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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-99 SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION ADDRESSING THE WEST ORANGE COUNTY RODENT PROBLEM HELD OCTOBER 12, 1999 Mayor Vandergrift called the Special Session to order at 6:33 p.m. in the Commission Conference Room. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. Mayor Vandergrift announced that this was an emergency special session to address the rodent problem in West Orange County. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, Howell (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) and Parker. Also present were City Attorney Rosenthal, City Manager Shapiro, Garry Schneider - Environmental Administrator for Orange County Health Department, Wilbur S. Gary, II - Assistant to County Chairman Mel Martinez, Public Works Director Smith, Building & Zoning Official Flippen, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon, and Administrative Secretary Dawson. ABSENT: None Mayor Vandergrift played a tape recording of a citizen requesting information on the mouse problem, and stated that we need to respond to our citizen's requests. The Mayor stated that after speaking with the citizen he feels that the City needs to play an active role in this problem. City Manager Shapiro responded that the City had contacted the County and was advised that mouse control material would not be in until Thursday or Friday. He stated that the County advised him that the majority of the materials were for Apopka and Zellwood, and that the County could not guarantee that there would be enough materials for Ocoee. Until now, our only option has been to refer citizens to the County, since we were not able to access the materials, and the County has been so inundated with calls that we have not been able to get through to them. Garry Schneider, Environmental Administrator for Orange County Health Department stated that he has only two people right now to address this issue throughout the County. He stated that they have received calls from the outskirts of Ocoee, so they know that the City is not immune to the problem. He stated that the County Commission has allocated $400,000 for bait and traps, and the State has allocated $200,000 - $100,000 from St. Johns Water Management and $100,000 from the Department of Health. Mr. Schneider also stated that he met with the Agriculture Department today. They are going to address the immediate residential problems, and then try to set up a zone of control to prevent the problem from spreading. He stated that they have been working with experts from the University of Florida and the Agricultural Department sent out a fact finding team today to look at the problem. The Agricultural Department will also be bringing in the Division of Forestry and even OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION October 12,1999 possibly the U.S. Navy. By the end of the week he expects the first order of bait to arrive, which is Quintox and is more environmentally friendly since it does not go up the food chain. However, the County will not be handing out bait until they have sufficient bait stations so that bait can be placed out safely. He stated that they have ordered traps as well, which should be arriving the beginning of next week. Distribution sites have not yet been designated, but the County is probably going to use County Fire/Rescue stations, however, they want to put educational information together with the materials for distribution, which they are working on now. Wilbur S. Gary, II, Assistant to County Chairman Mel Martinez, stated that his direct line is 836-7355. He advised the Commission that the Governor has said that the Department of Agriculture will take the lead on the eradication of the mice. They are going to open up an emergency operations center in the area to supervise the efforts. He stated that the County advised the St. John's Water Management District that their $100,000 contribution is appreciated, but inadequate. The county will be using snap traps which kill mice, and "tin cats" which catch mice. The county is working on a comprehensive plan to implement once the immediate infestation is under control. Dr. Bill Kerns of the University of Florida is the recognized expert in this area, and he advised the County that a case like this has never happened in the State of Florida, so this is totally new to everyone. The City will be included in the County's plans. The County's priority is to eradicate the rodent population, which is why it has already allocated more money than the State, and then it will look to recover the funds later. City Manager Shapiro requested that once the County comes up with a firm distribution plan, that the City be notified. The mouse problem is now in the northern side of the City. Building Official Flippen will be the City's rodent coordinator. The City's weekday distribution point will be the Building Department at City Hall, and the Fire Department will handle evening and weekend distribution. Commissioner Parker stated that she believes that the City will find more mice than it is currently aware of. She has had mice in her neighborhood for several weeks, but no one wanted to tell their neighbors that they were having a mouse problem because of the stigma attached. Mr. Schneider responded that this stigma was a common problem in the beginning. The County was not aware of the problem because people didn't call until July, even though the nurseries were seeing a problem as early as March. City Manager Shapiro stated that the City is already mowing and that Code Enforcement is out doing weed abatement, especially in the northern part of the City. He asked what other steps the City could take to help the County. 2 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION October 12, 1999 Ms. Schneider replied that the County is working on a impact assessment of the problem, and would like to know what areas in Ocoee are the hardest hit. Commissioner Howell asked about the enclaves that look like junkyards. Mr. Schneider replied that the County needs a list of these locations. City Manager Shapiro stated that the City and County animal control teams work closely together, and that the City's code enforcement team will be able to generate a list of the problem areas that are in the enclaves. Mr. Gary stated that the Sheriff s Department and others have committed to mowing and other assistance. Mayor Vandergrift stated that this is a safety issue even though there have been no diseases reported so far. He has spoken with several retailers about traps, and suggested that the City allocate $5,000 towards the purchase of traps. Mr. Schneider stated that $5,000 will buy a lot of bait and traps. Mr. Gary stated that every little bit helps, and that the City should document its expenditures for possible future reimbursement. City Manager Shapiro stated that he supports the Mayor's position, and that he is learning a lot tonight. He stated that the Commission can take the funds out of the contingency account, and the City can already get going until the County is ready with its supplies and distribution plan. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to allocate $5,000.00 for the purchase of rodent traps. Motion carried 5-0. City Manager Shapiro thanked the Mayor on the behalf of the staff for organizing the meeting so quickly and thanked Mr. Schneider and Mr. Gary for attending. Mayor Vandergrift stated that the public needs to be advised of the availability of traps for citizens. Mr. Gary advised Commissioner Anderson that one breeding pair of mice can produce 15,000 mice in one year. He also stated that Orange County TV will be running a tape by Dr. Kerns on rodent proofing. He stated that the County will have copies of the video tape ready tomorrow or the next day. City Manager Shapiro requested a copy and stated that he will send someone from the City to pick up a copy when it is ready. 3 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION October 12, 1999 After some additional discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Attest: 71UVvixlt<.-- f)aW~ Marisa Dawson, Administrative Secretary SS Rodents 10 12 99M.doc 4 APPROVED City of Ocoee . . ---? / (J t- ~~ :A,~.-!/ftt~. / S. Scott Vandergrift, May~r'