CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
11/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: YVETTE E. AGUILAR
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ALISON DOBAY
COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER
SUBJECT:
CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL
SERVICES BUREAU
Summary:
On June 28, 2022, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract services agreement with the City of Long Beach Animal Control Services Bureau (LBACS) for a two-year term from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, with an option to extend the contract for two year terms, up to two terms maximum. The annual contract cost was for an amount not to exceed $122,422. In July 2023, LBACS informed the City that the costs for the second year of the contract would be increased by $25,261, due to its implementation of a new service delivery model, Compassion Saves, which has led to the reduction of animal euthanasia. The proposed new agreement also includes increased engagement efforts to the community, such as quarterly pet adoption presentations; and education and low-cost resources promoting responsible pet ownership. Staff is requesting City Council authorization to execute the new contract services agreement from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, in the amount not-to-exceed $147,683. If the City extends future terms of the contract, up to two terms maximum, the contract costs could increase by a not-to-exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI) maximum adjustment of 8% per year.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 2 Community Safety: Maintain community safety by supporting public safety services and increasing emergency preparedness.
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 4 Printed on 11/9/2023
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services.
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract Services Agreement with the City of Long Beach for animal care services, from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $147,683 (year 2 cost), in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments extending the term by two additional years, up to two terms maximum, with an annual cost increase not-to-exceed a CPI adjustment of 8%; and
3. Adopt a resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24
Fiscal Impact:
The total original contract amount of $122,422 is budgeted in the Parks, Recreation and Library Services operating budget for FY 2023-24. LBACS informed staff in July 2023 that compensation for the second year of the original term would increase by $25,261 to $147,683, due to implementation of its new Compassion Saves service delivery model. Staff is requesting a budget adjustment from the General Fund to cover the cost of the increased contract amount.
The City credits revenue generated from dog licenses towards the LBACS contract billing to offset the contract cost. This credit typically ranges each year between $7,000 and $14,000 annually.
Therefore, staff anticipates the actual contract cost to the City would be less than the increased contract amount due to this offset.
Background:
The City of Long Beach has provided the City of Signal Hill with animal care and control services for the past thirty years. In anticipation of the prior contract expiring on June 30, 2022, staff contacted LBACS in February 2022, requesting a draft agreement for the new term. LBACS informed staff the new contract agreement was not ready, and shared that the contract amount would increase to $122,422 for July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
In May 2022, LBACS provided staff with a draft letter for the new contract and advised that it anticipated placing the contract on the Long Beach City Council agenda for approval in July or August 2022. To ensure continuity of services and in anticipation of the contract expiring June 30, 2022, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract agreement with LBACS on June 28, 2022. Ultimately, LBACS did not place the new contract item on the Long Beach Council agenda.
Due to staff transition and the departure of its Bureau Manager, LBACS had limited communication with City staff between June 2022 and summer 2023. LBACS reassured the City that the CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 4 Printed on 11/9/2023
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with City staff between June 2022 and summer 2023. LBACS reassured the City that the organization was committed to providing animal control services to Signal Hill and would prepare an updated agreement. More importantly, LBACS confirmed its services to the City would continue on a month-to-month basis until a final agreement was executed. From July through October 2023, the City and LBACS finalized the agreement for the continuation of animal care services (Attachment A).
Analysis:
During the discussions with LBACS in finalizing the agreement, the City brought up its desire for LBACS to offer enhanced community outreach and engagement, by providing services such as:
1. Additional patrols at City parks for dog leash compliance
2. Quarterly pet adoption presentations at City Council meetings and
3. Education and low-cost resources to promote responsible pet ownership LBACS confirmed it would be able to provide the City increased service levels in the new contract.
Subsequently, LBACS presented its first quarterly pet adoption presentation at the July 25, 2023, City Council meeting.
In September 2023, LBACS provided staff a tour of its animal shelter facility and shared information on its internal operations to maximize efficiency. LBACS also expressed its desire to enhance outreach efforts in Signal Hill, and verbally agreed to collaborate with staff to organize future events, programs, and activities that promote animal care, education, and wellness.
Compassion Saves Service Model
LBACS provided staff the following information about its new Compassion Saves service model, further referenced in the 2021-24 LBACS Strategic Plan (Attachment B). The Compassion Saves service model ensures that no healthy or treatable animal is euthanized without an aggressive search for a positive outcome. This plan limits the euthanasia of animals to cases with extreme medical conditions that cannot be treated, or animals with extreme behavioral problems that would be considered a clear and present danger to the community, as deemed by LBACS. While the City’s annual contract for animal care services increased by 20% compared to the 2022-23 fiscal year, LBACS also increased the number of animals saved through its Compassion Saves Model. This new service model cost will fluctuate and is dependent on several factors, including the level of care provided to each Signal Hill animal, the number of calls for service, and LBACS’ total annual operating per capita cost based on the number of cities served.
To help provide a range and not-to-exceed amount for the contract, LBACS estimated the potential change in cost depending on the total contracted cities. LBACS estimates a not-to-exceed contract amount for FY 2023-24 between $130,775 and $147,683, depending on other agencies being served by LBACS.
Key provisions of the proposed agreement include:
1. Enforcement of Signal Hill ordinances and State laws within City limits
2. Patrolling Signal Hill whenever possible with designated animal control officers
3. Investigation of cruelty complaints
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4. Pick up and impound services
5. Issuance of licenses
6. Monitoring of licenses
7. 24-hour phone service
8. Proximity to the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Educational Center and LBACS administrative offices
To continue seamless animal care services to the Signal Hill community, staff recommends City Council approve the new agreement with LBACS in an amount not-to-exceed $147,683 for FY 2023- 24 and authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments extending the term by two additional years, up to terms maximum, with an annual cost increase not-to-exceed annual CPI adjustment of 8%. If approved, staff would continue to work with LBACS to implement enhanced outreach and community engagement efforts in the future.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Attachments:
A. Contract Services Agreement 2022-24
B. LBACS Strategic Plan 2021-24
C. Resolution
D. Exhibit A
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