HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-086 - Victoria Park Swan1
Staff Report
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REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: November 26, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services
Department, ext. 4657
PREPARED BY: Greg Hummel, Manager Park Planning, Development and
Operations, ext. 4598
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: November 15, 2012
REPORT NO.: INS-12-086
SUBJECT: VICTORIA PARK SWAN
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
BACKGROUND:
On September 24, 2012 report INS-12-081 regarding the Victoria Park Swan, was submitted to
the Financial and Corporate Services Committee. The report outlined the unfortunate
circumstances surrounding the death of one of the swans in Victoria Park. At the committee
meeting a request was made to staff to bring back some additional information as well as the
results of the autopsy.
REPORT:
The following are the items that were asked for more clarification:
1) Autopsy: The swan was found to carry a parasite called `schistosome'. These parasites
typically will not harm the normal host such as gulls, ducks or geese. In this particular
case, the parasite proved to be fatal to the accidental host, the swan. The parasite
caused considerable inflammation to the brain of the swan and death was imminent.
This parasite can cause a condition called `swimmer's itch' to humans. The condition is
minor and is not fatal to humans.
2) Yearly cost of the swans: The swans are cared for within the park from early spring until
the end of October. Previously the swans wintered in Waterloo Park. This year the lone
swan will winter in Stratford. The total cost for two swans per year including winter stay,
veterinary bills and food is approximately $1,500.
3) Cost of the Autopsy: At this time we are still awaiting the invoice for the autopsy. We are
anticipating the cost to be less than $1,500.
4) Hours of Operation: Staff in Victoria Park works a number of different shifts during the
year. Our core hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. This allows staff to get
into the park and have many of the maintenance activities completed prior to public use.
The summer months have the greatest use in the park and we have seasonal staff that
works into the evenings and on weekends. In the fall, park use begins to lessen and staff
works the 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday core hours as well as a seasonal staff
that covers weekends from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
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5) Corporate Contact Centre: Processes of the Corporate Contact Centre will be addressed
as part of the Phase II Customer Service Strategy which will be presented to Council
through a strategic planning session in December.
6) In Report INS-12-081, the following was reported, `Shortly after this message was
received, the supervisor was in direct contact with the Humane Society and it was then
noted that the Humane Society did not respond as the swan was the property of the City
of Kitchener.' In further discussions with the Humane Society, this statement does not
correctly reflect what transpired. The Humane Society officer contacted the Corporate
Contact Centre and it was the CCC that indicated that the Humane Society was not
needed as city staff was responding. When the Humane Society officer contacted the
supervisor, they had indicated they were told not to respond. The park supervisor
assumed this was the direction of the Humane Society and was not aware that the
officer was following directions from the CCC. The Humane Society Officer offered to
attend to both the CCC and park supervisor if needed but was told no, city staff would
respond. The new protocol will ensure this misunderstanding will not happen again.
7) Existing Contract with the Humane Society and costs: In June of 2012, the Director of
By-law Enforcement submitted report CSD-12-085 that outlined the services and costs
associated with the contract regarding the Humane Society. The following chart was part
of this report. It provides a summary of the revenue and expenses of the City pursuant
to the proposed contracts:
2012 2013
Revenue
Dog Licensing (based on a
minimum guarantee) $207,263 $207,263
Expenses
Monthly Services $491,536 $505,053
Spay/Neuter Program $30,000 $30,000
Total Expenses $521,536 $535,053
Net Cost $314,273 $327,790
"It is staff's opinion that the 2% increase in the base amount for 2012 can be
accommodated within the current operating budget allocation. The 2.75% increase for
2013, will be incorporated into the 2013 operating budget process.
It should be noted that the revenue from the dog licensing program is a variable. The
amount of $207,263 is an amount guaranteed by KWHS, in exchange for a new revenue
sharing structure that provides them an incentive to grow the program. Depending on
the success of their initiatives, additional revenue could be realized which would
positively impact the City's budget variance."
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department
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