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APPROVE STANDARD AGREEMENT AMENDMENT 2 (ONE-YEAR EXTENSION TO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING) BETWEEN THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE AND THE CITY OF STOCKTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,514,734.96
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Standard Agreement - Amendment 2, which extends the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Animal Protection League and the City of Stockton, by a one-year extension, at a cost of $1,514,734.96 (Attachment A).
2. 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 Animal Protection League (APL) has supported the City of Stockton Animal Shelter (Shelter) for many years by raising funds and supporting spay and neuter clinics. The City has a need to contract with professional veterinarian staff to assist in caring for animals brought to the Shelter. The current MOU with the APL expires on June 30, 2021; this MOU included an initial three-year period with two one-year options for a total potential term not to exceed five years (Attachments B and C). Staff recommends Council approve a motion to execute a one-year extension, to expire on June 30, 2022, at a cost of $1,514,734.96.
DISCUSSION
Background
In November 2012, the City entered into an MOU with the San Francisco Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA). The initial relationship between the SF SPCA and the Shelter was consultative in nature but quickly grew into a partnership that included life-saving programs. In April 2017, SF SPCA provided notice that they would not be interested in renewing the MOU upon expiration on June 30, 2018. City staff began researching various alternatives to mitigate the consequence of losing this animal medical care which led to a partnership with the Animal Protection League (APL), following an unsuccessful Request for Information (RFI). APL offered to provide onsite medical care under their non-profit umbrella. Onsite medical care provided by APL has contributed to the consistency of the Live Release Rate (LRR) at 82% through Fiscal Year 2020. Immediate medical care is critical to animal outcomes and adoptability. Contracted veterinary staffing provided by the APL continues to be one of the driving contributors to the LRR. The City is obligated by State Health & Safety code to provide basic medical and sheltering services to animals. Total animal intake was 9,726 in FY 2019 and 9,102 in FY 2020.
Present Situation
In June 2018, the City entered into the current MOU, which expires on June 30, 2021. The initial annual cost was $1,308,485 with a 5% increase each subsequent year and includes an option for two one-year extensions. The annual cost of this MOU is well below the value of the services provided and the cost to provide such services if the City were to employ the same level and type of staffing.
It is important not to have a lapse in medical services at the Animal Shelter. Without providing adequate medical care, the vast improvements made to the Shelter’s LRR over the years would suffer. There is continued public support to increase the LRR and continually improve humane care and outcomes at the Shelter; however, this support must be balanced with the available funds to operate the Shelter. Shelter staff, in partnership with the APL, continue to spend a lot of time raising funds to support the Shelter as well as identifying cost-saving ways to operate in the most efficient manner. Without continued support for medical and veterinarian services, the City will not be able to sustain the dramatic LRR results it has achieved since 2012. This Standard Agreement Amendment 2 (Attachment A) provides the staffing needed at the Shelter while considering the long-term future of animal sheltering.
Staff recommends Council approve a motion to execute a one-year extension with APL for contracted veterinary services, to expire on June 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed cost of this extension is an annual amount of $1,514,734.96, for the one-year term. Funding is included in the FY 2021-22 budget proposal Police Department Animal Services Account No. 3513-303-630006-100-000-20-35-000-000-.
Attachment A - Animal Protection League MOU Amendment 2
Attachment B - Animal Protection League MOU
Attachment C - Animal Protection League MOU Amendment 1