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CC SR 20170620 05 - Peafowl Census ReportRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/20/2017 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to resume the City's Peafowl Trapping Program for 2017. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Receive and file a final summary report on the 2016 Peafowl Trapping Program; and, (2) Review the 2017 Peafowl Census Report, and direct Staff to resume the humane trapping and relocation of up to 150 peafowl for 2017. FISCAL IMPACT: Resuming the trapping of peafowl for 2017, which will occur after July 15th, has been included in the draft FY17-18 budget under the Code Enforcement program. Amount Budgeted: $136,000 ($37,000 for Peafowl Trapping Program) Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number: 101 -400 -61130 -5101 -.- ORIGINATED BY: Julie Peterson, Code Enforcement Officerj'T- REVIEWED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, Director of Community Development, APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager eu ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. 2017 Peafowl Census Report (page A-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On August 4, 2015, the City Council adopted the Peafowl Management Plan (PMP) which is a City -initiated plan to humanely manage the peafowl population within the City. This is achieved by reducing and maintaining the peafowl population to the levels identified in the 2000 Peafowl Census Report (134 total birds, citywide). The PMP supports the coexistence of peafowl within the semi—rural character of the City by: Encouraging public education and deterrent measures; and, Humanely trapping and relocating up to 150 birds per year in order to maintain the 2000 peafowl population. At that same meeting, in response to the uptick in the City's peafowl population (based on the 2014 census) and the increase and tenor of resident complaints, the City Council 1 directed Staff to begin the trapping of up to 150 peafowl within the following five neighborhoods: Portuguese Bend, Crestridge, Sunnyside Ridge, Grandview, and Vista Grande. The trapping and relocation of peafowl has subsequently occurred annually. 2016 Peafowl Traaaina Proaram On September 14, 2015, the City began implementing its Peafowl Trapping Program. The five City -owned traps, one for each of the five neighborhoods participating in the program, are placed in the enclosed rear yard of a private residence for approximately a two-week period, and afterwards relocated to another property within the same neighborhood. For 2016, trapping occurred between July 2016 and February 2017, until the 150 -bird cap was reached. The table below summarizes and compares the number of birds trapped by neighborhood for both the 2015 and 2016 trapping periods. Peafowl Trapping Summary Count Year Grandview Vista Grande Crestridge Portuguese Bend Sunnyside Ridge Total 2015 24 48 27 27 24 150 2016 1 82 7 8 54 152 Total 25 130 34 35 78 302 The 150 birds trapped during 2016 included 52 males, 82 females, and 18 juveniles (two additional birds were inadvertently trapped in 2016). As stated in the PMP, the birds trapped were collected by the City's vendor (Wildlife Services) within 24 hours and relocated to ranches in the San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. Per the Council -adopted PMP, Staff approved the locations to which the birds were relocated'. 2017 Peafowl Census Report Pursuant to the PMP, each year the City is required to conduct a census survey to assess the current peafowl population trends, and based on past census reports, determine whether trapping should resume. This year's peafowl census survey was conducted between April 2 and April 11, 2017, by Wildlife Services. The census was conducted based on two types of observations. The first was counting roosting peafowl in trees at sunrise, and the second was using a systematic grid pattern during the late afternoon to evening hours. Attached to this report is a detailed description of the census count (Attachment A). It should be noted that there may be an undercount of approximately 10% due to breeding females and limited physical access. This year's census includes the Monaco neighborhood because of the volume of peafowl -related complaints in this area. The table on the next page summarizes the results of the recent census. This information is confidential to protect the privacy of the property owners receiving the relocated birds. 2 2017 Peafowl Census Summary Table Grandview Vista Crestridge Monaco Portuguese Sunnyside Total Grande Bend Ridge 2017 Males 0 25 6 13 31 21 96 2017 0 17 3 9 9 16 54 Females Total 0 42 9 22 40 37 150 2016 4 82 13 n/a 52 57 208 2014 Census 17 71 41 n/a 85 64 278 Difference b/n 2014 and -17 -29 -32 n/a -45 -27 -128 2017 % Difference b/n 2014 and -100% -40% -78% n/a -53% -42 -46% 2017 As depicted above, there has been an overall 46% reduction in the City's peafowl population, compared to the census conducted in 2014. The reduction can be attributed to the trapping that occurred last year. Due to the current peafowl population in the surveyed neighborhoods, the anticipated increases after the mating season, and the concerns expressed by residents in these neighborhoods, Staff recommends that the Council resume trapping for 2017 up to the 150 -bird cap?. If resumed, the humane trapping will begin on July 15th, after the nesting and hatching season has ended, and when chicks are able to function on their own. Similar to the program conducted for 2016, the City will reach out to the community for volunteer properties where the traps can be located. The City will also resume its public outreach and education program, including attending a Rancho Palos Verdes Council of Homeowners' Associations (CHOA) meeting in the near future. Lastly, the trapping services will continue to be provided by the Wildlife Services, who has been extremely cooperative and responsive to the City's needs. The City's contract with Wildlife Services expires on December 31, 2018. It should be noted that the City has received requests from both the Monaco and Mira Vista neighborhoods that trapping occur in these neighborhoods. The City intends to trap in these neighborhoods intermittently during the trapping period to help control the overall peafowl population in the City. 2 The trapping cap cannot be increased unless additional environmental review is conducted, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 3 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: At a past meeting, some City Council members mentioned using a form of avian birth control as an alternative to trapping and managing the peafowl population. The referenced birth control is known in the industry as "OvoControl." According to Wildlife Services, this product is only approved for use in pigeons, and there may be some major issues that would make this product ineffective for peafowl birth control and potentially detrimental to native bird species. In addition to the fact that the pellets are only meant to be consumed by pigeons, the product must be consumed on a daily basis during breeding season, which would be difficult to control. Further, according to the manufacturer, the pellets can only be placed on a flat cement surface. For these reasons, it is not recommended as an alternative to trapping peafowl. CONCLUSION: The success of the 2016 peafowl trapping program and the collection of data for the 2017 peafowl census was largely because of the community participation. Based on the 2017 census count and continued resident concerns in affected neighborhoods, Staff recommends resuming trapping for 2017 up to the 150 -bird cap. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions (or some combination thereof) are available for the City Council's consideration: 1. Identify alternatives to trapping for Staff to research, and for the City Council to consider at a future meeting. 2. Direct Staff to initiate an amendment to the City Council -adopted Negative Declaration in order to increase the 150 -bird trapping cap. 3. Reduce the number of birds to be trapped for 2017 to fewer than 150. 4. Direct Staff not to trap birds for 2017. El RANCHO PALOS VERDES 2017 PEAFOWL CENSUS Provided by Wildlife Services This census took place between April 2 and April 11, 2017. Two types of observations were used. The first was counting roosting peafowl in trees at sunrise. The second was using a systematic grid pattern during the late afternoon to evening hours. Listed below are the total counts for each of the six neighborhoods canvassed. These numbers represent the minimum amount of peafowl inhabiting these neighborhoods. It is possible that there could be an undercount of up to 10%. Reasons for this would be breeding age females already nesting, therefore on the ground in dense vegetation and peafowl occupying deep or gated lots preventing physical access. With that being said I am very confident with the accuracy of this count. GRANDVIEW CRESTRIDGE PORTUGUESE BEND VISTA GRANDE SUNNYSIDE RIDGE MONACO TOTAL COUNT 150 I 9 6 males & 3 females 40 31 males & 9 females 42 25 males & 17 females 37 21 males & 16 females 22 13 males & 9 females A-1 Pg 1 RANCHO PALOS VERDES 2017 PEAFOWL CENSUS Listed below are the dates, times and addresses of each individual sighting. GRANDVIEW 4-2-17 No peafowl seen 4-6-17 No peafowl seen A-2 Overall total (zero) CRESTRIDGE 4-2-17 6:25 am one male 5205 Middlecrest Rd 6:30 am two males & three females 5202 Middlecrest Rd 6:35 am one male 5414 Middlecrest Rd Total 4 males & 3 females 4-3-17 5:46 pm one male 5230 Middlecrest Rd 6:00 pm one male 28868 Crestridge Rd 6:01 pm one male 28916 Crestridge Rd 6:10 pm one male 5350 Middlecrest Rd 6:11 pm one female 5202 Middlecrest Rd 6:12 pm two males & one female 5201 Middlecrest Rd A-2 Total 6 males & 2 females Overall total 6 males & 3 females PORTUGUESE BEND 4-6-17 6:05 am two males 3 Pomegranate 6:07 am one male 2 Cinnamon 6:18 am one male 5 Thyme Rd 6:20 am one female 9 Cinnamon 6:31 am one male 28 Narcissa 6:40 am one male 76 Narcissa 6:41 am two females 78 Narcissa Dr 6:44 am three males & four females 80 Narcissa Dr 6:45 am one male 72 Narcissa Dr 6:56 am three males & two females 34 Sweetbay 6:59 am one male 30 Sweetbay 6:59 am two males 29 Sweetbay 7:00 am one male 15 Sweetbay 7:01 am one male 12 Sweetbay 7:02 am one male 6 Sweetbay 7:05 am two males 10 Peppertree 7:06am two males 7 Peppertree A-3 7:08am one male 11 Tangerine 7:09am one male 56 Limetree 7:11am two males 3 Limetree 7:12am one male 5 Limetree 7:17am one male 13 Limetree 7:17am one male 5 Peppertree 7:19am one male 42 Peppertree Total 31 males & 9 females 4-7-17 5:06 pm one male 10 Peppertree Dr 5:09 pm one male 3 Pomegranate Ln 5:16 pm two males & one female 21 Kumquat Ln 5:18 pm one male 26 Fraser Ln 5:20 pm one male 12 Cherryhill 5:23 pm one female 49 Cherryhill 5:23 pm one male 14 Limetree 5:26 pm three males 8 Tangerine 5:33 pm one male 42 Peppertree 5:36 pm one male 6 Sweetbay 5:38 pm one male 15 Sweetbay 5:40 pm one male 26 Sweetbay 5:42 pm one male & one female 34 Sweetbay MI, 5:45 pm one male & one female 72 Narcissa 5:47 pm one male 82 Narcissa 5:48 pm one male & two females 84 Narcissa 5:50 pm one male 83 Narcissa 5:51 pm one female 57 Narcissa 5:55 pm one male & one female 2 Cinnamon 5:56 pm one male 20 Clovertree 5:57 pm one male 16 Taylor 6:01 pm one male 33 Narcissa 6:11 pm three males 5 Figtree Totals 26 males & 8 females Overall total 31 males & 9 females VISTA GRANDE 4-4-17 6:13 pm two males 28104 Lomo Dr 6:34 pm one male 27907 Monero 6:36 pm one male 6940 Beechfield 6:40 pm one male 7028 Golden Meadow 6:40 pm one male 7011 Brookford 6:41 pm one male 7003 Brookford 6:41 pm one male & one female 7002 Brookford 6:42 pm one female 6947 Brookford 6:42 pm one male 6948 Brookford A-5 4-8-17 6:43 pm one male & one female 6942 Brookford 6:43 pm one male 6935 Brookford 6:44 pm one female 6928 Brookford 6:45 pm one male 28206 Ambergate 6:46 pm one male 6902 Larkvale 6:47 pm one male 28255 Trailriders 6:51 pm two males 28310 Trailriders 6:52 pm one male & one female 6910 Hedgewood 6:52 pm one male 6923 Hedgewood 6:52 pm one male 7003 Hedgewood 6:54 pm one male 6931 Hartcrest Total 20 males & 5 females 6:25 am one female 28070 Ella 6:35 am one male 28017 San Nicolas 6:38 am three males & two females 28111 Birchman 6:47 am two males & one female 28413 Hazelridge 6:50 am one male 28027 Hazelridge 6:53 am three males & two females 28304 Eddinghill 6:58 am one male 28327 Rothrock 7:00 am one male 6902 Hedgewood 7:00 am two males & five females 28310 Trailriders 7:05 am two males & one female 6902 Larkvale WO 7:09 am one male & one female 6924 Hedgewood 7:10 am one male & one female 6903 Hedgewood 7:25 am one female 7008 Willowtree 7:30 am one male 6930 Larkvale 7:32 am one male 28222 Trailriders 7:34 am two male & one female 28304 Brookford 7:35 am two males 6942 Brookford 7:40 am one male & one female 28017 Maycroft Total 25 males & 17 females one male OVERALL TOTAL 25 MALES & 17 FEMALES Sunnyside Ridge 4-9-17 6:13 am one male & one female 28029 PVDE 6:15 am three females 2 Headland 6:18 am one male 7 Headland 6:24 am one males & one female 38 Headland 6:25 am one male 90 Headland 6:27 am one male 96 Headland 6:30 am one male 98 Headland 6:35 am one male 567 Bronco 7:21 am one male 2541 Sunnyside Rdg A-7 7:25 am one male 7:28 am one male & one female 7:28 am two males 7:29 am seven male & 5 females 7:40 am two males Total 21 males & 11 females 4-6-17 6:55 pm two females 6:57 pm two males 6:58 pm three males & two females 7:05 pm three males & eight females 7:09 pm one male 7:15 pm eight males & four females 7:16 pm two males & two females Totals 19 males & 16 females OVERALL TOTAL 21 MALES & 16 FEMALES Monaco 4-10-17 5:25 PM one male 5:37 PM one male 5:38 PM four males 5:44 PM one male 2256 Sunnyside Rdg 28048 Stonegate 28048 Stonegate 28056 Stonegate 28345 PVDE 28345 PVDE 26 Headland Dr 2 Headland Dr 2615 Sunnyside Rdg 2256 Sunnyside Rdg 28000 Stonegate 28010 Stonegate 30143 Cartier 30832 Cartier 30919 Cartier 31143 Marne • 4-11-17 6:08 PM one male 6:14 PM two females 6:18 PM five males & two females Total 13 males & 4 females 6:20 am one male 6:20 am one female 6:35 am two males & three females 6:37 am one female 6:40 am one male 6:42 am four males & four females Total eight males & nine females OVERALL TOTAL 13 MALES & 9 FEMALES GRANDVIEW 0 30412 Rhone 30908 Cartier 31029 Marne 30131 Cartier 30317 Rhone 30422Cartier 6612 Laurtec 30750 Cartier 30823 Cartier CRESTRIDGE 9 6 males & 3 females PORTUGUESE BEND 40 31 males & 9 females VISTA GRANDE 42 25 males & 17 females SUNNYSIDE RIDGE 37 21 males & 16 females Monaco 22 13 males & 9 females TOTAL COUNT 150 Me A-10