Appointed Committees

NUISANCE ANIMAL AD HOC COMMITTEE September 20, 2017 Page 1 Committee Members Present: Josh Wolsky, Chief Olson, Mike Ruelle, Dwayne Walz, Chuck Emery Members Absent Jeb Williams Others Present: Assistant City Attorney, City Clerk, Lacey McCarten, Public Works Director, Jill Schramm, DiAnn Briggs, Greg Gullickson, Alderman Straight, Tanya Mendelsohn (Animal Control), Cleo Nickolaisen Alderman Wolsky brought the meeting to order at 12:30 pm. Committee Member Introductions Alderman Wolsky welcomed everyone. Each of the members of the committee introduced themselves and shared their experience on how they were affected by the topic. Chief Jason Olson stated, his department fields all of the calls with complaints about the deer, turkeys and geese. He is also looking for direction on how to handle the complaints. Alderman Wolsky was appointed to help and direct the committee. Chuck Emery, with the Park Board, has experience with Oak Park, Golf Courses, and he has been working with the Game and Fish Department regarding geese issues. Mike Ruelle, with Rainbow Gardens, has problems with the deer eating the produce. Dwayne Walz, with Lowe’s Garden Center, has been having problems with deer and raccoons. Scope and Discussion The committee gave input if any other animals besides deer, turkey and geese need to be on the list for discussion as a nuisance animal. Committee member Ruelle requested to add rabbits to the list. From questioning from Alderman Wolsky, the Assistant City Attorney replied by saying, rabbits could be considered under both the Nuisance Animal Ad Hoc committee and the Animal Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee as they can be considered a pet. After discussion, the committee decided to focus on wild rabbits only and the other committee will handle domestic rabbits. Mr. Ruelle moved the Committee consider only deer, turkey, geese, moose, raccoons and rabbits during their discussions. Motion seconded by Mr. Emery and carried unanimously. Mr. Gullickson, with the Game and Fish Department, stated, Game and Fish manage and monitor wildlife outside the City limits and do not try to manage them within. They can however, offer ideas and help in any way they are able. The committee discussed if the animals are found to be a nuisance to everyone or if there are citizens who find they are an asset to the community and feed them. Upon questioning from Chief Olson, Mr. Gullickson replied by saying, the Game and Fish Departments does not encourage supplemental feeding. This can attract large groups to congregate and cause disease to spread between species. Chief Olson conveyed, it would be a good idea to consider a no feeding ordinance. Mr. Gullickson advised, if the committee decides to place an ordinance, to create one for specific animals such as geese, deer and turkeys. This will not discourage people from having a bird feeder in their backyards for birds such as chickadees. Committee member Ruelle suggest the goal be to keep population numbers down. Mr. Ruelle moved the 1|Page NUISANCE ANIMAL AD HOC COMMITTEE September 20, 2017 Page 2 Committee look at these animals as being a nuisance. Motion seconded by Mr. Walz and carried unanimously. Policy Directives were discussed including, if the State should be involved or just local authorities through the City ordinances. Committee Member Emery stated the Minot Park Board has just voted to draft an ordinance to make it illegal to feed the geese. He feels at this time the City would not need to use the State other than for advice and knowledge. Mr. Gullickson stated, the City has authority during hunting seasons to hunt in town. The Game and Fish have allowed extra tags to be created for use in other cities. Other cities have created scheduled dates and times to hunt on golf courses, over 20 cities in North Dakota allow urban hunting. He also noted, cities have gotten permission to destroy geese nests. Mr. Gullickson made it clear, there is concern about wildlife and human interactions, such as feeding. For example, a condition called angel wing where geese eat too much bread and it affects their ability to fly and can lead to death. Mr. Ruelle moved the Committee focus on local ordinances only. Motion seconded by Mr. Emery and carried unanimously. Goals and Desired Outcomes The Committee discussed goals for the animals that have been mentioned. Mr. Emery moved the committee’s goal be to find a way to decrease the population of the nuisance animals listed, with the exception of moose, and maintain their populations through whatever means necessary. Motion seconded by Mr. Ruelle and carried unanimously. The committee discussed with Mr. Gullickson what success would look like when controlling populations and how is it achieved. Mr. Gullickson replied by saying, the first step is to figure out where the city is now on the current population. They need to determine where the problem areas are located, the number of animals and the issues they cause. Once the base is established, the City can determine what numbers in population are the best for the city. Upon questioning from Alderman Wolsky, Mr. Gullickson stated, the committee can look for information from departments around the city such as: complaints through the Police Department, Animal Control, and even the garbage collection to see where the problem areas are and what the possible numbers would be. He reminded, the numbers would not be exact but an approximation. The committee discussed the boundaries between the city, the county and the two-mile extraterritorial zone. Mr. Ruelle would like to find the current population and then get an idea from Game and Fish to determine a supportable level to maintain. Mr. Ruelle moved the Committee discuss what to set as a goal to determine the current population and what population is acceptable for Minot. Motion seconded by Mr. Emery and carried unanimously. Ordinance Review The Assistant City Attorney, Mrs. Stalheim, reviewed the current ordinance with the Committee. There is currently a section for nuisance animals, starting at Section 7-23 but it only pertains to dogs and cats. Mrs. Stalheim suggested these new issues could be addressed here or create a new section under Chapter 7. There is also a nuisance section under Chapter 22, which covers physical nuisances such as, garbage, rubbish, weeds, etc. However, a section can be added here as well about nuisance animals if chosen by the Committee. Mrs. Stalheim also wanted to point out there is an ordinance under Chapter 7-11 about killing 2|Page NUISANCE ANIMAL AD HOC COMMITTEE September 20, 2017 Page 3 and molesting certain birds that should be reviewed if considering looking at urban hunting or destroying nests. Chief Olson pointed out, there is currently no restriction on hunting in City limits, except only a bow is allowed, no discharging of firearms in the City. There is also an ordinance on trapping animals in the City limits. Alderman Wolsky noted, since the Park District is working on controlling geese, the Committee should work in conjunction with their progress. Chief Olson reminded the Committee that hunting in the City would need to stay in line with current hunting season laws by the State. Mr. Gullickson said, there have been special occasions where hunting has been allowed outside of the usual hunting seasons, however in either case, tags would have to come from the Game and Fish Department. Alderman Wolsky asked if Mr. Gullickson could bring other cities ideas and current policies on urban hunting next meeting. Several audience members would like to know how long it would take to get a solution and if an immediate solution is available to help Rainbow Gardens. The Committee agreed it would work as quickly as possible within the confinements of government to come up with a solution; however, it might not be able to go into effect until next summer/fall. Mr. Gullickson offered an urgent solution to Rainbow Gardens by using temporary fencing/ portable panels through Game and Fish to keep the deer out. Alderman Wolsky asked if Mr. Gullickson could bring example of these tools to the next meeting. Alderman Wolsky also asked if Chief Olson could compile the areas of nuisances from the complaints given to the Police Department for the next meeting. Mr. Ruelle would also like to see the areas of town that are the city, county and private lands. Adjournment The next committee meeting will be October 4th, 2017 at 12:30 pm. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lacey McCarten Administrative Clerk 3|Page