Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, November 07, 2023
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER THE SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL (LADACC) (C19-104) FOR FY 2023-24, AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT FOR FY 2023-24 AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-164 AMENDING THE FY 23/24 BUDGET FOR THE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL CONTRACT (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
On September 3, 2022, City Council approved a five (5) year term contract agreement with Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (LADACC). The City and LADACC have a positive working relationship and LADACC provides support and outstanding service to our community.
The City Council is requested to approve the Service Level Agreement Service Level Agreement for FY 2023-24 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Service Level Agreement for FY 2023-24 (Exhibit No. 1) and adopt Resolution No. 23-164 to amend FY 23/24 budget for the Animal Care and Control contract (Exhibit No. 2)
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. APPROVE the Service Level Agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (LADACC) for FY 23/24.
2. AUTHORIZE the City Manager to execute the Service Level Agreement with Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (LADACC).
3. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 23-164, A RESOLUTION OF THE CARSON CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 BUDGET IN THE GENERAL FUND.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE staff recommendations.
and
2. TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate that is consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
In 2018, the County informed the City that based on a comprehensive study of the LADACC’s cost structure and billing methodology, it was determined that the County was not charging enough to recover costs, and a new billing method was recommended. In anticipation of the increased new billing, City Council approved hiring an in-house Animal Control Officer (ACO) to reduce costs. Due to the hire of an in-house ACO, City Council authorized the purchase of an F250 truck from Fairway Ford for the ACO’s use in 2021.
On April 3, 2023, the City was informed of the resignation of the in-house full-time ACO, requiring the City to transition into full-service support for animal control services until hiring a new in-house ACO. Recruitment for a new in-house ACO is ongoing.
The billing rates of the LADACC’s is adjusted by the County of Los Angeles annually, effective July 1 of each year, to reflect the cost of such service in accordance with the policies and procedures for the determination of such rates as adopted by the City-County Municipal Services. Based on the Country billing rate increase for full-service support, the FY 2023-24 animal control estimated cost is $686,817.
Staff anticipates that a new ACO will be hired by February 2024; therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve the FY 2023-24 full-service level agreement for five (5) months, October 2023 - February 2024, and fund the PS Animal Control budget for $286,173.75. If a new ACO is not hired, staff will return to the City Council for further funding consideration.
It should be noted that due to the various variables (County billing method change, staff changes, transition to full-service support, etc.) directly affecting the cost of the animal care and control contract, the current projection is the best estimate staff can make at this moment. Staff will continue to monitor this contract cost as deemed necessary.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this item were budgeted in FY 2023-24 based on a part-time service level agreement in the amount of $257,496.00.
If the City Council approves the LADACC full-service level agreement for five (5) months, October 2023 - February 2024, for FY 2023-24, funds in the amount of $286,173.75 need to be appropriated by processing the budget transfer in Resolution No. 23-164 with impact to the general fund and transfer from existing Public Safety accounts in the current Fiscal Year.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. FY 2023-24 Service Level Request (SLR)
2. Resolution No. 23-164
3. FY 2023-24 Carson Estimates
4. Service Billing Rate Memo
Prepared by: Nora Garcia, Emergency Services Manager