City of Santa Paula
City Council
MAYOR LESLIE CORNEJO
VICE MAYOR PEDRO A. CHAVEZ
COUNCILMEMBER JENNY CROSSWHITE
COUNCILMEMBER CARLOS JUAREZ
COUNCILMEMBER ANDY SOBEL
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
SANTA PAULA CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
4:00 PM - City Council Special Meeting
SANTA PAULA CITY HALL
970 VENTURA STREET
SANTA PAULA, CA 93060
JULIE LATSHAW, CITY CLERK
DAN SINGER, CITY MANAGER
MONICA CASTILLO, CITY ATTORNEY
AMENDED TO INCLUDE ATTACHMENT TO ITEM 4.A
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Special Meeting 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
REMINDER: in order to minimize distractions during public meetings, all personal communication devices should be turned off or put in a non-audible mode.
2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, members of the public may comment on any item appearing on the agenda only. Individual Councilmembers may briefly respond to Public Comments or ask questions for clarification. Public Comments are limited to three minutes.
4. ORDER OF BUSINESS
4.A SANTA PAULA ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER SERVICES
5. ADJOURNMENT
BRINGING ITEMS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
You are invited to participate in all Regular City Council meetings. Agendas are posted in the front of Santa Paula City Hall, 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, 72 hours in advance of the scheduled meetings. The City Council's regular meetings start at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 970 Ventura Street in Santa Paula. Special and Closed Sessions vary by date and time.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PERSON DURING THE MEETING: If you wish to speak at a City Council meeting, please fill out a Public Comment Form noting your name and address and submit the form to the City Clerk. Include the Agenda item number you wish to speak on. Members of the public may address the Council on items on this agenda only. Public Comments are limited to 3 minutes.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE MEETING: Members of the public are encouraged to submit email correspondence on any agenda item by sending an email to [email protected]. All public correspondence received by three hours before the meeting date will be provided to the legislative body before the meeting.
Public Comments received after, will be provided to the legislative body the next day.
Your Participation in this meeting is in the public domain; meetings are cablecast; minutes of this meeting will reflect your participation in this meeting and are posted on the city’s website.
PLEASE NOTE: Be advised that if you bring a legal challenge to an action, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the meeting described in this Agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at or before the meeting. Any action is subject to the ninety-day time period set forth in Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.6.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (805) 933-4208. Notification 48 hours before the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28 CFR 35, 102-35.104 ADA Title II). Written materials distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the City Council meeting are available for public inspection immediately upon distribution in the City Clerk’s office.
SPECIAL MEETING - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
State of California )-
County of Ventura )- ss
City of Santa Paula )-
I declare under penalty of perjury that I posted this City Council Agenda on the bulletin board near the front door of City Hall, 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, California.
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Special Meeting 2 On_________________ at______________Signed:_________________________ Julie Latshaw
City Clerk
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Special Meeting 3 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Mason, Community & Economic Development Director Subject: SANTA PAULA ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER SERVICES Date: November 20, 2024
Agenda Item: 4.A
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
BACKGROUND:
The City provides animal regulation services through the Police Department by employing a full-time Animal Control Officer, regulating dog licenses within our Finance Department, and via an MOU with the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) for shelter and impound services. This study session affords staff and members of SPARC with the opportunity to bring the Council up to date on various aspects of these services.
ANALYSIS:
During the study session, presentations will be provided by city staff and SPARC in alignment with the following outline:
1) Discussing the regulatory framework under which such services are required and provided 2) Understanding our current service levels
3) Looking at comparisons to outside agencies
4) Reviewing details of the City's MOU with SPARC MOU
5) Having SPARC talk about their service model, challenges and opportunities 6) Previewing issues moving forward, including renegotiating a new MOU with SPARC; examining shelter costs and the City’s contribution; considering what alternative options may be available to the City, and; collaborating around a better site location for SPARC's shelter. 7) Questions/Comments from Council and the Public
STRATEGIC PLAN:
FISCAL IMPACTS:
OPTIONS:
4 ATTACHMENTS:
Study Session Meeting - Animal Control Services.pdf
5 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
Study Session on Animal Control and
Shelter Services (SPARC)
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
WWW.SPCITY.ORG 6
CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Introductions
• Members of City Staff
• Community Development Director: James Mason
• Animal Control Officer: John Morales
• Police Chief: Don Aguilar
• Finance Director: Christy Ramirez
• City Manager: Dan Singer
• Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC)
7 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Regulatory framework
The State of California does not specifically mandate an Animal Control Officer position. However, California law requires cities to implement an animal control program
that includes the following core responsibilities:
Rabies Mitigation
Animal care
Impoundment
Enforcement
Investigation
8 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Regulatory framework
Rabies Mitigation:
Ensuring quarantines, bite documentation, and
testing for rabies in suspected cases within the city.
Animal care:
Providing shelter, emergency medical care, dog
licensing, and enforcing animal welfare laws.
Impoundment:
Securing dangerous or public-safety-threatening
animals
9 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Regulatory framework
Enforcement:
Issuing citations and arrests for violations of animal control laws.
Investigation:
Identifying dangerous or vicious animals as needed.
10 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Regulatory framework
Locally, animal services are governed by the City’s Municipal Code (SPMC), Chapter 91. Our code is quite outdated and inconsistent with neighboring jurisdictions and will be overhauled as a part of the City’s code review. Specifically, the citation process makes enforcement very difficult for our Animal Control Officer.
Highlights of Chapter 91 of the SPMC include:
Chapter 91.05 Animals at Large
Prohibits animal owners from allowing their dogs to
run loose, be off leash, not be under physical
control by a person, etc.
11 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Regulatory framework, Municipal Code (cont.)
91.07 Public Nuisance
Defines what an animal nuisance is, including
examples such as attacking other animals, people
or trespassing.
91.13 Dog License Requirements
Spells out requirements for dog licensing.
91.17 License Tags
Defines how a dog license tag must be harnessed
or fastened to an animal.
12 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Current Service Levels
SPARC Shelter Services/Animal Regulation
Animal shelter services provided under the current
MOU/Contract with SPARC include the general care,
cleaning, and nourishment of owner-released, lost, or
stray dogs, cats, and other animals.
These services are to be provided 7 days a week,
365 days a year.
13 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Current Service Levels: SPARC Responsibilities
Shelter Services: 7 days a week, 365 days a
year.
Public Service: Open at least 5 days a week.
Foster Care: Coordinated by SPARC staff.
Veterinary Services: On-site technician 6
days a week, third party emergency care as
needed.
Emergency Veterinary Treatment: Required
for all animals from city limits.
14 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Current Service Levels: SPARC Compliance and
Standards
Compliance: Adheres to all laws and
regulations.
Inspections: Random checks by city or
veterinarian.
Enforcement: Upholds state, county, and
city animal ordinances.
Staffing: Ensures sufficient staff and
volunteer support.
15 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
SPARC MOU Terms and Considerations
Contract History:
Initiated in May 2012 (originally a 3-year term)
Amended in 2016
Currently operates monthly, based on 2016
contract terms
Financial Contributions:
Starting payments: $19,000 initial annual, with
ongoing adjustments.
Currently: $12,500/month in City’s budget
16 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
SPARC MOU Terms and Considerations
Licensing & Fees:
Renewals collected and remitted to City
50% of new license fees remitted to City
SPARC retains impound fees for captured
animals
17 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
SPARC MOU Terms and Considerations
Scope of Services (Shelter Services):
Hours of Operation
Staffing requirements, training
Veterinary services (scheduled/emergency)
Code Compliance, permitting, and inspections
Animal care requirements
18 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
SPARC MOU Terms and Considerations
Scope of Services (Animal Regulations Services):
SPARC must investigate, test, and if necessary
quarantine all reports of suspected rabid
animals.
SPARC must enforce all applicable laws related
to investigation and quarantine of suspected
dangerous/vicious dogs
Employ staff and/or volunteers to provide level
of service guaranteed in agreement
19 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
SPARC PRESENTATION
• At this time, SPARC will provide a separate
Power Point covering their services to the
community, operations, and costs, as well as
answer questions from Council.
20 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Comparison to outside agencies
City Population Hours per week of
Animal Control
Officer
Annual Cost
Ojai 7,410 10 $122,000
Fillmore 17,420 Varies $191,000
Port Hueneme 20,963 20 $290,000
Moorpark 35,308 30 $200,000
Santa Paula 32,131 40 $112,000 Animal
Control Officer Budget +
$150,000 for shelter
services
21 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
Issues Moving Forward
SPARC Challenges:
Facility limitations
Funding for land, building, and operations (City
contributions & SPARC fundraising)
City Costs:
Animal control, shelter, and care funding needs.
Exploration of alternative options and related
costs.
22 CITY OF SANTA PAULA COUNCIL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
QUESTIONS?
23