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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
City Council Interoffice Communication
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Barbara Delgleize, City Council Member
Date: May 26, 2015
Subject: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEM FOR THE JUNE 1, 2015, CITY
COUNCIL MEETING — FEEDING OF WILDLIFE IN CITY PARKS
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
A recent article discussing the issue of the overfeeding of waterfowl in city parks has
brought attention to the need to clarify the current "no feeding" ordinance. State law
clearly articulates that the feeding of wildlife is prohibited, however, City municipal
codes are not as clearly stated or easy to understand by the general public.
Current state law reads: "No person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame
bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, 'harass' is
defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns, which
includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. This section does not
apply to a landowner or tenant who drives or herds birds or mammals for the purpose of
preventing damage to private or public property, including aquaculture and agriculture
crops."
The current City of Huntington Beach ordinance is not as clear, and reads: "No person
shall trap, kill, injure, catch or maltreat any wild or domesticated bird or animal..." The
City includes the feeding of any wild animal, including waterfowl, in their definition of
maltreatment, yet the current ordinance does not clearly articulate the prohibition of
feeding of wildlife.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct the City Attorney to review existing municipal code language prohibiting the
maltreatment of wildlife, craft language that clearly states that the feeding of wildlife is
prohibited, and bring this language back to City Council for adoption as an amendment
to the current municipal code.
xc: Fred Wilson, City Manager
Ken Domer, Assistant City Manager
Joan Flynn, City Clerk
Michael Gates, City Attorney
Janeen Laudenback, Director of Community Services
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5/28/2015
Prirrt Request
Request: 22326 Entered on: 05/27/2015 9:20 PM
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Name: pat quintana
Address:
Huntington Beach, CA
92648
Phone: (415) 218-5187
Alt. Phone:
Email: pacj_03@yahoo.com
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Topic: City Council - Agenda & Public Request type: Question
Hearing Comments
Status: Closed Priority: Normal
Assigned to: Agenda Alerts Entered Via: Web
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Please consider offering classes at elementary schools on ill effects of feeding wildlife. Children can
influence their parents and their friends on why feeding wildlife causes harm to the animals.
The City Council appreciates your concern. We would suggest that you send your idea to the various
school districts in Huntington Beach as the City nor the City Council has jurisdiction over the school
districts.
Again, thank you for sending this suggestion to the City Council
Date Expect Closed: 05/28/2015
Date Closed: 05/28/2015 08:19 AM By: Johanna Dombo
Notes:
Notes Taken By:
Enter Field Notes Below
Date:
Follow-up Information
41: 05/28/2015 2:10 PM - Message sent to customer by Johanna Dombo
http:0user.govoutreach.com/surfcity/priritrequest.php?curid=2203419&type=0 11�