HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1254 - Feeding of Wild or Domestic Birds - ParksMEETING DATE E "C` ` ,2 013
CITY OF PALM Da'ak ONTINUED TO .,,�..
posED TO 2ND READING
WORKS
PUBLIC O S DEPAT q_/
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO
CHAPTER 11.01.080 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO THE IMPROPER FEEDING OF WILD OR DOMESTIC
BIRDS
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works
DATE: March 14, 2013
CONTENTS: Ordinance
Recommendation
That the City Council waive further reading and pass Ordinance
No. 1254 to second reading, approving the amendment to Chapter
11.01.080 (Parks, Prohibited conduct generally) of the municipal code.
Background
The Lagoon at Civic Center Park naturally attracts wild birds as a stopover point during
their annual migration. If left unattended, these birds will fend for themselves by
foraging for natural food such as grass, seeds, and insects and will, over the course of
time, continue their normal migration. In addition to wild birds, area residents have also
dropped off unwanted domestic fowl at the Lagoon.
Well-meaning residents bring bread and other types of food to the park specifically to
feed the birds. While bread offered in moderation is not generally harmful, moderation
is difficult to gauge. While one family may only feed the ducks once every few weeks,
there are many other families and individuals who are also feeding the birds, which
leads to a diet based almost solely on unhealthy bread products. This abundantly
available, carbohydrate -rich diet leads to duckling malnutrition, overcrowding, pollution,
disease, pest attraction, and loss of natural behavior.
This regular and continual overfeeding has resulted in the wild birds remaining in the
park due to the plentiful food source, and has also increased the number of birds drawn
to the area. This ever increasing flock has resulted in an unhealthy and unsightly
condition at the Lagoon. There is constantly excrement along the walking paths and
grass areas adjoining the Lagoon causing slippery conditions, an offensive odor, the
need for additional maintenance, and complaints from the public. The Lagoon filters are
Ordinance No. 1254
Staff Report
Amend Chapter 11.01.080 (Parks, Prohibited conduct generally)
Page 2of2
March 14, 2013
currently requiring maintenance at least once per month due to clogging caused by
feathers and excrement. The typical service period for these filters should be quarterly.
While staff recognizes the public's desire to feed these birds, the increasing issues that
result must be addressed. It is staff's recommendation that Council approve the
amendment to Chapter 11.01.080, § U, which would prohibit feeding the birds other
than using appropriate feed that would be provided by the City. Staff further
recommends the installation of four dispensers in the Lagoon area to be stocked with
appropriate feed. These dispensers would provide a pre -measured amount of feed for
the nominal cost of 250. The estimated installed cost for the four dispensers is $800,
with monthly feed costs of approximately $100. These expenses would be offset by the
money deposited to obtain the feed. By limiting the amount of food provided, it is
expected that the number of birds will gradually decrease at the Lagoon with a
corresponding decrease in the related issues.
Fiscal Analysis
Funds to cover the initial cost of the dispensers and monthly feed are available in R/M
Civic Center Park, Account No. 110-4610-453-3321. This will be offset by the amount of
money obtained from the dispensers.
Depa ,- , Head:
Mark rcenwood,� E. David J. Erwin, City Attorney
Direct i r of Public W&ks
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
ed By:
yJ hn M. Wohlmuth
ity Manager
ORDINANCE NO. 1254
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 11.01.080 (PARKS,
PROHIBITED CONDUCT GENERALLY) AS RELATED TO FEEDING OF
WILD OR DOMESTIC BIRDS AND/OR WATERFOWL IN CITY PARKS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 11.01.080, § U, of the City of Palm Desert, California,
Municipal Code shall be amended and restated to read as follows:
U. Hunt, frighten, chase, set snare for, catch, injure or destroy any
animal or bird, or destroy, remove or disturb any of the young or eggs of
same, or injure or maltreat any domestic or other animal. Maltreatment
shall include, but is not limited to, improper feeding of wild or domestic
birds and/or fowl. Improper feeding is deemed to be providing or offering
any type of food or feed other than that which is provided by the City.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published once in The Desert Sun, a
newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the County of Riverside and
circulated within the City of Palm Desert, and the same shall be in force and effect thirty
(30) days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, at its regular meeting held this day of March, 2013, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
JAN C. HARNIK, MAYOR
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA