Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2007-074 Sponsored by: Oates - CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007-074 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY PROGRAM TO HELP PREVENT NEGATIVE BEAR ENCOUNTERS WHEREAS, many negative humanlbear encounters occur in residential areas where food sources are unwittingly provided by people that lure bears into neighborhoods and downtown Seward; and WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska State Troopers, federal agencies and the Seward Police Department all respond to calls concerning negative humanlbear encounters; and WHEREAS, bears that discover food sources in residential areas tend to return to those food sources that are easily accessible and this increases the likelihood of negative humanlbear encounters; and - WHEREAS, the Wildlife Conservation Community Program (WCCP) began as a pilot project initiated within the City of Kenai where partnerships were forged between government agencies, nonprofits, businesses and local community members to provide financial assistance to purchase bear-resistant garbage containers; and WHEREAS, as a direct result of these efforts, the volume of nuisance bear calls significantly decreased, which led to a safer neighborhood for both people and wildlife, better public stewardship of wildlife resources and less agency time spent dealing with nuisance wildlife; and WHEREAS, the local volunteer group Seward Wildlife Conservation Community Program (WCCP) has been awarded $145,150.00 in grant funds; and WHEREAS, through the efforts of the Seward WCCP the funds will make available to the residents of the City of Seward and the surrounding area bear-resistant garbage containers, that retail for approximately $200 at a reduced cost of $50; and WHEREAS, using these containers helps keep bears and other wildlife from gaining access to easy food sources thereby reducing the population of bears in residential communities; and - WHEREAS, the Seward City Code supports the design and usage of containers that prevent their upsetting or spillage by wind, weather, animals or accident; and City of Seward, Alaska Resolution 2007-074 WHEREAS, Alaska Waste Company supports the Wildlife Conservation Community Program and is currently in the process of retrofitting the Seward area trucks to allow pickup of the new bear safe containers; and I 1 lIIIIIII WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopted Resolution 2007- 031 which supports the efforts of the Wildlife Community Conservation Program and encourages borough residents to participate in that program; and WHEREAS, it is important that information about this program be made available to the public and that the public be encouraged to participate in this program throughout the City of Seward and the Borough. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The City Council supports the efforts of the Wildlife Community Conservation Program and encourages Borough and City residents to participate in the program to minimize negative human/bear encounters in our community. Section 2. The City Council supports the enforcement efforts of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska State Troopers, federal agencies, the Seward Police Department and the Seward City Code in dealing with nuisance bears and wildlife and ... their associated problems. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, THIS 23rd DAY OF July 2007. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA 1tG/;e- AJv~4~ I Vanta Shafer, Mayor AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Dunham, Valdatta, Bardarson, Thomas, Schafer, Amberg, Shafer None None None \,'1111"", ~..' ... '" ". ,\9 '. I" ';r !. r~') ... .,~ (,.. <" ." . "" ""'.' ~~ ,,"' ,.'~. '" ....<.~.. '--..<'.. '- .. ,.;. ,.' " -'C'.:" 0,",; ~ ~ V," Cpr ,~.;.,()-:, j' l~~~) '<ii\ ~ :: ....: ~E f., T ~ :: ...., 'JoO'. ~ $..!LL...f ,. 0 IaIII :: \.t ' ;: ..:" . . ~ ., . . ... 't!I . ~ ~ ~ ~ 'J) .".lI. ,t'f....,. - ,.. "", ',,-'. ',."YI: 1 ,\~.., ,-3: ~ ..... "'Y..).,tt.. -a...:",.- _. c""". ,11:-- <",j c:.... \ ~~...~.. e~4 UF ;-.,~, ~+ '.""p ..\J,,\t ... Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: July 23, 2007 Through: Phillip Oates, City Manager From: Donna Glenz, Planning Assistant Agenda Item: Supporting the Wildlife Conservation Community Program to help prevent negative bear encounters BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: Here in Alaska we live, work and play in bear country. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska State Troopers, federal agencies and the Seward Police Department have all been called upon to respond to negative human / wildlife encounters, both within the City and neighboring Borough areas. Many of these interactions occur in residential areas. The Wildlife Conservation Community Program (WCCP) began as a pilot project initiated within the City of Kenai where partnerships were forged between government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and local community members to provide financial assistance to purchase bear-resistant garbage containers. As a direct result of these efforts, the volume of nuisance bear calls significantly decreased, which led to a safer neighborhood for both people and wildlife, better public stewardship of wildlife resources and less agency time spent dealing with nuisance wildlife. Through the efforts of the local volunteer group Seward Wildlife Conservation Community Program (WCCP) has been awarded $145,150.00 in grant funds. These grant funds are being used to purchase bear resistant garbage containers which will be made available to the residents of Seward and the local area at a substantially reduced cost. The containers, which retail for approximately $200.00 will be made available to city and borough residents for a reduced cost of $50.00. Contact with the Kenai Peninsula Alaska Waste office has assured the City that the Seward based trash pickup trucks are in the process of being retrofitted to allow pickup of these bear resistant garbage containers. Alaska Waste continues to support the partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to help limit the occurrences of bears in trash. The Seward City Code supports the design and usage of containers that prevent their upsetting or spillage by wind, weather, animals or accident. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopted Resolution 2007-031 at the May 1, 2007 meeting, which supports the efforts of the Wildlife Community Conservation Program and encourages borough residents to participate in the program. Numerous community letters of support for the program have been submitted. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures. FISCAL NOTE: Approved by Finance Department: ________________________ RECOMMENDATION: City Council approve Resolution 2007- , supporting the Wildlife Conservation Community Program and encourages Borough and City residents to participate in the program to minimize negative human/bear encounters in our community.