HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC WORKSESSION PACKET 05112021If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City Clerk at 612-782-3313
or email city@savmn.com. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact us by using 711 Relay.
The meeting can be viewed live via cable channel 16 in the North Suburbs or the web broadcast at
https://www.ctvnorthsuburbs.org/live-tv/channel-15. Due to health concerns and limited seating, we
encourage people to view the meeting by using this link: https://www.savmn.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=1265
A dial-in option is available. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person.
Following guidance from state health officials, some City Council Members may choose to participate in
upcoming meetings electronically pursuant to MN Stat. §13D.021.
Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
5:30 p.m.
1. Ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco. Charlie Yunker, City Manager presenting
2. Turkey Management Plan. Charlie Yunker, City Manager presenting
3. Continue Council attending meetings remotely? Charlie Yunker, City Manager presenting
4. Joint Meetings with the Commissions. Charlie Yunker, City Manager presenting
Planning Commission – June 15, 7:00 p.m.? Topic: Lessons learned from recent CUP
Parks & Environmental Commission – August 30, 7:00 p.m.? Topic: Bike Trails
5. Future Work Session Dates, Times & Agenda Items. Charlie Yunker, City Manager presenting
Next Work Session – June 8, 2021 5:30 p.m.?
Topics to discuss and prioritize:
PROPOSED BY STAFF PROPOSED BY COUNCIL
- Water Tower & Tank Maintenance
- Communications Plan
- Electronic Packets Module Demonstration
- Community Survey
- Just Deeds Project
6. Adjournment
City of St. Anthony
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Minutes
April 13, 2021
Present:
Mayor & Council
Randy Stille, Mayor; Bernard Walker, Councilmember; Thomas Randle, Councilmember; Wendy
Webster, Councilmember and Jan Jenson, Councilmember.
Absent:
None
Staff:
Charlie Yunker, City Manager
Consultants:
None
Call to Order:
Mayor Stille called the Work Session to order at 5:30 p.m.
Ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco:
Katie Engman from the Association of Nonsmokers-Minnesota (ANSR) presented on the topic and
provided information to review. Council discussed with Ms. Engman the background behind the
motivation and rationale for an ordinance of this kind. Ms. Engman discussed that the access to flavored
products leads youth to become addicted early, making it very difficult to quit. The Council and Ms.
Engman discussed the objectives around making local restrictions. Ms. Engman discussed that local
municipalities passing ordinances helps inform the State of the need for legislation.
Council consensus was to consider further and directed staff to gather information from neighboring
cities on their plans or discussions on the topic and report back at the next work session.
Wild Turkey Management Plan:
Due to time, this item was tabled to the next Work Session.
Future Work Session Dates:
Next Work Session will be held on May 11, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Charlie Yunker, City Manager.
THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
MEMORANDUM
To: St. Anthony Village City Council
From: Charlie Yunker, City Manager
Date: May 11, 2021 City Council Work Session
Request: Discussion Regarding Prohibition of the Sale of Flavored Tobacco
BACKGROUND
At its work Session on March 9, 2021 the Council asked staff to bring information forward to explore an
ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco. At the subsequent Work Session on April 13, 2021, Katie
Engman from the Association of Nonsmokers-Minnesota (ANSR) presented on the topic and provided
information to review.
UPDATE
From that discussion, staff was asked to contact neighboring communities to learn if they had or are having
conversations on the topic. Staff learned that one community is currently working on an ordinance amendment
to revise tobacco sampling regulations and they may discuss flavored tobacco, though that has not been the
focus on the discussion. Another neighboring community has not had discussion on it recently and does not
anticipate to in the near future.
Staff also reached out to the Intergovernmental Relations contacts at the League of Minnesota Cities, and they
reported that House and Senate legislation have continued in committees, but believe it is unlikely that anything
will pass this year, but it could be taken up next year.
Also, the FDA announced it is working toward issuing proposed product standards within the next year to ban
menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and ban all characterizing flavors (including menthol) in cigars.
The rule-making process is expected to take at least a year.
DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR COUNCIL FEEDBACK
Below are the specific items for discussion and feedback for the City Council:
• Does the Council wish to move forward with exploring an ordinance?
• Would the Council like to monitor State and Federal level activity and revisit in the future?
THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
MEMORANDUM
To: St. Anthony Village City Council
From: Charlie Yunker, City Manager
Date: April 13, 2021 City Council Work Session
Request: Proposal to Adopt Wild Turkey Management Plan
BACKGROUND
In the fall of 2020 staff was contacted by residents that were encountering difficulties in managing wild turkeys
on and near their property. The turkeys were causing a nuisance to the residents and the neighborhood, and
deterrence techniques were not effective in relocating the flock.
Staff took some time to research options for removal of the turkeys and found that residents do not have
options for professional removal services for turkeys. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently the
only organization able to perform removals, and they will only do so if a city has a formal management plan in
place. This plan allows for a city to request a removal permit for public property, or on behalf of a
resident/business owner of private property, to have the USDA perform removal if determined to be necessary.
To date, wild turkeys have not presented a significant problem on any city-owned property.
Staff received guidance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on implementing a Wild Turkey
Management Plan, and was provided with a template plan and a workflow document that detailed the steps
needed for adoption of a plan. A draft plan for the City and the workflow document are attached.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending the adoption of a Wild Turkey Management Plan in order to give private property owners
an option for wild turkey removal when all other avenues for deterrence have been exhausted. There is a cost
associated with removal, and staff is recommending that cost be the responsibility of the property owner. Staff
recommends not implementing a fee for the City permit, as the staff time to process is anticipated to be
minimal. The permit fee and removal cost can be re-evaluated at any time.
This also gives the City an option for removal should wild turkeys present an issue on publicly-owned property in
the future.
DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR COUNCIL FEEDBACK
Below are the specific items for discussion and feedback for the City Council:
• Does the Council support the adoption of a Wild Turkey Management Plan?
• Does the Council support no fee for the permit and property owners being responsible for removal cost?
• Any other considerations for Staff?
NEXT STEPS
1. If supported by the Council, staff will present the draft plan to the Parks & Environmental Commission
for feedback and public comment.
2. Staff will bring the final draft to a future City Council meeting for consideration to adopt and
implementation.
3. If adopted, information on wild turkey management will be added to the City website and included in an
edition of the City newsletter
ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Wild Turkey Management Plan
• Turkey Management Plan Workflow
A WILD TURKEY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
City of Saint Anthony Wild Turkey Management Concerns
1.1 Wild Turkey Habitat Use and Population Estimate
1.2 Visitation and Recreation Areas
1.3 Concentrated Habitat Use and Human Safety Issues
1.3.1 Proximity Sensitive Areas
Wild Turkey Management Recommendations
2.1 Goals and Measures
2.2 Geographic Scope
2.3 Management Techniques
2.3.1 Population Reduction
2.3.2 Tracking Management Activities for Future Adjustments
2.3.3 Habitat Modification
2.3.4 Temporary Physical Barriers
2.3.5 Permanent Physical Barriers
2.3.6 Redistribution Techniques
2.3.7 Excrement Removal in Roost Areas
2.4 Public Information
2.5 Partner Relationships and Permit Requirements
Appendices:
Appendix A: City of Saint Anthony Context and Land Cover Map
Appendix B: Management Activity Tracking Form
1. City of Saint Anthony Wild Turkey Management Concerns
1.1 Wild Turkey Habitat Use and Population Estimate
The City is fully developed with areas of public recreation and pockets of open space that are conducive
to turkey populations, so wild turkeys are found in areas of the city. Nesting occurs in a variety of
habitats including wooded and marsh areas and thick shrubbery public and private property. Newly
hatched broods tend to feed within the city boundary areas and in communities that border Saint
Anthony. After their flightless period of a few days, wild turkeys are more mobile and frequently use
private and public property for dusting, roosting and feeding.
The City of Saint Anthony does not monitor wild turkey populations annually. City protocol is to respond
and assist residents when an issue arises due to a large flock of wild turkeys or unique situations that
create a public safety and/or public health issue.
1.2 Visitation and Recreation Areas
Flocks of wild turkeys can be found in our parks, playgrounds, roads, parking lots, wooded areas, and
other public and private property.
1.3 Concentrated Habitat Use and Human Safety Issues
Areas in which wild turkeys can cause damage or health and human safety issues include public
property, private residential property and business property throughout the city. Turkeys can be difficult
to deter and can become aggressive with people.
1.3.1 Proximity Sensitive areas
Because our wild turkey removal plan is based on managing specific problem areas only and not an
annual removal program, all property at any potential location will have sensitivity issues. Therefore,
staff will not support the use of firearms for the removal of problem turkeys unless directed by Public
Safety staff in very specific situations that have no other options. Generally a drop net process or baited
traps will be utilized. Depending on the types of baited traps used, this process may attract non-target
wildlife and domestic pets. Contracted services for wild turkey removal will employ strategies and
systems that minimize the impact to all other domestic and wild animals.
2. Wild Turkey Management Recommendations
2.1 Goals and Measures
The City of Saint Anthony’s Wil Turkey Management Plan is designed for problem area response due to
wild turkey issues when identified by residents and city staff. This is not a citywide annual removal
process plan. The two primary areas of concern are public safety and property damage.
Staff has identified two goals for implementing a Wild Turkey Management Plan:
1. Develop and implement a communication process that informs both residential and business
property owners about strategies to deter feeding and loafing wild turkeys. Information will
include insight regarding the issues of feeding wildlife and options to make property areas
unattractive for turkeys by developing natural barriers that deter turkeys from loafing on and
around property.
2. Support other community public and private property owners, if requested, to develop plans to
implement processes to reduce/remove wild turkeys on property not owned by the City of Saint
Anthony. This could also extend to removal when ongoing public safety and damage is
identified.
2.2 Geographic Scope
The removal goals are focused on an as needed basis throughout the City of Saint Anthony. Wild turkey
management techniques are not planned for any specific locations at this time or as a scheduled annual
removal process. If in the future the wild turkey populations grow to a point a planned and scheduled
annual removal program is required, staff will work with the City Council and the Minnesota Department
of Natural resources to develop and implement a process for the City of Saint Anthony.
2.3 Management Techniques
The management techniques for wild turkey management for the City of Saint Anthony will be varied in
type and geographic area. Meeting the goals as outlined may require the implementation of a broad set
of options. Any one management technique used alone will likely be ineffective for any significant length
of time, since tolerance and habituation will likely occur. As a result, we propose the use of an
integrated management approach, where a number of techniques, applied in varying ways, times and
locations will provide the best outcomes.
2.3.1 Population Reduction
Animal Management
The plan recommended is not an annual population reduction management process. When a problem
area is identified and action required, staff will request a Removal Permit from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources for the wild turkeys. Permit request will outline all issues, location(s)
and conditions that will be followed as well as the reporting of any removal(s).
Trapping and Removal (Winter Period)
Capture and removal of, mixed age groups during the winter period is an effective way to reduce the
localized population of wild turkeys. The use of contractors to capture, remove and disposition of wild
turkeys from City of Saint Anthony is a management option. Such removal would need to be detailed as
part of a removal permit application through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and wild
turkey removal and disposition would need to be conducted according to the permit conditions.
Lethal Wild Turkey removal
The City of Saint Anthony does not plan to use on-site lethal removal of wild turkeys unless a specific
removal need is dictated by the Public Safety Personnel and no other non-lethal options are reasonable
based on the situation. Selective and occasional lethal removal of individual or small groups of wild
turkey may be needed if other redistribution or hazing methods do not work. Lethal removal of wild
turkeys by means of shooting wild turkeys on an occasional basis is a management option. Such removal
would need to be dictated by the City of Saint Anthony Police Department. This type of removal would
be included as part of a removal permit application through the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, and wild turkey removal and disposition would need to be conducted according to the
specific permit conditions. Such conditions would include the number of individual wild turkeys and the
specific information about the methods to be used for the removal and disposition.
2.3.2 Tracking Management Activities for Future Adjustments
All management activities will be documented on the Management Activity Tracking Form in Appendix B
and keep a copy of this on file to help facilitate future management activities that might need
adjustments or improvements.
2.3.3 Habitat Modification
There are some direct habitat modifications that may be beneficial long term for wild turkeys. Covering
dusting sites with rock may deter them and encourage them to move to another area that has less
public use. In some cases pruning of certain branches on roost trees may prove beneficial. However,
being able to halt access, remove food sources, or altering other attractants will be beneficial.
2.3.4 Temporary Physical Barriers
The use of temporary fencing, rocks and other natural barriers (botanical gardens - pollinator gardens)
that limits wild turkey access to the high use pedestrian traffic areas during the various Minnesota
seasons will be considered. Any fencing that may be installed would be established in a manner or
distance that prevents wild turkeys from entering the fenced off area from the adjacent roost areas.
2.3.5 Permanent Physical Barriers
Completely excluding wild turkeys from a specific area is difficult based on their ability to fly. The use of
permanent woven wire fencing or more residential aesthetically pleasing fence such as composite, wood
or privacy lattice, or other options may be considered if it limits wild turkey access to high pedestrian
traffic use areas. Staff understands this may help to deter but not completely prevent access. These
fences can be blended into the area with tall flowering forbs, grasses or shrubs. Any fencing that is
installed would need to be approved by the Area Wildlife Manager and will be established in a manner
that prevents wild turkeys from entering the fenced off area from adjoining areas. Routine inspection of
the fence will be done by city staff when installed on publically owned property.
2.3.6 Redistribution Techniques
Preventing large flocks of wild turkeys from roosting, feeding or dusting throughout Saint Anthony and
adjacent areas will be an ongoing process. We anticipate using a number of techniques, when needed,
through independent contractors to remove wild turkeys creating public safety issues and property
damage. On City owned property, multiple techniques will be utilized at varied times and with subtle
shifts in methods so that the wild turkeys do not become habituated to any one technique or become
accustomed to a particular schedule of activity.
Following is a list, though not necessarily exhaustive, of redistribution techniques recommended by
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources the City will follow on publicly owned property and
resident and business owners will be advised to follow before requesting a removal permit:
Human and mechanical disruption options that may be considered;
• Disturbing roosting and feeding wild turkeys by individuals on foot so they can be moved
out of the area to a location that is more supportive of wild turkey habitat
• Sprinklers or water devices
• Remote control cars/trucks
Dogs or other trained animals
• Specially trained dogs that are capable of providing non-lethal hazing.
• Use of trained dogs and handlers to move turkeys away from high used public areas.
• Resident pets will not be allowed for this purpose.
Pyrotechnic Options
• Limited use of pyrotechnic options such as flares, bangers, crackers, popper shells, etc. can
be temporarily effective in moving wild turkeys and dissuading them from returning to a
given area. Special training, handling and storage considerations would need to be
considered. Use restrictions and notification requirements would be required prior to the use
of pyrotechnics. Safety will always be the number one priority when considering pyrotechnics
for the relocation of wild turkeys.
Options for Repellants for roosting
• Bird spikes in common roost areas
• Spray on products that create unwelcome residues have been successful to slow down
roosting. An example is Bird-X “4 The Birds Repellant” – product leaves a sticky residue on
surfaces including tree branches, rooftops, asphalt, etc.
• Remote and automated lighting systems.
Predator decoys
• The use of 2D or 3D coyote/dog decoys sometimes discourages area use by wild turkeys.
The periodic use of decoys continues to be a management option. Decoys that are placed
intermittently and exhibit periodic motion due to wind gusts can be effective at deterring
geese however must be moved on a very regular schedule to be affective.
Feeding ban or future feeding ban on wild turkeys
• No feeding wild turkeys within city limits
• No feeding of wild turkeys on city property
2.3.7 Deterrents in Roost Areas and Excrement Removal
At this point in time, the City of Saint Anthony does not remove wild turkey excrement on private
property. The primary goal is to effectively redistribute wild turkeys away from these areas, with the
goal being a reduction of feces in these areas. Staff would only remove wild turkey excrement from
public owned property if the problem is extensive and persistent.
2.4 Public Information
Informing the public about wild turkey management activities is an integral part of a successful wild
turkey management plan. Information and signage detailing some of the methods being used will be
developed to provide background information for residents. Signage or posted notices may be
developed for certain activities. Additionally, city staff and all contractors performing removal services
will provide a copy of the removal permit to all residents and patrons upon request. All persons
performing management activities should provide users with accurate and thorough information about
wild turkey management objective, and inform users how the particular management activity being
conducted fits into the larger wild turkey management plan.
The City of Saint Anthony will promote resident reporting options of turkey complaints/safety concerns
to appropriate staff via e-mail or phone. The City will also provide information on residential turkey
management techniques in both the city newsletter and website.
2.5 Partner Relationships and Permit Requirements
Coordination of all wildlife management activities will be communicated with the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Department, Public Safety Department and City
Administration. Permitting and all contracted removal activities, dates/conditions for removals, permit
possession while conducting activities, notification and involvement of Conservation Officers, Area
Wildlife Managers, etc. will be the responsibility of City staff and all contractors employed to implement
wildlife management services.
APPENDIX A: City of Saint Anthony Context and Land Cover Map
APPENDIX B: Management Activity Tracking Form
DATE Name Activity/Method Location Notes