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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8783r .1 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 13, 2006 �parFg4,b s�� fir Page 1 of 2 rEfA r SUBJECT: BIRD RELOCATION PROGRAM f873 The purpose of this report is to update the City Council on the ongoing bird relocation program. The Parks and Community Services Department (PACS) and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. (DFWI) are working together to conduct a downtown bird relocation program. The program includes pyrotechnics, laser lights and the use of predator falcons and hawks. This year's program started in the fall of 2005 and will continue until the birds leave the downtown area to roost in fields and outlying areas, which usually occurs in late spring or early summer. On October 11, 2005, City Council approved M &C G- 14955, which amended Ordinance Section 23 -6, Discharging Firearms, to allow PACS and the Fire Departments to issue pyrotechnic permits to those who wanted to use this type of control method for unwanted bird pests in their areas. To receive a permit, citizens could attend one of the three training classes offered by the City. If they pass a test and pay a $200.00 permit fee good for one year, they were able to participate in the Bird Relocation Program. The class covered safety topics, pyrotechnic equipment, and permit requirements. Permit requirements include a list of equipment allowed to be used, call in procedure, record keeping, safety gear to wear and use during the program and age requirements. Nineteen people attended the classes with ten purchasing permits, which are -bid until December 31, 2006. The bird population is usually reduced in late spring so the next training and permitting schedule will begin in the fall of 2006. Plans are to offer four classes, August 14, 18, 29 and October 7. All classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. — noon at the PACS Crestline Service Center located at 2901 Crestline Road. On October 31, 2005 PACS and DFWI signed an agreement to divide downtown into two separate areas. The downtown boundary is considered the Trinity River on the north, Henderson on the west, Jones on the east and Lancaster on the south. PACS is responsible for bird relocation from 6th Street south to Lancaster and DFWI is responsible for 6th Street north to the Trinity River. PACS uses the pyrotechnic program in their assigned area while DFWI uses other methods due to the amount of foot traffic, night time events and residents in their assigned area. See attached map. The PACS bird relocation method has reduced the number of birds in their assigned area. The method used this year is a propane cannon placed in the bed of a pickup. The program operates approximately one hour a night, Monday through Thursday, 30 minutes before dark until 30 minutes after dark. The pickups have strobe lights, bird relocation signs and a loud noise warning sign. City employees have on City IDs, orange vests and safety gear such as eye and ear protection. The program is on an as needed basis, typically ten to 12 times a month. Only two complaints have been received this year and both were in favor of the program but wanted certain areas avoided because of residents. The program was adjusted to address these complaints. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8783 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 1-3,2006 aparckF Page 2 of 2 rYps7 SUBJECT: BIRD RELOCATION PROGRAM ,573 DFWI uses a contracted program where the laser lights and bird irritant sprays are utilized. These two programs require more time and are very labor intensive as it only removes the birds in a few trees at a time. DFWI is experimenting with birds of prey such as falcons and hawks to attack grackles late at night to encourage them to roost elsewhere. The birds of prey program requires two permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Department, one to own a bird of prey and one to work birds of prey in urban settings. There are no provisions for a birds of prey owner to be paid for their services. The current person engaged in this program has the ownership permit but not the urban setting operations permit. Until this permit is approved, the program will remain on a volunteer basis. PACS and DFWI meet twice a month to review the Bird Relocation Program. Communication is the key in coordinating efforts so the birds are not moved from one side of downtown to the other side. While these two distinct programs use different relocation methods, they both remove the birds from the downtown area. A reduction in cost has incurred for power washing sidewalks. Cost savings for the year will be tabulated this summer. PACS has become an informational resource for the public on bird relocation methods. Methods for removal have been presented to the press, through radio, television and newspaper coverage, presentations at numerous civic and neighborhood association meetings and answering 47 phone calls and 18 emails this year from citizens, businesses, other cities and other states to get ideas on bird relocation methods. The City provides information on methods other than pyrotechnics that can be used to disburse the birds. In situations where these methods may not be effective, the City provides citizens with a list of the people that have successfully acquired a pyrotechnic permit and can contract for relocation services on private property. Future plans include continuing the agreement between PACS and DFWI and expanding into other areas of the city by providing training and permitting opportunities to local businesses and citizens. A marketing program to inform those of this opportunity will begin this summer. This training and permitting process will continue to provide businesses with the knowledge and skills to rid their areas of the pesky birds. It is anticipated that through additional collaborations, the bird relocation program will continue to reach areas in the city outside the downtown area. No additional funding will be required to continue the existing program; however, should the City Council wish to expand the program to cover areas outside of downtown with city staff then additional resources will be required. If you have additional questions, please Community Services, at 817 - 392 -5710. Charles R Boswell City Manager call Randle Harwood, Acting Director of Parks and ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS T,OA'N H w gti m My Idod z >IJ(11MIN - -- II OSNBHdaLS -Z c � � 5 N 15 H3 IH 35 N \ O 0-4 sa OF 141 as n-ISCHI � g� �5 c ^^O �\ r SFINOI OX cn J \� Nd1.?79 \ \ Gg v 1A \ \ '' \ F Iv1 b \ O�ti6 1Sr NI �' p\ LO ✓ � o % O M , a - NOW XVINV'I Hai Ana S UHJ N d 5� NOOd J� �1Nd4 SH P 3DN MOIA L XINGT Al f -- lS \ w — — - — ��i LA� y J u) j O�n�� x aIMOD I - - — ITlda l•l',gCF�" NNBd