Islamorada’s notorious peacocks could receive protections through a new village ordinance.
Several weeks back, a homeowners association located on the oceanside of Plantation Key sought to remove the birds due to nuisances they were creating on the property. The board of directors for Port of Call approved to bring in two bounty hunters from Georgia to remove them from the property.
A community response in support of the peacocks, however, and efforts by Islamorada Mayor Sharon Mahoney paused the peacocks’ removal. The village council is now eyeing an ordinance similar to one enacted in Miami-Dade County which provides protections for peacocks. The ordinance would essentially make it illegal to harm or take peafowl, their nests or eggs.
Mahoney said she’d like to add language to ban people from feeding the peacocks. Per the homeowners association, the peacock problem at Port of Call came after two homeowners within the community began feeding them. Numerous violation letters were sent acknowledging a violation of the association’s rules. The owners continued feeding the peacocks, per a letter by the homeowners association’s board to the village.
“They can live their life very well on their own,” Mahoney said. “We’ll keep the beautiful peacocks in Islamorada, which I think everyone wants.”
Vice Mayor Don Horton said he liked the idea of adding language preventing people from feeding the peacocks.
“When it comes to the balance we have to give and take. The give is they’ll stay in Islamorada. The take is we have to give something by not feeding them,” he said.
Several community members praised the village’s efforts to pause the peacock removal. Jeri Wagner told council members the peacocks come by her house during breeding.
“They’re amazing. They’re majestic. They’re incredibly beautiful and they’re fun to watch, especially when they bring their young,” she said.
In other matters, the village council set a tentative millage rate of 3.000, or $300 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, ahead of budget talks in August. The rate can be decreased, but not increased as workshops get underway Aug. 5-7. Village Manager Ron Saunders said he’ll be instituting a hiring freeze for the next two months and eliminating any vacant positions.
“As we cut, we also have to keep in mind the things going on at the state and federal level, specifically FEMA,” he said.
A resolution by Councilman Steve Friedman opposing Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades didn’t receive support from fellow council members.
