Title
An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same. (PWC 10/9/23)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same.
Key Issues:
• The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), (“APHIS-WS”) has agreed to provide the necessary services to manage the raptor and coyote population at the airport to prevent property damage and protect human health and safety at Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport in accordance with the Cooperative Service Agreement (“Agreement”).
• The project period shall commence on October 18, 2023, and expire on September 30, 2024.
• The estimated amount to complete the work is $5,300.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to City Council approval of An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same.
First Motion:
I move for a second reading of An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same.
Second Motion:
I move for adoption of An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same.
Background:
Active wildlife in and around the Airport and Airport Operations Areas “AOA”’ present the potential to cause a significant damage to aircraft during the most critical phases of flight. In some circumstances, encounters with wildlife can lead to damage of personal property and the potential for loss of life.
Wildlife in and around the Lee’s Summit Airport includes, but not limited to:
• Deer
• Birds including: Red Tailed Hawks, Sparrows, Blue Herons, Killdeer, and Eagles
• Turtles
• Coyotes
• Ground Hogs
In 2021, the Airport began mitigating the wildlife hazards by reducing the primary food source for raptors and coyotes to reduce the likelihood of bird or mammal strikes at the Airport. The mitigation techniques were effective in reducing the number and frequency of raptors and coyotes.
The FAA recommends that Airport operators maintain an appropriate environment for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft. This entails mitigating wildlife strike hazards by fencing, modifying the landscape to deter wildlife, or hazing or removing wildlife hazardous to aircraft from congregating on airports.
Often, the most effective and straightforward way to reduce the use of airport properties by hazardous birds and mammals, thus increasing aviation safety, is to determine which types of food are being selected and then remove those foods from the airport. The objective of this ongoing program is to manage the wildlife attractants (rodents) at the airport to deter raptors and coyotes, thus increasing the safety at the Airport.
Because the Airport lacks the appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment, the Airport has requested USDA Wildlife Services’ assistance in the application of the mitigation techniques. USDA Wildlife Services will apply rodenticide on approximately 110 acres in the Airport Operations Area per label instructions. This is a standard and proven method for rodents on the airfield to reduce raptor and coyote frequency. The cooperative service agreement shall commence on October 18, 2023, and expire on September 30, 2024.
Presenter
Joel Arrington, Airport Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri (Lee's Summit Municipal Airport), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), to cooperate in a wildlife damage management project and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the same.