CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Memorandum to City Council
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Al Zelinka, City Manager
DATE: June 30, 2022
SUBJECT: 2022 Coyote Management Plan
On May 17, 2022, City Council directed staff to undertake an update to the 2015 Coyote Management Plan and report back in the following month with a progress report of its effort, including proposals to improve the Plan.
In 2015, the City developed a Coyote Management Plan that was intended to be periodically updated as conditions evolved. Following a coyote incident on April 28, 2022, City Council directed staff to conduct a comprehensive review and update the Plan in an effort to enhance public safety as it relates to coyote encounters in the community. This update strives to incorporate best management practices today, while also balancing the humane treatment of the coyote population and health of the local ecological system.
For the 2022 updated Plan, City Council directed staff to four areas of focus:
1. Examine City policies, Municipal Code, and practical precautions to adequately address coyote issues and enhance the public safety of community members and pets. Review best management practices including those that have been successfully implemented by other similarly situated cities.
Staff has reviewed and s ubsequently updated the City’s 2015 Coyote Management Plan (Attachment 1 - Draft 2022 Coyote Management Plan). The updated 2022 Plan retains proven techniques such as hazing and other best management practices. Other tools such as www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/coyote and a dedicated QR code were added for easier and quicker access to the City’s online Coyote Incident Reporter.
The updated Coyote Management Plan prioritizes public safety in managing human -coyote interactions. The suggested actions in the Plan are designed to increase residents’ knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave, and make clear how such behavior can be managed to reduce or eliminate conflicts with coyotes. Staff examined the Coyote Management Plans of Burbank, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Torrance. All of the Coyote Management Plans take a similar approach for coyote concerns for their communities.
The updated Huntington Beach plan is modeled to align with the focus on public safety similar to the approach taken by Torrance.
The Plan is most effective with the active participation of the entire community including residents, homeowner associations, volunteers, and City staff. Several community members provided valuable input during this process. The Huntington Beach Police Department has engaged California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) volunteers and Wildlife Watch to 2022 Coyote Management Plan
June 30, 2022
train Neighborhood Watch block captains on hazing and disseminating information for pet and yard protections.
A particular area of feedback highlighted the importance of educating residents to stop feeding coyotes. In response, we will use social media and Wildlife Watch to educate on the dangers of feeding wild animals and tips to discourage habituation.
2. Identify wildlife attractants (i.e. trash receptacles) at the City’s beaches and parks, and implement practices to deter coyotes and other animals from entering these public spaces.
The City proposes to replace open trash receptacles with ones that are animal -proof.
Receptacles at the beach have been replaced accordingly. Staff will also post educational signage in areas where coyotes have been seen with heightened frequency. The signage will notify residents and visitors of these activities, list best practices to deter them, and include methods to report sightings and aggressive behavior.
3. Utilize data collection tools including smart phone apps (i.e. MyHB) to gather real -time reports of coyote sightings and behavioral trends from community members.
Smart phone apps, easy web links, and a QR code were developed for use and have been incorporated into our proposed signage in public spaces. To report a coyote or find more information, the community can visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/coyote or utilize the MyHB app.
Staff is able to retrieve and analyze the data to better understand coyote ecology and behavior.
Such efforts will enhance the City’s public outreach, Wildlife Watch campaigns, directed hazing, and targeted trapping efforts when appropriate.
4. Review the City’s contract with OC Animal Care to ensure alignment with the City’s updated 2022 Coyote Management Plan.
Staff conducted a review and is confirming that the services being provided are in line with those offered to other cities that have contracted with OC Animal Care. Basic animal control services, removal of injured or dead animals, and wildlife education are included. CDFW manages the State’s wildlife, provides assistance to reduce and prevent potential conflicts such as Wildlife Watch, and will take the lead with escalated incidents such as attacks on humans.
The 2022 Coyote Management Plan incorporates newer tools and best management practices.
The goal of the Plan is to safely coexist with the coyote population by modifying human behavior to discourage coyote behavior and avoid contact with humans and pets.
2022 Coyote Management Plan
June 30, 2022
Staff efforts to update the plan and respond to the community are listed below:
Task Lead Date Complete
Outreach to grocery stores for refuse abatement Police Dept. May 2022 CDFW Volunteer Group- Surf City Beach
Cottages
(80 Huntington)
Police Dept., CA Dept.
of Fish & Wildlife May 14, 2022
Seacliff Community Meeting. PD Community
Relations presentation. Police Dept. May 18, 2022
Southeast Area Town Hall City Manager’s Office May 25, 2022 Neighborhood Watch Board meeting w/CDFW
Wildlife Watch program
Police Dept., CA Dept.
of Fish & Wildlife, and
Neighborhood Watch
Groups
June 14, 2022
HB Wildlife Watch Group- Lark View Park
Neighborhood
Police Dept., CA Dept.
of Fish & Wildlife, and
Neighborhood Watch
Groups
June 2022
Neighborhood Watch Newsletter Neighborhood Watch
Groups June 2022
Review neighboring agencies’ CMP’s City Manager’s Office and Police Dept. May 2022
Update Huntington Beach Coyote Management
Plan
City Manager’s Office
and Police Dept. June 2022
Review OC Animal Care Contract City Manager’s Office
and Police Dept. Complete
Tiered Social Media Campaign
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor
City Manager’s Office
and Police Dept.
5/4, 5/8, 5/17,
5/18, 6/3/22
Ongoing
Updates to reporting City Manager’s Office
and Police Dept. Ongoing
Vanity URL www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/coyote
phone #’s, and QR code
City Manager’s Office Complete
Animal proof trash receptacles.
Community/Library
Services and Public
Works
In progress
High Intensity Hazing Options – Reviewing
feasibility Police Dept. Ongoing
Signs at beach and parks
Community/Library
Services and Public
Works
In progress
2022 Coyote Management Plan
June 30, 2022
Staff will continue to implement the updated 2022 Coyote Management Plan, a social media educational campaign, and proactive efforts to decrease coyote activity in neighborhoods and enhance public safety.
Attachment
A. 2022 Coyote Management Plan