coyotes from venturing into residential neighbors. Between the city's lush landscaping, the Arboretum, pets and the racetrack, there is an abundant amount of food and water available to the coyotes and as long as this is the case Arcadia will be an attractive home for the animals. SCALE BACK EFFORTS TO MANAGE COYOTES This alternative suggests that we use public education only with regard to coyotes. We would continue to put out information about being on the watch for coyotes and to refrain from leaving things in yards that are attractants. In addition to using the website, Hot Sheet and City Newsletter, we may want to consider a citywide mailing or doorhanger distribution. All trapping would be stopped with this approach. FISCAL IMPACT The cost associated with using the County for trapping is based on the number of traps placed. Since this approach is dependent on how many traps are actually installed, it is not possible to determine the total cost for a specified period of time. The County charges an hourly rate that to date has varied between $28.12 and $38.26 depending on the level of staff that responded to a call. Staff obtained an estimate from Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. for the service described above. The cost for a 6 -8 month trial period as referenced in this report is in the neighborhood of $21,000 + - depending on how large an area we ask them to monitor. Animal Pest Management Services has done this type of work for many other cities and Santa Anita Park. Additionally, we believe this company has previously worked with one of the Arcadia Homeowner's Associations and they are also the company that did the City's peacock census a few years back. Mayor and City Council - Coyote Management March 15, 2005 Page 4 RECOMMENDATION Provide direction /set a current policy on coyote management by approving one of the following courses of action: • Continue to use Los Angeles County to trap the coyotes as requested by the City, or by a resident through the City. • Authorize the City Manager to retain the professional services of Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. for a trial period of 6 -8 months, beginning in April 2005, to initiate a more proactive coyote monitoring and trapping program. If this option is selected the City Council should also appropriate $10,500.00 from the General Fund Reserve to pay for such services through June 30, 2005 (the end of this fiscal year). • Stop any type of trapping and use only public education to work on the problem. As stated above, public education will continue to be a part of the overall approach to dealing with coyotes no matter which approach the City Council selects. Trapping at the City's expense will not include the Arboretum or the racetrack. The options presented herein do not change the City's request that residents immediately report to the Police Department a sighting of a coyote that is in a location where there is an immediate threat to persons or domestic animals, or a situation wherein the coyote is demonstrating unusual or threatening behavior. In this instance, staff asks the public to call immediately so that the Police Department can respond and determine the appropriate action to be taken. DISCUSSION STAFF REPORT Office of the City Manager DATE: November 15, 2005 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: William R. Kelly, City Manag r Una By: Linda Garcia, Communica ions, Marketing and Special Projects Manager SUBJECT: CONTINUATION OF THE CITY'S COYOTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Recommendation: Authorize the continuation of a coyote management/trapping program for an ongoing, indefinite period of time SUMMARY In March 2005 the City Council directed staff to implement, on a trial basis, a coyote management/trapping program. The end of the trial period is coming up and with this report staff is requesting direction on whether or not the program should be continued. Earlier this year the City hired Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. (APM) to implement a coyote management/trapping program. The program operates whereby residents in the most affected areas are provided with a direct contact at APM that they can call to report a coyote sighting. Upon request, APM works with the resident to install and monitor a trap until the animal is caught. The cost of this service is borne entirely by the City. Since May, APM has captured 25 coyotes within the City of Arcadia (excluding Santa Anita Park and the Arboretum). The coyote management program came to be due to the fact that in recent years there have been increased sightings of "bold" coyotes and concern over the impact of their living and roaming in areas that are inhabited by people. Because of our lush landscaping, the Arboretum, pets and the racetrack, there is an abundance of food and water available in our neighborhoods and as long as this is the case, Arcadia will remain an attractive home to the animals. Certainly, it is wise to continue to ask the public to be on the watch for coyotes and to refrain from leaving things in yards that are attractants. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that it is unlikely that people will change their lifestyle and immediate environment in large enough numbers that our streets will no longer be of interest to coyotes that are not finding adequate food and water in the foothills. Mayor and City Council - continuation of coyote management program November 15, 2005 Page 2 Staff believes that the fact that APM captured 25 coyotes in a period of six months (May through October) warrants the continuation of this program and we are recommending that the City Council authorize such on an ongoing basis, until and if it is decided that the program is no longer necessary or financially feasible. The expertise and experience required to conduct this type of work puts the services in the category of being a "professional service," which means that competitive bidding is not required. APM has proven to be a responsible and effective contractor. Both the community and staff have been pleased with APM's work, sensitivity and responsiveness and we believe they are the right company for the job. FINANCIAL IMPACT The cost of the coyote management program with APM has averaged $2,500.00 per month in months when their services have been requested. Considering that we expect minimal, if any, service calls in the next couple of months, staff believes there are sufficient funds available in the 2005 -2006 operating budget to continue this effort through the remainder of the fiscal year. Given that APM's services are used only as needed, it is difficult to determine an exact cost on an annual basis. Just as a point of reference, assuming their services are needed an average of 9 months a year, we can expect the City to spend $22,500.00 annually for coyote management services. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: • Authorize the continuation of a coyote management/trapping program, using Animal Pest Management, Inc. for an ongoing, indefinite period of time. • Authorize an expenditure of up to $14,000.00 between now and June 30, 2006 to pay for the referenced program. (This amount is in addition to the $10,500.00 previously allocated by the City Council to get us to this point. The $14,000.00 is already included in the operating budget and does not need to be appropriated.)