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106-E Geese Problem Item No.9CC 10/16/12 Item No. 9 From: Karen B. Guerin To: Kirsten Squarcia; Subject: FW: Geese Problem Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:20:50 PM From: Melody Grandell [mailto:mgrandell@interorealestate.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:18 PM To: Rod Sinks Subject: Geese Problem Hi Rod, Thank you for the reminders about the council meeting tonight. Since I will be watching the presidential debate, I'm not certain I will be in attendance. I wanted to let you know that I visited Memorial Park this afternoon to assess the situation. Needless to say, I saw very little Evidence of the massive amounts of goose feces supposedly troubling the community. I do believe that the geese are a wonderful addition to the park and add to its beauty. I also am of the opinion that it's wrong to mess with nature, and that the best alternative would be to hire someone or several people to spray the walkways on a regular basis. Alternatively, installing automatic sprinklers that spray the areas regularly might be considered. As I said, the walkways were easy to navigate, and I did not step in or see any fresh feces. It is much more disturbing to me when I seE! parents who allow their children to chase the birds/ducks/geese, and I believe some kind of signage to discourage that would be beneficial. As I mentioned before, keeping children in their designated play areas is a good option for parents who are concerned about their children's potential for stepping in goose feces. Children need to learn how to exist with nature and disrupting nature does not seem to focus on that aspect of children's growth. There are a number of studies that have shown that children exposed to germs have a stronger immune system. http://www.nattire.com/news/early-exposure-to- CC Item No. 9 GA S cofay 10/16/2012 RESIDENT CANADA GEESE STRATEGY FOR CUPERTINO Elements of Effective Goose Strategy • Understand Canada Geese behavior in Cupertino - Why and When • Reduce attraction for geese in areas of highest community conflict • Research/Benchmark possible measures - Issue is not unique to Cupertino • Determine most effective measures - Budget and community sentiment • Implement Nuisance Mitigation Program • Monitoring and adjustment of Program 1 CC Item No. 9 10/16/2012 Canada Geese are in Cupertino due to the environment. • Closely cut turf • Bodies of water • Open areas to see predators • Few predators • Handouts of food Canada Geese in Cupertino (eight day snapshot @ 10am) Memorial 112 144 127 0 64 127 221 91 Park / QCC Wilson Park 0 0 14 0 0 4 7 0 Portal Park / 46 40 60 159 31 32 22 89 Collins Elementary Geese have been observed at Kennedy & Faria Middle Schools, Garden Gate Elementary and at Jollyman Park. • Approx. 150+ geese have been counted at these schools and at Jollyman Park at various times. • Geese tend to be at school sites in the early morning until children arrive, relocate to various parks and then generally arrive at Memorial Park in the late morning 2 CC Item No. 9 10/16/2012 "N Garden Gate Elern S.. Memorial Park Portdl Pqrk CollinsElem. i �,Raria Middle Aon Park S�VWD Ponds i Ron Kennedy Middle Jollyr�an Park C.- Potential Geese Management Practices Egg addling Late March to Early May Yes, Federal only Harassment Mid May to Mid -Summer No (up to molt) & Fall (after molt) Habitat Anytime (provided there is no No modification harassment during molt) Methods considered ineffective • Decoys (swans, dead geese, coyotes, alligators) • Balloons, tapes • Ultrasonics • Repellents Other methods of unknown effectiveness • Radio controlled boat / vehicle • Laser Complimentary methods • Stop feeding • Public education K, CC Item No. 9 10/16/2012 ....................................................................... _...................... Seasons Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma Jun Jul Aug Oct No Dec for Canada Geese . .................. . ....................... ........ Mating Period of egg addling Nesting Periods of harassment Gosling Maturing & Foraging Goose'" —It October 12, 2012 1:30,3:30 Cupertino City Hall, Conference Room C (downstairs) to. Torre Ave 1. Welcome Timm Borden, Cupertino Director of Public Works II. Introductions All III. Meeting Purpose Timm Borden IV. $UNeymonkey Results so Far Roger lee. Cupertino Assistant Director of Public Works V. Roundtable Discussion 1. How extensive isyour goose problem? 2. Are your geese roosting, nesting, or just day -users on your land? 3. Has a been getting worse? a. What measures have you taken and how have they worked? 5. What is your strategy for 2013? vi. Next steps Timm Borden M CC Item No. 9 10/16/2012 Survey / Summit Information Eliminate handouts Fencing SCVWD Landscamodification Feed, roost & nest Frightepe ningdevices Down Hazing(dogs) Eggaddling Eliminatehandouts City of Sunnyvale Feed & nest I - .r. Same Hazing" Haamgl Town of Los Gatos Feed Hsprinazingwlth sprinklers P Eliminatehandouts Fencing City of Mountain View Landscapemodification Feed, roost & nest Frighteningdevices Same Hazinglradio controlled boats) Repellents Eggaddling Eliminatehandouts Fencing Land scepemodlRcatlon City of Campbell Feed, roost &nest FHghteningd"_ (covnte effigy) Down rl—ngllazer) Repellents Eggaddling Eliminatehandouts Fencing Fremont Unified School Landscape modification District Feed Frightening devices Up Hazing Repellents Coal: To reduce nuisance caused by Canada Geese to an acceptable level, minimizing level of conflict with programming and community's original intent and use of Memorial and other parks and sports fields. Staff's intent: Select Memorial Park to perform initial pilot goose management strategies. Factors considered include: • Number of residents using the park • High number of geese residing at the park Intended actions to begin in 2013 with approval of mid -year budget approvals to support program: • Contracting professional services for trained dogs Estimated cost: $1500 / month for up to six months • Consider purchase radio controlled device Estimated cost: $3000 • Consider purchase of laser Estimated cost: $500 Short rope/ eable barrier areund pends (net being eensidered at thistimeafte Estimated east! $17000 5 CC Item No. 9 10/16/2012 Months when trained border collies would be effective at Memorial Park: • Mid May • Number of geese are generally low due to geese nesting at other locations • July • Number of geese are increasing • Duration and timing of harassment would vary to increase effectiveness • August to November • Number of geese are at their peak • November to February • Number of geese gradually decrease Memorial Park ponds are filled in April (prior to Cherry Blossom Festival) and drained in November (after Veterans Day) n CC Item No. 9 10/ 16/2012 Expected results: • Memorial Park will have less Canada Geese by mid June 2013 Due to limited nesting at Memorial Park, annual harassment beyond 2013 will likely be required to reduce geese numbers Other locations may see increase in geese numbers Next steps: • Mid year budget adjustment • Involve / coordinate with other agencies • Involve / coordinate with public • Public education 7 Local Agency Survey Results on Canada Geese October, 2012 Prepared by the City of Cupertino Question No. 1 - Are Canadian Geese a problem with your agency or organization? Responses: City of Mountain View yes Town of Los Gatos yes City of Sunnyvale yes City of Campbell yes SCVW D yes Fremont Union School District yes City of Cupertino yes Total responses: 7 Question No. 2 - What are the activities of the Canadian Geese on your agency or organization property? Responses: City of Mountain View Town of Los Gatos City of Sunnyvale City of Campbell SCVWD Fremont Union School District City of Cupertino Number feeding, roosting & nesting: Number feeding & nesting: Number feeding: Total responses: Feeding, Roosting & Nesting yes 3 1 3 7 yes yes 1 Feeding & Nesting yes Feeding yes yes yes Question No. 3 - As compared to previous years, has the number of Canadian Geese on your agency or organization changed? Responses: City of Mountain View Same Town of Los Gatos Increase City of Sunnyvale Same City of Campbell Decrease SCVW D Decrease Fremont Union School District Increase City of Cupertino Increase Total responses: 7 Question No. 4 - Please rank any action(s)below that your agency has taken by effectiveness in reducing the number of Canadian Geese. Responses 1 0 O 3 C O O -0 n C C Q — a+ 10 C L -p ,0 to U C U w -0 'p +a+ N to � W _0 Q > a O 1 o U N +L+ N Y C pO J L .0 OA > E 'B '� N OL bn to E I ai W U- O O tL _ W W City of Mountain View Effective Ineffective Effective Ineffective Effective Ineffective Effective Town of Los Gatos City of Sunnyvale Ineffective Effective Effective City of Campbell Ineffective Ineffective Ineffective Effective Effective Ineffective Ineffective Ineffective SCVWD Effective Ineffective Effective Effective Effective Very Effective Fremont Union School District Ineffective Ineffective Ineffective Ineffective Very Effective Ineffective Ineffective City of Cupertino Ineffective Total responses: 7 2 N Question No. 5 - How has the public percieved your goose management strategies? Responses: City of Mountain View Positive Town of Los Gatos No feedback City of Sunnyvale More is needed City of Campbell Effective SCVWD Mixed Fremont Union School District Positive from staff City of Cupertino Not effective Total responses: 7 Question No. 6 - Details of effective actions Responses: City of Mountain View Landscape modification of filling in ponds helped to reduce geese. Town of Los Gatos City of Sunnyvale Pyrotechnics used by USDA effective when done consistently (>1x per week) City of Campbell Coyote frightening device w/ urine effective when used consistently SCVWD Trained dogs have been effecting. Solar powered light product works well in areas where geese roost Fremont Union School District Labrador retreivers City of Cupertino Total responses: 7 3 Question No. 7 - What action(s) have you found to be ineffecive and why? Responses: City of Mountain View Turf repellents Town of Los Gatos Sprinklers City of Sunnyvale Signage for no feeding City of Campbell Repellents, culling of egges, removal of food supply SCVWD Egg addling - geese relocate to other areas Fremont Union School District City of Cupertino Sprinkers, frightening devices Total responses: 7 Question No. 8 - For each action taken, how many dollars is your agency /organization budgeting? Responses: b c O on �� (p 7 C_ \ - OD V L a (d V a) N U CA .O OC� a) O tO w LL O O � E LL -O 2 City of Mountain View $15k<x<$25k $1k<x<$5k Town of Los Gatos City of Sunnyvale $5k<x<$10k City of Campbell $1k<x<$5k SCVWD $1k<x<$5k $1k<x<$5k $lk<x<$5k $lk<x<$5k $1k<x<$5k Fremont Union School District x<$1k x<$1k City of Cupertino x<$1k x<$1k Total responses: 7 4 � O i D L to E O w W O O $1k<x<$5k x<$1k $1k<x<$5k Question No. 9 - What is your agency or organization's future strategy regarding Canadian Geese" Responses: City of Mountain View Continue egg addling. Work with adjacent cities. Town of Los Gatos City of Sunnyvale Continue using dogs and pyrotechnics. City of Campbell Continue with frightening devices (coyote decoys & urine) SCVWD Continue with dogs, light products and egg addling. May look into option of killing geese. Fremont Union School District Continue with dogs. City of Cupertino Start trained dogs in May 2013 and install barrier at Memorial Park. Total responses: Notes: EXHIBIc` °W,.;?, 49 http://www.unitedwildlife.com/AnimaIsGeese.html#6 I HEARD GEESE CARRY DISEASES. IS THAT TRUE? Geese do carry diseases, including swimmer's itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, and giardia. These goose illnesses are spread by contact with goose poop, nest materials and dead geese. When geese live in your pond, swimming pool or nearby lake, parasites that live on the geese will infest the water and climb aboard swimmers, giving them swimmer's itch. The parasite larvae crawl onto the skin and burrow under it, which leads to a very severe, itchy red rash. The itching will last for up to two weeks; each time a person gets swimmer's itch the symptoms become more severe. Histoplasmosis is a fungus disease contracted through airborne spores in goose droppings. If geese have been on your lawn for a while, these spores can even infect the soil you garden in. Its symptoms may be anything from a mild influenza to blood abnormalities and fever, or even death. An eye condition has been linked to the goose disease histoplasmosis and can lead to blindness in those who contract it. Toxoplasmosis is an infection that invades human tissue and can severely damage the central nervous system, especially in babies. Pregnant women are in extreme danger if infected with toxoplasmosis. Geese carry the bacteria salmonella. People who pick up salmonella bacteria can become seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting, fever and chills. Salmonella can also affect the blood. Goose salmonella can be spread through goose fecal matter. If a human touches soil or water that has been tainted with goose droppings, and then touches his or her mouth, that human is at risk for giardia. Giardia symptoms can include cramps, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss, and can last for a prolonged amount of time. Children who play near ponds or lakes with geese living nearby are especially at risk for giardia.