HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.B 07/02/2012 AgencL wItevw#5.3
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DATE:. July 2, 2012
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown,City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolutions Approving Agreement with Petaluma Animal Services Foundation.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt:
I) A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute.an Agreement for Animal Services
with the Petaluma Aninial Services Foundation, and all related,documents; and
2) A Resolution Authorizing the Layoffs and Abolishment of the Following Positions in the
Animal Services Division: One Animal Services Manager; One Senior Animal Control
Officer; Two Animal Control Officers; One Animal Shelter Supervisor; Two Animal Shelter'
• Assistants; and One Animal Care Technician Effective July 31, 2012, Due to Lack of Funds
BACKGROUND
At its April 23, 2012 budget workshop the City Council'.discussed:a proposal to contract with the
Petaluma Animal Services Foundation(the Foundation), as an-alternative to laying off an Animal
Control Officer due to lack of funds. On May 21, 2012 the Council further considered the
proposal and indicated a preference to contract with PASF, to avoid the curtailment of services
associated with a fifty percent reduction in Animal Control Officer staffing. The Council was
also interested in the potential, offered by the Foundation to expand the. Animal Services
availableeto the Public in ways the City may not be able. The staff report to the.Council for the
May 21, 2012 meeting is attached, and provides;further background information. The 2012/13
budget, adopted:by the Council on June 4, 2012, reflects savings associated with laying off one
Animal Control Officer position. Transferring responsibility to the Foundation to provide
Animal Services, if completed by August 1, 2012, provides approximately the same savings.
DISCUSSION
Transferring responsibility for program operations and management to the Foundation was
recommended based on the benefits attendant to the:proposal, and on the premise that the City's
untested relationship with the group can be strengthened by a thorough agreement and with
careful contract management. Council was advised that if.it, accepted the recommendation to
Agenda Revie}
City Attorney' J � Finance Director City Manager
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contract with the Foundation for these services, staff would work with the Foundation to develop
a contract,that can be used as+a,tool to strengthen the likelihood of a successful transition.
Staff has spent the past weeks developing an ,agreement with the Foundation. The draft
agreement contains both the City's standard contract provisions;applicable to all contractors, and
provisions directed to the Foundation and its.proposal. Although the agreement was not in final
form to provide with this report, as there are still details upon which agreement must be reached,
including a finalized scope of work, the agreement will be ready for Council consideration on
Monday July 2, 2012. The following provides a summary of the contract provisions; which are
expected to meet the mutual needs of both parties.
The agreement transfers responsibility for die Animal. Services program to the Foundation,
effective August 1, 2012. The scope of work will incorporate both current operations and the
enhancements proposed by the Foundation. The initial term of the agreement is for three years,
and can be renewed for an additional three-year period based upon satisfactory review of the
previous years' operations by-the City. The City would be obligated to a maximum payment of
$478,200 per year, based on actual expenses invoiced by the.Foundation; the Foundation's books
and records related to the agreement will be subject to examination by the City, or by the State
Auditor at the request of the City.
The Foundation will establish non-discriminatory guidelines for hiring only qualified
individuals, and will make:a;good faith effort to hire those individuals formerly employed by the
City in the Animal Services Division. Employees will be compensated pursuant to the schedule
included in the Foundation's proposal, but t may be.compensated at a higher level in the future.
Portions of the 'scope of work may be:subcontracted, such as veterinary services, with the City's
prior approval. All Foundation employees and those of subcontractors will be subject to
background checks to assure;they possess the legal right to work and have no criminal histories
that should prevent them' from serving the public. The Foundation and any subcontractors are
subject to the City's Living Wage Ordinance.
When charging for services the Foundation will use the current fee schedule approved by the
Council, and.may adjust fees annually to,reflect changes in the CPI. The City will retain $92,000
each year of the revenues that have heretofore been collected for Animal Services activities. All
other fees and charges will be retained by the Foundation.. Monies held in the City' Animal
Services donations.account will be transferred to the Foundation.
All City facilities and equipment currently used to provide Animal Services will be transferred
under the agreement to the Foundation for its use, is required to be maintained in good working
order, and will revert to the City's use if the agreement:is terminated. Ownership of these items,
included in an inventory and attached as an Exhibit to the agreement remains with the City.
The Foundation will maintain insurance to protect it from all occurrences, and provide all
required coverages pursuant to statute for its employees. Itwill also fully indemnify and defend
the City from any claims arising from its performance, or that of any subcontractors, under the
agreement. The Foundation and any subcontractors will obtain and maintain all required licenses
and permits, including those ofaprofe"ssional nature and a City business license.
As previously indicated the Foundation will be required'to•maintain its records and make them
available for inspections and audit..'The Foundation will also be responsible for providing
periodic status,,and annual comprehensive, reports to the City so that the Council can determine
the effectiveness and quality of Foundations program and fund-raising activities.
Finally, (although the foregoing summary is not exhaustive list of all contract provisions), the
Foundation may take.on animal care and enforcement responsibilities and duties from entities
that may wish to 'do business it, so long as services to the City of Petaluma ate not
compromised. If the Foundation does so, books and records relating to those separate
agreements will be segregated from Petalurna's and will not be subject to our inspection.
As indicted in the report provided to Council for May 21, 2012, the City Council will maintain
some authority over Animal Services policy, through contract management. The agreement also
retains the Animal Services Committee as a means of providing advice to the Board of Directors
and as an interface with the public.
If the City Council approves staffs -recommendation and authorizes the agreement with the
Foundation, existing positions will need to be eliminated and existing'employees laid off. As
indicated in the prior staff'report, this,is subject to impact bargaining pursuant to the meet and
confer process. Animal Seryices employees are currently represented by the Petaluma
Professional and Mid-Managers Association (PPMMA) and AFSCME. The PPMMA has
indicated it is satisfied that its concerns regarding-the:-Foundation_proposal have been addressed,
and that it does not need to meet and-confer on the present action. Staff,met with AFSCME
representatives on June 25, 2012, is preparing a response to questions raised at that time, and
anticipates another meeting before any Council action, is implemented. In addition to the
resolution authorizing an agreement with the Foundation, also attached is a resolution
authorizing the elimination and lay-off of Animal Services positions, effective July 31, 2012.
Potentially affected employees received their "Levine" notices on June 28, 2012, and will,
receive formal notices of lay off not later than July. 12 2012, if the Council approves the
recommended actions:
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The attached`^agreement obligates the City to.a maximurn ennual payment of$478,220. The City
will retain $92,000 in fees and charges collected for Animal Services;' the Foundation will
receive all other fees and charges. As indicated in the attached,report dated May 17, 2012, when
adjusted for the net loss of revenues, and charges to the Animal Services budget from other
departments which Will have to be absorbed in the General Fund if the-Foundation assumes the
program, total savings associated with the proposal are estimated at less than $1,000 per year —
with an.August 1, 2012 start date. As has also,been previously indicated, the real strengthrofthis
proposal is not in the savings it provides the General Fund, but rather that it maintains existing
service and staffing levels and offers- opportunities for improved services that are currently
outside the City's•financial ability to-provide.
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution to Execute Professional.ServicesiAgreen ent
2. Resolution Authorizing;Layoffs,and Abolishment of Positions
3. May 17, 2012 Report`.from City Manager Animal Shelter Proposal
ATTACHMENT I
Resolution No. 2012-XX-N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma,: California
RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZINGTHE'CIT,Y MANAGER TO
EXECUTE.A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREE MENT`WITH THE PETALUMA
ANIMAL SERVICES.FOUNDATION,,AND ALL:RELATED.DOCUMEN TS, TO
PROVIDE ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER SERVICES
WHEREAS due to,budget constraints, the City'Council,has found it necessary to reduce
the cost of the Animal;ServicesProgram; and
WHEREAS, alternativesforproviding-;reductions have been examined, including
staffing reductions andcoritracting.those activities in their entirely to an outside entity; and
WHEREAS, staff received a proposal for providing the full range of Animal Services
from the,Petaluma Animal Services Foundation (PASF), and sought proposals from other entities
with the capability of providing simiiar�services; and
WHEREAS,,PASF's proposal was the only one received;:and
WHEREAS, P.ASF's proposal provides the only currently viablesalternative for
preserving the existing level of Animal Services provided to the community,or for expanding
and enhancing those services in the future; and
WHEREAS, the City Council-finds that entering-into an agreement with PASF to
provide Animal:Services is in-the best interests of the residents of the City of Petaluma.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that,the::Petaluma City Council hereby
approves:and.authorizes the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Petalumaa
Professional Services-Agreement with the Petaluma Animal Services Foundation, and all related
documents,.ih a-fonn;that is°substantially;the same as the summary provided in the staffreport
dated July 2,2012,•tobe effective August 1,2012.
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ATTACHMENT 2
Resolution No. 2012-XXN.C.S.
of the City of Pefalurna;. California
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING"THELAY,OFFS AND,ABOLISHMENT OF THE
FOLLOWING'POSITIONS IN THE.ANIMAL SERVICES:DIVISION : ONE ANIMAL
SERVICES MANAGER;!;ONE"SENIORANIMAL-CONTROL OFFICER, TWO
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS; ONE ANIMAL SHELTER.SUPERVISOR; TWO
ANIMAL SHELTER ASSISTANTS;,AND ONE ANIMAL CARETECHNICIAN
EFFECTIVE JULY 31, 2012,;DUE'TO LACK OF"FUNDS
WHEREAS, Spending in the General Fund s:been reduced oy approximately one third
(1/3) since FY 2007/08 due to ëbonomic downturn and"attendant revenue shortfalls;-and
WHEREAS, It:became'necessaryto,further reduce General fund spending in FY
2012/13 as revenues have continued;to fail to keep pace with.expenditures;,and
WHEREAS, General Fund;reductions in the.past decreased funding for positions;in
the:Animal Services division,;and reductions proposed for FY 2012/13 included the elimination
of an Animal Control Officer position;;and
WHEREAS,'these reductions have,lor have the potential to,',negatively`impact Animal
Services programs provided to the public;land
WHEREAS, the Petaluma AnimallServices Foundation (PASF)iproposedto manage
and operate the Animal Services programs; existing service and staffing level
and can further enhance services to the;public,at,a-time when the City.cannotaffdid'to do so;and
WHEREAS, the City,Council has;approved an agreement transferring:all responsibility
for managing and operating Animal Services programs to the PASF, said transfer including,all
associated staff turrently-enrployed by the City whohwilltnow be employed by PASF,.:
NOW, THEREFORE-; BE IIRESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma.
does hereby-authonze the and abolishment of the following positions in the Animal
Services Division effective Jul T3l, 2012'due to the`lackof'funds:
1. One (1) Animal Services Manager; one;(I) Senior Animal Control Officer; Two (2)
Animal Control Officers; One'(1)Animal Shelter'Supervisor; Two (2) Animal Shelter
Assistants; and One (1) Animal.Care:Technician:
2. Said reorganization'consistingof l aayoffsand:position,abolishment shall occur in
accordance with applicable:memoranda;of understanding, compensation plans, and
personnel rules.
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ATTACHMENT 3
May 17, 2012
TO: Mayor and Each Council Member
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Animal Services Proposal
Included in recommendations to balance the 2012 budget is a proposal to eliminate one Animal
Control Officer (ACO). General fund savings from thauproposal'_are estimated at $90,000 in FY
2012/13, including a $4,000 reduction in Overtime. Savings grow in subsequent years, from
salary savings and by avoiding projected increases in health and retirement benefits that are part
of total compensation.This-recommendation'isp'art of the Police department's proposal to save
$635,000; the department's revised share of a five percent reduction of General Fund expenses.
Laying off one ACO would reduce response to low priority calls such as noise and stray animal
complaints.Responsibility for higher priority calls, such as bite investigations, and dangerous
animals at large would be shared between the remaining Animal Control Officer and the Patrol
division. This proposal was submitted pursuant to direction to preserve core department
activities, if possible, and proposechanges to programs and activities ancillary to accomplishing
a department's mission. This is the same direction followed by departments in previous years'
budget reduction efforts.
Since 2007/08 a total of 126 full time equivalents (FTE) have been vacated or eliminated in
Animal Services. This represents a33.5 percent staffing decrease, and includes a full time
Shelter Assistant and Senior ACO. It also includes a 1.26 ETE reduction in part-time funding.
The Animal Services program has always relied on`volunteers to augment paid staff. Many
services, primarily those associated with the shelter and animal care, are now conducted by
volunteers. As well, the program relies heavily on donations. Total revenues, all sources, in
2010/11 (the most recent year full year's accounting) were nearly $220,000. Of that, over
$94,000 (41%) was from donationsl.The remainder conies from a variety of fees and charges,
with the majority of the remainder provided by licensing revenues. Without volunteer support
and supplemental funding, it is doubtful whether Animal Services could continue to operate.
Last year, the Petaluma Animal Services Foundation (the Foundation)_proposed to assume
Animal Services functions., The timing of the proposal and effort necessary to.evaluate it did not
synchronize with developing;the 2011/12 budget,rand the proposal was tabled'. In addition to
timing, concerns existed with the reduced salaryand benefit structure in the proposal, the lack.of
a competitive process if a contract was going to be let,.andthe.Foundation's lack of a record of
accomplishment operating a"full service Animal Services program.
This year, following the release of the Police department's'reduction proposal, the Foundation
again proposed to provide the full range of Animal`Services. A proposal was submitted in
March 2012, and was revised and re-submitted earlier'this month. In that time Police department
staff sought to clarify the Foundation proposal, sought competitive proposals, and evaluated
providing services to another agency. Contracting proposals were solicited from agencies in
Sonoma and Marin•Counties, but none were submitted. Cost estimates were also developed to
determine if Petaluma.could;provide services'to another city, to generate additional program
revenue. That estimate didn't show sufficient savings for the change to be cost effective, and
went nowhere. It appears the CityCouncil.has three choices at the present: implement the
department reduction proposal, maintain Animal Services at 2011/12 staffing and service levels
and seek an additional $90,000 in savings from another General funded program, or accept the
Foundation proposal. Staff recommends that Council'approve the Foundation option, effective
August 1, 2012 or sooner, if'transition can be accomplished in less time.
The Foundation proposes to assume operation and management of the Animal Services program,
including all current activities. The proposal guarantees the shelter will be operated as an
adoption facility, with reduced euthanization. The Foundationproposes to provide these services
under contract, for annual compensation ofS478,000. Under.the"proposal a portion of existing
revenues, $92,000, would remain with the City: These are licensing fees, and a portion of
adoption, retention, surrender, and boarding fees: The Foundation indicates its proposal will
result in savings to the City of$170,000 from 2011/121evels, although staff analysis estimates
far less when adjustments for revenue reductions, offsets for lay-off savings, and elimination of
City charges to the Animal services budget are taken into account. The Foundation proposal
accompanies this memorandum.
Program: The Foundation proposes to continue all current activities. These include:
• Animal Control Services
• Animal Licensing
• Shelter Services
• Adoption Services
The Foundation proposes to expand upon.these services in several ways, including:
• coordinated and enhanced volunteer activities
• extended hours of operations
• increased coordinatioq'with rescue groups
• doubling the number of monthly low cost spay/neuter clinics offered
• enhanced foster care, enabling animals to,leave the shelter on weekends
• establishing a training center to rehabilitate animals with behavioral issues, to increase
the chances for their adoption
• website and software enhancements, and use of social media
• increased offsite adoption events
• expanded educational services
• post adoption support to adoptive families
• increased focus on trap, neuter and release for feral cats
These enhancements:are intended to increase adoptions, improve the well-being of animals
housed at the shelter, reduce the number of animals,that,'are euthanized each year, increase public
access to the Shelter, leverage resources, and improve customer service. In conducting these
activities, the Foundation commits to satisfying all legal:reguirements for the care and handling
of animals, and to utilize best=practices,for sanitation and cleaning protocols.
Neither this summary of current city services nor the listing of enhancements proposed by the
Foundation included in this memorandum is exhaustive. More extensive discussion of current
services and those proposed by the Foundation can be found in the proposal.
Staffing. City staffing currently is as follows:
Position Authorized Filled Vacant
Animal Services Manager 1 1 0
Senior.Animal Control'Officer 1 0 1
Animal Control Officer 2 2 0
Shelter Supervisor 1 1 0
Shelter Asst 2 1 1
Animal Care Technician 1 1 0
Total 8 6 2
The.City also employs one-part-time.Kennel Technician, bringing the total FTE's to 6.47. As
proposed, Foundation staffing would be:
Position Number of Positions
Executive Director 1
Animal Control Officer 2
Animal Care Supervisor 1-
Vounteer Coordinator 1
Registered Veterinary Technician 1
Part time Kennel Technician-(.3FTE) 1
Total 63
The Foundation developed job descriptions for each of.these;positions, and its staffing plan
offers at-will employment opportunities to all existing Animal'Services staff. The Foundation
proposes to retain both.ACOs,-whereas the department reduction proposal eliminates one of
those positions. Maintaining both positions, and associated levels of service, is a benefit of this
proposal.
Salaries and Benefits: Concerns were expressed with the 2011 Foundation proposal over
proposed salary and benefit levels. There is still significant difference between the compensation
the Foundation proposes to offer and that paid by,the City. Base salary levels, however are more
in line with the City compensation structure than a'year ago. The following tables summarize
current City compensation and that,proposed by the Foundation.
City of Petaluma
Position Salary Benefits Total
Animal Services'Manager $ 80,350 $ 32,526 $ 112;876
Animal Control Officer 58,885 26,342 85,227
Animal Control Officer 67,965 11,285 79,250
Shelter Supervisor 52,874. 24,180 77,054
Shelter Asst 44,554 5,776 60,330
Animal Care Technician 39,978 27,135 67,113
PT Kennel Technician 16,532 945 20,477
Petaluma Animal Services Foundation
Position Salary Benefits Total
Executive Director $ 75,000 $ 3;624 $ 78,624
Animal Control Officer .52,000 6,096 58,096
Animal Control Officer 52,000 14,100 66,100
Animal Care Supervisor. 45,760 16,176 61,936
Volunteer Coordinator 42,600- 3,624 46,224
Registered Veterinary Technician 39,520 9,276 48,796
Part time Kennel Technician (.5FTE) 15;600 none 15,600
Pursuanfto"the proposal, Foundation employees would forego the PERS retirement plan.
Further, they could access only the Kaiser health'plan and would not have the additional choice
between two PERS health plan options that are also available to City employees. With the
Foundation, employees would receive eight (8)paid holidays rather than the thirteen (13)
provided by the City, and would start with a limit of 96'hours of personal time off each year In
contrast, annual leave available to employees starting with the City includes 96 hours of sick
leave, 80 hours Of vacation, and'for;management employees exempt from FLSA, 80 hours of
administrative leave. Foundation employees, as do City employees, would also receive uniform.
allowances, overtime pay, life insurance,and long-term disability.
Management, Governance,.and Support. Currently, day-to-day Animal,Services operations
are managed by the Animal Services Manager. Management oversight and policy and
procedural guidance are provided by the Police department, which also provides primary
employee relations services. Broader guidance, direction,.support,and financial management are
provided:by'City Manageinent,Risk Management, Human Resources, Legal Services, and the
Finance Department. Policy advice is provided by the Animal Service Committee, and Policy
direction is set by the City Council.
The proposal identifies Jeff Charter, currently the,City's Animal Service Manager, as Executive
Director. Mr. Charter is currently the Animal Services Manager; and has also,served as Animal
Control'Officer and Senior Animal Control Officer. Under his leadership, Animal Services has
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been able to secure additional grants, generate increased contributions through fund-raising,
increase adoptions, and decrease.euthanization. He would be responsible for day-to-day program
management, including,personnehnianagement4ip blic relations; and special events. The
proposal also provides for a Volunteer Coordinator, to,recruit, organize, manage, and utilize
volunteers, primarily for shelter-related activities.
The Petaluma Animal Services Foundation holds corporate non-profit status in the State of
California. As such it is governed by a Board of Directors, and contributions made to the
Foundation are tax-deductible. The proposal identifies:a minimum of six (6) board members and
a maximum of fifteen (15). Once of these would be Mr. Charter, for the first year of operation.
Seven additional board members are currently identified, virtually all of whom have
backgrounds that include experience in animal rescue, training, advocacy and adoptions. The
currently identified Board members also have significant experience in business administration,
staffing, public relations, information technology, and Law: All of this experience will be
available and necessary to support Animal Services operations. All support relationships with
the City would be severed; the Foundation would be responsible for maintaining its own
insurance coverage, providing its own payroll, accounting, legal,human resources, and
information services. All of these would be governed by decisions of the Board of Directors.
These services would all be provided, initially,at least and with the exception of any provided by
Mr. Charter, on a voluntary basis by the individuals performing them.
The City Council would stilhmaintain some authority over policy, through the contract
management function. Further,the proposal anticipates retaining the Animal Services
Committee as a means of providing advice to the Board of Directors and;as an interface with the
public. The Council would continue to appoint and, potentially, provide policy guidance through
the Animal Services Committee.
Facilities and Equipment. The proposal contemplates transferring City facilities, vehicles,
equipment, and furnishings to the Foundation. Exceptions would be computer servers, software,
and laptop units. The Foundation intends to provide its own server and replace existing software
with programs it believes will result in greater efficiencies,:increased revenue collections, better
outreach, and improved,customer'service. Staff would propose ownership of City assets remain
with the City, and that permission to-•use these would be contractual. The Foundation should also
be required to maintain these in good:repair, and return them,in like condition should a contract
be terminated.
Revenue. The Foundation proposes to retain a portion of therevenues currently collected by the
City, and intends to augment and expand funding with donations.and grants The proposal
would allow the City to retain$92,000 per year. This represents a portion of licensing, adoption,
retention, surrender, and boarding fees:and reflects a three-year average. The Foundation
anticipates increasing these fees with the'use of new software and increased attention to fee
collections.
Expenditures. The following table provides a summary of actual, estimated, and recommended
City expenditures for Fiscal years 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13, and the support requested from
the Foundation if it assumes Animal Control. That amount would remain constant for all
subsequent years of any contractiwithTe-Foundation. "'FY 20f2/13 Recommended"reflects the
reduction of one ACO position.ftbmthe:201.1/11staffinglevel. The line item detail for the "FY
2011/12 Budgeted" and "Foundation Request"columns are found on Page 3 of the proposal.
FY2010/11 FY2011/12 FY 2012/13 Foundation
Actual Budgeted Reco. Request
Salaries and Benefits $ 515,999 $ 533,620 $'-438,125 $ 401,970
Services and Supplies .196249 1.14;600 116,750 76,250
Total Expenditures $ 712,248 $ 648,220 $ 554,875 $.478,220
Savings. The Foundation estimates'savings to the Citytotaling $170,000; That estimate is
based, however on amounts budgeted by the City-in 2011/1 2. That savings estimate decreases to
$80,000 when one compares the.Foundation Request to the Recommended Budget for 2012/13.
Further, it does not address the loss,of revenues associated with its proposal to leave the City
with $92,000 per year Animal Services-related revenues included in the recommended budget
for 2012/13 total $1.31,460. The difference between that estimate.and$92,000, which is $39,460
must also be deducted from the overall savings estimate. Finally,the Foundation estimate does
not account for City charges to theAnimal Services budget from other departments which will
have to be absorbed by the City if the Foundation assumes the program. These can be found in
the table on Page 3 of the proposal, and:are Information Services (-$22,800) Risk Management (-
$7,450) and Intergovernmental Charge'for General Services,(-$2,000). Together these three
items reduce savings.by;another $32,250. Adjusted to account for all these;factors, total savings
associated with the proposal is $8;290, If the transition from the City to the Foundation were to
occur, but not until August 1, 2012 the most likely;scenario—this savings is all but eliminated.
Discussion was had during,the Council's:April 23, 2012 budget wbrkshopiegarding the benefit
of accepting the Foundation proposal,;and applying,estimated savings-in excess of those
generated from laying off one ACO to either Police Dispatching or Patrol functions. It's clear
from the foregoing analysis the proposal does not generate savingssufficientto significantly
augment either of these two functions. For that matter, themeritsrof this proposal cannot be
determined on the basis of savings, as they-are so minor.
The strength of this proposal is in the;opportunity it provides.to'maintain Animal Services
operations at 2011/12.levels, which it appears the'City cannot. Further,.itretains both Animal
Control positions-and the services they provide, as well as offering einployment'to the entire
animal Services staff Of greater importance, however, is the-opportunity the proposal provides
to enhance Animal Services in ways that the City will most likely not be able for the foreseeable
future. Of particular benefit is the revenue raising potential associated with the Foundation
model: enhanced ability to compete for grants, and enhanced.ability to obtain donations. Both of
these opportunities are outside the City s abilities to achieve, due to staffing resources,
limitations placed on available grants,iand public perceptions regarding the use of contributions
and donations. In the universe of grant opportunities, many are those for which only non-profit
organizations are eligible. Under the Foundation model, additional grants can be obtained to
enhance Animal Services operations. In addition, while the program has been effective in fund
raising, in recent years, some donors are reluctant to support municipal activities out of concern
for where their contributions may be spent. A Foundation has access to a broader donor base, as
the monies they collect are guaranteed to the specific purpose:
Weighed against these benefits is'the.lack,of a record of achievement on the part of the
Foundation in managing a full service Animal.Services program. The Foundation will be an
unknown,quantity until tested, but can be supported through careful contract development and
diligent contract management. If the Council accepts the recommendation to contract with the
Foundation for theseservices,staff will work with the Foundation to develop a contract that call
be relied,upon as a.tool to strengthen the likelihood of a successful transition. Given the
circumstances, the duration of such,anagreement should be relatively short, two to three years,
and subject to a full program evaluation before it is renewed or extended.
Further, transition to the Foundation model, should the Council chose to go in that direction, will
be subject to the meet and confer process. Ultimately, should the Council approve a contract,
existing positions wouldbesabolished, most likely July 31, 2012,,following all procedural and
labor requirements.
Staff and Foundation representatives will be available at your May 21, 2012 budget meetings to
answer any questions you may have.
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