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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-28-2002 - 1 _ 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 28, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. 1 -SUBJECT: Report on the Proposed Piedmont Wildlife Center and Public Comment Period DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Health ATTACHMENT(S): Dr. Bobby Shopler's INFORMATION CONTACT: Proposal for a Wildlife Center in the Gwen Harvey, ext 2307 Piedmont Rosemary Summers, ext 2411 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider staff analysis of the proposal for development of a new wildlife center and to receive public comment on the proposal. BACKGROUND: The county has no legal obligation to provide for the care or rehabilitation of wildlife. County legal mandates for animals are those that were outlined in the Commissioners board packet for the October 1, 2002 meeting. Generally, those mandates are limited to rabies control laws, the dangerous dog law, and through local ordinance the sheltering of domestic animals. Dr. Bobby Shopler approached the Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on October 15 with a proposal to develop a new wildlife center that would serve the Triangle Region. The proposal (attached) is to develop a regional facility that will serve as a rehabilitation center for wildlife. Highlights from the proposal include: • Expected care of 2000+ wild animals in the first year • Outreach and educational programs for schools and institutions • Internship program for colleges and veterinary students • Research related to wildlife deaths and rehabilitation • A total budget for the first year of operation of$272,450 with significant increases in years two and three • Temporary or permanent center location still to be identified • No facilities are currently constructed (may have some depending on site identified) • Multi-county service area, primarily serving the Triangle • Timeline: Acquire temporary site by January 1, 2003 and begin receiving wildlife by April 2003. • Sunnort Needed: Location. Structures. Financial 2 Dr. Shopler's proposal includes an initial request for$100,000 from Orange County Commissioners for 2003 with increases proposed in 2004 and 2005. The Animal Protection Society of Orange County, Inc. has operated a Wildlife Sanctuary for about five years. That facility is temporarily closed for renovations. It is projected to re-open in February. While it is closed, wildlife is being transferred to licensed private rehabilitators in the area or sent to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. Wildlife that are badly injured are euthanized. In December the APS Board is planning on instituting a search for a Wildlife Manager for the re- opened Sanctuary. The intent is for the Manager to have the appropriate certifications and licenses to accept and rehabilitate wildlife. There is interest from several veterinarians for part- time contracts for medical care. The APS is beginning the contracting process for building a new "halfway home" facility on the Sanctuary property that will house all domestic animals undergoing spay/neuter surgery prior to going to their final home, enabling separation of wildlife and domestic animals. The APS anticipates that this new facility will be completed this spring and have secured funding for building the facility through private fundraising. The budget for the operations portion of the Sanctuary operations was approximately $142,900 on an annual basis. A new budget will be developed with the restructuring of the operation. No county funds were utilized for the operation of the Wildlife Sanctuary and there are none projected for request by APS. The APS Board continues to assert a strong commitment to all animals including wildlife. There is at least one other organized wildlife group in the Triangle area. The American Wildlife Refuge is located on a tract of land in Wake County and serves primarily as a raptor center. This refuge is operated by a non-profit agency that is privately funded. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Potential impact would include allocation of the requested $100,000 to help support operation of a new Piedmont Wildlife Center. There is no budgeted amount in this fiscal year for such a program and it would be a new direction for the county. Dr. Shopler in his proposal indicates talks are underway with four organizations that have expressed an interest in having a wildlife center, and that his group expects to raise funds through grants, membership, and private donations. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the staff report on the proposal as background, receive public comment on the proposal, and consider reviewing a funding request (like a challenge grant ) in the future once Dr. Shopler has secured funding commitments for the proposed Piedmont Wildlife Center from other entities. Why do we need a wildlife center in the Piedmont? Animal Protection Society of Orange County fired its wildlife staff and closed its center The time has come for wild animals and domestic animals to go their separate ways. The APS WRC operated for the past 5 years out of a shared building. The APS Animal Clinic operated out of the same 2900 sq.ft.building as the wildlife center. The result was barking and mewing predators being kept in earshot of recovering prey species. This kind of stress is not ideal for wildlife rehabilitation. Trend of animals coming to the APS WRC over the past 5 years • From about 600 animals that came to the Center in its first year of existance to the estimated 2000 animals that would have been treated in 2002 had the doors not closed Number of Sick,Injured and Orphaned Wildlife Brought to APS 2000-- Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 01-118090MV 1500 �� xt a �S " `M, per. 1000 * x y' ®#of Wildlife Soo 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 • More than 970 people brought wildlife to the former APS WRC in 2002. • Well over 100 species of wildlife have been treated at the APS WRC including a bald eagle,red cockaded woodpeckers,pileated woodpeckers and a peregrine falcon Increased development • Orange County's population has grown by over 25%over the past 10 years. Continued growth results in greater stress on our wildlife population and a greater need for education about wildlife and treatment of wildlife. • As people move into the area public health issues can become more important.Diseases such as west Nile virus show up in wild populations first. An active wildlife center with a trained veterinarian and public health professional will give our county an advantage in identifying these diseases early and protecting our citizens. • Economically important diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease have the potential for showing up in wildlife populations as well. Who supports a wildlife center? Orange County citizens • We are located near schools of public health,veterinary medicine,planning,and environmental management We have already established connections with many of these institutions through our director. • We have a population base with the financial capability of supporting such a center. • We have a supportive population as demonstrated by the outpouring of support for wildlife this past summer.(Demonstration on Franklin Street,letters to the editor,newspaper articles,letters from volunteers,rehabilitators,veterinarians and concerned citizens from across the state. Wake County citizens • We have been approached by Wake county citizens,veterinarians,business people,and rehabilitators to start a wildlife center in the triangle area • Professors from NCSU Veterinary School have asked Dr.Schopler to participate in classes for veterinary students,and to help in the start-up of a wildlife center in the area • These people are working together with the Piedmont Wildlife Center to find a location and building from which to open a center this sprin& The Piedmont Wildlife Center is highly qualified for running a wildlife center. • Members include at least 3 veterinarians,one of which has over 11 years of work with wildlife. • Our director has over 5 years experience directing a wildlife center,is a veterinarian and has a doctorate in public health. • At least three members have federal rehabilitator's licenses,permitting them to work with migratory birds. • At least ten members have state rehabilitator's licenses,allowing them to work with mammals, reptiles,and other wildlife. • We have two members on the board of the Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina • We have one member on the board of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and on International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. • Two members are certified by FEMA to work with wildlife after natural disasters. • Our organization has hundreds of person-years of experience with wildlife rehabilitation. • Members and supporters include architects,builders,public health professionals,educators, health care professionals,attorneys,small business owners,business professionals,and more. Our center will provide a comprehensive suite of services to the community. • Rehabilitation:The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to take in sick,injured,and orphaned North American wildlife with the intent of returning them in a healthy condition to their original habitat We expect to get in close to 2000 animals in our first year of operation. • Education:Our intent is to teach wildlife rehabilitation and restoration,and stress the importance of tracts of wilderness for supporting wildlife populations. We will provide: a Outreach programs to area schools and institutions b. Rehabilitation classes for the public and fellow rehabilitators (by teaching the best techniques we know for rehabilitation we will insure this area recieves the best care for its wildlife and that rehabilitation is done responsibly). c. A multi-tiered internship program for college students,veterinary students,and veterinarians. d. A strong volunteer training program for volunteers of the Wildlife Center • Scientific Study will be designed to: a. Explore causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality in our area b. Improve rehabilitation of wildlife c. Improve our knowledge of significant diseases for different species of wildlife; d. Serve as a surveillance to alert the area to significant public health diseases if they come to our area. • We will not provide services for domestic animals. Facilities which also treat domestic animals run into difficulties due to disease introduction from domestic to wild and visa versa. Domestic animals put undue stress on recuperating wildlife from noise,odor,and visual stimulus. Animal shelters that have combined wildlife and domestic animals have routinely had to split apart after a few years due to differing needs and emphases. Our timeline. • To complete incorporation,501(c)(3)filing,and required registrations by the end of 2002. • To hire staff and administration by January of 2003 • To acquire a temporary site by January 1,2003 and have that temporary facility capable of receiving wildlife by April of 2003. • To site a permanent rehabilitation facility by April of 2004. • To have an educational and research facility established by 2007. Why should Piedmont Wildlife Center be supported? Education of citizens re: environmental, and wildiife issues facing us today Counteracts overdevelopment To have a place where the public can bring wildlife concems, both animals and ideas. What type of support is there already? Land possibilities Lost Comer(Wake,Chatham,Durham counties) Two Land owners in Chatham County Sites in Orange County 7-mile Creek The 200 acres involved would be ideal for setting up a wildlife center and placing an educational trail through part of the land. The Center would serve to educate the people of this region about the importance of maintaining corridors of wilderness to support diverse populations of animals. The potential benefit of biodiversity in the area can not be overstated. The potential for expansion in the future is a major plus for this area. A wildlife center would be an ideal conduit for informing the public of the benefit for us all if we leave large tracts of land undisturbed. Triangle Land Conservancy The triangle land conservancy has expressed an interest in our project and has a large tract of land bequeathed to them in the indeterminate future. Though this land has buildings adequate for our purposes on the land already,the uncertainty of the time of its availability makes it less then ideal at this time. .Private lands There are several landowners who have offered their property for our wildlife center. We are investigating these as possible temporary sites. Burnt nursing home next to Duke forest. Land on Jo Mac Road Land off of Morrow All Road Others What support is needed? Location Structures Financial(See budget that follows) WILDLIFE CENTER BUDGET EXPENSES 2003 2004 2005 PERSONNEL $212,450 $271,630. $292,615 OPERATIONS $19,700 $22,082 $24,774 ADMINISTRATIVE $23,800 $26,590 $29,920 VEHICLE $550 $605 $666 UTILITIES $4,800 $5,040 $5,292 TOTAL EXPENSES $261,300 $325,947 $353,266 TOTAL REVENUE $272,450 $354,714 $497,589 NET $119150 $28,767 $144,323 Building Foundation $11,150 $39,917 $184,239 PERSONNEL 2003 2004 2005 DirectorNeterinarian $60,000 $62,400 $64,896 Wildlife manager $24,000 $24,960 $25,958 Wildlife assistant $18,000 $18,720 $19,469 Wildlife assistant 1/2 $9,000 $9,360 $9,734 Front Desk $20,000 $20,000 $20,800 Outreach Director $30,000 $31,200 $32,448 Vet intern $0 $20,000 $25,000 Office Manager $20,000 $20,800 $21,632 Total wages $181,000 $207,440 $219,938 Benefits (FICA, $29,750 $37,190 $38,678 Rtrmnt,hith,life,wc $24,000 $30,000 Rabies $700 $1,000 $1,000 Training $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 Sub-Total $212,450 $271,630 $292,615 OPERATIONS 2003 2004 2005 Supplies $2,300 $2,530 $2,783 Cage/Equip/Repair $400 $440 $484 Wildlife Food $12,000 $13,680 $15,595 Miscellaneous $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Tests $750 $857 $980 Vet Supplies $2,500 $2,750 $3,025 Workshops $750 $825 $908 Sub-Total $19,700 $22,082 $24,774 ADMINISTRATIVE 2003 2004 2005 Fundraising $5,000 $5,250 $5,513 Newsletter $8,000 $10,000 $12,500 Volunteer Expense $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Insurance $1,900 $1,995 $2,095 Office Supply $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Postage $800 $840 $882 Printing/Copying $4,000 $4,200 $4,410 Permits $200 $210 $221 Memberships $400 $420 $441 Finance Fees $500 $525 $551 CPA $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Sub-Total $23,800 $26,590 $29,920 VEHICLE 2003 2004 2005 Maintenance/repair $100 $110 $121 Fuel/Oil $100 $110 $121 Insurance $250 $275 $303 Misc/Mileage $100 $110 $121 Sub-Total $550 $605 $666 UTILITIES 2003 2004. 2005 Telephone $1,000 $1,050 $1,103 Propane $450 $473 $496 Electricity $3,150 . $3,308 $3,473 Online $200 $210 $221 Sub-Total $4,800 $5,040 $5,292 WILDLIFE CENTER BUDGET REVENUE 2003 2004 2005 Private Contributions $95,000 $133,000 $186,200 Corporate Donations $5,000 $10,000 $25,000 Special Events $9,000 $11,250 $14,063 Workshops $2,600 $3,900 $3,900 Foundations $60,000 $60,000 $100,000 Grants $1,000 $26,000 $40,000 Membership $35 $7,000 $14,000 $28,000 County Support $100,000 $104,000 $108,160 TOTAL $279,600 $362,150 $505,323 NET $18,300 $36,203 $152,056 • Our facilities budget is$100,000+depending on how we acquire our facility. We are currently talking with four organizations that have expressed interest in having a wildlife center. • We expect to raise funds through grants,membership,and private donations. Last year the Virginia Wildlife Center raised over$670,000 from similar sources.