CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
May 2, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Michael Ellis, Chief of Police
Linda Matthews, Human Resources/Risk Management Director SUBJECT: Adoption of resolutionS accepting the donation of one (1) New Police FACILITY K-9 from CANINE COMPANIONS AND AUTHORIZING A SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL 1932 REGARDING CANINE HANDLING COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-81– A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING A DONATION OF ONE (1) NEW POLICE FACILITY K-9 IN AN IN-KIND AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM CANINE COMPANIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2022-83 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT TO THE 2021-2023 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF POMONA AND THE POMONA CITY EMPLOYEES’ CHAPTER OF THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 1932 IMPLEMENTING CANINE PAY PROVISIONS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Action on this item is to accept an in-kind donation of one (1) new Police Facility K-9 from Canine Companions, valued at $50,000 (Attachment No. 1) and authorize the City Manager to enter into a side letter agreement with Teamsters Local 1932 to implement provisions relating to the compensation to the designated employee for the care and handling of the canine, including 5.25 hours per week for the care and feeding of the canine (Attachment No. 3).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no fiscal impact in the acceptance of this donation. Annual costs such as food and veterinarian expenses are included in the Police Department General Fund FY 2021-22 and future operational budgets in General Fund Acct No. 101-2010-52650-00000. Similarly, the Side Letter will authorize the Police Chief to provide the assigned employee 5.25 hours of the normal 40-hour work week for the care and feeding of the canine, which will be accomplished within the existing authorized staffing levels and appropriations.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of both resolutions will accept the donation of an emotional support canine to the Pomona Police Department and approve a side letter with Teamsters Local 1932 regarding compensation to the designated employee for care and handling of the canine.
Canine Companions Facility Dog Program enables individuals who are working professionals to obtain a well-mannered and highly trained facility dog for community-oriented programs. Community Services Officer (CSO) Courtney Louie applied for the opportunity and endured a rigorous evaluation by the facility in order to be elected for this donation. Canine Companions will provide a fully trained facility canine, which will be assigned to CSO Louie. CSO Louie will attend a 14-day training at the Canine Companions Campus as part of their requirement for the donation. Attachment No. 2 is the letter from Canine Companions regarding the donation.
Upon completion of training, CSO Louie will be assigned to the Community Services Unit and will be available to provide emotional support and wellbeing to the community and assist crime victims and other vulnerable populations we serve. She and her partner will also be able to support victims and witnesses during interviews and can be present during some court procedures. The addition of the Facility Canine will also enhance the newly established employee Wellness Program within the Pomona Police Department.
This canine is the first to be assigned to an employee covered by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Pomona City Employees’ Chapter of the Teamsters Local 1932 (“Teamsters”). All previous canines have been assigned to sworn officers. As such, there are no current compensation provisions related to the responsibility for the care and handling of a canine. As part of the canine assignment, the handler brings the canine home and provides care and feeding of the canine. The City has a responsibility to compensate the employee for such duties outside of normal work hours. Currently, sworn officers receive 5.25 hours per week, or the equivalent of 45 minutes per day for seven days, for the care and feeding of the canine. This time is based upon a reasonable estimate, based upon years of experience, of the amount of time it takes each day to perform these duties. In lieu of providing overtime each day, the proposal is to ensure that 5.25 hours of each 40-hour work week is provided to care for the canine. It is also acknowledged that there may extraordinarily circumstances, such as an injury or illness of the canine that may require the Police Chief to authorize additional time. The resolution in Attachment No. 3 authorizes the City Manager to enter into a Side Letter agreement with these provisions, similar to the form submitted and attached to the resolution as Exhibit A (Attachment No. 4).
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS: This item supports the 2021-2022 City Council Priority 1: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility – Goal B: Improve efficiency and effectiveness of City services to businesses and residents.
Prepared by:
_____________________________
Brad Paulson
Sergeant
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-81
Attachment No. 2 – Canine Companions Donation Letter
Attachment No. 3 – Resolution No. 2022-83
Attachment No. 4 – Resolution No. 2022-83_Exhibit A – Draft Side Letter Agreement Adoption of Resolutions Accepting Canine Companions K-9 Donation