While the municipality has no jurisdiction over wild populations of animals or birds there is low to moderate risk of loss of public confidence in ignoring escalating wildlife populations.

The control of Canada Goose or the fecal matter that remains in Parks could require significant resources as outlined in the previously identified options. At this point these resources have not been considered for budgeting.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Consideration for the outsourcing of a wildlife control contractor for individual park problems or a City wide control program could range from $5,000 - $10,000 per park and $75,000 - $125,000 respectively. There are a limited number of local and regional contractors capable of providing this service but the expectation is a request for proposal or quotes would yield several competitive bids. None of the contractors surveyed provide sidewalk and trail cleaning services so these values represent wildlife control measures only, presumably with a successful wildlife control program cleanup measures would not be required.

Consideration for in sourcing wildlife control work would assume a dedicated staff person to coordinate and deliver the program(s). If active control measures are not considered viable, bird waste control would require the purchase of a mobile sweeper unit capable of collecting and washing hard surface trails and an operator. Presumably the operator would also undertake other wildlife control initiatives as outlined in this report and support other parks operations in low wildlife times (winter). As Parks does not have a seasonal staff compliment per the Collective Agreement it is likely this position would be permanent full-time. Staffing this position, assuming Parks Serviceman, would amount to an annual cost of $71,872 including fringe, using 2016 rates.

Sweeping units range from $50,000 to $72,000 dollars as an initial capital cost with approximately $22,000 annual required supporting the fleet reserve fund.

The City does have street sweeping capabilities which haven't been extended to Parks trail systems. Now with many parks supporting wider multi-use trails this program could conceivably be extended to park trails particularly along the Riverfront. This would require additional staff and equipment time which would include funding the fleet reserve for the sweeper use and staffing from Environmental Services for an approximate seasonal net cost of $75,000

Council should note, there are currently no dedicated budgetary funds for this initiative.

Should Council choose to select any of these options, it would require a more detailed cost analysis and designated budgetary funding would need to be provided.