Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management Geese topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council pulls USDA Canada‑goose agreement from consent agenda after mixed views on egg addling and costs
Summary
City staff asked the council to reactivate a four‑year interlocal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance, population monitoring and control of non‑migratory Canada geese at Lake Ballinger; staff estimated an annual contract cost of about $2,500.
City staff asked the council to reactivate a four‑year interlocal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance, population monitoring and control of non‑migratory Canada geese at Lake Ballinger. Staff said annual service would cost about $2,500 and that the city manager could sign annual contracts under the interlocal agreement.
“We are looking to reactivate the IOA. This would be for 4 years, and we would have an annual contract that the city manager could sign for $2,500 or thereabouts,” staff member Carolyn Hope said.
The subject prompted a split among council members. Council member Sanmore said she preferred not to resume the work — including historic practices such as egg addling — and questioned using city funds for the program: “I'd rather use that money elsewhere,” she said. Council member Murray said she had observed a recent increase in geese at Ballinger Park and described impacts on park cleanliness: “There are definitely a lot more geese than there have been in quite a few years, and it does have real impact in terms of, like, the cleanliness of the park,” Murray said.
Staff clarified the proposed interlocal agreement (ILA) would run four years while the annual operational contract would be active during March through August each year; staff said the $2,500 figure covers seasonal work. Council member Woodard asked what alternatives exist if the city declined the USDA service; staff said the population is non‑migratory and would continue to reproduce locally without intervention.
Several council members asked for clarification about methods; staff stated that “addling is the first choice,” meaning oiling eggs to prevent hatching, and that more lethal methods would require a separate request. Given the differing views, Mayor Pro Tem Wahl (presiding) and others agreed to remove the item from the consent agenda so it could be discussed and voted on as a regular action at a later meeting.
No contract was authorized at the meeting; staff said the item will return for separate council action after additional discussion and any requested information has been provided.
