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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. COW Agenda Item Draft Minutes 09/14/2010 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were Trustees Paul Hoefert, Arlene Juracek, John Korn, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Director William Cooney and Environmental Health Coordinator Robert Roels. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JULY 13, 2010 Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee Juracek. Minutes were approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 10, 2010. Motion made by Trustee Matuszak seconded by Trustee Korn. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. FERAL CAT UPDATE Mayor Wilks provided introductory comments regarding this topic and stated that there is no simple solution to this situation but staff has provided an option for the Village Board to consider. Assistant Village Manager Strahl provided an overview of the proposed ordinance highlighting the various sections and modifications to the proposed ordinance and how they might apply to addressing the feral cat situation. He highlighted the need to modify the three animal limit, be it dogs or cats or a combination of dogs and cats, thereby allowing a colony to operate within the community. He also highlighted the need to modify the ordinance to prohibit farm animals. There was also a revised definition regarding the feeding of nuisance wildlife and whether an identification collar must be fixed to a feral cat within a colony. He also stated that staff has developed a nuisance definition and the progressive approach for addressing nuisance elimination leading up to the requirement of a fence and the process regarding installation and removal of such a fence based on containment of the cats. He also stated that there still may need to be action at the county court level if there is failure to comply and there are challenges to the Village Ordinance. Bill Cooney provided an overview of the recommended fence installation and removal process for the containment of cat colonies on a caretaker property. He stated there are two options regarding the removal. One option would be that the Director of Community Development shall authorize and approve the constructing of the fence as long as it meets zoning requirements or the fence would have to go before the zoning team board. The fence would have to be removed upon the termination of the feral cat colony within sixty days after the colony ceases operation. General discussion from the Village Board members included the following items: • There was general discussion regarding the offer of the sponsoring agency to assist in identifying feral cats and to address illegal activity based on nuisance issues. • There was concern regarding identification process of feral cats. • It was also suggested that the definition of a nuisance would be the responsibility of the resident and not necessary observed by the staff and what possible ramifications that could create. • It was discussed if the residential option was not resolved by staff, what the likely outcome and possible next step might be. • It was also noted that there should be no feeding of stray animals or wild animals beyond feral cats. • There was concern brought up about the noise created by cats and whether the definition of nuisance needed to be modified. Serina Fried - President of Feral Feline Project spoke. She provided information regarding how cats are identified through ear tipping and provided information regarding her operation and the use of volunteers. She stated that she can trap and deal with feral cats as required. Julie Filipic -304 S. Pine spoke. She stated that feral cats should be contained on the caretaker's property. She has concerns that the number of colonies have grown and even though the colonies will go away eventually there seems to be a long period of time before that occurs. She also stated a concern about feral cats not required to wear rabies tag and what documentation exists if a feral cat were to harm an individual. She felt that feral cats should not be fed until they are registered and feels that cats running on adjacent properties should be considered a violation of the nuisance ordinance itself. Lisa Pacini -303 S. Elmhurst spoke. She stated that rabies vaccines are necessary every three years and questioned the process in which feral cats are vaccinated. She also stated that she feels all colonies should be contained by a fence. Bob Roels Environmental Health Coordinator spoke. He stated that there is an expectation that there is a cat proof fence to keep colonies contained, however that is not an absolute guarantee. H.\VILM \Cow \2010 \MINUTES \COW Minutes 9- 14- 10.doc 2 General consensus of the Village Board was to accept the option regarding the conditional use of a fence to contain a colony of six feet and that is cat proofed in addition to the fence being removed upon the termination of the colony. In addition the fence consideration would have to go before the Zoning Board. As general discussion among the Village Board members on the following items: • There was a concern raised regarding if the fence is denied and the nuisance continues to exist how such a nuisance will be addressed in court. • It was also stated that there is a need to at least find a fence that is workable in these circumstances. Lisa Pacici spoke again. She requested that something be done now and that she is becoming tired of waiting for the Ordinance to drafted and finalized. Manager Janonis stated that from the staffs standpoint, he would take away that there is a need to allow a colony to operate as long as no other animals were present. There was also a need to define nuisance feeding and what is the likely outcome if a fence is denied and then the nuisance issue is taken to court. He also stated that staff would review options for abatement. V. VILLAGE MANAGER REPORT None VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS VII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned into Closed Session at 10:05 p.m. returned to Open Session at 11:02 p.m. Meeting adjourned at that time. H. \ \ /II M \r \7fY10 \MINI ITFS \COW Minutes 9- 14- 10.doo