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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCoyote Comm Minutes 9-19-14 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SEAL BEACH COYOTE COMMITTEE HELD SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Coyote Committee was called to order at 11 :00 a.m. by Mayor Ellery Deaton in the City Council Chambers, 211 8t" Street, Seal Beach. II. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Ellery Deaton Ted Stevens, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bob Schallmann, Naval Weapons Station Bonnie Campbell, District 1 Joan Alderson, District 2 Dr. Tim Revell, District 3 Patty Campbell, District 4 Sandra Massa-Lavitt, District 5 Also present: Patrick Gallegos, Assistant City Manager Cpl. Michael Henderson, Seal Beach Police Department III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Oral Communications was opened. There were five speakers, all of which spoke of about their concerns with the increased number of coyotes in Seal Beach. There being no additional speakers, Oral Communications was closed. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION A. Group discussion Mayor Deaton opened the meeting by asking fellow committee members to speak about their thoughts about trapping. Committee Member Patty Campbell spoke about the ineffectiveness of hazing and the importance of strategic trapping, as well as the need to partner with other surrounding jurisdictions. Committee Member Sandra Massa-Lavitt stated that Leisure World had already begun trapping and captured one coyote. Member Lavitt also spoke about the importance of education and hazing as part of the overall campaign. Committee Member Tim Revell spoke about the City of Walnut and their dealings with coyotes. Member Revell also stated that trapping does not work and felt that there were better ways to resolve the coyote issues in Seal Beach, particularly with better education. Committee Member Joan Alderson was comfortable with the idea of selectively sterilizing coyotes. Committee Member Ted Stevens spoke about the importance of education and hazing training and also the need for regional partnerships to deal with coyotes in an effective manner. Member Stevens stated that removal by lethal means should be targeted and not random and should be based on sound data. Committee Member Michael Henderson spoke of the police department being supportive of the committee's goals, particularly those dealing with public safety. Committee Member Bob Schallmann stated that we should take a multi-prong approach - - that is, we should target aggressive animals on a limited basis and incorporate our education campaign as part of the solution. Member Schallmann spoke about the Navy's approach and their success with hazing. Committee Member Bonnie Campbell spoke about pet attacks and various coyote sightings in her neighborhood and mentioned that she was in favor of trapping. Mayor Ellery Deaton stated that trapping is the ultimate form of hazing and that she favors strategic trapping in the short term and a regional approach in the long term. Mayor Deaton also stated the development of a coyote management plan would be a comprehensive guiding document that would assist with our local and regional coyote issues. Committee members discussed options for the short term and long term and developed the following short and long term recommendations for the City Council's consideration: Short Term • Strategic trapping • Fines for feeding wildlife and those who leave food (attractants) outside • Repair fence lines where coyotes inhabit • Cover all City-owned and residential trash cans with lids • Continue the City's education campaign Long Term • Develop a regional plan that will strive to deter coyotes from urban areas • Work with surrounding jurisdictions to create a regional coyote awareness program • Examine the option of sterilization • Develop neighborhood and regional hazing programs The Committee agreed to submit the short and long term recommendations to the City Council for consideration. B. Determine next meeting date & time The Committee did not schedule a new meeting at this time. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m.