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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/03/2014 - RESOLUTION 2014-049 AMENDING THE WEST NILE VIRUS MAgenda Item 21 Item # 21 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY June 3, 2014 City Council STAFF Dan Weinheimer, Policy & Project Manager Mike Calhoon, Parks Supervisor SUBJECT Resolution 2014-049 Amending the West Nile Virus Management Policy and Providing Direction to the City Manager Regarding Implementation of the Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to adopt enhancements to the West Nile Virus Management Program. Staff is presenting two options for Council consideration; both would update the West Nile Virus Management Policy. The program changes being offered include dividing the City into operational zones, considering changes to the program response guidelines (operational practices), implementing a limited business opt-out and maintaining a residential opt-out program based on the pesticide sensitivity registry maintained by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and eliminating the Advisory Panel that advises the City Manager on adulticide recommendations. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of Option B. This option improves the City’s West Nile Virus Management Program while best reflecting the program objective of protecting human health. Recommended options include: adopting a zone approach, removing the number of weekly human cases as a threshold for action, maintaining the current vector index threshold at 0.75, implementing an opt-out program for impacted businesses with education and to maintain a residential pesticide sensitivity registry opt-out, and eliminating the Advisory Panel. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION On May 6, 2014 the City Council reviewed options to enhance the West Nile Virus Management Plan. Options presented to Council came from the West Nile Virus (WNV) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and from staff after review of the 2013 season and historical data. West Nile virus (WNV) has been in Colorado since 2002 and the threat of disease transmission is now an annual concern. WNV is a disease transmitted to humans by Culex mosquitoes, which are the vector (source of transmission). WNV-infected mosquitoes infect birds, which can then be bitten by many uninfected mosquitoes, greatly amplifying vector abundance. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 (20-25 percent) people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (CDC DVBD) information). Fort Collins utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to address WNV. IPM consists of a comprehensive series of evaluations, decisions and controls to pest management with the goal of providing the safest, most effective, most economical, and sustained remedy. IPM reduces the risk from pests while also reducing the risk from the overuse or inappropriate Agenda Item 21 Item # 21 Page 2 use of hazardous chemical pest-control products. Every year the City convenes a WNV Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to review the previous season’s activities and recommend modifications to the WNV Management Program Policy. This plan, do, check, act (PDCA) cycle instills continuous improvement in the WNV Management Program. Opt-out program City Council directed staff to maintain the opt-out program for residents on the pesticide sensitivity registry and to develop an opt-out program for businesses able to demonstrate a sustained economic impact. The State of Colorado Department of Agriculture maintains the pesticide sensitivity registry; to be placed on the registry a certificate must be signed by a licensed physician stating that an individual has a medical condition that makes him/her sensitive to pesticides. Fort Collins has about 15 homes listed on the pesticide sensitivity registry. Those homes are, depending on weather conditions, provided a 300 to 500 foot buffer from where spraying occurs. Staff works with Colorado Mosquito Control (CMC), the City’s contractor, to ensure these pesticide sensitive residents are protected. A business opt-out program was recommended by members of the TAC. The TAC representative for urban agriculture described concerns of food producers, namely that covering even small farms to protect them from being sprayed with a pesticide is not feasible. Fort Collins has twenty six (26) registered community supported agriculture (CSA) farms producing fruit, vegetables and herbs for sale at Farmers Market, wholesale and farm stand. TAC members also described a similar challenge in covering bee hives used both for personal and commercial use. Bees are susceptible to the pesticide used in an adulticide application, but the City attempts to minimize impacts to bees by spraying after dusk when most bees are in the hive. Staff is also aware that some research at CSU may be impacted by spraying near campus buildings. An opt-out for registered businesses - agriculture, beekeepers, and research facilities - would prevent interference with those businesses. This option would also require each business to participate in source reduction and personal protection education. Businesses seeking to opt-out would need to demonstrate a direct, long-term financial hardship from the pesticide application in order to exercise the option - the intent of the opt-out is to provide relief from financial losses. While additional work would be needed to develop the exact parameters of this opt-out, the intent is to recognize concerns about impacting scientific research and anecdotal evidence that consumers are less willing to purchase produce when they know that a farm has been subject to a pesticide application. This option would also require an additional technician to perform inspection and education throughout the annual season. Some TAC members questioned whether the commercial interests of a business outweigh increasing disease transmission risks to entire neighborhoods of the city. Zones City Council supported the concept of using zones. Staff plans to begin with four (4) zones in 2014 and work with a statistician to determine the most effective zone program for future seasons. Breaking the City into smaller areas using topographic and historical program data will create a more effective WNV Management Program. Historical information indicates that mosquito activity is usually highest beginning in the southeast of Fort Collins and along the eastern border, near I-25. A zone approach could allow for additional public information, larval control, source reduction efforts, and adulticide intervention in these areas of highest disease activity. The TAC has started to work with a Colorado State University (CSU) statistician who may be able to assist in designing the optimal number and size of zones to ensure that the zones are small but still have enough traps within each zone to be statistically relevant in the vector index calculation. The City would be able to affect the number and size of zones based on the number of traps in the field - more traps in the data network could result in more, smaller zones. Adopting zones would apply to all aspects of the program, not just pesticide application, allowing targeted communication and larval control in areas where the data network demonstrates higher human health risks. The four zones that staff plans to adopt would reduce the area subject to an adulticide application, focus the program on areas with a high vector index number, and allow for prompt response to an increased disease transmission risk. Agenda Item 21 Item # 21 Page 3 Human Case Threshold Human cases are a lagging indicator because reports to public health officials by a doctor follow significantly after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Human cases of transmission of WNV are reported three to four (3-4) weeks after disease onset or four to five (4-5) weeks after transmission. Estimates from reviewing individual cases indicate that, on average, cases were reported 22 days after symptoms began and symptoms begin about one week after infection. Spraying in 2013 occurred about two weeks after the majority of reported individuals were infected, but before the majority of cases were reported. This delay in the time from infection to reporting the infection and City action can have serious public health impact. Human case identification lags more than other information - the vector index is calculated weekly and so is a better estimation of virus risk. The vector index takes into account mosquito abundance, infection rates of the trapped mosquitoes and the location of infected mosquitoes. The program response (operational) guidelines for Level III (peak season intervention) currently require that: • More than one human case being reported per week in Fort Collins - OR – • More than one positive human blood donor reported for the season. -AND- • Culex mosquito populations increasing and at or above historical average by 1 standard deviation for that time period - OR – • Mosquito infection rates of > 3.0 per thousand (0.3 percent) and increasing - OR – • Vector index > 0.75 and increasing Reconciling Zones with a Human Case Threshold Taken in context of the direction provided by City Council on May 6, 2014 regarding Zones and the Human Case Threshold, retaining human cases, as discussed above, may compromise the effectiveness of the using a treatment-zone approach. Among the motions that City Council approved on May 6: Four (4) zone approach to monitoring and spraying for the virus Retaining the 0.75 vector index Among the options that the Council declined to adopt on May 6: Removing human cases from the program response guidelines o More than one (at least two) human cases per week must be present to meet the threshold for an adulticide application in a given week Combined, these actions mean that staff will break the community into four (4) zones – staff proposes along College Avenue and Drake Road in 2014 – but also apply all of the program response guideline thresholds to each zone. In other words – each zone would need to have two human cases in a single week and a vector index above 0.75 before it would reach the outbreak threshold and support an adulticide application recommendation. This means the likelihood of achieving a threshold necessary for emergency intervention, or adulticiding, is highly unlikely. The vector index could go well above the 0.75 threshold, as happened in 2013, and yet there could be no emergency application to break the disease transmission cycle unless human cases has been reported. Staff recommends using the vector index as the primary threshold for adulticide application because Agenda Item 21 Item # 21 Page 4 human cases are a lagging indicator, while the vector index uses real-time information gathered through mosquito monitoring and testing to estimate the average number of infected mosquitoes. The vector index provides an estimate of the risk of a WNV outbreak and allows the City to take action before an outbreak (i.e. broad human cases) occurs. The changes recommended by staff on May 6 were intertwined and when broken apart cannot be reconciled into an approach that staff supports. Staff apologizes for not clarifying the irreconcilability in this context before/during the meeting. In order to more effectively use the data provided through the City’s extensive trapping network, staff strongly encourages the removal of human cases from the thresholds. Staff believes this approach – utilizing the vector index in four zones and including the opt-out provisions for health-related and business impacts – provides more effective West Nile virus control in smaller sections of town. If Council is inclined to adopt the staff recommendation to eliminate the human case threshold, additional direction should be provided to the City Manager regarding amending the program response guidelines accordingly. Advisory Panel The 2008 WNV Management Program and Policy stipulate the use of a three-member Advisory Panel in weekly review of in-season data and in evaluating the Larimer County Health Department's recommendations for an adulticide application. In recent years the Technical Advisory Committee has met during the offseason to review the City's response to WNV and recommend program improvements. The Advisory Panel is provided weekly data gathered from the City's trapping network. Panel members have discussed that there is little room to interpret the data provided other than to either concur with a recommendation to spray or to reject the recommendation. West Nile Virus Management Policies Option A includes continuing the Advisory Panel but expanding the membership from three (3) to five (5) members. The Advisory Panel would continue to review data on a weekly basis in season and provide its analysis of the Larimer Health Director’s recommendations to spray. Option B would eliminate the Advisory Panel and instead use a checklist of thresholds to consider whether the City should adulticide. Staff recommends Council adopt Option B eliminating the Advisory Panel. Modifications to the program response guidelines have removed a great deal of discretion from the Advisory Panel, some members who participated in the TAC review of the 2013 WNV season noted that their review of a spray recommendation had been reduced by improvements to the operational thresholds. The primary functions of the Advisory Panel under the 2008 WNV Management Policy were additional evaluation of seasonal data and communication to Boards. In the 2013 season review, the TAC recommended that staff promote transparency and communication by publishing the weekly in-season WNV data on the City website along with recommendations to spray received from the Larimer County Health Director and a checklist of the program response thresholds. These steps promote transparency and fill the communication role that would be vacated by the elimination of the Advisory Panel. The WNV TAC will continue to meet each off-season to review the City's operations and propose enhancements. The TAC provides recommendations to the City Manager. Both policy options include language creating a more formal TAC membership by incorporating a specific number of members, member affiliation, and role for the committee. While not replacing the Advisory Panel or its in-season role, the TAC serves an important role in advising best practice-driven program improvements. Staff proposes that the TAC membership reflect several constituencies, including, but not limited to, community members, health care, and science. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS Additional staffing is needed to implement the business opt-out program educational outreach. Colorado Mosquito Control, the City’s contractor, will handle this addition to the WNV Management Program and staff will address budget modification. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Applying a pesticide in some or all of Fort Collins represents an environmental impact. These WNV management program enhancements are anticipated to reduce the need for and extent of an adulticide application, in addition to a larvicide application, in the City. The larval control product used is deemed to have Agenda Item 21 Item # 21 Page 5 a low environmental impact, but it does reduce the abundance of mosquito larvae which has a cascading impact on species which feed upon larvae and adult mosquitoes. The aduticide product used may have broader impacts on agricultural produce, honey bees and pesticide-sensitive populations. Staff works to minimize the impact of spraying through the steps of the IPM approach. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Staff has presented the TAC’s 2014 season recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Board, Air Quality Advisory Board and to the Natural Resources Advisory Board for comment. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2013 Mosquito Control Data (PDF) 2. WNV Response Plan 2013 (PDF) 3. Role of WNV Advisory Panel (2008) (PDF) 4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF) ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Total Highest Positive VI: 2.46 Pools: 12 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 55.7 8 Total Highest Positive VI: 0.41 Pools: 10 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 15.7 37 Total Highest Positive VI: 0.8 Pools: 14 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 66.6 31 Total Highest Positive VI: 0.91 Pools: 15 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 51.8 7 Total Highest Positive VI: 1.964 Pools: 62 Page 1 of 6 Program Response Guidelines to Mosquito-Borne Arboviral Activity March 2013 Off Season Activities Status: • No human cases occurring • Mosquito activity none to very low • Mosquito infection rates 0 • Vector index 0 Operational Response: 1. Routine post-season analysis of previous season’s data; assess response and efficacy. 2. Analyze and map data from prior years to develop surveillance strategy and select mosquito-trapping sites. 3. No mosquito testing. Communication Activities: 1. Updating of public outreach plan with any new information (e.g. at-risk populations). 2. Update FAQ’s and other information that may be needed if spraying occurs. Page 2 of 6 Level I Early Season - June Status: • No human cases reported • Evidence of average or lower than average Culex species mosquito populations (as compared to available historical population data for the area) • Mosquito infection rates < 2 per thousand (0.2%) • Vector index < 0.5 Probability of Human Outbreak: Low Operational Response: 1. Initiate surveillance program. 2. Initiate larval control activities June 1st. 3. Brief City Manager on surveillance activities, mosquito-borne virus epidemiology and trigger points for recommendation of emergency control measures. Communication Activities: 1. Establish communication channels between appropriate City and County staff. 2. Ensure online information is up to date and prepare for ongoing, timely updates. 3. Initiate public education program on mosquito source reduction and risk reduction practices Communication Topics: o West Nile Virus basics o Wear repellent o Eliminate breeding sites Page 3 of 6 Level II Peak Season – July thru August – Low West Nile Virus Activity Status: • Sporadic human cases are being reported • No infected human blood donors have been reported • Culex mosquito populations increasing, but below historical average for that time period • Mosquito infection rate < 2 per thousand (0.2%) • Vector index < 0.5 Probability of Human Outbreak: Low – Moderate Operational Response: 1. Analyze and map surveillance data to identify areas of increased risk. 2. Continue mosquito pool submissions from surveillance program for West Nile virus testing with Colorado State University. 3. Brief City Manager on surveillance findings and need for quick action if activity rapidly increases. 4. Increase larval monitoring and control where necessary. 5. Begin planning for adulticide control in the event that virus activity and Culex populations rapidly rise. Communication Activities: 1. Notify local agencies, media and the public of positive findings. 2. Increase public education activities 3. Continue to regularly update online information, including maps illustrating risk areas. 4. Optional: targeted outreach to high-risk areas including: a. Door hangers b. Online outreach via NextDoor c. Posters and signage d. Coordination with Poudre School District and Colorado State University Communication Topics Overall: o West Nile Virus Basics o Wear repellent o Eliminate breeding sites o WNV policy and spraying decision parameters o How to get notified of mosquito spraying Communication Topics To Targeted Areas: o West Nile Virus risks and symptoms o Wear repellent o WNV policy and spraying decision parameters o How to get notified of mosquito spraying Page 4 of 6 Level III Peak Season – July thru August – Increasing West Nile Virus Activity Status: • More than one human case being reported per week in Fort Collins – OR – • More than one positive human blood donor reported for the season. -AND- • Culex mosquito populations increasing and at or above historical average by 1 standard deviation for that time period– OR – • Mosquito infection rates of > 3.0 per thousand (0.3%) and increasing – OR – • Vector index > 0.75 and increasing Probability of Human Outbreak: High Operational Response: 1. Enhanced communications between City and County regarding positive findings and anticipated response activities. City Manager apprised of threat levels and activities on an ongoing basis. 2. Identify geographic areas, by mapping surveillance data, where virus transmission appears most active. 3. Continue larviciding activities. 4. In the event the Health Department recommends adulticide spraying and the City Manager decides to proceed, commence adulticide operations. Communication Activities: 1. Coordinate press releases and a wide range of other activities to keep the public informed of affected areas, focusing on exposure risk reduction practices and public education of the disease threat. 2. Intensify existing public education activities and initiate public education/information on the adulticide program 3. Notify residents of affected and adjacent areas and people on the subscription notification list. 4. Notify appropriate agricultural interests (i.e. bee keepers, organic growers, etc.) and individuals on the Pesticide Sensitivity Registry of intended adulticiding activities, times, affected areas, etc. Also notify residents in areas that will not be part of the adulticide applications. Communication Topics o West Nile Virus risks and symptoms o Wear repellent o WNV policy and spraying decision parameters o How to get notified of mosquito spraying Page 5 of 6 Level IV Peak Season – July thru August – Emergency Level Status: • Multiple neuroinvasive human cases being reported in Fort Collins - AND – • Culex mosquito populations increasing and at or above historical average by 1 standard deviation for that time period - AND – • Sustained mosquito infection rates of > 5.0 per thousand (0.5%) – OR – • Vector index > 0.75. Probability of Human Outbreak: In progress Operational Response: 1. Expand mosquito surveillance activities (i.e. population densities, vector index and infection rates) to direct mosquito control efforts where risk to exposure is greatest and to monitor pre- and post-adulticide treatment conditions. 2. In the event the Health Department recommends additional adulticide spraying and the City Manager decides to proceed, continue spraying. 3. Secure any needed emergency funding and document costs associated with outbreak control. Communication Activities: 1. Focus as many resources as possible on public education and information; intensify all activities and involve public officials as spokespersons. Consider emergency measures to restrict outdoor activities. 2. Continue public education and information on the adulticide program including pesticides to be used, toxicity, application times, area of application, exposure reduction suggestions, justification, FAQ’s, etc. Notify residents of affected and adjacent areas and people on the subscription notification list. 3. Notify appropriate agricultural interests (i.e. bee keepers, organic growers, etc.) and individuals on the Pesticide Sensitivity Registry of any continued adulticiding activities, times, affected areas, etc. Also notify residents in areas that will not be part of the adulticide applications Communication Topics: o West Nile Virus risks and symptoms o Wear repellent o WNV policy and spraying decision parameters o How to get notified of mosquito spraying Page 6 of 6 Spraying Communication Activities 1. Coordinate communication with Colorado State University and Poudre School District for assistance in communicating spraying activities. 2. Focus all available resources on spraying notification. Communication Topics: o Spraying details: where and when o High quality map (interactive?) o Chemical used o Precautions to take: people, pets, gardens o Opt-out ability o Future spray notifications o WNV policy and spraying decision parameters o Special event contact (i.e., if you are planning a special event outside, please contact PERSON to coordinate spraying activities) PENDING IDEAS UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION • GPS tracking and real-time mapping of spray trucks • Mobile app to notify of spraying activities • Interactive online map of searchable addresses and spray zones • Opt-in phone notification system • Advisory Panel Orientation and Communication WNV Advisory Committee 2008 Rational: In 2003 the City began employing a contractor to supply services aimed at mitigating the risk of WNV. In three of the years since then the County Health Department has made a recommendation to utilize adulticides to reduce the WNV risk. The decision on whether or not to adulticide is the responsibility of the City Manager. Any recommendation by the County to adulticide is preceded by a detailed analysis of a number of factors; the recommendation is usually communicated to the City via email. The current process has caught many people off guard and causes concern and a variety of questions. A three-person WNV Advisory Committee, appointed by the City Manager from existing Boards and Commissions members and a member of the medical community would be tasked with staying abreast of unfolding information about mosquito activity, West Nile virus infections, and the many issues that come into play as the season progresses. This effort is coupled with expanded public outreach activities on the part of City and County staff. In the event that a recommendation of adulticiding is potentially forthcoming from the County, a series of updates will be scheduled to ensure all relevant information is promptly distributed. In the event that adulticiding is recommended by the County, the City Manager and the Advisory Committee will be prepared. The intent of the Advisory Committee is not to debate the merits of adulticiding or its’ potential human health effects during an outbreak, but rather to stay aware of the situation, air any questions or concerns, and act as an information conduit between the City Manager and members’ respective Boards. Advisors makeup and role: 1. One representative each from - Air Quality Advisory Board - Natural Resources Advisory Board - Local medical community. 2. Act as local citizen advisors to City Manager during the WNV season 3. Board Liaisons are people with technical expertise who can give timely advice when needed, including emergency situations where adulticiding may be recommended by the Health Department 4. Stay well-informed, abreast of most recent data 5. Act as liaison with respective Board 6. Not decision makers, nor do they have veto power; decisions lie with City Manager Process: 1. Liaisons will be included in informational emails from the Health Department and City staff group. Also expected to access relevant online data sites, e.g. Colorado Mosquito Control dashboard. 2. One meeting held early in season with City Manager; discuss and agree on communication protocols. 3. Advisors stay in touch with City Manager as season progresses, share perspectives 4. Should adulticiding be recommended by Health Department, advisors will immediately (within 24 hours) inform the City Manager of any concerns and/or suggestions. 1 West Nile Virus Management Plan Enhancements Agenda Item #21 June 3, 2014 2 West Nile Virus Program Purpose “Reduce the risk of human WNV infection while limiting adverse human health and environmental impacts.” -- West Nile Virus Management Policy Adopted July 1, 2008 3 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Provide a wide range of public outreach and education • Extensive ongoing mosquito populations data collection and monitoring, including WNV testing • Aggressive larval control program focusing on Culex mosquitoes • Periodic review to ensure program efficacy 4 Fort Collins WNV Trap Network 5 Management Plan Action Areas • Advisory Panel • Program Response Guidelines • Zones • Opt-out Program 6 Advisory Panel • Enhancements: – Add transparency to decision-making – Create participant manual for Panel – Panelists participate in TAC meetings • Actions: – Eliminate Advisory Panel – Increase Advisory Panel from 3 to 5 members – Allow “current and former” Boardmembers 7 Program Response Guidelines • Actions: – Remove human cases as threshold – Maintain the vector index at 0.75 8 Program Response Guidelines: Human Case Threshold • Lagging indicator – Identified 2-3 weeks after transmission • Reported on avg 22 days after symptom onset – Threshold requires 2+ human cases in same week • Delays a health-related intervention • Mosquito trap data optimal threshold for risk 9 Graphic provided by Larimer Co. Health Department 10 Vector Index • Vector Index: – Provides an estimate of the number of WNV- infected mosquitoes collected from the trap – Measure of disease transmission risk • 2007-2012 vector index was 0.50 • 2013 raised vector index from 0.50 to 0.75 11 Zones • Actions: – Adopt a four (4) zone approach – Research a flexible zone approach 12 Four Zones 13 Seven Zones 14 Opt-out Program • Actions: – Opt-out for pesticide sensitivity registry – Opt-out for businesses with education • Only those with long-term financial impact 15 Pesticide Sensitivity Opt-out • Current practice • Allows exclusion for health reasons • Requires physician verification • Currently includes about 15 homes in Fort Collins • Operationally feasible practice • Contractor provides between 300-500’ buffer 16 Business opt-out • Exclusively for demonstrated long-term impact – Urban agriculture – Commercial beekeepers – Research labs • Applicant will complete education on: – Source reduction – Personal/employee protection • Seeks to limit economic impact • Contractor provides between 300-500’ buffer 17 Staff Recommendations • Advisory Panel – Eliminate Advisory Panel • Program Response Guidelines – Remove human cases as threshold and retain 0.75 vector index threshold • Zones – Adopt 4 zones for 2014 season • Opt-out Program – Retain pesticide sensitivity registry and allow limited business opt-out with education - 1 - RESOLUTION 2014-049 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING THE WEST NILE VIRUS MANAGEMENT POLICY AND PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY WHEREAS, West Nile virus was first detected in the Fort Collins area in 2003 and poses a significant health risk to the citizens of Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease primarily prevented through the management of mosquito populations; and WHEREAS, beginning in 2003, the City Manager has worked with the City Council to evaluate and develop an approach for managing West Nile virus exposures in Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, during the intervening years, the City has continued to investigate and analyze alternatives and logistics for managing West Nile virus in Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, it is generally accepted that West Nile virus will continue to be present in the Fort Collins area in the foreseeable future; and WHEREAS, in 2007, the City Manager formed a Technical Advisory Committee (the "Committee") for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations about the City's West Nile virus management policy and response plans; and WHEREAS, in 2008, based on its review, the Committee recommended that the City employ a program response to manage the threat of West Nile virus using a series of actions, each of which is driven by a number of factors, with all decisions as to how best to deal with the threat of West Nile virus ultimately being subject to the discretion of the City Manager; and WHEREAS, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (the "Health Department") has provided, and continues to provide, assistance to the City in evaluating West Nile virus risks and recommending the course of action for the City to take in managing those risks; and WHEREAS, the Committee and the City Manager have recommended that the Health Department be consulted for recommendations regarding whether the relevant factors indicate that adulticiding should proceed; and WHEREAS, in response to the Committee and City Manager’s recommendations, the City Council adopted Resolution 2008-062, refining the policy of City’s West Nile virus management program (the “WNV program”) to incorporate evaluation of Health Department seasonal data by a West Nile Virus Advisory Panel to include a member of the Larimer County Medical Society; and WHEREAS, the Committee and the City Manager recently recommended amendments to the City West Nile virus management policy to revisit the role and composition of the West Nile - 2 - Virus Advisory Panel, create adulticide treatment zones, and allow pesticide-sensitive persons and certain businesses to opt-out of adulticiding under the program; and WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on May 6, 2014, the City Council considered the recommendations of the Committee and City staff, received input from members of the public, and directed the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare for its consideration a resolution making various changes to the existing West Nile Virus Policy (the “Policy”); and WHEREAS, the City Council is, through adoption of this Resolution, approving various amendments to the Policy, based on the recommendations of the Committee and the City Manager and the citizen input received at the May 6, 2014, City Council meeting. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the City Council hereby adopts an Amended West Nile Virus Management Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, to govern and guide the management of West Nile virus in Fort Collins. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 3rd day of June, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk -1- EXHIBIT A OPTION A West Nile Virus Management Policy June 3, 2014 PURPOSE, GOAL, FOCUS: The City of Fort Collins recognizes West Nile virus to be a public health issue. This West Nile Virus Management Policy has been developed to reduce the incidence of city residents contracting West Nile virus (a mosquito-borne virus). The overall goal of this policy is to create a framework for execution of a program to reduce the risk of human West Nile virus infection, while limiting adverse human health and environmental impacts. The City's West Nile virus management program focuses on the following: 1. Providing a wide range of public education and outreach; 2. Ensuring extensive on-going mosquito population data collection and monitoring, including extensive testing of samples for West Nile infection; 3. Executing an aggressive larval control program focused on Culex mosquitoes. This program includes detailed mapping of larval habitat and ongoing monitoring and larvicide applications; and 4. Periodic evaluation of the program for continued efficacy. ROLE OF CITY MANAGER: The City's West Nile virus management program (“WNV Program”) is implemented by the City Manager using practices, specifications and administrative systems determined by the City Manager to be appropriate in light of this Policy. The City Manager is also responsible for making recommendations to City Council regarding amendments and additions to this Policy ADVISORY RESOURCES: Public Health Authorities - The City recognizes the State of Colorado Department of Health and the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment as the authorities on local public health issues. The City's primary role in managing the threat of West Nile virus is to inform and educate Fort Collins citizens, participate in regional public education and outreach efforts, and administer a prevention-oriented mosquito management program. Technical Advisory Committee - The City Manager is to be assisted in determining appropriate Policy amendments or additions by a committee of up to ten (10) technical advisors. Such committee members shall be selected by the City Manager based upon their technical expertise, and willingness and ability to diligently attend to Policy developments, in addition to supporting the City Manager's understanding of the impacts and interests of groups in the City affected by the WNV Program. West Nile Virus Advisory Panel - The City Manager is to be assisted in reaching determinations regarding WNV Program implementation by the advice of an advisory panel of persons appointed by the City Manager from among those currently or formerly serving on the City Air Quality Advisory Board and the Natural Resources Advisory Board, as well as representatives of the Larimer County Medical Society (the “WNV Advisory Panel”). The City Manager may elect to appoint up to five members to the WNV Advisory Panel in his/her discretion. In addition to its primary responsibility to advise the City Manager regarding the recommendations of the Health Department, it is the Council's intent and expectation that WNV Advisory Panel members will each continue to act as a liaison to his/her respective advisory Board or Society. PROGRAM METHOD: The City applies adulticides only as an emergency response to a demonstrated increase in West Nile virus risk. A recommendation to adulticide comes from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and is reviewed by a City-appointed WNV Advisory Panel, which provides separate comments to the City Manager. The decision to adulticide lies solely with the City Manager. Treatment Zones - Delivery of WNV Program services will be tailored based on conditions existing in multiple treatment zones within the City, as determined by the City Manager relying on historical data and information from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The specific number of treatment zones may fluctuate between and during treatment seasons, as the City Manager may determine appropriate based on available data. Opt-Out Options - In deploying WNV Program treatments, the City will offer an opt-out from applications of adulticide treatments for those property owners whose names appear on the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide-Sensitive Registry. The City Manager will also develop a set of metrics to qualify business properties that can demonstrate specific hardships due to the impact of adulticide on their operations to request exclusion of their properties from areas treated with adulticide. Such metrics will include definition of the hardships that qualify for a business opt-out and how such business properties will be monitored throughout a treatment season, relative to the WNV Program goal to reduce the risk of human WNV infection. Contractors - The City may use a contractor to carry out the majority of the program. When using a contractor, the City defines a comprehensive scope of services to be provided and selects a qualified contractor using an open bid and evaluation process. -1- EXHIBIT A OPTION B West Nile Virus Management Policy June 3, 2014 PURPOSE, GOAL, FOCUS: The City of Fort Collins recognizes West Nile virus to be a public health issue. This West Nile Virus Management Policy has been developed to reduce the incidence of city residents contracting West Nile virus (a mosquito-borne virus). The overall goal of this policy is to create a framework for execution of a program to reduce the risk of human West Nile virus infection, while limiting adverse human health and environmental impacts. The City's West Nile virus management program focuses on the following: 1. Providing a wide range of public education and outreach; 2. Ensuring extensive on-going mosquito population data collection and monitoring, including extensive testing of samples for West Nile infection; 3. Executing an aggressive larval control program focused on Culex mosquitoes. This program includes detailed mapping of larval habitat and ongoing monitoring and larvicide applications; and 4. Periodic evaluation of the program for continued efficacy. ROLE OF CITY MANAGER: The City's West Nile virus management program (“WNV Program”) is implemented by the City Manager using practices, specifications and administrative systems determined by the City Manager to be appropriate in light of this Policy. The City Manager is also responsible for making recommendations to City Council regarding amendments and additions to this Policy ADVISORY RESOURCES: Public Health Authorities - The City recognizes the State of Colorado Department of Health and the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment as the authorities on local public health issues. The City's primary role in managing the threat of West Nile virus is to inform and educate Fort Collins citizens, participate in regional public education and outreach efforts, and administer a prevention-oriented mosquito management program. Technical Advisory Committee - The City Manager is to be assisted in determining appropriate Policy amendments or additions by a committee of up to ten (10) technical advisors. Such committee members shall be selected by the City Manager based upon their technical expertise, and willingness and ability to diligently attend to Policy developments, in addition to supporting the City Manager's understanding of the impacts and interests of groups in the City affected by the WNV Program. Among those appointed to the Committee, the City Manager shall appoint up to two members each from those currently or formerly serving on the City Air Quality Advisory Board and the Natural Resources Advisory Board, as well as a representative of the Larimer County medical community. In addition to their primary responsibilities to advise the City Manager regarding the recommendations of the Health Department, it is the Council's intent and expectation that the Committee representatives from the Air Quality Advisory Board and the Natural Resources Advisory Board will each act as a liaison to his/her respective advisory Board. PROGRAM METHOD: The City applies adulticides only as an emergency response to a demonstrated increase in West Nile virus risk. A recommendation to adulticide comes from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and is reviewed by the City Manager with reference to administrative program response guidelines. The decision to adulticide lies solely with the City Manager. Treatment Zones - Delivery of WNV Program services will be tailored based on conditions existing in multiple treatment zones within the City, as determined by the City Manager relying on historical data and information from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The specific number of treatment zones may fluctuate between and during treatment seasons, as the City Manager may determine appropriate based on available data. Ability to Opt Out - In deploying WNV Program treatments, the City will offer the opportunity to opt out from applications of adulticide treatments to those property owners whose names appear on the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide-Sensitive Registry. The City Manager will also develop a set of metrics to identify business properties that will be eligible to opt out on the basis of specific hardships due to the impact of adulticide on their operations, which properties may request exclusion of their properties from areas treated with adulticide. Such metrics will include definition of the hardships that qualify for a business opt-out and how such business properties will be monitored throughout a treatment season, relative to the WNV Program goal to reduce the risk of human WNV infection. The decision whether to exempt such properties from adulticide treatments will be discretionary with the City Manager. Contractors - The City may use a contractor to carry out the majority of the program. When using a contractor, the City defines a comprehensive scope of services to be provided and selects a qualified contractor using an open bid and evaluation process. Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 84.15 1 Total Highest Positive VI: 1.24 Pools: 27 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 29.7 41 Total Highest Positive VI: 0.52 Pools: 13 Human Human WNV Case Cases: Rate: 28.6 6 2013 Mosquito Control ! Light Traps ! Gravid Traps CMC Larval Site Survey Urban Farm/Garden City Spray Zone County Spray Area for Routing City Spray Area for Routing º 0 1 2 3 Miles Path: K:\ArcMapProjects\Parks\Mosquito\Date:mxd Maps\MosquitoControlLayerCollection.January 29, 2014 CITY GEOGRAPHIC These and were map OF not products FORT designed and INFORMATION COLLINS or all intended underlying for general data SYSTEM are use developed by members MAP for use of PRODUCTS the by the public. 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