DATE: February 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director
Frank Fanara, Parks Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE
INTEGRATED ADAPTIVE CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Request for Proposal for the Integrated Adaptive Canada Goose Management Plan (Plan) implementation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Canada goose management consists of implementing a comprehensive program to address the ongoing challenges associated with the increasing population of Canada geese in Foster City parks and open spaces. The impacts of Canada geese include:
•Excessive fecal matter affecting park cleanliness and usability. •Degradation of turf, water quality, and other natural resources. •Increased complaints from residents and park users.
•Elevated maintenance costs to address goose-related impacts.
Adoption of the resolution will authorize the issuance of a Request for Proposal to secure professional services for Canada Goose Management. Once responses have been received, staff anticipate returning to the City Council on April 7, 2025, with a recommendation to award a contract.
BACKGROUND
The City of Foster City manages twenty-four (24) parks that provide recreational and environmental benefits for the community. Over the years, the growing population of Canada geese in these areas has posed significant challenges. The City has implemented various short-term mitigation measures, such as increased cleaning and deterrents, but these efforts have not produced the desired results.
At the regular City Council meeting on December 2, 2024, the City Council approved the Plan which provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the impacts of Canada geese. The plan outlines strategies to mitigate damage to turf, improve water quality, and reduce maintenance costs. It emphasizes humane and effective solutions, including habitat modification, population control measures, and public education. The recommendations in the plan serve as the foundation for the proposed Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure professional services to implement these strategies.
Staff is seeking City Council approval to engage a wildlife management firm to implement the proposed strategies outlined in the City’s Plan.
ANALYSIS
The scope of work for the Plan Implementation RFP will include:
•Assessment and Planning: Conducting a detailed assessment of Canada goose populations, behaviors, and impacts within City parks and open spaces, and developing a site-specific management plan.
•Implementation of Management Techniques: Recommending and deploying evidence-based deterrent methods, such as habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and aversion conditioning, as well as egg-addling or other population control measures in compliance with federal and state regulations. •Monitoring and Reporting: Establishing benchmarks for success, monitoring progress, and providing regular reports to the City on outcomes and adjustments to strategies.
•Community Engagement and Education: Conducting outreach to inform the public about the program’s goals, methods, and expected outcomes.
This effort will serve as a pilot program focusing on Erckenbrack, Gull, and Marlin parks with the highest Canada goose activity to evaluate and refine management techniques.
A comprehensive range of hazing and deterrent methods will be implemented in these locations to determine the most effective strategies for reducing goose-related impacts.
Findings from this initial phase will provide critical data on the success of various techniques, allowing staff to adjust and optimize the approach before broader implementation. Once the most effective methods are identified, the City will expand successful efforts to additional parks impacted by Canada geese, ensuring resources are used efficiently while maximizing long-term management success.
The proposed terms of the agreement shall be an initial partial term from April 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 with two optional one-year extensions based on performance and need. The first optional extension term will run from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. The second optional extension term will run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Not applicable. There is no impact in issuing the Request for Proposal. At the December 2, 2024 the City Council via City Resolution No. 2024-127 adopted the Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), with all findings and standard conditions of approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Plan. Implementation of the Plan, including various management techniques, was contemplated as part of the IS/MND.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant cost to issue the Request for Proposal. The fiscal impact of the proposed services will be evaluated and discussed in the Staff Report accompanying the contract award recommendation at a future Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Facilities and Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Request for Proposal