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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-02 PACKET 04.B. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 12/02/15 • . PREPARED BY: Public Safety Craig Woolery ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: City Council pass a motion to approve and authorize execution of the letter of understanding between the City of Cottage Grove and the Animal Humane Society, which would become effective January 1, 2016. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: City Council pass a motion to approve and authorize execution of the letter of understanding between the City of Cottage Grove and the Animal Humane Society, which would become effecitve January 1, 2016. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: MEMO/LETTER: Director of Public Safety Craig Woolery dated 11/19/15 � OTHER: Letter of Understanding for Impound Housing Services 2016 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: ,� / i� ' ������� - City Administrator Date * * * � * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ,� * * * � * * * � * * * * :� � * * * * * :� * * * COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER Cottage Grove City of Cottage Grove �he�ePrideandP�ospe�ftyMeet Public Safety — Police/Fire/EMS Memo To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Charlene Stevens, City Administrator From: Craig Woolery, Director of Public Safety ��l�'�' Date: November 19, 2015 Subject: REQUEST APPROVAL TO RENEW AGREEMENT -ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY Discussion: Since 2013, The City of Cottage Grove has had an agreement with the Animal Humane Society (AHS) in Woodbury for animal impounds. After careful consideration, the agreement with the Park Grove Pet Hospital was terminated at the end of 2012. The City of Cottage Grove entered into an agreement with the AHS in Woodbury and began utilized their services in January 2013. The City of Cottage Grove continues to have savings with using AHS for impounds. 2012 2013 2014 2015 Park Grove AHS AHS AHS 1 st $5,472.56 $636.75 $644.22 $785.00 Quarter 2nd $1,709.28 $1,475.86 $2,035.00 $442.00 Quarter 3rd $6,855.12 $2,507.09 $1,895.00 $745.00 Quarter 4th �g,705.43 $1,598.77 $1,810.00 Pending Quarter $23,742.39 $6,218.47 $6,384.22 $1,972.00 The Animal Humane Society contacted the City of Cottage Grove asking to continue the partnership and to review the Letter of Understanding. The standard holding fees will remain at $135 per animal for cats and dogs and $41 per animal for other domestic animals. City Attorney Kori Land did review the Letter of Understanding for Impound Housing Services for 2016 agreement. There was language in the Letter of Understanding that released AHS for all liability of claims related to providing impound housing services. She did recommend striking that language or modify it to say "except for gross negligence by AHS." The revised agreement was sent back to the Animal Humane Society and they did modify the language as we requested. Recommendation: Authorize approval of the Letter of Understanding for Impound Housing Services for 2016 which would become effective January 1st, 2016. anirnal humane society Animal Humane Society and City of Cottage Grove Letter of Understanding for Impound Housing Services 2016 L Animal Humane Society (AHS) agrees to provide the following services: a. Housing for stray or abandoned animals that are retrieved or legally seized by your municipality's community service officer(CSO) or animal control officer (ACO), or for stray animals that ai•e brought into the shelter by a citizen and verbal pei�rnission is given by your agency via phone for intake. Housing includes kennel space, daily cleaning, food and water. b. Herd management vaccination following our standard vaccination protocols, as well as medically necessary and/or emergency care for sick or injured animals impounded diuing regular business hours. c. Euthanasia services as deemed necessary by an AHS veterinarian. These services may be provided at the end of the legally required holding period or in the case of a medical situation that requires immediate euthanasia. d. Adoption services as deemed appropriate by AHS veterinary staff. The animals will be evaluated for these services at the end of the legally required holding period. e. Euthanasia services and body disposal as deemed appropriate by AHS veterinary staff. The animals will be evaluated for these services at the end of the legally required holding period. f. Provide animal rabies quarantine or diagnostic service for stray felines or canines that have bitten a person. g. Hold animal for the legally required stray holding period: 5 days in MN, 7 Days in WI or until reclaimed by owner within this holding period. h. AHS will follow internal policy and best practice for unclaimed animals. City of Cottage Grove inay request and view AHS policies at any time. 2. AHS expectations: a. AHS is not responsible for sick or injured animals that are left after hours. Outside treatment must be sought for these animals by the animal control officer or community service officer prior to leaving the animals at the AHS facility when veterinary staff members are not on duty. b. AHS has the sole authority to disposition all animals that have not been reclaimed upon the expiration of the legally designated holding period. c. AHS will not accept feral cats seized under municipal authority by your municipality's CSO or ACO. 1 3. The City of Cottage Grove agrees to: a. Adhere to the drop off procedure set forth by AHS including animal housing at the shelter and paperworlc. Drop off procedures and paperwork training for community service or animal control officers will be provided. b. Adhere to state laws and local ordinances that apply to the handling of stray or abandoned animals and the seizure and return of animals to their owners. c. Direct citizens where to take stray animals when not receiving permission for impoundment at AHS. d. Seek care for injured or sick animals prior to drop off in the event that it is after hours and/or AHS veterinary staff is not on duty. e. Pay the designated fees for each animal cared for from your municipality. AHS will charge a standard stray holding fee of$135 per canine or feline and a $41 fee per "other" domestic animals (rabbits, guinea pigs,birds etc.) not reclaimed by its owner. AHS will charge a$10 administrative/processing fee to the municipality for each animal reclaimed by its owner in place of the stray holding fee. In these instances AHS will charge the owner reclaim fees. Fees for animals seized by the municipality (such as rabies quarantine)may vary due to the differing nature of their holding periods and services required. £ Adhere to AHS policy and best practice for unclaimed animals. City of Cottage Grove may request and view AHS policies at any time. g. Adhere to building access rules and ensure that the service access door is closed and locked after use in an after hours drop off. h. Ensure that the municipality's CSO/ACO uses his/her discretion in the field as to whether or not to impound an animal. AHS is not responsible for those decisions. i. Be available to members of your community to resolve their concerns related to the actions of your ACO/CSO officers and your municipality's procedures,policies and requirements. j. Release AHS from all liability of claims resulting from or related to providing impound housing services except for gross negligence by AHS. The City of Cottage Grove accepts responsibility for the CSO/ACO while in the course of impounding animals at AHS. 4. Administration a. AHS will bill the municipality at the end of each quaster on a fiscal calendar year. Billing will be mailed in the first month following the end of the quat-ter. Payment is expected within 30 days of receipt of billing. b. AHS will assign a contact person who should be contacted in the event of any problems, concerns or to receive feedbacic regarding the program. c. Any billing disputes must be raised within 10 days of receipt of billing. 2 This ag�°ee�nent is bdsed on u one yea��cominitment, ��hich is r�eneti��ed annually fi°om the date your administr�ato�°szgns the agr�een�ent beloi��. The agreement can be ended at anytime by either party with a 30 day notice. This agreement is entered into on the day of , 2015 by Janelle Dixon, President& CEO Signed on behalf of Municipal Authority Animal Humane Society Printed Name and Title 3