Minutes 1994 0815 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - August 15, 1994 Page = 2 - PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) B. Whitey Harder, 91 Broadmoor Boulevard, spoke regarding squirrels at the Marina Park area. He described his experience in moving animals such as prairie dogs. He volunteered to catch 500 of the squirrels if the City would find a place to which to relocate them. He said there is no need to poison the squirrels. Mayor Corbett noted the City looked into the issue of relocation, but State law does not allow it. C. Kathy Peluso said people overwhelmingly do not want the squirrels poisoned, and there are humane ways to handle the situation. She said the City Council should listen to Dr. Katz, and the City should work with the people and see what else can be done. D. Kathleen Treece, 14525 Flagship Street, spoke in protest of poisoning the squirrels. She said the signs currently posted are headed in the right direction, but people really don't get the idea. She said the signs should have a graphic picture and a graphic description showing how the squirrels die so people will stop feeding them. She said poisoning stops the problem now, but it will reoccur. E. Lester Labick, 15106 Beatty Street, said the squirrels should be relocated. He said the poison grain and the bodies of the squirrels can lead to poisoning of dogs, cats, and pigeons. He said the City should trap the squirrels. F. Dr. Elliot Katz, San Rafael , Representing In Defense of Animals, said they circulated letters and he has nearly 200 he will be submitting, protesting killing the squirrels. He said the Negative Declaration is inadequate in terms of alternatives to poisoning. He said the squirrels could be relocated, and the City could work with agencies to get permission to do so. He said the signs have not been as strong and effective as they could be. He said people are not being attacked by the squirrels, and there is no disease. Council Member Kerr said bubonic plague is endemic to the Bay Area, and he does not know who would be willing to take the squirrels. He said he is an Environmental Health Specialist, and he knows the Health Code requires property owners to exterminate the squirrels. He said, however, he has no objection to looking at other methods. Council Member Loeffler said relocation seems like a false hope because of the State law. He noted similar problems that arise with gophers on school playgrounds and injury to children as a result of the activities of the gophers. He said the City has a responsibility to protect the citizens of San Leandro. Dr. Katz said he would like to know which agencies have told the City they cannot relocate the squirrels.