HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11j - Participation in Neighborhood Coyote Program
DATE: June 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
COYOTE PROGRAM FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028, IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $34,000
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
Since 2019, the City of Arcadia has participated in the San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments Regional Coyote Management Plan, which aims to address coyote-related
issues across the San Gabriel Valley. This coordinated and comprehensive strategy
offers guidelines for managing coyotes and enables the San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments (“SGVCOG”) to provide coyote management services to Arcadia. Through
this partnership, Arcadia residents have access to regular education and outreach,
human-coyote conflict mitigation, and 24/7 reporting.
Arcadia’s existing agreement with the SGVCOG is set to expire June 30, 2025, with both
parties seeking renewal. The annual cost of the program has increased from $10,600 in
Fiscal Year 2024-25, to $11,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-26, or a 3.7% increase. Given the
value and effectiveness of the services provided, it is recommended that the City Council
approve continued participation in the Neighborhood Coyote Program, authorizing the
City Manager to execute a renewed Memorandum of Agreement from July 1, 2025,
through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $34,000.
BACKGROUND
Beginning in 2019, the City of Arcadia has participated in the San Gabriel Valley Council
of Governments (“SGVCOG”) Neighborhood Coyote Program, which is a comprehensive
regional initiative aimed at managing coyote activity. This collaborative approach has
benefited Arcadia by enhancing public education on coyote-related issues and providing
more resources to the community overall. The program has been effective in addressing
Neighborhood Coyote Program Agreement
June 3, 2025
Page 2 of 5
concerns raised by residents, but also in equipping them with the knowledge and tools to
manage coyote encounters in their neighborhoods.
Recognizing that coyote management is increasingly a regional concern, Arcadia
partnered with SGVCOG and neighboring cities to develop a Regional Coyote
Management Framework (“RCMF”) in July 2019, which was preceded by Arcadia’s
Coyote Management Plan (“CMP”), which was adopted by the City Council in June 2017.
The City Council initially approved participation in the Neighborhood Coyote Program in
October 2019, and the program was officially launched in January 2020. Since its launch,
the regional Neighborhood Coyote Program has provided valuable guidance to residents,
businesses, and City staff on effective strategies to prevent and manage coyote
habituation within the community.
DISCUSSION
Through the Neighborhood Coyote Program, Arcadia receives resources and support for
a local program designed to manage coyote impacts within the community. These
resources include educational materials for residents, outreach at community events and
in schools, assistance in responding to human-coyote conflicts, and monthly data and
reporting.
Public Outreach and Education
The SGVCOG provides educational on coyote behavior, effective hazing tactics, coyote
breeding, and coyote attractants, through printed handouts, social media graphics,
webinars, community events, and flyers. The educational content the SGVCOG produces
on coyotes is available on their website (Neighborhood Coyote Program) as well as on
the City’s website (ArcadiaCA.gov).
As part of the proposed agreement, the SGVCOG will attend at least two City events each
year to conduct community outreach. In recent years, a two-person team from the
SGVCOG has conducted coyote outreach at the City’s Concerts and Movies in the Park
and the ‘Arcadia Goes Green’ event/Environmental Fair. Outreach also regularly occurs
in Arcadia schools and at events with regional attendance.
Coyote Conflict Mitigation
Most human-coyote conflicts can be addressed by eliminating food sources and
attractants, and by practicing effective hazing techniques. To prevent conflicts before they
arise, the Neighborhood Coyote Program works to identify potential denning sites. If
overgrown vegetation or brush on private property is found to be encouraging coyote
denning, the SGVCOG and the City will coordinate efforts to work with the property owner
to resolve the issue. In many cases, coyote denning on residential properties occurs due
to the absence of the owner, as regular human presence typically discourages coyotes
from establishing dens.
Neighborhood Coyote Program Agreement
June 3, 2025
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In rare instances, the SGVCOG will enlist the assistance of a biologist to observe and
monitor more concerning coyote behavior. Following a period of observation, the biologist
may make recommendations for the surrounding environment regarding removal of brush
or attractants to discourage denning.
Reporting
The SGVCOG maintains a Coyote Hotline and online reporting tool, allowing residents to
report coyote encounters 24/7. Monthly, the SGVCOG provides reports to the City
detailing the number of coyote reports, the type of encounter, and the approximate
location of the event. Seasonal educational information and links to more resources are
also contained in the report.
The data collected through the monthly coyote reports shows the total number of reports
received in Arcadia and how that compares to other participating cities throughout the
San Gabriel Valley. In the reports, there are a total of five categories for coyote behavior
that range in intensities, from Level 1 to Level 5. It is important to note that Aradia has
never had a Level 5 report – coyote biting or injuring a human, and that reports have
stayed within the Level 1 – Level 3 range. A recap of the 2024 Neighborhood Coyote
Program is included as Attachment No. 2, and a summary of the data collected from the
last two years is shown below:
Neighborhood Coyote Program – Annual Reports
2024 2023
Total Reports 80 98
Total Coyotes Sighted 132 152
Level 1 Reports 49% 45%
Level 2 Reports 41% 42%
Level 3 Reports 10% 13%
Level 4 Reports 0% 0%
Level 5 Reports 0% 0%
Report Levels:
• Level 1: Coyote heard and/or seen; coyote resting in public space.
• Level 2: Coyote seen resting in public area with humans present; coyote entered
yard or home with or without pets present.
• Level 3: Coyote entered yard and injured or killed unattended or attended pets;
coyote bit or injured an unattended pet/pet on a leash; coyote aggressively
followed or approached you with your pet.
• Level 4: Coyote aggressively followed or approached a human without a pet.
• Level 5: Coyote bit or injured a human.
Neighborhood Coyote Program Agreement
June 3, 2025
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Agreement
In partnership, the SGVCOG and the City work together to address coyote conflicts in
Arcadia. As part of the agreement, the City helps provide space in its building and facilities
for coyote outreach, including any community events. Additionally, Arcadia commits to
maintaining its participation in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments through
the length of the Agreement. If Arcadia were to end its membership and participation in
the SGVCOG, the agreement for the Neighborhood Coyote Program would
simultaneously terminate.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed agreement for the Neighborhood Coyote Program does not constitute a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with
certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
The Neighborhood Coyote Program focuses on preventing human-coyote conflict through
education and outreach, with an emphasis on peaceful coexistence. The strategies used
in the Neighborhood Coyote Program do not involve altering the environment beyond
routine property maintenance for the removal of denning sites and, therefore, do not
constitute a project under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26, Arcadia’s participation in the Neighborhood Coyote
Program will cost $11,000. The SGVCOG is proposing to increase the contract annually
by the Los Angeles area Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), or 3%, whichever is less. Starting
with the first year of the Agreement (FY 2025-26), the cost for participating in the
Neighborhood Coyote Program is projected as follows:
Fiscal Year Amount
FY 2025-26 $11,000
FY 2026-27 $11,330 (or less)
FY 2027-28 $11,670 (or less)
Total $34,000
The total cost for the three-year agreement will be $34,000 or less, depending upon CPI.
The City Manager’s Office budgets for this service annually and future increases can be
managed within the existing departmental budget. Therefore, sufficient funding exists to
support participation in the Neighborhood Coyote Program and the proposed agreement
with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
Neighborhood Coyote Program Agreement
June 3, 2025
Page 5 of 5
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve the
Memorandum of Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for
participation in the Neighborhood Coyote Program from July 1, 2025, through June 30,
2028, in an amount not to exceed $34,000.
Attachment No. 1: Draft Memorandum of Agreement – Neighborhood Coyote Program
Attachment No. 2: 2024 Neighborhood Coyote Program Recap
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS AND THE CITY OF ARCADIA
FOR PARTICIPATION OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD
COYOTE PROGRAM
This Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA” or “Agreement”) is made as of July 1, 2025, by
and between the City of Arcadia a municipal corporation (“City”), and the San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments, a California joint powers authority (“SGVCOG”). City and SGVCOG
may be referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” or individually as a “Party.”
RECITALS:
A.SGVCOG was established to have a unified voice to maximize resources and advocate
for regional and member interests to improve the quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley
by the member cities and other local governmental agencies.
B.City seeks to participate in the San Gabriel Valley Neighborhood Coyote Program
(“Program”) that was developed by the SGVCOG Coyote Management Task Force.
C.Under the Program, SGVCOG provides informational coyote public outreach and
education efforts, promotes effective human-coyote conflict mitigation strategies, and
supports a robust wildlife reporting and response mechanism on behalf of City.
D.City and SGVCOG desire to set forth the terms of their ongoing collaboration with
respect to this effort in this MOA.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
I.TERM:
The term of this MOA between the Parties shall commence on July 1, 2025, and shall
continue through June 30, 2028. The term of this MOA may be extended by mutual
written agreement of the Parties.
II.RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES:
A. SGVCOG Responsibilities.
SGVCOG will:
1.Coordinate and implement at least two community events and/or
educational/trainings per year, planned with input from the City. SGVCOG
will diligently market the community meetings and educational trainings
prior to the event dates; however, attendance levels are not guaranteed.
2. Conduct youth outreach and education programs for local schools.
3.Coordinate to send mailers to neighborhoods with high numbers of human-
Attachment No. 1
coyote encounters and incidents.
4. Manage a website or webpage that contains important and helpful information
for residents and businesses regarding coyotes and other types of wildlife as
needed.
5. Maintain an online and phone regional coyote incident reporting system for
residents of City. The SGVCOG will report monthly on the number of reports
received from each City.
6. Coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the County
of Los Angeles, and other relevant external stakeholders on regional coyote
management efforts.
7. Provide physical and electronic files of coyote marketing and outreach
materials.
8. Manage all invoicing and billing.
9. The SGVCOG shall invoice the City eleven thousand dollars ($11,000) by
July 1, 2025, for the City’s share of the cost of the San Gabriel Valley
Neighborhood Coyote Program for the fiscal year.
10. The annual amount the SGVCOG invoices shall be adjusted annually
beginning on July 1, 2026, based on the Los Angeles area Consumer Price
Index (CPI) percentage for all items for 12 months ending in January
reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or 3%, whichever is less.
B. City.
City will:
1. Maintain membership in the SGVCOG during the entire term of this MOA. In
the event that the City is no longer a member of the SGVCOG, this MOA will
terminate by its own terms on the date on which the City is no longer a
member. Should membership cease before the end of the fiscal year, the City
shall not be entitled to reimbursement of its Program cost for that fiscal year.
2. Participate in an annual evaluation meeting with the SGVCOG and as needed
coordination calls and meetings with all municipalities that have entered into
a memorandum of agreement with the SGVCOG for the Program for the July
1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, term.
3. Provide a point-of-contact for the purposes of this Agreement with the name,
title, and contact information of the individual. If the point-of-contact is
reassigned or no longer a City employee, a new point-of-contact must be
designated within five (5) business days.
4. Assist with the coordination of coyote town halls, community meetings,
coyote management workshops, conflict trainings, mailers, social media
outreach, and youth outreach and education programs.
5. Provide a municipal meeting space or venue for events and activities within
the City related to this MOA and other events within the City that are related
to the Program.
6. Pay all invoices submitted by SGVCOG within forty-five (45) days of receipt
by City. Invoices not paid within 45 calendar days shall accrue interest at the
rate of 5% per annum.
III. PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
A. Project Managers.
1. For the purposes of this MOA, the SGVCOG designates the following
individuals as its Project Managers: Nicholas Ryu, Program Manager, and
Natalie Arreaga, Management Aide.
2. For the purposes of this MOA, the City designates the following individual as
its Project Manager: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager.
Either Party may change the designations set forth herein upon written notice to
the other Party.
IV. DEFAULT; REMEDIES:
A. Default. A “Default” under this MOA is defined as any one or more of the
following: (i) failure of either Party to comply with the terms and conditions
contained in this MOA; and/or (ii) failure of either Party to perform its
obligations set forth herein satisfactorily.
B. Remedies. In the event of a Default by either Party, the non-defaulting Party
will provide a written notice of such Default and thirty (30) days to cure the
Default. In the event that the defaulting Party fails to cure the Default, or commit
to cure the Default and commence the same within such 30-day period and to the
satisfaction of the non-defaulting Party, the non-defaulting Party may terminate
this MOA. Such termination shall be effective immediately. The remedies
described herein are non-exclusive. In the event of a Default by either Party, the
non-defaulting Party shall have the right to seek any and all remedies available
at law or in equity.
V. TERMINATION:
A. This MOA may be terminated by either Party at any time, with or without cause,
by providing written notice of termination to the other Party. Such termination
will be effective thirty (30) days after such notice is received.
B. If City terminates this MOA prior to the completion of the MOA term and
SGVCOG has not committed a Default, SGVCOG will maintain the full annual
amount that has already been invoiced for the current fiscal year.
VI. INDEMNIFICATION:
A. City agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold free and harmless the SGVCOG, its
elected and appointed boards, officials, officers, agents, employees, members, and
volunteers, at City’s sole expense, from and against any and all claims, actions,
suits, or other legal proceedings brought against the SGVCOG, its elected and
appointed boards, officials, officers, agents, employee members, and volunteers
arising out of or relating to the acts or omissions of City in connection with this
Agreement.
B. SGVCOG agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold free and harmless the City, its
elected officials, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers, at SGVCOG’s sole
expense, from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, or other legal
proceedings brought against the City, its elected officials, officers, agents,
employees, and volunteers arising out of or relating to the acts or omissions of
SGVCOG in connection with this Agreement.
VII. INSURANCE:
A. Each Party shall maintain and keep in full force and effect during the term of this
MOA insurance or a program of self-insurance against claims for injuries to
persons or damages to property which may arise in connection with
performance of its obligations hereunder.
VIII. AMENDMENTS
A. For any change which materially affects the Scope of Work, or in any way
modifies any term or condition included under this MOA, a written amendment to
the MOA shall be prepared and executed by the City and the SGVCOG for such
change to be effective.
IX. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
A. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be personally delivered, or sent by electronic mail or certified
mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
To SGVCOG: Natalie Arreaga
Management Aide
1333 S. Mayflower Ave, Suite 360
Monrovia, CA 91016
narreaga@sgvcog.org
with a copy to: Marisa Creter
Executive Director
1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Unit 42
Building A-10N, Suite 10-210
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 457-1800
mcreter@sgvcog.org
Nicholas Ryu
Program Manager
1333 S. Mayflower Ave, Suite 360
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 457-1800
nryu@sgvcog.org
To City: Justine Bruno
Deputy City Manager
240 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-5401
jbruno@arcadiaca.gov
B. No Partnership. This Agreement is not intended to be, and shall not be construed as,
an agreement to form a partnership, agency relationship, or a joint venture between
the Parties. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Agreement, neither Party
shall be authorized to act as an agent of or otherwise to represent the other Party.
C. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the
Parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes any and all other
prior writings and oral negotiations. This Agreement may be modified only in
writing, and signed by the Parties in interest at the time of such modification.
D. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under
California law and any applicable federal law without giving effect to that body of
laws pertaining to conflict of laws. In the event of any legal action to enforce or
interpret this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree that the sole and exclusive venue
shall be a court of competent jurisdiction located in Los Angeles County, California.
E. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that there is any litigation or other legal proceeding
between the Parties in connection with this Agreement, each Party shall bear its own
costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.
F. Excusable Delays. Neither Party hereto shall be considered in default in the
performance of its obligations hereunder to the extent that the performance of any
such obligation is prevented or delayed by unforeseen causes including acts of God,
floods, earthquakes, fires, acts of a public enemy, and government acts beyond the
control and without fault or negligence of the affected Party. Each Party hereto shall
give notice promptly to the other of the nature and extent of any such circumstances
claimed to delay, hinder, or prevent performance of any obligations under this
Agreement.
G. Waiver. Waiver by any Party to this Agreement of any term, condition, or covenant
of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other term, condition, or
covenant. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of the Party against whom
enforcement of a waiver is sought.
H. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience and
identification only and shall not be deemed to limit or define the contents to which
they relate.
I. Assignment. Neither Party may assign its interest in this Agreement, or any part
thereof, without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any assignment without
consent shall be void and unenforceable.
J. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall
nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.
K. Authority to Execute. The person executing this Agreement on behalf of a Party
warrant that they are duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of said
Party, and that by doing so the said Party is formally bound to the provisions of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
FOR THE CITY OF ARCADIA
By:___________________________
Dominic Lazzaretto
City Manager
Date:__________________________
ATTEST:
______________________________
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
Michael J. Maurer
City Attorney
FOR THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
By: ____________________________
Marisa Creter
Executive Director
Date:___________________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
General Counsel
We hosted and attended several community
events, including National Night Out fairs,
town halls, health & wellness, summer
concerts in the park, and more! Additionally,
we presented to city councils, schools, and
held virtual webinars on coexisting with
coyotes and wildlife safety.
On average, the NCP hosted/attended 1-2
events per member city in 2024. In 2023, the
program also averaged 1-2 hosted/attended. It
is our goal to meet or surpass metrics for
2024.
Community Events &Presentations
Last year, the Neighborhood Coyote
Program (NCP) continued to address
residents' coyote concerns through our
educational line and reporting system.
Program staff facilitated one-on-one
interactions with community members,
providing personalized recommendations
and resources.
Educational Line &Reporting
540 COYOTESSIGHTED 341 REPORTSRECEIVED
8 EDUCATIONRESOURCESPROVIDED15EVENTSHOSTED/ATTENDED
New Resources &Materials
When we weren't outside engaging with
the community, we were busy researching
best practices and developing new
resources to share with residents! These
materials will be distributed at in-person
events, and digital versions are available
for download on our website.
12 SOCIAL MEDIAINFOGRAPHICSCREATED3NEWMATERIALSDEVELOPED
2024 Recap
Neighborhood Coyote ProgramAttachment No. 2
Annual
Summary
80
total reports in
the City of
Arcadia
132
total coyotes
sighted
Coyote seen resting in public area with humans present;
Coyote entered yard or home with or without pets present
LEVEL 2
41%
Coyote entered yard and injured or killed unattended or
attended pets; Coyote bit or injured an unattended
pet/pet on a leash; Coyote aggressively followed or
approached you with your pet
LEVEL 3
10%
Coyote heard and/or seen; Coyote resting in public space
LEVEL 149%
Events & Presentations
Hugo Reid Elementary School Career
Day
Concerts at the Park and
Environmental Fair
Wildlife Outdoor Safety Webinar
March 31
June 20
July 10
Recommended Events
Neighborhood Watch Team Presentations
National Night Outs
Concerts in the Park
Farmers Markets
Educational Line Report Breakdown
Arcadia 2024 Recap
Neighborhood Coyote Program
Jan-Feb - Host one-on-one
meetings with member cities.
Mar - Distribute new whistles to
member cities.
Year Round - Continue to
develop new resources and
respond to community
inquiries.
W i l d l i f e M a n a g e m e n t
F r a m e w o r k
On May 19, 2022, the SGVCOG Governing Board
adopted the NCP's Wildlife Management Framework.
This document provides practical guidance for safe
coexistence with wildlife in the San Gabriel Valley. The
framework includes a general approach to wildlife
management, as well as specific tips for managing
commonly found wildlife and feral-domestic animals.
Upcoming Events
A g e n c y P a r t n e r s h i p s
The NCP maintained relationships with coyote/wildlife
management organizations through regular attendance
at Wildlife Watch meetings hosted by the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). CDFW
continued to support the NCP by reviewing
new/updated materials, attending virtual town halls,
offering general advice, and assisting residents when
needed.
2 0 2 5 L o o k A h e a d
Feb 2025 - Lunar New Year Celebration,
Arcadia
Apr 2025
Community Festival, Eco Fair, Arbor
Day, Earth Day, Azusa
Earth Day Festival, Glendora
Aug 2025 - Happy Birthday Irwindale
Other Actions
2024 Recap
Neighborhood Coyote Program