Mark Kauth is at his wit’s end. IN OTHER business, the city:
Kauth has thousands of unwanted guests — starlings — who have decided to settle in one of Kauth’s trees along Meadowbrook Road East.
The small, nuisance birds bring with them plenty of droppings that have plastered Kauth’s lawn, vehicles and trees.
“They put off quite a stench,” Kauth said, adding the birds have been known to carry myriad diseases, including West Nile, E. coli and salmonella.
Kauth has unsuccessfully sought guidance by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Kansas Department of Health and Environment on ways to rid his neighborhood of the unwanted birds.
“I found out they’re hard to get rid of,” Kauth said.
He found one potential solution: bird bangers, or explosive cartridges (similar to a firecracker) that is shot from a launcher at the birds while they’re nesting.
In most cases, only municipalities are permitted to purchase and use bird bangers, Kauth noted.
“All I can say is help,” Kauth told the council. “I’ve talked to others. I don’t know what to do.”
Slaugh said short of changing the city’s ban on discharging guns inside city limits, there may be few options.
The city’s fireworks ban likely would prevent the use of the bird bangers, Slaugh said. Officials relax such ban during the July 4 holiday.
“Before we do anything, I’d like to talk to Fish and Game,” Councilman Jon Wells said. “That way, by solving one problem, we aren’t creating two others by dispersing the birds throughout the city.”
“In the county, you could solve the problem with a lawn chair, a 12-pack and a shotgun,” Councilman Bob Shaughnessy joked.
Councilman Steve French suggested Kauth contact Allen Community College, which had a similar problem several years ago.
“I don’t know what eventually worked, or if they just eventually migrated away,” French said.
Iolan Donna Hauser agreed drastic measures may be necessary.
“I think the starlings moved to his house from ours,” Houser said. “I hate guns, but I think guns are the answer. And we shouldn’t just shoo them away. We should kill ’em.”
Mayor Joel Wicoff told Kauth the city would further investigate ways to get rid of the winged pests.
— Ordered the demolition of four properties in Iola, at 119 W. Vine St., 309 and 423 S. Kentucky St. and at 432 S. Fourth St. Nobody appeared at demolition hearings for the 119 W. Vine and 309 S. Kentucky structures to protest the measure. Likewise, a demolition permit for the house at 423 S. Kentucky has expired, as has a repair permit for the house on South Fourth Street, Code Enforcement Officer Shonda Jefferis said.
— Accepted the resignation of Angela Huff from the City Clerk and Utilities office. Council members also approved evaluations and subsequent pay raises for three employees.
— Granted permission for the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility and Second Chance store to host a craft show at the Bass Community Hall Nov. 15.
— Renewed a contract with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips for the accounting firm to handle the city’s 2014 audit at a price of $8,800, plus another $1,900 for the single audit. The rate is the same the city paid for its 2013 audit.
— Directed City Administrator Carl Slaugh to set up an agreement with LaHarpe Communications to utilize the city’s water towers to put transmitters to provide wireless Internet service for the community. The agreement will be similar to ones the city has with other private Internet service providers, council members said.
— Discussed, but did not act, on Recreation Director Jason Bauer’s recommendation to cut the Iola Municipal Pool’s hours in 2015. Bauer has recommended the city close the pool to the public at 7 o’clock nightly instead of 8.
Feathered fiends frustrate Iolan
