COUNC

REPORT ‘SEP - & i974

TO: Mayor and Council DATE: September 6, 1974

FROM: L.D. Pollock,
City Administrator

1. Firearm By-law

At the last meeting of Council a local resident approached Council regarding the
problem of starlings attacking blueberry crops in the Prairie Road-Devon area. T
subsequently contacted the Department of Health and information was obtained from
the Department of Agriculture on the control of starlings. However, I am sure that
the information received is probably well known to any of the farmers in the area
and included the use of carbide guns, traps, etc. to control the birds. There are
apparently no new control methods being developed.

With regard to our Firearm By-law, Section 2 permits a person to use a firearm for
the protection of his domestic animals. Council may wish to consider enlarging this
Section to include farm crops although this does broaden the application of the
Section.. I have attached a copy of the By-law for Council's information.

2. §.P.C.A. Incinerator

Council will recall that we participated in the cost of a pathological incinerator

‘for the S.P.C.A. and the §.P.C.A. has requested that an additional $758. be spent to
provide a canopy over the installation as they are experiencing deterioration of the
exterior surfaces of the incinerator due to the fact that it is exposed to the elements.
This installation would be shared by the three municipalities and Port Coquitlam's
share would be approximately $180. Port Moody and Coquitlam have been similarly

asked to contribute their share of this project.

The Treasurer advises that we can pay our share from the Pest Control Budget and
would recommend that the amount be provided in order to protect our investment in
incinerator, .

3. Purchase of Murray Property

I discussed with Council some time ago, In Comnittee, the acquisition of property

3890 Ulster Street. This property consists of 3.55 acres of land and a house of
approximately 1,000 square feet and the property lies immediately adjacent to City
owned land surrounding the Nature Area. The Recreation Department has, for some time,
considered that this land would be a valuable acquisition for park purposes.

The owners of the land have now agreed on the sale of the parcel to the City for $120,000.
cash or they will accept payment in three installments with $50,000. down and payments

in 1975 and 1976 amounting to $40,333. each. The owners have also requested free rent

of the property for a five year period. This is the equivalent of financing at a rate

of interest of 10% per annum. If Council is in agreement with this purchase I can work
out details of tenancy and purchase with the owners.

LDP :da