Title
Resolution to Approve a Two-Year Agreement with the Office for Survey Research, Michigan State University to Administer, Analyze, and Report on a Resident Survey On Deer Impacts in Ann Arbor (Approx. $19,971.00 FY18, $21,969.00 FY19)
Memorandum
The attached resolution requests the approval of a two-year contract with the Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University to continue surveying Ann Arbor residents about the Deer Impacts in Ann Arbor for the City’s Deer Management Program years 3-4.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: This expenditure was planned and budgeted in the approved FY18 Community Services Administration budget. Funding for FY19 will be budgeted as part of the on-going Deer Management Program. It is anticipated that service costs based on known variables will be increased by not more than 10% in the second year of the contract and authorization of a contingency to address administrative costs is requested.
The implementation of the Deer Management Program includes assessing residents’ perceptions of the impact of deer in the community along with their views of the City’s plan. Prior to the initial cull, staff had conducted surveys that were not intended to be statistically valid but were inexpensive to administer and provided general community feedback.
In FY2017 staff contracted with the Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University to develop, administer, analyze, and report on a survey of Ann Arbor residents. This survey was conducted with a protocol to obtain a statistically valid sample that represented the feedback from each of the city’s five wards. The results of the survey were shared in June 2017 and are part of the City’s assessment of the deer management plan.
For consistency and continued validity, staff recommends utilizing Michigan State University for years 3-4 of the program. Continued assessment over the next couple of years will help connect the actions of the deer management plan with community feedback. The proposed contract work plan would include performing this assessment for each year of the council approved plan. The Office of Survey Research will provide an annual report to City Council on survey results during the contract term.
Approval of an agreement for services with Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University is recommended.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom Crawford, CFO/Finance and Administrative Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Ecological concerns about the impact of deer on natural areas have a broad impact on the City as a whole;
Whereas, Assessing the impact of deer browsing and the City’s deer management plan was identified as a goal of the City;
Whereas, The Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University developed, administered, analyzed and reported on a survey of residents in the spring of 2017;
Whereas, The Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University is the best source for continued monitoring of resident perceptions of the deer browse damage and deer management plan during years 3 and 4; and
Whereas, Funding is available in the approved FY18 Community Services Administration budget and will be planned and budgeted in FY19 as part of the Deer Management Program;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a two year agreement with the Office of Survey Research at Michigan State University for surveying Ann Arbor residents on the City’s Deer Management Plan ($41,940) and an approved 10% contingency to cover any increases in service costs, funds to be available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year;
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 the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution including approval of any amendment to the agreement for services within the approved contingency.