Alderman Mickey Schneider said at Monday’s meeting she hears complaints about the health issues caused by vultures circling above the city. She claimed it’s bad enough that it’s hurting people, and the city is obligated to do something. She suggested finding an expert who could advise the city.
Mayor Butch Berry had already stated the issue is on private property and the city cannot do anything there.
Schneider continued that the experts could advise Berry on what to do because the problem is apparently expanding to Holiday Island. She suggested a workshop or a town hall meeting.
“It’s affecting everything and it’s spreading!” she said.
Alderman David Mitchell said he had heard laser lights were effective deterrents. Alderman Kristi Kendrick said laws permit affected residents to create a Health and Welfare Improvement District and they can tax themselves to implement the plans they come up with. She recommended Schneider as the person to head the group, and maintained it was inappropriate for the city or the mayor to get involved with a private property issue.
Berry asked Schneider if she wanted to head a committee, and she replied the city did not need a committee. She wanted Berry to find an expert and get that person to a meeting or workshop to inform council of options.
Berry said the choices he knows of for dealing with too many vultures are noise deterrents, laser lights and dangling one or two carcasses to chase away the others.
Thomas agreed with Kendrick this was a private property issue, and alderman Melissa Greene moved to drop the topic from the agenda. Vote to approve her motion was 3-1-1, Schneider voting No and Mitchell Abstaining. Berry cast the fourth Yes vote making the tally 4-1-1, so the topic was dropped from the agenda.