Title/Name/Summary
2025 Wildlife Management Program
History
There are several nuisances associated with Canada geese in the suburban environment. For example, Canada geese tend to be present in flocks of a dozen or more, which deposit large amounts of manure on walkways and turf areas. Additionally, particularly during their nesting season, they can be aggressive in protecting their eggs and young goslings. In recent years, this has been a particular issue on the grounds of the Village Center campus and Centennial and Centennial West Parks.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), damage caused by geese in Illinois has become significant, requiring new management strategies by State and Federal agencies to provide assistance in resolving the problems. As Canada geese are a federally protected bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, care must be taken when performing any management of this species of bird. For example, contractors performing this type of work are required to be licensed Wildlife Control Operators and obtain a Class D Permit from the IDNR. Geese may be physically chased from a site by trained dogs, or a repellent can be applied to turf areas to deter them from establishing a pattern of use in a particular area.
In 2024, the Village contracted with Wild Goose Chase, Inc. to provide Canada geese management services for the grounds surrounding the Village Center. After contacting several licensed contractors, Wild Goose Chase, Inc. was the only responsive company willing to provide a quote for this work. Staff from Wild Goose Chase, Inc. were highly professional, provided excellent customer service, and were able to successfully deter Canada geese from the Village Center through a combination of harassment (usually with trained dogs), egg depredation, and goose repellent. With the success of this program, and as Canada geese have also burdened Centennial and Centennial West Parks with large populations and associated nuisances, the Village budgeted to expand the Canada geese management program to include these areas as well in 2025.
As such, Public Works requested proposals from Wild Goose Chase, Inc. to provide Canada geese management services at the Village Center, Centennial Park and Centennial West Park in 2025. A summary of the proposal costs for these services is provided below:
2025 Canada Geese Management Services
Village Center: $12,825.00
Centennial/Centennial West: $30,670.00
Total: $43,495.00
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $30,670.00 is available for this contract in GL account 1008010-432910. An additional $12,825.00 is available in this same account to cover the difference between budgeted and actual costs.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the waiver of the competitive bid process in lieu of approving the execution of a sole source vendor contract with Wild Goose Chase, Inc., of Chicago Ridge, IL, for 2025 Canada Geese Management Program at the Village Center, Centennial Park and Centennial West Park, based on Wild Goose Chase, Inc’s proposals dated August 14, 2024, and October 10, 2024, for a total not-to-exceed contract price of $43,495.00;
AND
Authorize the Village Manager to execute all related contracts subject to Village Attorney review.