STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
June 23, 2026
CONSENT
17 SUBJECT: LAGUNA WOODS ANIMAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a one-year agreement with the City of Laguna Woods for the provision of animal control, licensing, and shelter services from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; and
2. Find that the proposed action does not constitute a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a one-year agreement with the City of Laguna Woods for the provision of animal control, licensing, and shelter services for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Since 2000, the Laguna Beach Police Department has provided these services to the City of Laguna Woods, including animal control response, enforcement of animal welfare laws, pet licensing, shelter services, and community education.
Under the proposed agreement, the City of Laguna Woods will pay $129,060 for Fiscal Year 2026-27, which represents a 3.75 percent increase from the current agreement and covers the full cost of a dedicated Animal Services Officer position. The agreement continues a long-standing partnership that enhances service levels for both communities while allowing Laguna Beach to retain revenues generated from pet licenses, animal-related permits, and administrative citation fines.
DISCUSSION
Since October 1, 2000, the Police Department has provided animal control, licensing, and shelter services to the City of Laguna Woods. This includes responding to calls-for-service (CFS) related to animal matters, enforcement of city and state laws related to animal welfare and care, pet licensing, and animal related community education.
The arrangement has exceeded expectations and continues to be beneficial for both communities. For example, under the current arrangement, the City of Laguna Woods fully funds the total cost of a full-time Animal Services Officer (ASO). That position is available to both Laguna Woods and Laguna Beach, creating a higher level of service for both cities. Residents of Laguna Woods also obtain the same pet licenses and permits that residents of Laguna Beach obtain, and they pay the same fees.
The current cost of the agreement for FY 25-26 is $124,392. The new agreement specifies that the annual payment by Laguna Woods for FY 26-27 will be $129,060, an increase of 3.75%. Additionally, the agreement stipulates that all revenues from the sale of pet licenses, animal-related business permits, and administrative citation fines issued by ASO’s are retained by Laguna Beach.
LAGUNA WOODS ANIMAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
June 23, 2026
The annual payments cover the total cost of a full-time ASO, which includes the annual salary, PERS, unfunded liability, insurance, and Medicare. If the total cost of an ASO increases beyond the projected amounts, the agreement stipulates that the annual payment shall increase to match the actual total cost of a full-time ASO.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the proposed agreement, and staff recommends that we continue this arrangement and renew the one-year agreement for a term of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact to the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is not a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b). Specifically, a “project” is defined as an action which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Section 15378 (b) excludes from the definition of "project" continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies and services. The action proposed action to enter into a contract for animal care and control services, is an administrative activity, and therefore is not a "project" as defined by CEQA.
ATTACHMENTS
1) Agreement (Pgs. 3-13)
Submitted By:
. Approved: .David A Kiff
Jeff Calvert, Police Chief Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Jim Beres, Police Civilian Services
Administrator
Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney