Twenty-one presumably homeless pigeons huddled together against the west wall of Sivertson Gallery on June 22, 2011, befuddled, perhaps, as to what happened to the movie theater building that is believed to have been their home until its recent demolition.
Some Grand Marais business people attended city council’s June 29 meeting to talk about the sudden proliferation of pigeons downtown, and ask what the city could do about the problem.
“We’ve always dealt with the sea gulls, but now we have 70 to 100 pigeons on our building,” said Jean Mathis of Security State Bank. She said the pigeons, which have been displaced because of the recent demolition of the old theater building on Wisconsin Street, are apparently looking for new places to live.
The problem at the bank has become a lot worse in the past two weeks, Mathis said. Not only are the pigeons roosting and making a mess on the roof, but their droppings are creating a health hazard for those on the ground below. “That’s our biggest concern — that it’s going to become a public health issue,” Mathis said.
In order to discourage the birds from hanging out on the bank building, Mathis said she has ordered some materials from a professional company that are designed to keep birds away. But, she said, “they’re just going to move to another building, and you’re still going to have a problem.”
Rodney and Julie Carlson of Joynes Ben Franklin also spoke about the problem. Julie said they are trying to be proactive, and have already ordered a device known as a “spider,” which is 8 feet in diameter and moves in the wind to deter birds from taking up residence on the roof. Carlson said she is worried about that, because pigeon feces is particularly acidic and will deteriorate and otherwise damage the roof. The pigeons are already unwanted guests on both the store roof and that of the adjacent old hotel, which serves as a storeroom for Joynes.
Rodney Carlson urged the council to try to do something about the problem before it becomes worse; he said there are at least 100 pigeons in town now, and that number can more than double in a few short years if left unchecked.
Mayor Bear Carlson asked the group if there were any suggestions, and it became evident there is no easy solution.
Mathis said she has spoken with a DNR bird expert and was told the pigeons could be live-trapped, but they will just find their way back and “never leave.”
Rodney Carlson pointed out that pigeons are nuisance birds, and as such can be killed. However, an ordinance prohibits firing guns within the city limits. “We just want you to be aware of the problem,” he said.
Addressing the city’s other winged nuisances, Julie Carlson said it seems the sea gulls have been more plentiful and more aggressive this summer. Carlson suggested the placement of spiky things on the lampposts, as is done in Sea World and other places. The devices discourage sea gulls and other birds from perching on the tops of the posts.
Finally, Mathis suggested that the city could take a look at the process used years ago when there was a problem with Canada geese. She said whatever was done then — about 20 years ago — seems to have worked, as the geese are not nearly as plentiful as they once were. At that time, the city adopted an ordinance that banned feeding the geese.
In other business:
. Chamber of Commerce Director Bev Wolke gave an overview of the survey of downtown merchants that was taken following the Classic Car Show. The survey asked for opinions and/or suggestions about the relocation of the show from Artist Point to Wisconsin Street. Overall, Wolke said the comments were “overwhelmingly positive,” but because this was the first year for the event on Wisconsin Street, some minor changes will be made in the future. The biggest area of concern was the lack of signage to direct motorists away from the closed area and a need to make it clear which streets and alleys were closed to traffic, thereby creating a potentially hazardous situation for pedestrians and the classic cars whenever unwitting motorists wandered into the off-limits space.
In general, businesses reported an increase in customers and said they were in favor of keeping the car show on Wisconsin Street and enjoyed the music and “festive spirit” of the occasion. Wolke said “people loved it,” and she hasn’t heard anything bad.
Councilor Jan Sivertson, who was opposed to closing the downtown street, praised the event and said she was pleasantly surprised. “I’m a real convert after having witnessed it,” she said. “I realize now that the classic cars do fit in with who we are and connect with Highway 61…it was a great event!”
. Council gave preliminary approval to a request from Wallace Everson to open up a public right-of-way on Fourth Street West off Eighth Avenue to allow access to his landlocked property. The access will allow soil samples to be taken to determine if the site is suitable for development. City Attorney Chris Hood will draw up a formal agreement for approval at council’s next meeting.
. On behalf of Arrowhead Animal Rescue, city councilor and park board member Bill Lenz presented a list of modifications needed at the city’s pound in order to make the facility more comfortable for dogs, and also to make it adequate for housing cats. Council approved the expenditure of up to $1,000 for items such as fencing, gates, doors and walls, but referred a second list of proposed improvements on the outside of the shelter to the park board.
City Administrator Mike Roth said that by committing more resources to the site, it would make it more difficult to eventually relocate the facility from the campground to a more suitable site. He said it is a question for the park board to decide, as the use of the area for the animal pound is in conflict with the comprehensive plan. Lenz said he would take the matter before the park board July 5.
. Roth reported that he is still working to find a suitable site for relocation of the city’s burn pile. The site under consideration is a pit on County Road 6; however, a contract with the Forest Service is necessary and has yet to be written. Roth said the site at the water tower off the Gunflint Trail will likely not be used again. “The strategy now is to barricade it when closed,” he said.
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