1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 23, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Ken Berkman, Public Works Director
VIA: Stephanie Kandt, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Consideration to Submit a Letter to Congressman Ted Lieu in Support of the Glue Trap Prohibition Act
RECOMMENDATION
In the interest of time, forgo the customary second step in the additional agenda item process and direct staff to prepare and send a letter signed by all five Council Members to Congressman Ted Lieu in support of the Glue Trap Prohibition Act.
BACKGROUND
At the January 23, 2024 , City Council Meeting, Council Member Konstantine Anthony requested a first step report for a letter of support to Congressman Ted Lieu to support the bill regarding a national glue trap ban, Bill H.R. 7018, the “Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024” (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
Glue traps are boards coated with adhesive used to catch and kill pests and are reputed to be among the cruelest ways to eliminate rodents. In their attempts to escape the glue, animals may tear off thei r skin and gnaw off their limbs. Animals that do not escape die of blood loss, suffocation, or dehydration. Glue traps also pose a public health risk; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges Americans not to use glue traps, as ensnared r odents can spread disease when they urinate and/or defecate when trapped.
2 On April 17, 2023, West Hollywood passed Ordinance No. 23-15 to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps, effective May 1, 2023. The City of Burbank also does not use glue traps for rodent elimination. Inspired by this successful push to ban glue traps , Congressman Ted Lieu introduced the Glue Trap Prohibition Act (co-sponsored by Congressman Adam Schiff) on January 17, 2024, to place a national ban on the possession and use of glue traps to catch rodents.
Staff is unaware of any surrounding cities taking a stance on this action or proposing ordinances or other means to ban glue traps. Congressman Lieu’s office is monitoring and will update staff if they learn of other cities supporting the ban.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity involves consideration of a letter indicating the position of the City of Burbank on a proposed federal policy. It has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378 (general policy making is not considered a project under CEQA).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that Council forgo the customary second step in the additional agenda item process and direct staff to prepare and send a letter signed by all five Council Members to Congressman Lieu in support of the Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Bill H.R. 7018