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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT, WITH TWO (2) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR OPTIONS TO EXTEND WITH KOEFRAN INDUSTRIES INC, FOR STOCKTON ANIMAL SHELTER REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF DECEASED ANIMALS IN A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $140,795
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year contract with two (2) one-year options to extend between the City of Stockton (City) and Koefran Industries Inc. (Koefran) for the Stockton Animal Shelter’s (SAS) removal and disposal of deceased animals in an amount not to exceed $140,795;
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
3. It is further recommended that the City Manager be authorized and directed to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) is seeking Council approval for an agreement with Koefran to remove and dispose of deceased animals from the SAS. Deceased animals are considered a health and safety hazard that, if not disposed of properly, could put the health and safety of other animals in the shelter and the community at risk. Public health risk consist of disease transmission including bacteria, viruses, and parasites to humans and other animals, pathogen release potentially contaminating water supply, and vector attraction like flies, mosquitoes, and rodents that then can carry and spread diseases among the population. The contracted vendor must have the proper tools to remove and dispose of the deceased animals at their facility, following applicable regulations. Koefran is the only vendor in the area with the necessary tools and services.
DISCUSSION
Background
SAS is required to abide by the California Code of Regulations Title 3, Food and Agriculture, Section 794.3(e), Sanitation Requirements, which provides that: “All dead animals shall be disposed of within 24 hours after death by movement to an approved reduction plant, cremation, or burial.” SAS had a Letter of Agreement with Koefran for over twenty years to remove and dispose of deceased animals. Due to the higher volume of intakes, SAS entered an informal contract with Koefran through the sole source justification (SSJ) process approved by the City Manager. As required, a survey was sent to the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals) in search of any companies in the area that perform the removal and proper disposal of deceased animals, resulting in Koefran being the only vendor in Northern California able to accommodate the amount of deceased animals SAS must dispose of.
Upon Council approval, staff recommends moving forward with a Standard Agreement to continue the services needed for operation of business (Attachment A).
Present Situation
SAS has a steady influx of deceased animals picked up by SAS Officers, San Joaquin County Animal Control, CalTrans or dropped off by the community members - as it offers free drop-off for the community’s deceased pets. The animal carcasses are placed in a cold box at SAS, that must be emptied regularly as it is required by law to promptly dispose in order to protect the health and safety of SAS and the community. So, SAS has partnered with Koefran over the last twenty years.
In 2023, SAS surveyed the needed services, resulting in Koefran as the only provider. The current SSJ was approved on February 2, 2024, for an estimated amount of $28,800 through December 31, 2027, additional funding will be needed due to the increase in intakes. A new SSJ, followed by a Standard Agreement not to exceed $140,795, will prevent any interruption in these essential services. Furthermore, by contracting with an outside vendor for this service, SAS avoids the cost of adding a crematorium to the facility for the proper disposal of deceased animals and the added funds needed to obtain the license for performing this service, causing an overflow of carcasses endangering the health of the community.
Findings
Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070(A)(4) provides an exception to the competitive bidding process for sole source vendors in cases where the City Council has approved findings that support and justify the exception. The findings are as follows:
1. Koefran is the only vendor in the area with the proper equipment to pick up deceased animals from SAS and adequately dispose of the carcasses on a timely basis.
2. Koefran provides pick up and disposal of medical waste and deceased animals.
3. Contracting with Koefran will allow SAS to continue free drop-off of the community’s deceased animals; keeping the community safe and free of any health hazard that deceased animals could create.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The total proposed cost for the three (3) year agreement with Koefran shall not exceed $140,795. These funds are available in the FY 2025-26 Police Department’s Animal Shelter General Fund.
Attachment A - Koefran Standard Agreement