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HomeMy WebLinkAbout88-03 OrdinanceRECORD OF ORDINANCES ~~~ Ordinance No. gg-03 Passed . 20. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING SECTION 91.12 AND AMENDING SECTION 91.99(A) OF THE DUBLIN CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING FEEDING OF WATERFOWL ON PUBLICLY OWNED LAND. WHEREAS, the City of Dublin wishes to manage the population growth of Canada Geese within the City limits. WHEREAS, this ordinance is only one component of a comprehensive Canada Goose Management/Habitat Enhancement Program being established by the City. WHEREAS, the City shall humanely manage the existing overpopulation of Canada Geese within the City limits. WHEREAS, feeding the Canada Geese is found to be unhealthy for the waterfowl and in general causes a nuisance from unnatural concentrations of birds. WHEREAS, the City shall follow all state and federal laws and protocols regarding population management of Canada Geese. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dublin, State of Ohio, ~ of the elected members concurring: Section 1: Dublin Codified Ordinances Section 91.12 shall read as follows: § 91.12 FEEDING OF WATERFOWL PROHIBITED. (A) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. (1) MIGRATORY WATERFOWL. Migration occurs, and waterfowl is considered to be migratory, when large portions of a bird species make regular annual movements between two places. Often this migration occurs due to annual temperature changes, which affect food resources and breeding opportunities. (2) NON-MIGRATORY WATERFOWL. Waterfowl that may fly large distances within a day, but return to a particular area by night. Such species can spend their entire lives in one area. (3) RESIDENT CANADA GEESE. Canada Geese that nest within the conterminous United States and/or Canada Geese which reside within the conterminous United States during certain months of the year. (4) DOMESTIC WATERFOWL. Non-native ducks, geese, swans, not retained in agricultural operations. (5) FEED OR FEEDING. The act of or the furnishing of food or other sustenance. (B) No person shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food for migratory waterfowl, non- migratory waterfowl, resident Canada Geese, or domestic waterfowl on any public property within the boundaries of the City of Dublin. Exceptions to this will only be granted through City, State and (or) Federal permitting processes. Penalty, see § 91.99 Section 2: Dublin Codified Ordinances Section 91.99(A) is hereby amended to read as follows: RECORD OF ORDINANCES Inc. Ordiraance No. gg-03 Passed Pai?~~ (A) Whoever violates §§ 91.01, 91.03, 91.07, 91.08(B), 91.11, 91.12, 91.25 through 91.27 is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Section 3: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force on the earliest day permitted by law. Passed this 2003. - Presiding Otficer ATTEST: Clerk of Council I hereby certify that copies of this Ordinance/Resolution were posted in the City of Dublin in accordance with Section 731.25 of the Ohio Revised Code. . 9' Jerk of Council, Dublin, io CITY OF DUBLIN Office of the City Manager 5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017 Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 To: Members of Dublin City Council From: Jane Brautigam, City Managei~~~~_ Date: August 12, 2003 Re: Waterfowl - No Feeding Ordinance Initiated by: Michelle L. Crandall, Assistant City Manager ~ ~'i~~C Memo Summary Attached is Ordinance 88-03 that establishes no feeding regulations for waterfowl on public property within the City. This is the first component of a Comprehensive Goose Management Program. In June, several City of Dublin and Ohio Wildlife Center staff members formed a working group to develop a comprehensive program to better address and control the growing population of Canada geese within the City. The larger group then formed smaller teams to work on each component of the plan in greater detail, which is still ongoing at this point. Attached is a memorandum sent to Council in June that outlines the various program components, as well as a chart showing team assignments in each area of the program. This "no feeding" ordinance will help to accomplish the following: • Reduce the concentration of large populations of Canada geese in certain areas of the City. We are aware of several residents that frequently feed geese and other waterfowl and the Ohio Wildlife Center has noted increased concentrations in areas where this feeding is occurring. Reduce the number of Canada geese suffering from physical complications related to nutritional deficiencies. The Ohio Wildlife Center does see a number of Canada geese in their rehabilitation facility each year that are suffering from wing conditions caused by nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies are believed to be the result of improper feeding of the geese. • Allow the City to meet permitting standards established by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). In order to obtain any type of population control permit from the ODNR, a community must first have a no feeding ordinance in place and signs posted informing the public of such restrictions. Should we decide to pursue any permitted control methods in 2004, we would need to have this ordinance in place. We are fortunate to have had the assistance of the Ohio Wildlife Center in the development of this plan. Their expertise has resulted in a program design that not only meet the standards prescribed by the Humane Society of the United States, but that will also prove to be a model program for other communities facing similar issues with high concentrations of Canada geese. Should you have any questions or comments related to this information, please contact Michelle Crandall at 410-4403. Recommendation That Council considers passage of this ordinance. CITY OF DUBLIN Office of the City Manager 5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017 Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 To: Members of Dublin City Council From: Jane Brautigam, City Manager Date: June 26, 2003 Re: Comprehensive Goose Management Program Initiated by: Michelle L. Crandall, Assistant City Manager Memo In an effort to better address the growing number of Canada geese within our City limits, Staff has initiated the development of a Comprehensive Goose Management Program. This effort is being undertaken with the assistance of the Ohio Wildlife Center. Below is a brief overview of the components that will be included in this plan: "No Feeding" Ordinance -Both City Staff members and the Ohio Wildlife Field Agent have observed individuals feeding Canada geese at several public locations. Not only is this practice nutritionally harmful for the birds, but it also causes the geese to gather in large numbers in the areas where they are consistently being fed. If Council agrees with need for such an ordinance, signs would be posted at all public water features informing residents of the no feeding ordinance and also providing educational information related to the feeding of waterfowl. This ordinance will be brought to Council for consideration in July. 2. Habitat Modification -This has proven to be the best method of deterring Canada geese. Geese must have a clear line of sight to feel safe and a shallow flight path in and out of the water. If a barrier obstructs their view or limits their flight path, they will be more prone to avoid the area. Habitat modification techniques would include natural plantings around and/or in the water features or structures such as stone walls. Consideration will also be given to the types of grasses planted immediately adjacent to the water. Bluegrass, which surrounds the majority of our water features, is the preferred food choice of Canada geese. Several "test sites" will be chosen in order to determine effectiveness of the various options and to obtain resident feedback. Attention will be placed on designing aesthetically pleasing habitat modifications. Harassment Techniques -Varied harassment techniques will be continued. These will include the use of a border collie (through the Ohio Wildlife Center), remote control devices (boats and helicopters) and noise devices where appropriate. These methods will also be monitored for effectiveness. Much of the literature related to goose management advises the use of multiple harassment techniques to achieve maximum effectiveness. 4. Informational Campaign- A plan is being developed to inform and educate the general public, civic associations and corporate residents as to ways in which to reduce the goose population. In order for this comprehensive program to be effective, it will need to be a community-wide effort. The City of Dublin, in cooperation with the Ohio Wildlife Center, will serve as consults to those wishing to implement a combination of habitat modification and harassment techniques. 5. Population Control - If needed, egg addling and egg oiling will be considered. This is the only method of population control advocated by the Humane Society of the United States and the Ohio Wildlife Center. Permits for these activities are obtained through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and are site specific. Attached please find an article regarding Canada geese that was recently forwarded to us by a resident. This article appeared in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, June 25 and gives some excellent background as to how the population has grown and the issues communities are dealing with in several other states. An article will soon be appearing in the Columbus Dispatch (Accent section) covering the issue of Canada geese in central Ohio. The article will include mention of Dublin's proposed program. While this is a brief overview of the program, I hope it is a helpful outline of the steps we are hoping to pursue to more proactively address this issue. Additional information will be provided with the "no feeding" ordinance and as the program progresses. If you should have questions or comments related to this information, please contact Michelle Crandall at 410-4403. City of Dublin Comprehensive Goose Management Program Team Assignments Program Description Team Timeframe Comments Component No Feeding To include: Michelle Completion by Ordinance and signage Efforts • Development and Crandall* end of August development in adoption of a "No Bob Cox consultation with OWC feeding" ordinance Pat Ingalls staff. • Design and installation of signage at each Target audience for public water feature information: General • Information for Public residents explaining costs and benefits of feeding Habitat To include : Ron Burns* Several sites have Target audience for Enhancement/ • Possible barrier Mimi Migliore been selected to information: Modification modification on case- Bobbie Clarke test. • Civic by-case basis for each Dr. Burton Associations water feature • Condo • Selection of several test Associations sites, using varying • Corporations barrier modification • Projects under techniques development • Budget estimate and timeline for test sites and rough estimate and timeline for remaining water features Harassment Development of plan for varied Ron Burns* On-going Target audience for Techniques harassment techniques to test Tiffany Taylor information: effectiveness • Civic Associations • Condo Associations • Corporations • Projects under development Population To include: Michelle Will determine Control • Plan for obtaining Crandall* need early in appropriate permits for Ron Burns 2004 each site Tiffany Taylor Bob Cox hformation & Needed for each area of program Pat Ingalls* Education as noted above. Different Sandra Puskarcik audiences for various portions. David Hoy ,~ * team leader -responsible for setting up meetings and progression of group through activities.