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Resident urges clearer trap inspection and notification rules in proposed trapping ordinance
Summary
Don Williams, a public commenter, urged the city to clarify the trapping-permit process, require notification of adjacent property owners when large traps are set, require in-place trap inspections and require camera/logging practices rather than relying solely on applicant-supplied devices.
During the public-comment portion of the Public Safety Committee on April 21, Don Williams criticized the proposed trapping ordinance as ambiguous on several practical points and urged clearer rules on inspection and notification.
Williams said the ordinance recognizes trapping can be hazardous where families live and asked whether adjacent property owners would be notified when large traps are set. "Being a pet owner, I think the city's got a liability if you don't notify me that there's an animal trapped next to my property," he said.
He also pressed for clarity on inspection and monitoring requirements. Williams said the ordinance appears to rely on camera systems and suggested that inspections should be required when a trap is moved, not just at annual permit issuance: "I can't imagine somebody bringing their gigantic animal traps into the permit office and showing them when they're being applying for a permit. That's just a ridiculous answer that was given by Lisa Scott." He asked whether camera footage would need a log and who must review it every two hours, saying the current language lacks a required log or documented inspection procedure.
Williams also told the committee that the fire-department report attached to the agenda was "wholly inadequate" in statistical detail and asked for a more detailed report consistent with previous reporting formats.
There was no formal response recorded that resolved the ordinance questions; Williams said he intended to follow up with staff privately.
Sources: Don Williams remarks during public comment at the Ocean Shores Public Safety Committee meeting, April 21.
