Submitted By
Theresa Chapple-McGruder, Public Health Director
Reviewed By
AMZ
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving an Amendment to a Professional Services Agreement with Pest Management Services, Inc., D/B/A Pest Management Services, for Rat Control Services to Change the Not to Exceed Amount from $21,120 to $31,120 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
There has been an increase in rodent activity in the Village this season. We are requesting to increase our current contract with our vendor, Pest Management, by $10,000 in order to increase the level of service we offer to our residents. We currently provide rodent control one day of the week. Increasing our contract will allow us to offer services two days a week.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Staff recommends we increase the level of rodent control services we offer.
Fiscal Impact
Increasing rodent control services will cost $10,000. Funds are not currently available in the line item 1001.44550.612.530667.0000 and will take a budget amendment in order to fulfill this request. There is no line item in health where we can move $10,000 as all extra funds have been allocated to the pandemic. Public Health is seeking these funds from the fund balance.
Background
The Village of Oak Park is experiencing an increase in rodent activity this year. During the summer months, we normally have around 40 complaints per week. This year, we have had multiple weeks where we received more than 100 rodent complaints. This is the first year that we have had to retain an intern to dedicate 15-20 hours a week just to handle rodent concerns.
Staff suspects the increase in rodent activity may be due to three main reasons, 1- lifting pandemic restrictions; 2- increased population at home; and 3- construction. Worldwide there have been increasing reports of rat sightings and corresponding increases with disease linked to rodents linked to pandemic restrictions. The thought is that pandemic restrictions changed human rodent interactions and the lifting of those restrictions is leading to an increase in rodent activity. As restaurants open to full capacity, festivals, and outdoor eating continues, rodents now have an active food source that was previously unavailable. Coupled with the increases in our residents working from home, it is more likely that residents will sight rats, as well as increase their level of the trash, which is a food source for rats. Lastly, the increase in construction has also led to increases in rat activity.
We have taken some steps to address the increase in rodent activity. Working with Development Customer Service, we have asked that all new construction projects include a rodent abatement plan. We also work closely with that department to address properties in disrepair that could serve as potential breeding sites for rodents. We are working with Public Works to ensure that residents have trashcans that are in good working condition with no holes allowing for rats to penetrate trash. We are also communicating with the public on ways to decrease the likelihood that rats would be attracted to their property by implementing simple procedures such as promptly picking up after pets, cleaning up bird seeds and chicken feed, and keeping a clean yard.
We are proposing to add an additional day of rodent control services to supplement the preventative strategies we are already employing.
Alternatives
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Previous Board Action
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Citizen Advisory Commission Action
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Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
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Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
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