City Council Minutes 2000 09 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Louisville City Council Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 23. it does not have any predators to keep the density down. Dr. Stone also noted that there is, although rare, a potential for disease transfer from prairie dogs to pets to humans. Mayer voiced his concern that prairie dogs burrow into yards and have contact with pets. He reiterated that the Via Appia colony is not an appropriate area for a prairie dog colony. He stated his preference would be to relocate as many prairie dogs as possible, and eradicate those that remain. Dr. Stone stated that in the absence of a suitable relocation site for the Fire Station No. 2 site, eventually one or more of the colonies would become extinct due to the plague. When that occurs, within a short period of time perhaps within six months, prairie dogs can be relocated into that extinct colony. Levihn noted that he shares Council Member Mayer's concerns and voiced concern that prairie dogs are in the streets and cause traffic hazards and other safety issues. Howard stated that if agricultural properties were used as relocation sites, the use would change. He asked Staff if funds were allocated to manage the properties from developing weeds. Baysinger stated that at this point, the City has not considered that issue. Howard stressed that the management of the relocation had to be done properly and noted that he had witnessed people tripping the traps and releasing the prairie dogs during the relocation process. Davidson stated that he has looked for suitable land to relocate prairie dogs and has done considerable research over the past two years. He recommended that the City try to locate a property large enough to relocate the colony, move as many prairie dogs as possible and terminate the balance. Mayer stated that trying to maintain wildlife areas has value, he suggested coordinating the relocation with the St. Louis Parish property. There was discussion relative to the appropriate relocation property. Brown noted that there is a large number of prairie dogs on land that is not City owned. Sisk voiced his concern that the City needs to have prairie dog receiving sites and must work with the County and other agencies. He agreed that a decision needs to be made, but based on the Urban Wildlife Task Force recommendation, he asked that recommendation No. 3 and 4 be committed. MOTION: Mayer moved that Council implement the recommendations of the Urban Wildlife Task Force and the Open Space Advisory Board modifying No. 2 to work with the County to find a relocation site for the prairie dog colony at Via Appia and that 23