TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Rachel Johnson, Police Chief
George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Six Month Review and Update on the City’s Current Coyote Management Approach and Consideration of Draft Coyote Management and Response Plan (City Manager Moe).
(Estimated Time: 45 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Line
_________________________________________________________
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the City’s current coyote management approach. Amongst the options available for City Council consideration are:
1. Direct staff to maintain the status quo option detailed below and adopt the Coyote Management and Response Plan as presented; or
2. Direct staff to adjust the City’s approach to coyote management including further exploration of a trapping program and return to the City Council with a revised Coyote Management and Response Plan with further California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis conducted.
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action. However, should City Council direct staff to adjust the City’s approach to include trapping an appropriation at a future City Council meeting may be required to fund a CEQA analysis ($30,000-$50,000) and trapping services (amount varies depending on desired frequency of traps).
BACKGROUND:
At the June 21, 2022, meeting, City Council agendized a future discussion and report on coyote management. In response to this request, staff undertook a variety of actions:
• Held an internal meeting with representatives from the Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Public Information, Legal and Public Works to discuss current and future strategies on coyote management;
• Assigned a staff representative to coordinate the City’s response to coyotes;
• Issued a press release and began a social media campaign on all platforms to educate the public on safeguards to protect pets against coyotes;
• Hosted a regional meeting with a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss how interactions between humans and coyotes can be minimized (Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach animal control were in attendance);
• Conducted a patrol of hot-spot areas in the City with the representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine where coyotes could be currently located or prone to dwell in the City;
• Reached out to the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, City of Torrance, City of Rancho Palos Verdes and City of Arcadia to obtain information on coyote management;
• Developed and disseminated handouts with public information related to coyote management best practices;
• Compiled data on confirmed and unconfirmed coyote sightings or attacks including data from 2016 - present;
• Implemented public engagement efforts concerning coyotes through the creation of a City webpage, printed handouts, public service announcements, and social media messaging. Additionally, City Staff went door to door to distribute handouts with coyote information to homes in affected areas;
• Created a GIS a map with locations where coyote sightings and confirmed/unconfirmed predation had taken place; and
• Created a GoReach category to allow the community to report sightings on the City’s GoReach app.
Following these efforts, City Council discussed the matter at the July 5, 2022 City Council meeting where Council directed staff to investigate and inventory the coyote population and to provide a report with findings. After obtaining and evaluating several proposals from consultants to provide a report, staff chose Humane Wildlife Control Incorporated. Their report summarizing coyote activity and recommendations is attached to the staff report.
At the September 6, 2022, meeting, City Council received the report from Humane Wildlife Control and directed staff to return with a draft coyote management policy and following a six month period, return to the City Council with updated data. Additionally, City Council provided direction to have staff research allowable options for residents to protect themselves from coyotes if one is located on their property.
DISCUSSION:
Following City Council direction at the September 6, 2022, meeting staff continued to proceed with coyote management efforts internally and externally. Below is a summary of those various efforts.
Data and Mapping
As indicated earlier, staff began tracking data and the locations of observations to better understand the level of coyote activity occurring in the City. As such, monthly data from 2022 and yearly data (dating back to 2016) is summarized in the attachment to the report. In summary, total coyote observations increased from 30 in 2021 to 70 in 2022. While this represents a large increase compared to years prior, it is unclear whether this is a result of an increased presence of coyotes or a result of the City’s outreach efforts resulting in more reports to the Animal Control division. Additionally, the City’s GIS Analyst continues to track observations at locations reported in the City’s jurisdiction. In reviewing the map attached, a majority of observations and unconfirmed predations occur primarily in the eastern portion of the City (East of Sepulveda Boulevard).
Case Specific Outreach/Enforcement Actions
When the City last experienced an increase (and subsequent decrease) in coyote observations in 2017-2018, the Animal Control Division conducted directed outreach to the Manhattan Village Senior Villas. In the City’s review period (September 2022 - January 2022), the City’s Animal Control division conducted similar outreach. In December 2022, morning security checks in the area were increased to assist in hazing out transient coyotes from the north.
Additionally, a code enforcement case for overgrown vegetation was opened. Significant evidence suggested an animal (potentially a coyote) was living in the rear yard. Thereafter, an Animal Control Officer and Code Enforcement Officer up inspected the property and found the vegetation to be substantially trimmed as a result,by property owner.
Community and Staff Education
As discussed in the background section of the report, staff developed and disseminated handouts with public information related to coyote management best practices. In recent months, the City has distributed a total of 1,400 materials (i.e. handouts and door hangers) to residents and dog walkers in areas with coyote sightings. Outreach was also conducted at events in the City such as Coffee with the Cop, Hometown Fair and local Boy/Girl scout meetings.
Internally, in September 2022, MBPD Animal Control hosted a regional coyote management training day, and had 33 animal control officers from the South Bay in attendance. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife sent two representatives, and requested Ms. Rebecca Dmytryk from Humane Wildlife Control present her recommendations and local findings.
Mitigation Efforts Conducted by the City
In response to recommendations made by Human Wildlife Control in their report which identified overflowing trash receptacles that could attract coyotes, the Public Works Department reinstalled lids on trash cans in public areas that were removed during COVID to mitigate excess trash from takeout containers. Public Works staff did consider installing animal proof trash cans in public areas but found the cost to be exorbitant as the estimated cost was $100,000.
Coyote Management and Response Plan
In 2016, the MBPD Animal Control division had drafted an unofficial Coyote Management Plan that was utilized as a tool to address coyotes in the City. However, this Coyote Management Plan had not been reviewed or approved by the City Council. Following City Council direction, staff reviewed coyote management plans approved by the City of Torrance, City of Huntington Beach, City of Rancho Palos Verdes and City of Arcadia. Taking those various plans into consideration, staff drafted a revised Coyote Management and Response Plan. The Plan is attached and is comprised of a four pronged strategy detailed below. The Plan states:
“The strategy for managing coyotes is based on balancing respect and protection of wildlife and habitat without compromising public safety. It shall be effected through a four-pronged approach:
1. ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY - Provide a safe environment for the public by limiting interactions with aggressive coyotes.
2. ENHANCED COYOTE DETERRENCE EFFORTS - The goal of education is to decrease coyote attractants, increase pet safety, and reshape coyote behavior. Hazing methods, Wildlife Watch, and housekeeping can alter coyote behavior.
3. PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION - Education and coyote deterrents designed around co-existence. Communication with the community. Receiving and giving feedback among the community is essential for implementing the Coyote Management Plan.
4. ACTIVE MONITORING AND DATA COLLECTION - Tracking coyote observations that include: confirmed coyote predations, unconfirmed coyote predations and coyote sightings.”
Policy Options for City Council Consideration
In prior discussions, the City Council received feedback regarding options for addressing coyotes. In consideration of data and efforts the City has made, staff has analyzed options (with sub options) based on practices of other cities. The options are as follows:
1) Status Quo - Continue to conduct community outreach and case specific actions to mitigate coyote interactions and reduce attractants (i.e. trash and brush). Should a coyote attack occur on a human, the City will contact California Department and Fish and Wildlife to consider removing the aggressive coyote. If the Council is comfortable with the status quo, staff recommends adopting the attached management plan.
2) Adjust the City’s approach. If Council wants to refine the status quo, the Council may consider directing staff to further explore:
a. Selective Trapping Program - The City would contract with a trapper on as needed basis based on repeated pet attacks or areas where frequent coyote sightings are occurring. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes utilizes this approach. Costs vary depending on the frequency of services however estimated costs are approximately $300 per day of trapping services.
b. Seasonal Trapping Program - The City would contract with a trapper on a seasonal basis (i.e. October- March). The City of Torrance utilized this approach from 2019 - 2021. Costs vary depending on the trapping contractor but estimated costs are approximately $30,000 to implement the program.
c. Yearlong Trapping Program - The City would contract with a trapper on an annual basis (January - December). The City of Torrance currently utilizes this approach. Costs vary depending on the trapping contractor but Torrance allocated about $40,000 to implement the program.
It should be noted that if the City Council directs staff to bring back a revised management plan, including contracting with a trapping service, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act is necessary. Additional costs to contract with a CEQA consultant may range from $30,000 - $50,000.
Additionally, another consideration toward a trapping program are relevant state regulations. Most notably:
• “Government Code § 465.5 (g)(1). Immediate Dispatch or Release. All furbearing and nongame mammals that are legal to trap must be immediately killed or released….Relocation of trapped wildlife is prohibited.”
• “Government Code §465.5 (g)(2). Trap Visitation Requirement. All traps shall be visited at least once daily by the owner of the traps or his/her designee. Each time traps are checked all trapped animals shall be removed.”
• “Government Code §465.5 (g)(3). Trap Placement Requirement. Traps may not be set within 150 yards of any structure used as a permanent or temporary residence, unless such traps are set by a person controlling such property or by a person who has and is carrying with him written consent of the landowner to so place the trap or traps.”
Given the above state regulations, it may limit the locations and techniques the City could utilize toward a trapping program.
An individual property owner in the City of Manhattan Beach may trap at their own behest as well so long as the property owner follows all relevant state and local laws mentioned above.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the City’s current coyote management approach. Amongst the options available for City Council consideration are:
1. Direct staff to maintain the status quo option detailed above and adopt the Coyote Management and Response Plan as attached to the report; or
2. Direct staff to adjust the City’s approach to coyote management including further exploration of a trapping program and return to the City Council with a revised Coyote Management and Response Plan with further California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis conducted.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff has reviewed the draft Coyote Management Plan for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that project qualifies for an exemption pursuant to:
1. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the common sense exemption (formerly the “general rule”) that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question can have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The draft Coyote Management Plan, as proposed, is limited to public outreach and education, and active monitoring and data collection to ensure public safety; therefore, there is no possibility that these activities can have a significant effect on the environment; and
2. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment, which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. As the “environment” may include natural and manmade conditions pursuant to CEQA Section 15360, the City’s use of police power to protect the public health, safety and welfare of their residents and domesticated animals (the “environment” in this case) qualifies as a regulatory action for protection of the environment.
Furthermore, there are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt classes; therefore, there are no unusual circumstances. Should the City Council direct staff to revise the Plan to include “trapping”, further CEQA review is required.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Coyote Management and Response Plan
2. Coyote Observations Data
3. Coyote Observations Map
4. Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey: Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. (August 5, 2022)
5. PowerPoint Presentation