1 AGREEMENT FOR ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 1st day of July 2026, which date is enumerated for purposes of reference only, by and between the CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as “LAGUNA BEACH,” and the CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as “LAGUNA WOODS.”
WITNESSETH:
LAGUNA WOODS desires to contract with LAGUNA BEACH for the performance of the hereinafter-described animal control and animal shelter services.
LAGUNA BEACH is willing and able to render such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED as follows:
1. TERM
A. This Agreement shall become effective on July 1, 2026 and continue in effect for a period of twelve months
ending on June 30, 2027 unless otherwise terminated as
described in paragraph 2.
2. TERMINATION
A. Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing written notice of said termination to the other party. The written notice of termination must be given at least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of the termination.
3. SERVICES
A. LAGUNA BEACH agrees to provide animal control services within the corporate limits of LAGUNA WOODS. The level of animal control and shelter services to be provided under this Agreement are enumerated below. Services provided by
LAGUNA BEACH shall include the enforcement of State statutes and Municipal Code sections deemed applicable to LAGUNA WOODS by LAGUNA BEACH. LAGUNA BEACH will not be
obligated to enforce any ordinances adopted by LAGUNA
WOODS except those adopted in compliance with Paragraph 5 of this Agreement and ordinances pertaining to spay, neutering, and number of animals permitted. Services shall be provided in the following categories:
Attachment 1
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1) FIELD SERVICES: LAGUNA BEACH shall be responsible for and provide all animal control field services in LAGUNA WOODS. Field services shall generally be provided seven days a week, 365 days a year, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and as late as 6:00 p.m. when overlapping staff are available. Calls for service will be dispatched and handled based first on priority and then as they were received. Field service activities shall include, but are not, at the discretion of the LAGUNA BEACH Animal Services staff, limited to: impounding and/or capture of stray dogs; impounding of unattended dogs or cats due to death or illness of the owner where a family member or other person is not available; pick up or disposal of injured raccoons, opossums, deer, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions; transportation of all injured impounded animals to appropriate medical treatment; conduct cruelty investigations; bite investigations; chronic barking dog complaints; manage and conduct quarantine activities; enforcement of state laws and local ordinances and issuance of citations; impounding of dead animals for disposal; and public information and education services regarding barking dogs, wildlife or other animal concerns.
While LAGUNA BEACH intends to maintain routine coverage of two animal services officers each day in LAGUNA BEACH, LAGUNA WOODS accepts and understands that the animal services officers are limited in number, and as employees, routinely take leave in the form of vacation, sick, holidays, “Family Leave” as set forth in the Family Leave Act, and all other local, state and federally protected leave. During such periods of leave, the ability of LAGUNA BEACH to respond to calls in a timely manner may be significantly impacted. LAGUNA WOODS also accepts and understands that an animal services officer’s position may become vacant, which will also affect the ability of LAGUNA BEACH to respond to calls in a timely manner. In either event, calls for service will be dispatched and handled based first on priority and then as they were received.
2) TELEPHONIC SERVICES: LAGUNA BEACH staff will be available to receive calls for service seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. LAGUNA BEACH Animal Services staff will take or return calls during the hours when field staff is available to provide advice and/or referrals to members of the community of LAGUNA WOODS for the proper handling and/or disposal of feral cats, rats, mice, rabbits, gophers, squirrels, insects, spiders or other “vector” species.
3) SPECIAL SERVICES: LAGUNA BEACH shall be responsible for and provide all pet licensing and license renewal, canvassing, and animal facility licensing and inspection in LAGUNA WOODS. New license applications shall be made available at Laguna Woods City Hall, the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, and in the field through routine contact 4 3
with Animal Services Officers. Pet License renewals shall be processed and issued by mail through the existing renewal process, or in person at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. LAGUNA BEACH will process renewals and answer telephone and in-person questions regarding licensing requirements. LAGUNA BEACH shall periodically canvass LAGUNA WOODS residences, as appropriate, to locate and license unlicensed dogs.
Some animal-related businesses in LAGUNA WOODS will be inspected annually as required by law and in response to any complaints to assure that facilities meet required laws and standards. LAGUNA BEACH shall provide advance notification of such inspections to LAGUNA WOODS, and will advise LAGUNA WOODS of any violations and/or enforcement action taken.
A low-cost vaccination clinic will be coordinated and conducted once a year. The clinic will be located at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, or at another appropriate location within the City of Laguna Woods
4) SHELTER SERVICES: LAGUNA BEACH shall be responsible for and provide animal shelter services to LAGUNA WOODS. Services shall be provided at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. The shelter will be open to the public to locate lost pets or for pet adoption seven days per week, except holidays. Public hours may vary from day to day, but will generally be between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
A. LAGUNA BEACH agrees to maintain its animal shelter in a humane manner and keep said premises in a clean condition at all times in accordance with policies and the budget approved by LAGUNA BEACH for the shelter, and that all services furnished by it hereunder shall be in accordance with the laws of the State of California, and that it will give required notices and use humane methods of care and destruction of any animal coming under its jurisdiction pursuant to its policies.
After review by the Evaluation Committee, vicious or seriously sick or injured domestic animals may be euthanized by lethal injection.
B. LAGUNA WOODS understands that while the cost of the services provided were originally based on the salary and benefits of one full-time Animal Services Officer, LAGUNA BEACH is entering into the agreement with the expectation that the actual field services provided should not exceed 1250 hours annually. 5 4
LAGUNA WOODS understands that the expense of operating the entire Animal Services program also includes but is not limited to the operation of the Animal Shelter facility, medical treatment of animals, animal disposal, police communications, administration, management, supervision, report preparation, court testimony, ongoing training, and driving time between the two cities.
C. LAGUNA WOODS agrees to maintain all animal service-related fees and license fees equal to the fee schedule of LAGUNA BEACH.
D. LAGUNA WOODS understands that all revenues generated through licensing, fines, penalties, and fees generated through the activities and actions described in this agreement will not be reimbursed to LAGUNA WOODS. Such revenues will be used to offset the variable costs of setting up the licensing records of all licensed dogs, printing of related forms, notices, documents, tags, and care and feeding of impounded animals.
E. LAGUNA BEACH shall furnish and supply all necessary labor, supervision, equipment and supplies to provide the services described in this Agreement. In all instances wherein special supplies, stationery, notices, forms and the like are issued in the name of LAGUNA WOODS, the same shall be supplied by
LAGUNA WOODS at its own expense subject to approval by
LAGUNA WOODS.
F. The method by which services are provided, the standard of performance, any other matters incidental to the performance of such services, and the control of personnel so employed, shall be determined by LAGUNA BEACH. In the event of a dispute
between the parties as to the extent of the duties and functions to be provided hereunder, or the level and manner of such services, the parties shall meet in good faith to resolve their differences. In the event of an impasse, the decision of the City Manager of LAGUNA BEACH shall be final.
G. To facilitate the performance of services hereunder, LAGUNA BEACH shall have full cooperation and assistance from LAGUNA WOODS, its officers, agents and employees.
H. If agreeable to both parties, additional services may be rendered by LAGUNA BEACH and paid for by LAGUNA WOODS.
Additional services must be approved in writing by LAGUNA WOODS.
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I. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is under the direct supervision of the Laguna Beach Police Department. Complaints, concerns, and problems may be directed to the on-duty Police Department Watch Commander, Animal Shelter Manager, or Animal Services Manager (or other Police Department Supervisor or Management level employee.)
J. LAGUNA WOODS shall be responsible for negotiating, managing and paying for any contracts entered into with a private service provider to handle the abatement of coyotes, mountain lions, or any other non-domesticated animals that are deemed to be causing a nuisance.
5) TRAINING SERVICES. LAGUNA BEACH may provide periodic training and education services to the security staff of Village Management Services, Inc. related to animal control and coyote hazing at the sole discretion of LAGUNA BEACH. The schedule and substance of this training shall be determined by LAGUNA BEACH Animal Services staff and may be discontinued at any time and at the sole discretion of LAGUNA BEACH. Village Management Services, Incorporated, is a California based non-profit mutual benefit corporation located at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA. 92637.
4. STATUS OF CONTRACTOR
Although the services herein described are municipal functions, all persons employed by LAGUNA BEACH to provide said services shall be LAGUNA BEACH employees; no person employed hereunder shall have the right to any LAGUNA WOODS pension or civil service status. When performing services under this Agreement and for the purpose of giving official status to the performance therefor where necessary, but not for the purpose of liability or indemnification, every LAGUNA BEACH officer or employee shall be deemed to be an officer or agent of LAGUNA WOODS.
5. CONFORMITY OF LAWS OR REGULATIONS
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, this Agreement shall terminate at any time that LAGUNA WOODS fails to enact, and to maintain in full force and effect an ordinance substantially the same as the provisions of Title 6 of the LAGUNA BEACH Municipal Code, and other regulations presently adopted by the LAGUNA BEACH City Council concerning animal control, including those which relate to fees. This Agreement shall also terminate if LAGUNA WOODS does not enact the same amendments to its Municipal Code as those adopted by LAGUNA BEACH City Council regarding animal control within sixty (60) days after a request to do so by LAGUNA BEACH’S City Manager. The LAGUNA BEACH City Manager, acting on behalf of LAGUNA 7 6
BEACH, may use discretion and need not request LAGUNA WOODS to adopt amendments, which do not apply to LAGUNA WOODS.
6. PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGET
LAGUNA BEACH assumes all responsibility for the preparation of the Animal Services budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
7. PREPARATION OF STATISTICAL REPORTS
LAGUNA BEACH will prepare and provide statistical information to LAGUNA WOODS on a monthly basis containing information on all animal services related calls for service in LAGUNA WOODS received by the LAGUNA BEACH Police
Communications Center; and all Animal Shelter related services provided to LAGUNA WOODS (e.g. licensing, permitting, and numbers of animals, duration held, and disposition).
LAGUNA BEACH will assist and provide LAGUNA WOODS
with special requests for information either on specific calls, special statistical information, or other similar requests as is reasonably available through the Police Department computerized dispatching system and Animal Shelter records.
8. PAYMENTS
A. BASIS FOR PAYMENT
LAGUNA WOODS shall pay LAGUNA BEACH for the
actual costs of providing animal control, animal shelter services, and other services contemplated by this
Agreement to the area located within LAGUNA WOODS.
B. PAYMENT METHOD
(1) In consideration for the animal control, licensing, and shelter services provided by LAGUNA BEACH during the
term of the Agreement, LAGUNA WOODS shall make a
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Payment to LAGUNA BEACH in
the amount of $129,060.00 (“Annual Payment”).
(2) The 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Payment shall be paid to
LAGUNA BEACH in monthly installments, each payment
equal to $10,755.00 or one-twelfth (1/12) of the total
Annual Payment for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year. The first payment is due on July 30, 2026, and subsequent monthly 8 7
payments shall be due on the 30th of each calendar month thereafter, with the last payment due on June 30, 2027. (3) If a payment is not received by LAGUNA BEACH within thirty (30) days after the due date, LAGUNA BEACH may
cease providing any further service under this Agreement with LAGUNA WOODS and may satisfy the indebtedness
in any manner prescribed by law.
(4) LAGUNA WOODS shall not be called upon to assume any liability for (1) the direct payment of any salaries, wages or other compensation to any LAGUNA BEACH personnel
performing services pursuant to this Agreement, (2) any liability for any LAGUNA BEACH employee for injury or
sickness arising out of his or her employment while
performing services pursuant to this Agreement: provided, however, the costs of such liabilities described in this subparagraph shall be considered expenditures for the
Animal Services program and shall be allocated pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 8C of this Agreement.
C. DETERMINATION OF COST OF SERVICES
(1) LAGUNA BEACH shall use the salary and benefits of one full-time Animal Services Officer to determine the Actual Cost of the animal control and shelter services provided to LAGUNA WOODS for each fiscal year during the term of
this Agreement. This figure will be adjusted annually to reflect any changes in those salary or benefits such as a negotiated salary increase.
D. FEE REVENUE
(1) LAGUNA BEACH shall receive all cooperation possible from LAGUNA WOODS to enable efficient enforcement
of fee collection. LAGUNA BEACH shall retain all fees
and revenue derived from the enforcement of the
LAGUNA WOODS ordinances pertaining to the animal
control services provided by LAGUNA BEACH.
(2) LAGUNA BEACH agrees to keep and make available to
LAGUNA WOODS a record of all license revenue
collected from residents of LAGUNA WOODS, and all fee
revenue generated from animals received from LAGUNA
WOODS residents or impounded within the corporate
limits of LAGUNA WOODS.
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9. CONSULTATION
LAGUNA BEACH agrees to consult with LAGUNA WOODS during the consideration of, and prior to any final decision and/or implementation of the following:
A. Any proposed change in the level of service, staffing, days or hours of operation of field services, special services or shelter services.
B. Any proposal to offer or contract for the provision of animal control and shelter services to another public agency.
C. Any proposed change to LAGUNA BEACH ordinances,
regulations, and fees concerning animal control services that LAGUNA BEACH would propose be adopted by LAGUNA
WOODS.
10. RECORDS
All records created or received by LAGUNA BEACH in accordance with this Agreement shall be LAGUNA BEACH records. LAGUNA BEACH agrees to keep such books and records in such form and manner as specified in the Municipal Code. Said Books shall be open for examination by LAGUNA WOODS at all reasonable times.
11. ALTERATION OF TERMS
This Agreement fully expresses all understandings of LAGUNA BEACH and LAGUNA WOODS with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and shall constitute the total Agreement between the parties for these purposes. No addition to, or alteration of, the terms of this agreement shall be valid unless made in writing, formally approved and executed by duly authorized agents of both parties.
12. INDEMNIFICATION
LAGUNA WOODS agrees to and shall defend, indemnify and hold LAGUNA BEACH, its elected officials, officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all claims actions and judgments for injury, loss or damage arising out of or resulting from the performance of services by LAGUNA BEACH under this Agreement in or for the benefit of LAGUNA WOODS; provided however, this obligation shall not apply where the alleged injury, loss or damage arises out of or results from an 10 9
act or omission of LAGUNA BEACH personnel not within the scope of employment or an act or omission constituting actual fraud, corruption or actual malice. LAGUNA WOODS’ obligation to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless shall extend to any claims, judgments, or damages arising out of LAGUNA BEACH’s training and education services provided to the staff of Village Management Services, Inc., including, but not limited to, any third party claims resulting from the actions of Village Management Services, Inc. employees or its agents. Village Management Services, Incorporated, is a California based non-profit mutual benefit corporation located at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA. 92637.
LAGUNA BEACH agrees to and shall defend, indemnify and hold LAGUNA WOODS, its elected officials, officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all claims actions and judgments for injury, loss or damage arising out of or resulting from the performance of services by LAGUNA BEACH under this Agreement in or for the benefit of LAGUNA WOODS; provided however, this obligation shall not apply where the alleged injury, loss or damage arises out of or results from the enactment and maintenance by LAGUNA WOODS of the ordinance and regulations required under Section 5 of this Agreement; and provided further, however, this obligation shall not apply where the alleged injury, loss or damage arises out of or results from an act or omission of LAGUNA WOODS personnel not within the scope of employment or an act or omission constituting actual fraud, corruption or actual malice.
13. BREACH OF AGREEMENT
If either LAGUNA BEACH or LAGUNA WOODS defaults in the
performance of the terms or conditions of the Agreement, it shall have thirty (30) days after service upon it of a written notice of default in which to cure the default by rendering satisfactory performance. In the event that a party fails to cure its default within such period of time, the other party shall have the right, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement without further notice and without prejudice to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law, inequity, or under this Agreement. The failure of either party to object to any default in the performance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of either the term or condition, or of any other term or condition of this Agreement.
14. ATTORNEYS’ FEES
If any legal proceeding, including an action for declaratory relief, is brought to enforce or interpret provisions of this Agreement, the 11 10
prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, which may be set by the court in the same action or in a separate action brought for that purpose, in addition to any other relief to which the party may be entitled.
15. NOTICES
Unless the persons or addresses are otherwise identified by notice given in the manner specified by this paragraph, all notices authorized or required by this Agreement shall be deemed effective when reduced to writing and deposited in the United States mail, certified, and addressed as follows:
To LAGUNA BEACH: City Manager
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
To LAGUNA WOODS: City Manager
City of Laguna Woods
24264 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
IN WITNESS WHEROF, the City of Laguna Beach by motion duly adopted by its City Council caused this Agreement to be signed by its City Manager and attested by its City Clerk, and the City of Laguna Woods, by motion duly adopted by its City Council caused this Agreement to be signed by its Mayor and attested by its City Clerk, to become effective on the day first above written.
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IN WITNESS WHEROF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.
DATED:_____________________ DATED:_____________________ By:__________________________ By:__________________________ ANNIE McCARY DAVE KIFF
Laguna Woods Mayor Laguna Beach City Manager
DATED:_____________________ DATED:_____________________ By:__________________________ By:__________________________
YOLIE TRIPPY ANN MARIE MCKAY
Laguna Woods City Clerk Laguna Beach City Clerk
DATED:_____________________ DATED:_____________________ By:__________________________ By:__________________________
ALISHA PATTERSON MEGAN GARIBALDI
Laguna Woods City Attorney Laguna Beach City Attorney
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