Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: RUBY PICON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SEAACA FOR THE “PETS FOR FUR-ST RESPONDERS” PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider authorizing the City Manager to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for the “Pets for Fur-st Responders” program to provide comfort and/or therapy pets for first responders at no cost.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for the “Pets for Fur-st Responders” Program and authorize the City Manager to sign it.
BACKGROUND
In 1976, the City entered into a joint powers agreement creating the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for the purpose of providing animal control services.
SEAACA provides animal services for fourteen (14) cities in southeast Los Angeles and northeast Orange County, including the City of Downey.
In 2017, the City entered into a MOU with SEAACA for the “Pets for Troops” program providing comfort and/or therapy pets to residents who are active or retired military, completely free of charge.
At the October 24, 2023 City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to expand the “Pets for Troops” program to include first responders.
ANALYSIS
City staff contacted SEAACA regarding the expansion of “Pets for Troops” program to include first responders. They shared that they were in the process of initiating a new
APPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
MOU WITH SEAACA FOR PETS FOR FUR-ST RESPONDERS PROGRAM
JANUARY 9, 2024
PAGE 2
2 program called “Pets for Fur-st Responders” that would be modeled after the “Pets for Troops” program. City staff worked with SEAACA and developed the attached MOU with SEAACA to facilitate pet adoption for first responders . First responders include, police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. As with the Pets for Troops program, SEAACA will offset 50% of adoption fees and the City of Downey will offset the remaining 50%. In addition, the City will also cover the cost for training through Petco.
The “Pets for Fur-st Responders” program will cost the City approximately $1,500 per year for an average of 10 pets. This includes cost of adoption fees and training through Petco.
After approval from the City Council, the City will promote the program on its social media platforms, and will include information on the City’s website.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety, and Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in an expenditure of approximately $1,500 to the General Fund, Administration Department, Account No. 10-4-1250-0700.
Attachment
Attachment A - MOU with SEAACA
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
CITY OF DOWNEY
AND
SOUTHEAST AREA ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is entered into on this 9th day of January 2024 by and between the City of Downey, a municipal corporation and charter city located at 1 1111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90640 (“City") and the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority, a joint powers authority formed pursuant to the laws of the State of California, located at 9777 Seaaca Street, Downey, CA 90241(“SEAACA'’) WHEREAS, SEAACA is a joint powers authority whose membership comprises the cities of Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Paramount, Montebello, Bell Gardens, South El Monte, and Santa Fe Springs and which provides contract services to Bellf lower, Buena Park, La Palma, Lakewood, South Gate and Vernon; and WHEREAS, SEAACA operates an animal care center at 9777 Seaaca Street Downey, CA; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of animals that are impounded or surrendered at SEAACA are not returned to their prior owners, and become available for adoption or other disposition as provided by law; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal ofSEAACA to place as many of such animals as possible into safe, responsible, loving homes; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, SEAACA approved a program, ““Fur-st“ Responders Appreciation Adoption Promotion” whereIn SEAACA makes available to retired or active first responders residing in or employed by the City and wherein SEAACA offsets 50% of the cost of the pet adoption fees, which include the cost of spay/neuter services, initial vaccinations and microchipping. Pet license fees are not included; and WHEREAS, City wishes to make pet adoptions completely free of charge for City residents who are retired or active first responders who may be in need of comfort, therapy pets or who simply want a companion; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to participate in SEAACA's ““Fur-st” Responders Appreciation Adoption Promotion” program by offsetting the remaining 50% cost of adoption fees for City residents who are retired or active first responders so that pet 1 Z
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or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the adoption, care, ownership maintenance, temperament or condition of the animal.
6. City and SEAACA are each self-insured against all claims for injuries to persons or property arising from the activities contemplated herein: CITY liability insurance coverage is provided by the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority (ICRMA) and SEAACA liability coverage is provided by California JPIA (Cal-JPIA)
7. The term of this Agreement shall commence on January 9, 2024 and shall continue until or unless terminated in writing as provided in this MOU.
8. This Agreement may be terminated by either party with or without cause, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. Each Party shall pay its portion of any adoption fees as described herein through the effective date of termination of this MOU. Neither party shall be responsible for the payment of pet licensing fees.
9.Any notices, bills, invoices or reports required by this MOU shall be deemed received on: (1 ) the date if delivered by hand, facsimile, e-mail or overnight courier service during SEAACA’s or CITY’s regular business hours; or (2) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail if delivered by mail postage prepaid, to the addresses listed below (or such other addresses as the parties may, from time to time designate in writing):
TO CITY:City of Downey
11111 Brookshire Ave
Downey, CA 90241
AHn: City Manager
TO CONSULTANT:SEAACA
9777 Seaaca Street
Downey, CA 90241
ATTN: Denise Woodside, Executive Director
10. At the time of invoice, SEAACA shall provide copies of the proof of City of Downey residency; proof of first responders status and a copy of the adoption application which will include a summary of costs
11. SEAACA shall not assign, transfer, convey, pledge or otherwise dispose of its rights or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of CiTY 3 12.SEAACA shall comply with all applicable laws in performing its obligations under this Agreement.
“CITY'’
City of Downey
By:
City Manager
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
City Attorney
"SEAACA"
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
By:'’/yU%, L/O m&M.
/Me W&od side, Executive Director
A1–FEST:
Commission Clerk
12.SEAACA shall comply with all applicable laws in performing its obligations under this Agreement.
“CITY"
City of Downey
By:
City Manager
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
m
"SEAACA"
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
By:
Denise Woodside, Executive Director
ATTEST:
Commission Clerk