TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute agreements, and any necessary amendments, with The Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Inc., and Stray Cat Alliance, both nonprofit organizations, to allow Long Beach Animal Care Services to provide a variety of services to decrease shelter euthanasia of cats, from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
On March 22, 2016, the City Council authorized agreements between The Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Inc. (Found Animals), Stray Cat Alliance (SCA), and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, Animal Care Services Bureau (ACS), collectively known as parties (Parties) to decrease shelter euthanasia of stray cats in the ACS shelter through the Return to Field Program (Program). The Agreement expired on March 31, 2020, and the Parties would like to continue the partnership through March 31, 2021, to fully transition the Program to ACS effective April 1, 2021. The original partnership was a pilot program designed to increase the number of stray cat lives saved and to give ACS time to develop and work through the most effective procedures, create documentation, and develop staff training materials.
The proposed agreements will contain the following major provisions:
• ACS: Will ensure qualifying stray cats are sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated, and treated for fleas. ACS will identify the location where the stray cats were found when brought to the shelter. If treatment or sterilization is needed, ACS will provide the care within 72 hours of admission, and without jeopardizing the health of the stray cat, stray cat will not remain in recovery more than 48 hours. After treatment and recovery, ACS will release all qualifying stray cats to SCA for release back into the community where the stray cats were found. Qualified treated stray cats will be returned to the location where they were found after a minimum of 24-hours of recovery and before 72-hours post-surgery. Keep updated records for each treated and released stray cat. Provide staff and volunteer training material and hold training and workshops. Meet with SCA on a routine basis to review the Program. The services will be provided by ACS at cost.
• Found Animals: Will provide funding to SCA to continue the Program through March 31, 2021.
• SCA: Will locate stray cats for ACS treatment then return the ACS-treated stray cats to the community from which they were found as part of the Program.
• Term: One year, from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, with no options to renew.
• Termination: Any Party may terminate the Agreement upon 30-days written notice to the other Parties.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on July 1, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on July 18, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 4, 2020, to enter into the agreements for the final year of the Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total estimated annual cost to continue the program is $30,000. Actual expenses incurred will be based on the number of stray cats found and requiring treatment. Funding to support the agreement is currently budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. Should additional funding be required during the agreement term, the department will return to City Council and request appropriation as part of the budget process, offset by trust revenue received from the Dr. Eslinger Memorial Fund and the Teresa Trust Fund for Cats. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER