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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager AnnouncementsCITY HALL 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903 -1130 City of Oshkosh MEMORANDUM OfHKOIH Date: October 8, 2009 To: Mayor & City Council From: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager Subject: CONTRACT WITH URBAN WILDLIFE SPECIALISTS As the Council is aware, the city's contract with Urban Wildlife Specialists (UWS) expires on December 31, 2009. The city's contract with UWS was limited to one calendar year. Therefore, we have the ability under our contract to request UWS to return to Oshkosh to continue deer culling operations should the city so desire. UWS would be limited in their ability to come back based upon l) availability and 2) meeting appropriate specifications under our contract, specifically, snow cover so that they may complete their work in the most optimal conditions. While I have the authority as City Manager to request UWS to return to Oshkosh, I have been reluctant to do so given the recent direction of Council to form an Urban Wildlife Committee. Based upon the purpose and goals of the Committee, I felt it would be inappropriate for me to continue deer culling operations when a committee would be reviewing work done to date. However, I also realize that the problem with urban deer continues in the Armory area and that residents there continue to be negatively impacted by the presence of deer in this area. Having said that, I still believe it would be inappropriate for me to unilaterally continue this work when Council has already indicated its desire to have a citizens committee assist you in addressing this controversial issue. In recent weeks, Council and I have received numerous e -mails and calls from residents in the Armory area, further identifying problems associated with the presence of deer in their neighborhood. In one case, a resident offered to organize a group of people to perform an authorized deer culling operation with bows and arrows. I have not responded to this person for the same reasons listed above. However, I think it points out that the residents are willing to work with us to provide some relief to their problem. With respect to this suggestion, Chief Greuel has reiterated information he has received from the DNR and other specialists in this.area that independent, non - professional hunters may not be the appropriate solution to deer culling in this neighborhood. As a result, I asked Chief Greuel to check on the availability of Urban Wildlife Specialists for the remainder of the year. Although I do not have an answer, Chief Greuel indicated that given the lateness in the year, it is unlikely that UWS would be available prior to December 31'. The Chief and I discussed the possibility of extending our contract to continue deer culling operations after December 31, 2009. This would enable us to have more ideal conditions for them to perform deer culling operations. Although Chief Greuel has not heard back yet from UWS as of the writing of this memo, I have placed an item under my reports on the October IP Agenda so that I can update. Council on this possibility. Although I have the authority to continue operations up until December 31, 2009, any extension of a contract with UWS would require Council approval, and given the nature of this issue, I wanted to make sure that Council is. comfortable with how I am proceeding in administering this contract. If you have any questions on this issue leading up to Tuesday's meeting, I would appreciate any feedback. MAR/jdc n ( 0 O HKO H ON THE WATER MEMORANDUM DATE: October 6, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark A Rohloff, City Manger 04@(— go"O: � RE: Engineering Services Agreement - Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition ( SCADA) Graphics Development Strand Associates, Inc. (Strand) is experienced in the development of SCADA graphics for wastewater treatment systems and has provided these services in past system upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They have provided an agreement to provide this service for an estimated cost of $69,000. This design work was also included in the bidding documents for Contract 09 -19. The estimated cost for this work as part of the Contract 09 -19 project ranged from $170,000 to $177,000. Because of the cost savings, we are recommending that this computer design be completed by Strand. Strand's knowledge /experience of the City of Oshkosh wastewater system allows them to provide this service more efficiently. Section 12- 10(D)(5) of the Municipal Code provides that professional services of a specialized nature, including engineering services, may be approved by the City Manger without the use of formal sealed quotes. In accordance with 12 -10(E) of the Code, I am hereby submitting this report regarding this contract award. These services will be funded through the Wastewater Utility. Please advise me if you have any questions concerning this contract award. MAR /smb CITY HALL 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903 -1130 City of Oshkosh — OlHKOJH MEMORANDUM DATE: October 9, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager RE: Engineering Services Agreements — Environmental Monitoring at Timmerman Landfill and Environmental Monitoring /Gas Venting Design at Quarry Park Landfill / AECOM The Department of Public Works has utilized AECOM (former STS Consultants) for various environmental engineering needs at the Quarr Park Landfill located on Knapp Street (since 1979) and at Timmerman Landfill located at 35 Avenue /Marvel Drive (since 1993). Additional design and monitoring services need to be completed through 2010 as follows: Timmerman Landfill — Continue groundwater monitoring for an estimated cost of $38,000 Quarry Park — Continue methane gas monitoring for an estimated cost of $37,000 Quarry Park — Design of active gas venting system for an estimated cost of $79,300 The cost for these groundwater /gas- monitoring services will be allocated to the operating budget (Account 100 - 0470 /Garbage Collection & Disposal) and the cost for design of the gas vent project will be allocated to the Capital Improvement Program. Section 12- 10(D)(5) of the Municipal Code provides that professional services of a specialized nature, including engineering services, may be approved by the City Manager without the use of formal, sealed quotes. In accordance with 12 -10(E) of the Code, I am hereby submitting this report regarding this contract award. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this contract award. MAR /dcp t,;