Nesting parrots might be given a chance at freedom

Port Orchard resident Fred Olin spoke to the City Council on Monday in an effort to persuade members that trapping the Quaker parrots of Mitchell Avenue is an unnecessary step to raising the cell phone tower located there.

“I’m asking the council to reconsider its decision to trap the parrots,” Olin said, “based on new information and the sentiments of the community.”

He handed out packets of information about the birds to councilmembers, and presented them with a petition with 506 signatures asking that the birds be left alone.

The council made its original decision to trap the birds last month and added it as a condition of the permit allowing Cingular Wireless to raise the cell phone tower on which the parrots have built their nest. That condition was based on information from the state indicating the parrots were a potential threat to native wildlife.

Olin said he knew the trapping decision was now out of the council’s hands, but he asked for a letter to be sent asking the state to reconsider the drastic measure.

Councilman John Clauson made a motion to send a letter to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which would be capturing the parrots, asking biologists to look again at whether or not the birds must be put into captivity.

The council voted unanimously to approve the letter, which will soon be sent out. Olin said he expects that when the tower is raised, the adaptable birds will just build a new nest and continue to entertain all who come to watch.

In other council actions:

-- The council voted unanimously to allow Port Orchard Mayor Kim Abel to sign supplemental agreement number one with Entranco Engineers to keep the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade on track while a permanent agreement with RH2 Engineering is being negotiating.

-- The council voted unanimously to allow the mayor to negotiate and sign a contract with an interim assistant engineer as assistant city engineer Deanna Cole resigned.

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