HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Member Item for the June 2, 2014 - City Counci �: i( ( >1 c,�,��=�
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
e � Cit Council Interoffice Communication y
To: Honorable Mayor Pro Tern and City Council Members
From: Matthew Harper, Mayor ( ` V
Date: May 27, 2014
Subject: City Council Member Item for the June 2, 2014, City Council
Meeting— Repeal of HBMC Chapter 7.14, Prohibition Against
Performances of Wild or Exotic Animals
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
From time to time, the Huntington Beach City Council has passed ordinances that may
have seemed like a good idea to Council Members at the time, but may have become
outdated or may have never been enforced. Other obsolete ordinances may have
preceded the adoption of California State Codes. Some obsolete ordinances have been
on the books for decades and others may have been around for a much shorter time.
My intention is to repeal obsolete ordinances from the Huntington Beach Municipal
Code.
I would like for the Huntington Beach City Council to consider the repeal of Chapter 7.14
of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, the Prohibition Against Performances of Wild
or Exotic Animals.
The ordinance was passed in 2002 by Council Members articulating that they were
personally against traditional circus animal performances. The ordinance has the
unintended consequence of prohibiting exotic or wild animals in connection with the
some cultural and social occasions, such as weddings. In 2014, Huntington Beach
appears to lack a venue large enough for a major circus with traditional circus animal
performances, rendering'this ordinance obsolete.
I would like to ask Staff and Councilmembers if there is any objection to the repeal of
this ordinance and for the Huntington Beach City Council to consider its repeal.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct the City Attorney to draft and submit an Ordinance to repeal section 7.14 of the
Municipal code for introduction at the next City Council meeting of June 16, 2014
4)1-5 �d Y,
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline[noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2014 10:46 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18435 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Comment
Request area: City Council - Agenda& Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name: Donald Covington
Description: Congratulations on your careful examination of the City of Huntington Beach's exotic
animal regulations. We strongly favor the city's allowing licensed and trained
professionals to exhibit animals in the city. Please vote YES to amend current
regulations to permit your citizens to appreciate the wonder and diversity of the animal
kingdom.
Expected Close Date: June 2, 2014.
Click here to access the request
Note: This message is for notification purposes only. Please do not reply to this email. Email replies are not
monitored and will be ignored.
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date:
Agenda Item No.�
SUPPLEMENT
COMMUNICATION
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ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
June 2, 2014
The Honorable Matthew'Harper
City Council Members
City,of Huntington Beach:
noo Main.Street.
Huntington Beach. CA 92648
Re:-Proposed Repeal of HBMC Chapter 7'14,Prohibition Against Performances'of
Wild.or Exotk Animals
Dear Mayor Harper.and Council Members:
Feld Entertaiiim nf. Inc. ("Feld"), is :the world's leading producer of ::live family
entertainment;spectaculars.Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey'`Circus, Disney On Ice,I)isiaey,
Lime! and Feld Motor Sports®(FMS.).events..Wefare aware that the. City:Council is considering a '
proposal to repeal HB.MC Chapter 7.14, to once again allow for.exotic. animal displays and
exhibits,and'we would like to submit these comments on the subject for the record. .
We strongly support, the adoption of reasonable and effective regulatory measures .for 3
purposes of ensuring the welfare of all animals..However, the outright ban on.performances with
exotic animals adopted byahe City of Huntington Beach,several years ago is unnecessarily and
unreasonably restrictive and has in fact prevented lawful,, federally regulated exhibitors from
being able to conduct business in the city. We support measures by the City. Council to repeal. 1
these restrictions and once again allow for the exhibition .of exotic animals. We do; however, . t
take exception with the 'notion that circuses 'are, somehow more.inhumane than.other':exotic
animal exhibitions, and we would' like to provide-you with information regarding existing laws.
and regulations affecting all exhibitors.in..the country.
:A 11.circuses and other,traveling exhibitors,With animal's are.required:to be licensed by the
United States Department of Agriculture. (USDA) and are open to regular. unannounced
inspections by USDA. USDA frequently inspects licensed exhibitors, including.Ringling Bros.,
to ensure they:at all tunes comply with the requirements.of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the 1
same law that`governs zoos.. The Animal .Welfare Act sets'standards of care for animals in
exhibition=whether:in zoos, circuses; entertainment.,or other means—and authorizes USDA:to
enforce their.Moreover, the.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(FWS) oversees compliance with:'the
Endangered.Species Act, the,:federal law pertaining to endangered and:threatened species.
i
Execu€ive Offices:*8607'Westwood.Center Drive *_'Vienna,;Virginia 22L82 r(.703)448.4c,00:*Fax(703)448 4:100:+feldmterrainrrient.com.
City of,Huntington Beach
June 2, 2104
Page 2 of 2
In addition to federal regulation, circuses and other animal exhibitors are subject to state
and local laws governing the care and well being of animals. In fact, the State of California has.
extensive laws and regulations in place with which anyone keeping or bringing exotic animals
into the state must comply. Ringling Bros. and others.who.possess and care for species such as
tigers and elephants must obtain aruival permits from. the California Department of Fish and
Game. The. agency has extensive animal cruelty statutes in-place, protecting the welfare of all
animals, including elephants and other exotic species.
Similarly, there are existing laws and requirements regarding animal welfare at the local
level that must be.complied with and are often enforced through inspections. For instance, during,
most of our engagements in California, Ringling Bros. and other animal exhibitors, are subject
to the jurisdiction and _authority of the relevant municipal and/or county animal control authority
and authorized humane associations.
Much of the attention from animal rights groups like PETA is focused on the welfare of
elephants in exhibition. Ringling Bros. elephant management practices are accepted by USDA
and are consistent with those outlined in the Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide,which was
published bythe International Elephant Foundation and endorsed by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums and the Elephant Managers Association. This book reflects the recognized, state-of-
the-art, industry standards for the safe and humane care and management of elephants.
3
Like those in other traveling exhibits; the animals that perform with Ringling Bros. are
highly trained,:and we make no apologies for that. In'fact, we are very proud of that fact and of i
our outstanding safety record when it comes•to working with animals. Responsible management
of-any animal involves maintaining proper control over the animal in.order to ensure its safety,.
as well,as that of others. It is a responsibility we take very seriously.
For millions of families, the opportunity to see elephants, tigers and other animals up
close in a performance setting is a unique and treasured experience. It is well-established that the
opportunity to experience animals up close in zoos; circuses, and other exhibitions is a crucial
aspect of conservation education-and significantly contributes to the public's awareness of and
interest in preserving these magnificent animals. We hope,the City Council will accept Mayor
Harper-s proposal to once again allow exotic animal exhibits in Huntington Beach.
l
I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information regarding animals in the t
circus and,the existing state and federal laws governing all exhibitors of exotic animals. Please €
feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I can be contacted at (703) 749=5547.
1
Sincerely;
n
Thomas.L. Albert
i
Vice President—Government.Relations
E
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline [noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 7:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18536 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Comment
Request area: City Council - Agenda & Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name:
Description: Please uphold the ban on using exotic animals for amusement and entertainment. The
public would not enjoy this if they were aware of the cruel conditions, chaining,
punishing, crowding and confinement of these animals. This practice denies them their
birthright to be free and live a natural life.
Expected Close Date: June 12, 2014
Click here to access the request
Note: This message is for notification purposes only. Please do not reply to this email. Email replies are not
monitored and will be ignored.
1
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline'[noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 6:44 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18527 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Compliment
Request area: City Council - Agenda& Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name: Laurie Brayman
Description: If this ordinance were to be repealed, it could open the door to elephant rides and other
exploitation of exotic animals. The motion presented by Mayor Matthew Harper stated:
"The ordinance was passed in 2002 by Council Members articulating that they were
personally against traditional circus animal performances. The ordinance has the
unintended consequence of prohibiting exotic or wild animals in connection with the
some cultural and social occasions, such as weddings."
I do not believe that prohibiting the use of an exotic animal for "cultural or social
occasions, such as weddings" (an obvious reference to elephants) was an unintended
consequence. Stopping all exploitation of exotic animals was the point of the ordinance,
which specifically prohibits the "performance of any wild and exotic animal for public
entertainment, amusement or benefit."
Thank you all who voted to protect wild animals &human safety. And may all of you
vote to do so this time around.
Expected Close Date: June 12, 2014
Click here to access the request
Note: This message is for notification purposes only. Please do not reply to this email. Email replies are not
monitored and will be ignored.
i
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline [noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 6:45 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18528 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Comment
Request area: City Council - Agenda& Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name: Laurie Brayman
Description: No on wild animals for the safety of animals & humans
Expected Close Date: June 12, 2014
Click here to access the request
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1
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline [noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:32 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18555 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Comment
Request area: City Council - Agenda& Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name: Barbara Bronte-Bernal
Description: Your ordinance banning the use of wild and exotic animals as objects of entertainment
has been crucial in protecting these beautiful creatures from abuse at our hands. You are
cutting edge for creating that ordinance in the first place, do not undo it now. You
deserve to go down in history as the upholder of`Kindness to Animals'. Don't cave in to
those who put commerce ahead of compassion.
Expected Close Date: June 13, 2014
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monitored and will be ignored.
1
Esparza, Patty
From: Surf City Pipeline [noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 7:59 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; Agenda Alerts
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: Comment on an Agenda Item (notification)
Request# 18588 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to Agenda Alerts.
Request type: Comment
Request area: City Council - Agenda& Public Hearing Comments
Citizen name: Peter Zwick
Description: Although I do not reside in your city I wish to express my concern about allowing
"wild" animals to be used for social occasions. If you think about it you will realize that
in order to "tame" a wild animal like an Elephant so that it can be used for entertainment
it must be "broken," which means abused. There is not way to "reward" a wild animal to
perform or be trusted with people. Please consider this when you vote on this issue.
Expected Close Date: June 15, 2014
Click here to access the request
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monitored and will be ignored.
i
Esparza, Patty
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 1:41 PM
To: Agenda Alerts; Boardman, Connie; Carchio, Joe; Hardy, Jill; Harper, Matthew; Katapodis, Jim;
Shaw, Joe; Sullivan, Dave
Subject: FW: Surf City Pipeline: You have been assigned a new Request#: 18549
From: Surf City Pipeline [maiIto:noreply@user.govoutreach.com]
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 1:28 PM
To: Fikes, Cathy
Subject: Surf City Pipeline: You have been assigned a new Request #: 18549
Request# 18549 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to you by Melissa Lagergren.
Request type: Question
Request area: City Council - Share a Concern
Citizen name: Karin Libbee
Description: Please reconsider this ban. The only reasons that elephants perform is that they are beat
into submission their entire lives. It is vividly demonstrates in Lily Tomlin's narration of
"an Apology to the Elephants" This is available on net flicks, HBO documentaries.
Please for all animals held in captivity please vote for this ban.
Karin Libbee
Sacramento, CA
Expected Close Date: June 22, 2014
Click here to access the request
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monitored and will be ignored.
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