Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 15, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: ERIC LEVITT, CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: KIM CHAUDHRY, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST SUBJECT: CITY OF FULLERTON RESPONSE TO ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT “GIMMIE SHELTER AND A POUND OF ADVICE, THE STATE OF ANIMAL WELFARE OVERSEEN BY THE COUNTY OF ORANGE” (Continued from August 1, 2023)
SUMMARY
The Orange County Grand Jury released a report titled, “Gimmie Shelter and a Pound of Advice, the State of Animal Welfare Overseen by the County of Orange” with findings and recommendations requiring a response from Orange County cities that contract with OC Animal Care. City Council continued this item to the August 15, 2023 meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Review 2022-23 Orange County Grand Jury report titled, “Gimmie Shelter and a Pound of Advice, the State of Animal Welfare Overseen by the County of Orange.” Approve response letter to the Superior Court Presiding Judge.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager’s staff took the feedback from the City Council and further reviewed the Grand Jury report. After meeting with an interest group brought together by a City Council Member, the staff revised the recommended letter for City Council review.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
Public Safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
DISCUSSION
The 2022-23 Orange County Grand Jury released the report, “Gimmie Shelter and a Pound of Advice, the State of Animal Welfare Overseen by the County of Orange” on June 2, 2023. This report makes findings and recommendations the 14 Orange County cities that contract with OC Animal Care as well as the County of Orange unincorporated areas.
OC Animal Care can shelter up to 600 animals and has 137 authorized staff positions. OC Animal Care is one of the largest municipal shelters on the West Coast.
In summary, the Grand Jury identifies three main areas of concern in the report including: shelter management, animal welfare and communication and engagement with the public and the animal rescue community. The Grand Jury required City Council to provide responses to findings F4, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13 and F16 and recommendation R6 by September 1, 2023. The draft letter (Attachment 2) details the proposed responses.
City Council may desire to direct staff to review the current contract and bring back recommendations to the City Council prior to the contract ending with the OC Animal Care.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Orange County Grand Jury Report
Attachment 2 – Proposed response letter to Superior Court Presiding Judge 2023 OC Grand Jury Report Response – Gimmie Shelter and a Pound of Advice August 15, 2023 - Page 2