Staff Report: Bee Swarm Boxes
Analysis of a request to place baited swarm boxes in Town parks to collect honeybee swarms.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COW REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole
DATE: April 8, 2015
FROM: Lindsay Chase
MEETING DATE: April 14, 2015
FILE NO.:
Bee Swarm Boxes
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT this report be received for information.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
The Town received an inquiry via Councilor Rogers regarding the potential for a private individual/business to place bee swarm boxes in Town Parks. This report outlines options for Council to consider.
TIME CRITICAL:
Yes.
BACKGROUND:
The Town amended the zoning bylaw in 2010 to allow the keeping of chickens and bees on residential and P-3 zoned properties within the Town. 18 months after the bylaws were adopted, staff provided a follow up report to Council indicating that no issues had emerged from the zoning change and that there had been no bylaw enforcement complaints with respect to either chickens or bees.
The Town has records of two bee swarms within the Town over a 10 year period.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The proposal is to place up to 10 baited swarm boxes within various Town parks from April to July. If a swarm is reported, the proponent would come and collect the swarm. Swarms are most common during the spring, although they can happen at any time.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
It is unclear if there are cost implications for the Town in terms of materials, time or service fees.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The Community Charter does not permit municipalities to aid private business. In this case, the proponent has businesses relating to beekeeping and the production of honey. While it appears that there is no cost to the Town, if this is a service that Council wishes to have offered, an RFP process would be the most appropriate mechanism to ensure that there is fair, transparent and open competition for any other bee keepers who may be interested in providing such a service.
The relative rarity of bee swarms within the Town suggests that this is not a significant issue. Staff note that a google search results in multiple individuals who will come out and collect a swarm from both public and private properties. It appears that many bee keepers will provide this service for no fee in order to secure a new hive.
With the potential provision of baited swarm boxes in public parks, some consideration must be given to liability concerns. It is staff's understanding that baiting the boxes may aid in the attraction of a bee swarm. Even if the bee keeper has liability insurance, if the risk of bee stings in increased as a result of whatever attractants are utilized, the implications of joint and several liability will accrue to the Town.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Alternative 1. Bee swarms do not appear to be a significant issue in View Royal. The staff recommendation is to not use baited swarm boxes in Town Parks. If a swarm is encountered on Town lands, staff will call upon any available bee keepers to see if they are available to collect the swarm.
Alternative 2. If Council is interested in pursuing this initiative, staff suggest an RFP process be utilized and that this happen in 2016 (as there is insufficient time in 2015 to take advantage of swarm season).
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT this report be received for information.
SUBMITTED BY: Lindsay Chase, Director of Development Services
REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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