Report Prepared by: Bimley West, Captain, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Animal Control Contract with the County of Merced
REPORT IN BRIEF
Contract approval to provide services for the housing and handling of animals impounded at the Merced County Animal Control Shelter.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving a contract with the County of Merced to provide services for the housing and handling of animals impounded at the Merced County Animal Control Shelter, and authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Deny the request; or
3. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Continue to a future City Council meeting.
AUTHORITY
City Charter section 200 et seq. of the Merced City Charter
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced provides animal control services within the Merced City limits. Animals that are taken into custody by our City personnel are delivered to Merced County Animal Control Shelter (MCACS), which is operated by the County of Merced. MCACS provides services that pertain to the housing and handling of animals taken to the shelter by Merced City personnel.
Attached is an agreement for the contracting of those housing and handling services provided by the County of Merced. The following is a fee schedule for such services provided by County of Merced:
1. Ninety-eight dollars and 50/100 cents ($98.50) per live animal, eight weeks of age or older for the first four (4) days of housing. In the case of rabies quarantine, ten (10) days of housing.
2. Seventy-five dollars and no/100 cents ($75.00) per animal for euthanasia services requested by City.
3. Ten dollars and no/100 cents ($10.00) per litter, where the animals are less than eight (8) weeks of age and housed less than two (2) days.
4. Ten dollars and no/100 cents ($10.00) per deceased animal brought to County for disposal.
5. Any additional costs defined under the terms of this agreement.
No fee will be assessed for:
1. Animals released to their owners after payment of costs.
2. Animals which have been designated as escaped or missing by County which have been housed less than two (2) days.
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the 1st day of July, 2016, and continue until the 30th day of June, 2017, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the sections entitled “TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE”, “TERMINATION FOR CAUSE” or “NON-APPROPRIATION OF FUNDING”, as set forth elsewhere in the Agreement. The Police Department is actively negotiating the renewal of this agreement for the 2017-18 fiscal year to include enhanced controls on charges for service.
The contract is attached for a reference and has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office and Merced County Counsel.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Current Animal Control Agreement 1st day of July, 2016, to the 30th day of June, 2017