City Council Agenda and Packet 1997 08 05

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Davidson moved that Council approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Levihn. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (5/20/97 6/03/97) APPROVAL OF BILLS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Krista Lippold, 729. West Fir Court, Louisville, Colorado, an environmental scientist with a Masters in Geochemistry, was concerned about the prairie dogs in Louisville. She stated that prairie dogs are down to 2% of their historical population. They are not carriers of Bubonic Plague. The Boulder County Department of Health uses prairie dog .colonies as monitors of the colonies, as an early warning sign of the disease, not a source of the Plague. The fleas are the carriers. This allows them to control the Plague at an early stage. She pointed out that prairie dogs are the key species of the prairie ecosystem. They are a primary food for eagles, hawks, etc. There are at least 163 species of vertebrates that depend on the prairie dog either directly or indirectly. From 1985 1989 with a decline in prairie dog population, the sitings of (inaudible) hawks in this area were down 85 bald eagle sitings were down 70 and redtail hawks were down 55 Not only are they a source of food, but their burrows are homes for many species, including rabbits and mice. She wanted Council; to look at effective control measures such a barriers (bushes, boulders, low fencing). They can also be relocated. She requested a work session to discuss prairie dog' management. She proposed that a prairie dog management plan be put into place by the City. Davidson commented that staff is in the process of developing a prairie dog management plan and they would contact her. COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL COMMENTS ON PERTINENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Sisk had received a call from Tom Flanagan of the Outback Steakhouse complimenting the City on their prompt, friendly cooperation after the unfortunate fire at the Steakhouse. Mayer wanted the City and the Fire Marshall to work with the commercial entities to better educate them as to what to do when a problem comes up, as employees of the Outback had spotted electrical trouble two weeks prior to the fire. Lathrop heard that the Fire Departments response time for the Outback was 14 minutes, which he felt was unusually long. He wanted the City Administrator to look into this. Davidson reminded everyone of the 4th of July picnic at Memory Square Park and fireworks on the link. 2