DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2022
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: STEVE CARRIGAN, CITY MANAGER
BY: JIM PIA, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
ROBERTO FILICE, CHIEF OF POLICE
TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF AGREMEENT REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT EXERCISE POWERS AGREEMENT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution to (1) approve Amendment No. 1 of Agreement between the City of Salinas and County of Monterey regarding Animal Control Services, (2) approve the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement establishing the Hitchcock Road Animal Services Agency, and (3) authorize an increase of up to $190,000 to the General Fund Animal Control Services appropriation(s) and use of General Fund fund balance to accommodate the increased cost of the amended Animal Control Services Administration Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the attached Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
In the Fall of 2015, the County of Monterey and City of Salinas retained Management Partners to review the ongoing animal control services functions provided by Monterey County and the City of Salinas at separate locations in very close proximity to one another on Hitchcock Road. Management Partners presented their findings to both the County Board of Supervisors and the City Council on June 28, 2016. At that time, the County and City agreed to establish an Animal Services Ad Hoc Committee. Appointed members included Supervisors John Phillips and Chris Lopez, and the City’s current members include Mayor Kimbley Craig, and Council Members Carla Gonzalez and Tony Barrera.
In November of 2017, the Salinas City Council and Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved an MOA for a shared Animal Services Administrator (Administrator) position to review options for consolidated animal services between the two entities. The position was filled in May 2018 and a joint effort on animal services operations began.
The Ad Hoc Committee agreed in October of 2019 to have staff explore the additional shared staffing services in the area of Animal Care and Veterinary Services. Discussions then took place with representatives of City and County staff and management and SEIU regarding feasibility and support for shared positions. All parties agreed to move forward, and on February 25, 2020 Amendment No. 2 was approved, thereby modifying the scope to include greater animal care and veterinary services, and adjusting the total funding of the pilot project. Amendment No. 3 was approved in July 2021, extending the terms of the prior Agreement to December 31, 2021. On Monday, November 15, 2021, members of the Ad Hoc Committee met again to discuss possible management options for the operations, including a review of a contract for services and the future possibility of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The Ad Hoc Committee agreed that this Agreement would keep the shared animal services continuing while work on the JPA was completed. This JPA is now completed and attached to this report.
The MOA Amendment will:
Extend the term of the current MOA to June 30, 2023. This will allow the County to provide animal control services for both the City and County as we begin the Joint Powers Agreement; and Allow the County to provide Animal Control services for the county as of January 1, 2023 via County-employed Animal Control Officer (ACO) positions. City-employed temporary employees will also transition to County positions; and Obligate the City to pay a total cost of $700,093.04 to the County for six months of services. This is approximately $190,000 more than previously budgeted, largely due to the transition of positions.
The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement will:
Establish the Hitchcock Road Animal Services Agency; and Be initially composed of the City of Salinas and the County of Monterey as Member Agencies; and Work to eliminate the duplication of efforts and inefficiencies for the Member Agencies; and Will be governed by a Board of Directors, which shall be called the Hitchcock Road Animal Services Agency Board.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving the proposed resolution will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goals related to Effective and Culturally Responsive Government.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Administration, Legal, Police, and Human Resources Departments coordinated with County staff and the Ad Hoc Committee on this effort.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
By utilizing shared services, the City and County Animal Services operations can continue to consolidate and make effective use of resources. City and County staff, working with the Administrator and the Ad Hoc Committee, have put forth this proposed Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement that will serve Member Agencies in providing Animal Services. The MOA Amendment No. 1 will extend existing services as the City and County work to establish services under the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement. The costs associated with the MOA Amendment are approximately $190,000 more than currently budgeted in the City’s Animal Services budget, thus requiring the authorization of an increase of up to $190,000 to the Animal Services appropriation (1000.40.4170) and use of General Fund fund balance to accommodate the increased cost of the amended Animal Control Services Administration agreement.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
MOA Amendment No. 1
Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
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CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
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CITY OF SALINAS
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