Title
A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution Number 2022-175, to establish a revised peafowl mitigation policy pursuant to the Code of Miami-Dade County, Chapter 5 “Animals and Fowl”, Section 5-16 “Taking of peafowl prohibited; municipal opt out.”
(Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
Body
Peafowl are a non-native and invasive species and compete with indigenous bird species throughout South Florida. They can cause property damage, transmit parasites, create substantial noise pollution, and block traffic in the City. The City has consistently received complaints from residents regarding nuisance peafowl but has not had the ability to address such complaints due to a Miami-Dade County ordinance that made it unlawful to take, attempt to take, hunt, molest, capture, or kill any peafowl, their nests or eggs, by any means. However, the County Code was recently amended to provide a municipal carve-out that allows a municipality to opt out of the general prohibition by adopting a peafowl mitigation plan that provides for the humane removal of peafowl, if approved by the Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”).
Additionally, the City Code of Coral Gables Chapter 10 “Animals”, Article I “In General”, Section 10-7 “Peafowl” grants the City the authority to take any remedial action deemed appropriate to address the proliferation of peafowl within the City.
Finding that the proliferation of peafowl within the City was harmful to the public welfare, the City Commission adopted Resolution Number 2022-175, to provide residents and the City with options to humanely remove peafowl from private property and public rights-of-way. The City’s resolution and Peafowl Mitigation Policy were transmitted to the BCC for approval. On October 18, 2022, the BCC conditionally approved the City’s policy, contingent on the City clarifying certain language within the policy and exploring a peafowl neutering program.
This resolution amends Resolution No. 2022-175 by establishing a revised Peafowl Mitigation Policy that satisfies the BCC’s conditions.