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HomeMy WebLinkAboutII. COW Agenda Draft Minutes 01/12/2010 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 12, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Pro-Tem Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included Trustees John Korn, Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak, Steven Polit and Michael lade!. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Director William Cooney and Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels. II. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl provided an overview of the concession agreements presented for consideration this evening. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: . Appreciation was expressed by several Board members to the Unions that were involved in working with the Village to create these concession agreements and the fact that it was important for the Village, in these difficult times, to show the type of employees that work for the Village of Mount Prospect. . It was also stated that there was wide spread appreciation for the Union members stepping up to assist the Village at this time and employees truly have an ownership in the community. III. Motion made to approve the agreement between the Village and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter 84. Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee lade!. Agreement was approved unanimously. IV. Agreement between the Village and Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter 85 Sergeants. Motion made by Trustee ladel seconded by Trustee Korn to approve the agreement. Agreement was approved unanimously. V. Approval of agreement between the Village and International Association of Firefighters Chapter 4119. Motion made by Trustee Pol it seconded by Trustee Hoefert the agreement was approved unanimously. VI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. ~~~tiI DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager Page 1 of 1 H:\VILM\Cow\201 O\MINUTES\Special Meeting 1-12-2010.doc / /~.~. ~~:~~~N~si_;~i~ :~~~< ,,,i~"\ 'f''''''' /(~'(.""" ;~~~f$tt" COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 12,2010 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7: 15 p.m. in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Pro Tem Arlene Juracek. Present at the meeting were: Trustees John Kom, Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak, Steven Polit and Michael Zade!. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Director William Cooney and Environmental Health Coordinator Robert Roels. II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 2009. Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee Matuszak to approve the minutes. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. FERAL CAT DISCUSSION Mayor Pro Tern Arlene Juracek provided opening remarks regarding the discussion of this topic and the plan for discussions this evening with the general goal for information exchange regarding this issue. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl provided an overview of the feral cat situation as it exists in the Village currently. In addition to information regarding past discussions regarding feral cat control within the Village. He also outlined the program whereby colonies of feral cats can be sponsored under an ordinance through Cook County Health Department and the procedures for creating and monitoring such colonies. Comments from the Village Board members included the following items: . There was general discussion regarding the operation of colonies as they are sponsored and monitored by the sponsoring agencies. . There was also a general discussion regarding uncontrolled breeding and feral cats that are not part of a colony. . There was a discussion regarding the Cook County ordinance procedure for following through on complaints regarding colonies. Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 4 1/12/10 . A discussion ensued regarding the means of communication between the Village and county regarding situations that may arise regarding colony management. . There was a general discussion regarding the resource options for removing feral cats and the potential expense for trapping and removing the cats. . There was also a discussion about the number of colonies in the community and the fact that most of them operate under the radar and the ongoing trap, neuter and release program and its value to control the population. Serena Fried of the Feral Feline Project spoke. She stated there are semi annual reports that are submitted by the colony caretakers, forwarded to the sponsor and eventually forwarded to the County. She stated that she maintains a data base of all cats under the sponsorship of her organization. She also stated one of the benefits of having a TNR program (trap, neuter and release) is it will keep the cats from looking for food in the garbage and becoming more of a nuisance since the cats are territorial. She stated reports of new cats are provided by the colony caretakers and these cats are trapped in order to be spayed and neutered and released back into the colonies. Kittens are removed immediately before they get too old and can be socialized. She stated there are more cats dumped illegally than any program can try to control. There are too many cats to remove from the equation and there is no place to remove them to if they were to be removed. By having an existing colony, since the cats are territorial, they keep additional cats from moving in and expanding the colony. She stated the TNR programs do manage the population and the cats eventually die off from the colony due to environmental issues. She stated the average size of a colony is approximately five to six cats. There have been some studies regarding the colony life cycle. She did state feeding of the colony does not need to be observed but monitored and feeding stations are available if requested with feeding recommended to be done on a regular schedule. She stated the size of the colonies have had no relationship to the complaint numbers in her experience in sponsoring the colonies. Greg Paradowich of 1102 S. Cherrywood spoke. He stated there appears to be an unregulated colony at 1111 S. Cherrywood where he has observed a group of cats that are a problem. He also inquired as to how dead animals are to be removed. Robert Roels stated the Village does not provide a service to remove dead animals and such removal is the residents' responsibility and should be placed in their regular garbage bin. Lisa Pacini at 303 S. Elmhurst spoke. She stated the nuisance factor has not been addressed in her mind. She stated the resident at 307 has observed sixteen cats regularly and it is common to see eight to ten cats feeding at the colony location. She stated the cat feces and wastes have ruined her outdoor furniture and they tend to hang around her property since the colony is right next door to her. She stated she believes the practice of trap, neuter and release does not release does not work and not enough is done to keep the cats off neighbors property. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 4 H:\VILM\Cow\2010\MINUTES\1-12-10 cow Minutes.doc 1/12/10 She also has a concern of wild animals feeding at the colony site by being attracted to the feeding site and has previously called the County and the Village requesting additional options be undertaken to keep cats off her property. She thought the sprinkler option connected to a motion detector is not practical for her situation. She also stated the large sandbox that is available at the colony site for the cats to use is out in the open and should have a cover on it to encourage better use. She stated this problem has been impacting her property for at least a year and a half. Julie Filipic at 304 S. Pine spoke. She stated she observes cats constantly in her yard and did see kittens removed from her property. She suggests that there should be a limit on the number of animals within the colony and also felt that this is not the only colony that has created an issue within the community. Dr. Rebecca Baptist of 907 S. Candota spoke. She stated that she has helped by working with the feral cat program through the TNR approach as a service that she provides. She stated the population in the neighborhood is under control through the colony program. Kurt Meyer of Feral Fixers of Dupage County spoke. He stated that he appreciated the fact that the Village Board is trying to learn about the issue and stated the TNR does work in cutting down the breeding issues of unregulated cats. He said there are a number of resources available and would like to be partners with the community. He also stated there is a need to contain the nuisance and that options are available to contain such a nuisance. LaVon Porter a Rolling Meadows resident spoke. She stated she has partnered with the Police Chief in Rolling Meadows and inspectors in obtaining some public tax dollars to assist in colony management programs. She also is involved in running TNR programs and will be running an adoption program through the Petco at the Mt. Prospect Plaza. She stated additional information can be obtained through the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary website. Gerry Stone - 305 S. Elmhurst spoke. He stated he has sponsored a cat colony and has lived at his address for 31 years. He noticed cats in the area prior to participating in the TNR program and the colony that he services contains five cats plus two additional cats that appear erratically to feed. He has volunteered to remove cat waste from several neighbors' yards but some have chose not to take him up on the offer. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: . There was a question whether leaving the cats outside is humane and there is a need to address the containment issue. . The fact that the TNR program was initially started due to health concerns of rabies transmission should not be overlooked. . Staff was requested to research possible remedies in conjunction with the Cook County ordinance and possible options to contain the colony and clarify responsibilities with the colony caretaker. Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 4 H:\VILM\Cow\2010\MINUTES\1-12-10 cow Minutes.doc 1/12/10 . There was a question on whether the Cook County ordinance is detailed enough to ensure that the goals of the TNR program are met and there was a concern about the time necessary for a colony to run its course. . There was also a comment whereby if someone impacts a neighbor then there may be a need for additional regulation to minimize that impact. . There was a general discussion regarding the question of legal authority for regulation by the Village in relation to the County and its regulation and ordinance. . It was requested that additional research be undertaken to determine if other regulations are available and what other resources are available to address the nuisance issue. . It was recommended that discussions be undertaken with the County to work with them within their ordinance and review the existing Village ordinance to insure that it is sufficient to address the situation. V. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Michael Janonis stated the Celestial Celebration is scheduled for February 6, 2010 and tickets remain available. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Korn reminded the viewing audience that holiday decorations need to be taken down no later than sixty days from the holiday itself. Trustee Polit warned the viewing and listening audience to avoid Central near Mount Prospect Road and Rand due to some water main work and the impact on traffic. VII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m. -~~s:tdf DA VI D STRAH L Assistant Village Manager Committee of the Whole Page 4 of 4 H:\VILM\Cow\2010\MINUTES\1-12-10 cow Minutes.doc 1/12/10