Title
Resolution to Approve a Two-Year Contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for Deer Management Program Services for the City of Ann Arbor (NTE $170,000.00/yr.)
Memorandum
The attached resolution requests approve a two-year contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for combined lethal and non-lethal deer management services under the MDNR combined management Scientific Collector’s permit issued to White Buffalo on January 4, 2017, which is valid through March 31, 2020 and related community education support services.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Program Funds were budgeted and approved in the FY18 Community Services Administration budget. Funding for future years under the contract will planned and budgeted as part of the on-going Deer Management Program.
City Council directed the Administration to implement a lethal plan over four years. The first cull was conducted during the winter of 2016 in designated City of Ann Arbor parks and nature areas under a permit issued directly to the City of Ann Arbor. The second year of the four-year cull was conducted in the winter of 2017 under a three-year research permit issued to White Buffalo, Inc., which also allowed non-lethal activities.
The permit issued to White Buffalo, Inc. allows it to continue to provide the City of Ann Arbor combined deer management services, subject to contract approval by City Council, during the calendar years 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Under the terms of the Scientific Permit any change to the original proposal submitted and permitted requires submission to and approval by the MDNR of an amendment. Based on the report data from year 2 and statutory and regulatory changes regarding safety zone shooting requirements it is anticipated that White Buffalo will submit an amendment regarding the number of deer sterilized/culled and logistical requirements.
A two-year contract will enable staff and the self-organized citizen group to participate in the development of specific programs for implementation during the term of the contract, including community-based education programs. The use of work statements under the contract will allow flexibility to address specific program objectives and approved MDNR amendments to the Scientific Permit. At this time, no objectives have been established. Requested funding is based on a not to exceed amount usage of the remainder of the approve budget after known expenditures for data collection.
The City Administration recommends approval of a two-year contract with White Buffalo for the remaining term of the City Council adopted timeline for its Deer Management Program.
White Buffalo, Inc. complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
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 in support of locally funded fertility control research in combination with culling of localized deer populations issued a research permit to White Buffalo, Inc.;
Whereas, Dr. Anthony DeNicola, White Buffalo, Inc., has proposed to continue the 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, Funds have been budgeted and are available in approved FY18 Community Services Administration budget and will be planned for in future budgets; and
Whereas, White Buffalo, Inc. complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a two-year contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for the Combined Surgical Sterilization and Sharpshooting Management Services for the City’s Deer Population in the amount NTE $170,000.00 per 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 the execution of any Letter of Authority required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in connection with permit activities on City property and Work Statements for specific program services within the approved contract amount.