Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for Combined Surgical Sterilization and Sharpshooting Management Services for the City’s Deer Population ($153,940.00), Amend the FY17 Budget and Appropriate Necessary Funds ($97,795.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Approval is requested to appropriate the necessary funds to contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for combined lethal and non-lethal deer management services under a proposed MDNR combined management research project permit.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Program Funds were budgeted and approved in the amount of $145,000.00 for lethal ($110,000.00) and non-lethal ($35,000.00) program costs. It will be necessary to appropriate additional funding from available General Fund fund balance for the combined management research project services in the amount of $97,795.00.
City Council direction to the Administration direct staff to implement a lethal plan over four years. The City of Ann Arbor conducted the first of a four-year cull during the winter of 2016 in designated City of Ann Arbor parks and nature areas. Staff worked with some self-organized citizen groups during the summer of 2016 to prepare for the winter 2017 program (the 2nd year of the 4 year plan).
In addition, City Council directed staff to explore the viability of a deer fertility control program where effective and cost efficient. The MDNR and community stakeholders were actively engaged in the development of this potential proposal. Fertility control is not currently an authorized permitted activity by the MDNR, but the MDNR has indicated a willingness to consider a research proposal including sterilization. With the assistance of the self-organized citizen groups, staff determined that White Buffalo had experience with both lethal and sterilization programs ad was recognized by the MDNR and citizen groups as a favorable contractor to perform these services.
White Buffalo, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that identifies its focus as conservation of native species and ecosystems. White Buffalo, Inc.’s knowledge and experience make it the best source consultant for development of a viable research project for consideration and approval by MDNR Wildlife Services. Staff recommends it as a sole source due to their experience and familiarity with MDNR and other state experts on deer.
White Buffalo, Inc. complies with the requirements of the City’s non-discrimination and living wage ordinances.
City Administration recommend the selection of White Buffalo, Inc. and pursuit of a MDNR research project permit for combined sterilization and sharpshooting deer management program for winter 2017.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, CFO/Finance and Administrative Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has determined that its urban deer population are creating public safety and ecological conflicts in its natural areas and neighborhoods;
Whereas, The use of culling techniques has historically been used to reduce local deer populations;
Whereas, Alternative management techniques such fertility control may be more practical in areas where culling is not feasible;
Whereas, MDNR regulations do not currently permit fertility control as a management technique for white-tailed deer populations;
Whereas, MDNR has expressed support for locally-funded fertility control research in combination with culling of localized deer populations;
Whereas, Dr. Anthony DeNicola, White Buffalo, Inc., has presented the City with a proposal for a Deer research project for examining the effectiveness of surgical sterilization and sharpshooting as a combined approach for managing the City’s white-tailed deer population;
Whereas, Funding is available but unbudgeted in the General Fund fund balance;
Whereas, White Buffalo, Inc. complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances; and
Whereas, The City Administration recommends submission of Dr. DeNicola’s deer research project to MDNR for approval and contracting with White Buffalo, Inc. to conduct the project combined management techniques when and as permitted;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for the Combined Surgical Sterilization and Sharpshooting Management Services for the City’s Deer Population in the amount of $153,940.00;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the above contract subject to approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That City Council amend the approved FY17 Community Services Administration expenditure budget by $97,795.00 with funding from the one-time use of $97,795.00 from the General Fund fund balance to be expended in accordance with the Winter 2017 Deer Management Plan.