DATE:
September 26, 2023
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
Pedro Jimenez, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With The City Of Berkeley To Provide Animal Control Services In An Amount Not To Exceed $61,094 For Fiscal Year 2023-24, $85,938 For Fiscal Year 24-25, And $88,516 For Fiscal Year 2025-26 Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the City of Berkeley to provide Animal Control Services in an amount not to exceed $61,094 for Fiscal Year 2023-24, $85,938 Fiscal Year 24-25 and $88,516 for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Background
The California Penal Code and the Emeryville Municipal Code set forth requirements for a police officer to take action when confronted with various situations dealing with animals. The statutes cover such emergencies as the care of injured animals and what to do when investigating a vicious dog call.
Previously, Emeryville contracted with the City of Piedmont for animal control services. The City recently received notification from Piedmont that they are unable to continue offering these services beyond October 5, 2023 because that city no longer has Animal Control Officers.
Emeryville has relied on a contract with the City of Piedmont to fulfill the obligation for many years. The previous agreement between the two cities was based on the cost incurred by Piedmont in providing animal control services. In the 2022/23 fiscal year, the total contract cost for Emeryville, including animal control salaries and shelter expenses (through the City of Berkeley), was $100,029. dISCUSSION
In response to Piedmont terminating the contract, staff have actively explored alternative options with the City of Berkeley and are working towards an agreement with that city to provide the following services on behalf of the City of Emeryville:
• Shelter and feed animals brought to the Berkeley Animal Shelter by employees of the City of Emeryville Police Department or by residents of the City of Emeryville. • Quarantine animals, as necessary, for rabies observation for and on behalf of the City of Emeryville and its residents. • Euthanize, only in rare cases when necessary and after the legal holding period, animals brought to the Berkeley Animal Shelter by the City of Emeryville. • Disposal of deceased animals brought to Berkeley Animal Care services by employees or residents of the City of Emeryville. • Respond to calls from the City of Emeryville about deceased, injured, and biting animals and provide animal control field services as necessary.
Staff is also actively exploring the possibility of establishing an agreement between Emeryville and an emergency clinic or veterinary service for pre-shelter and after-hours veterinary care since the City of Berkeley currently does not have the capacity for these services. Additionally, Emeryville staff will provide dog bite investigations, which were previously provided through the Piedmont contract, and have typically occurred 2-3x/year.
To ensure a smooth transition, staff propose entering into a three-year agreement, with fiscal year 2023/24 prorated based on an October start date. This proposal will be presented to the City of Berkeley Council on October 3, 2023. Our aim is to have a new agreement in place by October 6, 2023, as the City’s current agreement with the City of Piedmont terminates on October 5, 2023.
Staff fully recognize the importance of ensuring the continuity of animal care and control services in Emeryville. During this transitional period, the Emeryville Police Department will manage animal control calls to enforce state and city ordinances pertaining to animals. Public Works has engaged a city-approved pest control contractor to handle the pickup of deceased animals during this interim period. Dispatch will directly notify Public Works staff via email whenever such an issue arises.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for FY 2023/24 of $150,591, FY 2024-2025 $155,664 for animal services were included in the City’s adopted two-year budget. While the proposed contract with the City of Berkeley is for less than what was budgeted, additional veterinarian costs are anticipated and will be reported back to the Budget and Governance Commmitee next year for an update.
Staff Communication with the Public
Staff has communicated with the Budget and Governance Committee and City of Berkeley staff regarding animal control service costs and agreement.
Conclusion
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a three (3) year agreement with the City of Berkeley for animal control services for FY 2023/24 – FY2025/26 as described above.
PREPARED BY: Pedro Jimenez, Assistant City Manager
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Draft Resolution
Exhibit A – Proposed City of Berkeley Animal Service Agreement FY2023-2024 through FY 2025-2026 Animal Services
City Council Meeting | September 26, 2023
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM