IMPERIAL BEACH
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Pigeon and gull feeders were given a temporary reprieve last night.
The Imperial Beach City Council requested several changes to a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the feeding of wild birds on public property. The city attorney is expected to review the requests, most involving “no feeding” signs, and bring the matter back Feb. 21, the next scheduled council meeting.
Council members asked if the city could post warning signs only in problem areas; add an educational component to the signs; and allow private-property owners, upon request, to cite the ordinance.
City officials said city workers spend about 13 hours a week – at a cost of nearly $400 in staff time – cleaning up bird droppings.
Many of the birds nest under the pier, which is regularly littered with droppings. A city report said prohibiting bird feeding would reduce the mess on benches, tables and sea walls in the area. The ordinance would have cut maintenance costs, city officials said. Violators would face a $100 fine.
