HomeMy WebLinkAbout13. Amended on 06-25-19 Report and MOU- Approve MOU w-Southeast Area Animal Control Authority for the Mayor's Choice Pet Adoption ProgTO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: VANIAH DE ROJAS, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 25, 2019
SUBJECT: THE "MAYOR'S/COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE" PET ADOPTION PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council appropriate $2,000 from the General Fund to support the
"Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet adoption program.
' • ; O \ B
In 1976, the City entered into a joint powers agreement, creating the Southeast Area Animal
Control Authority (SEAACA) for the purpose of providing animal control services. SEAACA
provides animal control services for fourteen (14) cities in southeast Los Angeles County and
northeast Orange County.
In 2014, SEAACA's Board of Commissioners approved the "Pets for Troops" program. Through
this initiative, SEAACA adopts pets to Veterans or active duty military, and offsets 50 percent of
the full adoption fees to residents in cities served by SEAACA. The pets are spayed/neutered,
micro -chipped, and receive initial vaccinations.
Due to the City's commitment to its military residents and at the request of Mayor Rick
Rodriguez, the Downey City Council on April 11, 2017 approved a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the City of Downey and SEAACA in a joint effort to provide
comfort and/or therapy pets to residents who are active duty or retired military, completely free
of charge. Through this MOU, SEAACA offsets 50 percent of the adoption fees and the City
offsets the remaining 50 percent. Additionally, the City covers training costs that are provided by
Petco for military residents. On average, this program helps find homes for 10 pets each year.
DISCUSSION
At the request of Mayor Rodriguez, it is being recommended that a new program, the
"Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet adoption program be implemented to augment the "Pets
for Troops" program. The goal of the program is to enhance adoptions by finding forever homes
for pets that are at SEAACA. Through this program, the Mayor will visit SEAACA once a month
and promote a dog for adoption through social media and other means. Additionally, the City will
offset 50 percent of the adoption fees for these pets.
THE "MAYOR'S/COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE" PET ADOPTION PROGRAM
JUNE 25, 2019
PAGE 2
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety, and Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
The "Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet adoption program will cost the City approximately
$2,000 per year. This includes the cost for adoption fees and will be appropriated in account
10-4-1250-0700.
K
MEMORANDUM OF
BETWEEN
CITY OF •
AND
SOUT
■ l l l ■
This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is entered into on this 25th day of
June, 2019 by and between the City of Downey, a municipal corporation and charter city
located at 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241 ("City") and the Southeast
Area Animal Control Authority, a joint powers authority formed pursuant to the laws of
the State of California, located at 9777 Seaaca Street, Downey, CA 90241 ("SEAACA").
WHEREAS, SEAACA is a joint powers authority whose membership comprises
the cities of Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Paramount, Montebello, Bell Gardens,
South EI Monte, and Santa Fe Springs and which provides contract services to
Bellflower, Buena Park, La Palma, Lakewood, South Gate and Vernon; and
WHEREAS, SEAACA operates an animal care center at 9777 Seaaca Street,
Downey, CA; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of animals that are impounded or surrendered
at SEAACA are not returned to their prior owners, and become available for adoption or
other disposition as provided by law; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal of SEAACA to place as many of such animals as
possible into safe, responsible, loving homes; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, SEAACA approved a program, "Pets for Troops" wherein
SEAACA makes available to retired veterans or active military residing in any of the
fourteen cities served by SEAACA pet adoptions wherein SEAACA offsets 50 percent
of the cost of the adoption fees which includes the cost of spay/neuter services, initial
vaccinations and micro -chipping; and
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2017, the City entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding (2017 MOU) between the City of Downey and SEAACA in a joint effort to
provide comfort and/or therapy pets to Downey residents who are active duty or retired
military, completely free of charge; and
WHEREAS, in the 2017 MOU, SEAACA offsets 50 percent of the adoption fees
and the City offsets the remaining 50 percent along with training costs; and
il
WHEREAS, the City wishes to augment the "Pets for Troops" program through
the "Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet adoption program with the goal of enhancing
adoptions by finding forever homes for pets that are at SEAACA; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to enter into a MOU with SEAACA wherein SEAACA
offsets 50 percent of the cost of the adoption fees, which includes the cost of
spay/neuter services, initial vaccinations and micro -chipping; and the City will offset the
remaining 50 percent of adoption fees for approved adopters who adopt a pet through
the "Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet adoption program.
City and SEAACA agree to the following terms:
1. SEAACA shall process all adoptions made by approved adopters under
the "Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" program.
2. All animals adopted by approved adopters shall be spayed or neutered. If
it is determined by a licensed Veterinarian that it is appropriate to delay the surgery, a
refundable Spay/Neuter deposit will be collected by SEAACA, the surgery will be
scheduled at SEAACA and the deposit returned after surgery, in compliance with
California Food & Agricultural Code Section 30503. All animals will receive appropriate
initial vaccinations and be micro -chipped before an animal is released to the approved
adopter.
3. The adoption fees in connection with the spay/neutered services, initial
vaccinations and micro -chipping shall be paid as follows for pets adopted by approved
adopters: (1) SEAACA shall discount 50% of the adoption fees to approved adopters;
and (2) City shall pay the remaining 50% of the adoption fees to SEAACA.
4. SEAACA shall invoice City for its portion of the adoption fees on a
quarterly basis (March, June, September and December) each calendar year.
5. SEAACA shall obtain a written release/indemnification from each
approved adopter adopting an animal under the "Mayor's/Commissioner's Choice" pet
adoption program wherein the adopter accepts the animal "as is", assumes all risks and
responsibilities associated with the ownership including bites, and fully and completely
releases, indemnifies and holds harmless, SEAACA and City, and their respective
directors, officers, officials, volunteers and employees ("Representatives") from any and
all claims, causes of action or liability of any sort or nature, including liability for death,
bodily injury and property damage, whether or not caused directly or indirectly by the
active or passive negligence of SEAACA, City or their respective representatives, or
2
directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the adoption, care, ownership,
maintenance, temperament or condition of the animal.
6. City and SEAACA are each self-insured against all claims for injuries to
persons or property arising from the activities contemplated herein: CITY liability
insurance coverage is provided by the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority
(ICRMA) and SEAACA liability coverage is provided by California JPIA (Cal-JPIA).
7. The term of this Agreement shall commence on June 25, 2019 and shall
continue until or unless terminated in writing as provided in this MOU.
8. This Agreement may be terminated by either party with or without cause,
upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. Each Party shall pay its portion of
any adoption fees as described herein through the effective date of termination of this
MOU.
9. Any notices, bills, invoices or reports required by this MOU shall be
deemed received on: (1) the date if delivered by hand, facsimile, E-mail or overnight
courier service during SEAACA's or CITY's regular business hours; or (2) on the third
business day following deposit in the United States mail if delivered by mail, postage
prepaid, to the addresses listed below (or such other addresses as the parties may,
from time to time designate in writing):
TO CITY: City of Downey
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Attn: City Manager
TO CONSULTANT: SEAACA
9777 Seaaca Street
Downey, CA 90241
ATTN: Denise Woodside, Executive Director
10. At the time of invoice, SEAACA shall provide copies of the adoption
application which will include a summary of costs.
11. SEAACA shall not assign, transfer, convey, pledge or otherwise dispose
of its rights or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of CITY.
12. SEAACA shall comply with all applicable laws in performing its obligations
under this Agreement.
3
CITY"
City of Downey
-2
ATTEST:
City Clerk
F-11 ri ri1061TA: RX -11M 1136] 1 a N V OTA
City Attorney
City Manager
"SEAACA"
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
la
ATTEST:
Commission Clerk
Legal Counsel
Denise Woodside, Executive Director