HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-12 Staff Report -LA County Dept. of Animal Care and Control (2019)CONSENT ITEM
E-12
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: STEPHAN HUNT, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: JUNE 17, 2019
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF CITY-COUNTY MUNICIPAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
BACKGROUND:
The County of Los Angeles currently provides contract services to the City of Azusa for a variety of
municipal operations, including Animal Care and Control. Managed through the Administrative
Division of the Azusa Police Department, the contract for Animal Care and Control will continue to
provide Azusa residents with a full platform for animal management services, including access to a
primary animal care center, a field service plan, individual animal licensing and an outreach program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1) Authorize the Police Department to enter into a five-year agreement with the County of Los
Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control for an estimated amount of $190,000 for Fiscal
Year 2019-20.
DISCUSSION:
Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2012-13, the Police Department has contracted the City’s Animal
Care and Control services through the County of Los Angeles. This followed a twenty-plus year
partnership the City ended with the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society in pursuit of a more cost-
efficient alternative. Following two consecutive years (FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14) of reduced costs
in animal services realized by contracting with the County, the City entered into a five-year (FY 2014-
15 through FY 2018-19) agreement with the County to extend their partnership; at this time the current
contract with the County of Los Angeles is set to expire June 30, 2019.
In April 2018 the County conducted a review of its billing methodology and proposed changes for FY
2019-20 that would result in a significant increase in annual services fees (up to 100%). The proposed
rate changes were challenged by City Staff as well as the staff of several other cities currently contracted
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
6/17/2019
City-County Municipal Services Agreement with Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and
Control
June 17, 2019
Page 2
with the County for Animal Care and Control Services. In addition, the California Contract Cities
Association partnered with several cities to request the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
reconsider the rate increases being proposed by County staff. As a result, on February 5, 2019 the Board
of Supervisors directed County staff to suspend the proposed cost increases until a fiscal and operational
audit of the Department was conducted. As of the date of this report, the County has recently selected a
firm to conduct the audit, however the audit has not yet begun.
In light of the County’s proposed cost increases, City Staff began to research more cost-effective options
for animal care and control services and contacted the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA
(“IVHS”) to discuss the opportunity to contract with their agency for animal management. Although the
IVHS was open to discuss the City’s request for information, the agency’s Board of Directors declined
to further consider contracting with the City of Azusa for the upcoming Fiscal Year (2019-20). Staff
will continue to engage with IVHS over the next few months in an effort to be considered as a potential
municipal partner as early as July 2020.
For FY 2019-20, the primary opportunity for animal management remains to be a continuation of
contract services with the County; as such the services provided would remain at their current levels and
continue to include animal care at the Baldwin Park (primary) Animal Care Center, field services,
individual animal licensing, animal facility inspection and licensing as well as the arrangement of
vaccination clinics within the City.
If the City desires to terminate its partnership with the County in advance of the conclusion of the five-
year term, the agreement provides a right of termination clause that the City may exercise. This remains
a viable option if the City discovers an opportunity to enter into a more cost-effective animal
management service arrangement in the near future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for the aforementioned services are budgeted in FY 2019-20, General Fund Account No.
10203330006410 for an estimated annual amount of $190,000.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Tami Patlogar Stephan Hunt
Administrative Services Manager Police Chief
Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved:
Aaron Ledet Sergio Gonzalez
Senior Management Analyst City Manager
Attachments:
1. City-County Municipal Services Agreement (County of Los Angeles Department of Animal
Care and Control) and Attachments A, B & C (to Agreement)
Attachment 1