HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-25city council minutes
BOOK 52 PAGE 136
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL SESSION
October 25, 2011
12:00 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order by Council Vice-President Rob Hopper.
The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Blacker (via phone), Ozuna,
Hopper, Callsen, Dakan (via phone), and Sobba. Those absent: Mayor Nancolas.
Others present: ElJay Waite, Chris Allgood, Debbie Geyer, Monica Jones, Dave Wright, and Erik Makrush
(via phone).
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Vice-President Hopper asked for a voice vote to approve the agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
(DISCUSS BUDGET ISSUES REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL)
ElJay Waite, 411 Blaine Street, presented the City of Caldwell Animal Control Budget as follows:
2012
Projections
Revenues:
Data provided by SNIP:
License Revenue 70% $277,353 Population 44,000
Citations & Fines 7,500 Average household 2.9
Donations -Households 15,172
Charges for Services -% Households with dogs 39%
Other -Avg. Dogs/Household 1.8
$284,853
Total Shelter Revenues
# of Sterile Dogs 3,195 Canine licenses 10,651
# of Non-sterile Dogs 7,456 minutes/license 5
Expenses:
Sterile License Cost $12.00 total minutes 53,255
Administration $40,000 Non-sterile License Cost $48.00 minutes/hour 60
Shelter contract 65,000 Annual Revenue $396,218 hours to license 888
Caldwell City Officers 2116,000 loaded pay rate $15.00
Capital 117,000 # Dogs at Large 150 admin $ to license 13,314
Vehicle O&M 24,000 Fine $50.00
Application
Operating expenses 12,000 Annual Revenue $7,500 brochure $1,200
Total Shelter Expenses $274,000
Software $10,000
Officer Wages & Benefits $58,000 Maintenance yr-2 $2,000
Vehicle Operations &
Maintenance $24,000
Mr. Waite, 411 Blaine Street, noted that during the first year of the Animal Control Program, the target is to
register 70% of the canines within Caldwell for the period now until September 30, 2012. He outlined the
projected revenue and expenses as written.
Mr. Waite reported that the dog population data was provided by SNIP (Spay Neuter Idaho Pets). This is
an organization that presented numbers to the Blue Ribbon Committee when a presentation was made to
the County Commissioners and discussion held about the population of animals within Canyon County.
Councilman Hopper asked if the $65,000 projected expense for the shelter contract include an unlimited
amount of dogs brought to them by CPD?
BOOK 52 PAGE 137
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Chief Allgood, 110 South 5 Avenue, reported that $65,000 is the highest amount that would be negotiated
within the contract. This would allow for an unlimited amount of animals to be taken to the shelter. The
initial agreement discussed was that the City will guarantee $45,000 for use of the shelter services. If at the
end of the year it is determined that the shelter needs additional funds for providing services throughout the
year to the City of Caldwell, that would be discussed at that time with $65,000 being the maximum
allocation provided.
Councilman Sobba asked if the dog licensing process would be computerized.
Mr. Waite responded that software would be used which includes animal identification on the water bill.
Customers will be asked to license their canines when they sign up or pay for water services. Dog licenses
will be tracked annually. Mr. Waite suggested that the expiration dates for the allowance of dog licensing
campaigns be conducted in January and July each year.
In response to questions from Councilman Sobba, Mr. Waite stated that if the fees are not collected for
animal licensing, a higher authority would be sought to collect the fees. Discussion followed concerning
the advantage of collection procedures with the use of misdemeanors versus infractions.
In response to questions from Councilman Callsen, Chief Allgood reported an owner must prove that the
animal is current with vaccinations in conjunction with the licensing process. The dog could be licensed
with the allowance of a 30-day grace period for the proof of vaccination to be submitted. He emphasized
that the goal is to get the initial license in the owner’s hands immediately.
In response to questions from Councilman Ozuna, Chief Allgood reported that staff is currently working
with the local veterinarians to establish alternative licensing locations within the veterinarian offices.
Chief Allgood reported that only one officer will be hired initially with the option of hiring a second officer
when the program can fund it and it is deemed necessary. Two officers would cover animal control seven
days a week.
Mr. Waite reported that there would be at least a three-month grace period where an education process will
begin through the media, water bill distribution, billboard announcements, town hall meetings., etc., to
publicize the licensing process and obtain compliance by the local citizens.
Chief Allgood explained that the animal control officer would work four 10-day days per week; therefore,
other police officers would cover animal control responsibilities the remaining three days of the week.
The program will be re-evaluated after the first 12 months for adjustments.
Mr. Waite presented a draft “Schedule of Canine License Fees and Infraction Schedule” noting that a
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proposed schedule will be presented to Council on November 7 and a public hearing date set at that time
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for November 21.
Councilman Hopper suggested that a puppy fee be included in the schedule.
Mr. Waite recommended that the age of licensing be required at six months, which is an appropriate time
for altering an animal. The schedule allows for a kennel license and a senior license discount at 50% of the
fee. Discussion followed.
Chief Allgood reported that the ordinance allows for waiving license requirements for guide animals and
police dogs. He noted that the City Attorney has made alternations to the proposed ordinance, which will
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be presented to Council on November 7.
Councilman Blacker lost connection via phone.
Mr. Waite suggested that the licenses be issued with an expiration date of either January or July each year.
In response to questions from Councilman Hopper, he noted that staff is available to handle the influx of
demand during these months. The license process would be managed similar to the property tax collection.
This helps to control costs if an expiration date is used and collected at certain points during the year. New
licenses will be issued throughout the year, but an expiration date will be given at that time. A monthly
reconciliation of the fund would be a very costly endeavor.
In response to questions from Councilman Callsen, Mr. Waite stated that a temp hire option could be
reviewed at that time, if necessary. All assessments for irrigation are billed in February each year, which
would be a similar process. Reminders could be sent out in December for those licenses coming due in
January. Electronic phone reminders may also be sent to assist in the renewal process.
Chief Allgood reported that new tags would not be issued each year. High quality tags have been ordered
and do not include a date. The computer will track the need for renewal and thus manpower costs are
reduced by this method.
Councilman Callsen suggested that part of the education program should include the need for owners to
purchase address tags for their pets.
Chief Allgood stated that the goal is for animal control to become an enterprise fund where dog owners are
covering the cost of the animal control program and there is no tax burden to the residents.
BOOK 52 PAGE 138
Mr. Waite reported that a brochure is being created by the City Clerk which will be distributed at local
veterinarian practices and City Hall to explain the licensing process and list the fees.
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Lieutenant Wright, 110 South 5 Avenue, reported that he is currently working with local veterinarian
clinics within the community to form a partnership for the licensing process.
Monica Jones, 411 Blaine Street, reported that a job description was prepared for the animal control officer
and a posting was made concerning this available position. Applications were received and interviews
were conducted. A contingency offer has been signed by an individual. She reported that Council’s
approval is needed to move forward with hiring a full-time individual for the position.
Mr. Waite noted that Caldwell police officers are currently addressing the animal control matter within the
community. The hiring of an animal control officer will help relieve the burden of animal control from the
other officers.
In response to questions from Councilman Callsen, a marketing campaign will be initiated within the water
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bills. The public hearing for the Animal Control Ordinance has been continued to November 7 and the
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public hearing for the fee schedule will be scheduled for November 21. Grace period months will be
extended during the months of December , January, February, and March for citizens to obtain the required
license. After that period, a door-to-door canvassing campaign might be used to distribute information
concerning mandatory animal licensing.
In response to questions from Councilman Callsen, Ms. Jones stated that the recommendation is to hire the
animal control officer immediately since Canyon County is not doing any animal control services. The
individual has passed the background check and is available to start immediately, if allowed to do so.
MOVED by Sobba, SECONDED by Ozuna to allow the hiring of the Animal Control Officer and move
forward with the program.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Callsen, SECONDED by Sobba to approve the animal control program costs in the amended
Police Department Budget.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Sobba to adjourn. No second to the motion was offered. Councilman Sobba withdrew his
motion and excused himself from the meeting due to another commitment.
Chief Allgood outlined current changes made to the contract document by the City Attorney: The shelter
will only hold animals for a period of 24 hours. A distinction has been made concerning the holding of
animals for quarantine matters versus the holding of animals for court purposes. A charge of $5 per day
would be assessed for an animal going through a court process after the first five days of confinement. The
daily charge would be passed on to the owner, but is the City’s responsibility to collect the fee. The shelter
has declined to license any animals from Caldwell.
Chief Allgood reported the shelter will distribute packets of information concerning the licensing process to
the owners who adopt animals from their facility, but they are not desirous to issue any licenses.
Councilman Hopper requested that Chief Allgood speak with the animal shelter administrator and request
that she reconsider the licensing of any adopted animals coming from their facility.
Discussion was held concerning the use of infractions versus misdemeanors in the animal control process.
Chief Allgood recommended the following matters be handled as misdemeanors: Interfering with an
Animal Control Officer; Keeping an animal with rabies/contagious disease; Unlawfully freeing impounded
animal; Animal fighting; Disturbing the peace; Commanding an animal to attack; Keeping a vicious
animal,; Allowing the return of a vicious animal; Vicious animal attack, and Allowing a vicious animal to
run at large. He noted that the purpose for establishing the cases as misdemeanors assists if a situation
arises where a dog must be ceased, the animal cannot be taken from a residence without a court order. The
only way to acquire a court date is through the misdemeanor status. At the court date, the City Attorney
can request to the judge that the dog be held until the matter is resolved. He noted that most cases would
be handled as infractions because they are the most expedient, they are easier for the animal owner and dog
control officer to handle, and there is far less expense since there is no involvement of the court.
In response to comments from Councilman Hopper, Chief Allgood clarified that the owner receives the
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misdemeanor citation. If an owner has three dogs, only citation would be rendered – not three
infractions for the same offense. Chief Allgood re-emphasized that the reason for misdemeanors is due to
needing a judge’s assistance in resolving issues.
Mr. Waite noted that the City Attorney will research compliance issues with the State Code concerning the
proposed ordinance.
Councilman Callsen asked if there will be any licensing requirements concerning show dogs since they will
not be spayed or neutered.
Chief Allgood reported that show dogs must be licensed; however, there is a six month allowance for
licensing puppies. Most puppies are sold from breeders before they reach the age of six months.
BOOK 52 PAGE 139
(ADJOURNMENT)
MOVED by Callsen, SECONDED by Ozuna to adjourn at 12:55 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
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APPROVED AS written THIS 7 DAY OF November , 2011.
Mayor
Councilperson Councilperson
Councilperson Councilperson
Councilperson Councilperson
ATTEST:
City Clerk