TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept non-monetary donations of planning, labor, and materials to add an approximate 170 square foot enclosure for a cat exercise area to Animal Care Services Cat Cottage No. 8; execute a Right-of-Entry Permit and any related documents with Mr. Sid Melnick, Trustee, Florence Jones Trust, for a term of one year, with one, one-year renewal option at the discretion of the City Manager, or his designee; and acknowledge the donation with the placement of a permanent recognition plaque naming the expansion area after the donor. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, Animal Care Services Bureau (ACS), houses stray cats in individual cages in Cat Cottage #8. While many cats are able to move out of the shelter at a quick pace through adoption or transfer to a rescue agency, some cats have a longer stay at ACS. Long-term confinement for cats can be stressful and lead to illness or stress-related behavior issues. While volunteers work with cats individually to try to provide for a socialization process, there is currently no place for cats that are housed long-term to exercise or roam on a continuous basis.
Mr. Sid Melnick, Trustee, Florence Jones Trust (Donor), has stepped forward to offer to construct, at the Donor’s expense, an approximate 170 square foot enclosure to Cat Cottage #8 to create a cat exercise and visitation area. This new area will be constructed to provide a place for cats in ACS with an open environment that is far less stressful, which, in turn, will allow the cats to have a much higher chance of adoption. The expansion of Cat Cottage #8 will also be visible from the outside of the building in order to draw the attention of ACS visitors to the enclosure.
Currently, Cat Cottage #8 is leased back from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) for ACS use under Lease-Back No. 25916. The spcaLA supports the project and has provided a letter granting ACS permission to proceed with the expansion project.
The Donor’s contractor will comply with all City of Long Beach (City) requirements and provide insurance as required by the City’s Risk Manager. Once the expansion has been completed, all improvements will become spcaLA property, under the lease with the spcaLA. The City will be responsible for the utilities and the maintenance of the expanded area.
The proposed Right-of-Entry Permit will contain the following provisions:
• Permit Area: Animal Care Services Cat Cottage #8.
• Term: One year, commencing December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2016.
• Renewal Option: One, one-year renewal option at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee.
• Permitted Use: Construction of an approximate 170 square foot cat exercise enclosure in ACS Cat Cottage #8.
• Plans and Permits: Expansion plans must be approved by the City. All required City permits will be obtained by the Donor.
• Insurance: The contractor shall be required to provide insurance coverage as defined by the City's Risk Manager.
• Donor Recognition: The contractor will place a permanent plaque in the expansion area of ACS Cat Cottage #8 to recognize the donation.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on October 2, 2015, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 7, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 3, 2015, in order to start construction in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. The recommended action will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STEPHEN P. SCOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER