HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4865City of Palo Alto
COLLEAGUES MEMO
June 16, 2014 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 4865)
DATE: June 16, 2014
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Council Member Holman, Council Member Klein, Council Member
Schmid, Council Member Berman
SUBJECT: COLLEAGUES' MEMO REGARDING LOCAL ANIMAL SERVICES
Goal:
Continue to provide animal services locally with improved economies and an improved facility.
Background and Discussion:
Palo Alto has had local community animal services since 1908 when the Palo Alto Humane
Society was founded. The Humane Society started the first animal shelter in town in 1927. They
managed the shelter until 1972 when the operation was taken over by the City and Palo Alto
Animal Services was formed. Animal Services currently offers spay and neuter, adoption,
licensing, lost and found, and rescue services to the Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills
communities.
With Mt. View’s decision in 2012 to end its partnership with the City’s Animal Services,
an annual $470,000 funding gap threatened the closure of the local facility. The community
made its desire to keep animal services in Palo Alto known by crowding Council Chambers with
supporters. As part of the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget, the Council, after
recommendations by both the Policy & Services and Finance Committees, directed staff to
increase revenue by approximately $185,000 annually and reduce costs by approximately
$285,000 a year for FY 2013 with goals for further revenue increases and reduced expenses, to
close the gap caused by Mountain View’s departure to totally eliminate the amount paid by
the City for Animal Services by Fiscal Year 2016.
Palo Alto Humane Society has put together a proposal to form a public –private partnership with
the City. The Humane Society proposes to fundraise to build a new, state-of-the-art animal
services center for Palo Alto and manage the new facility with enhanced services at lower cost
to the City. According to the proposal, the City would continue to provide the land as well as
manage animal control as it does currently. The new facility and additional services that are
being proposed could potentially be a means to attract adjacent communities who now
June 16, 2014 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 4865)
contract as far away as San Martin, a distance creating real challenges to reuniting owner and
pet.
According to the proposal, public-private projects, such as Palo Alto Humane Society is coming
forward with have proven to be successful endeavors in other communities “nationwide and in
neighboring Peninsula communities”.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the Council forward the Proposal from Palo Alto Humane Society to the
Finance or Policy & Services Committee as Council determines for prompt review
Staff Input/Impact
Over the past two years, staff has engaged the regional animal care community to identify
improvements to the efficiency of shelter operations and explore potential partnership
opportunities. Through this process several high-level conversations have taken place with
various entities about potential public-private partnerships ranging from collaboration on
animal adoptions to assistance with shelter management. There is a strong interest from the
non-profit animal care community in partnering with the City to ensure the long -term viability
and success of Palo Alto Animal Services. In addition, several current and near-term operational
challenges, including declining revenues and pending key staff retirements, have created a need
to explore immediate solutions for a shelter management partnership with possible partners.
Given the interest from potential partners, current operational needs, and staff’s belief that
there are possible coalitions to be formed among the interested parties, staff was looking at
issuing an RFP for on-going management of the shelter in the near term with additional options
for capital improvement partnerships.
The FY 2014 expected General Fund subsidy is approximately $850,000, primarily due to
regional contracts revenue adjustments and the year-long absence of the public spay and
neuter clinic due to staff vacancies.
The Humane Society Proposal discussion may occur in the context of other alternatives to put the
Animal Shelter on sustainable footing.
Minimal staff impact at this time.
October 2013
Proposal to the City of Palo Alto
From the Palo Alto Humane Society
Regarding the future of Palo Alto Animal Services
The Palo Alto Humane Society proposes a joint public–private partnership for the provision
of animal services for Palo Alto and contracting cities. The Palo Alto Humane Society, as the
private partner, would bring services and added value to the City of Palo Alto as outlined
below. The Palo Alto Humane Society regards this as an opportune time for a proposal to
partner and pool animal-welfare resources as the City begins to weigh decisions on capital
improvements to and location of its Animal Services facility.
The Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS) makes the following proposal for a public–private
partnership. The proposal is designed to enhance the services presently provided to the
community and is built on the precept that animal sheltering and animal control services must
remain located in Palo Alto to best serve the community. PAHS is also willing to discuss other
ideas in order to find a partnership that is right for both parties and the communities served. In
broad outlines, PAHS proposes:
To build a new, state-of-the-art animal services center for Palo Alto. The Palo Alto Humane Society
would fund the construction of a state-of-the-art facility and would subsequently manage
the shelter and provide related community services and outreach; such services in addition
to animal sheltering would include dog training, dog park recreation, an education center
and programs, housing for special needs animals, a spay-neuter clinic, and a wellness clinic.
PAHS estimates the cost of a new center for animal services at $10–$12 million, to be
raised by PAHS. The City would provide the land as it does currently; the suggested
footprint for the facility would be two acres. In the partnership, the City would continue to
fund and manage mandated animal control services.
A new approach to animal services. Private–public partnerships now undergird animal
services in many communities nationwide and in neighboring Peninsula communities. These
partnerships have created community centers that draw and engage the public, encourage
adoptions, and keep animal surrenders to a minimum. Dog training, dog parks, behaviorists,
education programs, and modern sheltering facilities all add value to the life of a community
and promote the well being of a community’s animals. The Palo Alto Humane Society is
interested in offering these proven added-value aspects to the Palo Alto community. PAHS
wants to create an exciting place in Palo Alto that parallels centers in other communities and
shines as a civic centerpiece for the City. The residents have shown their passion for animal
welfare and would welcome a new and exciting vision for their shelter.
What the Palo Alto Humane Society can offer in a public–private partnership. PAHS
can bring resources and vision to a partnership for a new shelter. PAHS is an established
community organization and can bring name recognition and 100 years of history to bear in
harnessing resources. Its animal shelter committee consists of proven Bay Area shelter
builders and fundraising professionals. PAHS has unique programs in veterinary assistance;
annually PAHS underwrites the spaying and neutering of approximately 2,000 homeless
animals and pets belonging to financially disadvantaged people, and assists pet owners on
fixed incomes with management of veterinary expenses. PAHS provides humane education
to the public schools through its longstanding “Animals Everywhere” program and its new
“Mow Wow Animals” (www.mowwow.org) curriculum designed to aid teachers in
October 2013
complying with the character education goals of the California Education Code. PAHS also
provides a voice for animals, most recently advocating successfully to the City Council on
behalf of the city animal shelter and spay-neuter clinic to prevent closure and outsourcing of
these vital public services.
Benefits to the City of Palo Alto. A major benefit to the City is that PAHS can run the
sheltering function at lower cost, as PAHS is not subject to the City’s salary structure. In
addition, the cost of mandated sheltering services would be predictable, with a contracted fee
with set review and increase points, making budgeting much easier for the City. Another
advantage to the City is that this partnership would play on each organization's areas of
strength. PAHS is better able to handle sheltering and animal care, while the City is better able
to perform the animal control function, given its strength in law and code enforcement.
An exciting synergy. Together the City and the Palo Alto Humane Society can offer much
more than we can separately. PAHS has the vision, expertise, and fundraising capacity for
additional services, and the City has the land for a shelter and the expertise and funding for
animal control services. Through partnership, a modern, state-of-the-art animal services
center can be built that serves as a thriving civic institution for the community. The City of
Palo Alto has successful public–private partnerships in various aspects of its services and
operations. These partnerships have proven to be viable, and PAHS proposes that a joint
effort in animal sheltering will bring current animal services up to the level of other services.
An established tradition. A partnership between the Palo Alto Humane Society and the
City of Palo Alto is not a new idea. The Palo Alto Humane Society has deep roots in the
community and a history of program building. Founded in 1908, PAHS created Palo Alto’s
first shelter in 1927 and subsequently managed shelters for the City for close to 50 years.
After the establishment of Palo Alto Animal Services, PAHS continued its relationship with
the City and for many years provided humane education and night and weekend emergency
animal services. Presently, PAHS maintains a close relationship with Animal Services and is a
major client at the spay-neuter clinic. PAHS is a major resource for animal welfare in the
Palo Alto community.
Going forward. The Palo Alto Humane Society requests the opportunity to present and
discuss this proposal with Council members and staff. PAHS is excited about the
possibilities and believes the Palo Alto community will be supportive of such a venture.
Please note that this proposal is for purposes of discussion. It is not an offer of any kind
and is non-binding in all respects.
Submitted by: Carole Hyde, Executive Director, Palo Alto Humane Society
Contact information: Office: 650-424-1901; carole.hyde@paloaltohumane.org