Title
Presentation by Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) - Annual Progress Report. (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Dave L. Rudat, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On June 6, 2017, the Alameda City Council approved an Animal Services Agreement with the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) that substantially increased funding from the City to FAAS to manage the City’s animal care services. The Animal Services Agreement (Agreement) with the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) requires that FAAS provide an annual report of activities to the City, which is attached to this staff report as an exhibit.
BACKGROUND
FAAS was founded in 2009 with the mission to shelter and care for abandoned companion animals, find them new homes, and prevent animal cruelty through education and community programs.
Following months of discussion, on June 6, 2017, the Alameda City Council approved an Animal Services Agreement with FAAS that increased funding from the City to FAAS to manage the City’s animal care services. The contract term is for two years, ending June 2019, with the ability for the City Council to extend the contract an additional two years.
FAAS has been presenting annual reports to the City Council for the last five years. This annual progress report is the first report presented to City Council following the new Agreement between FAAS and the City.
DISCUSSION
Since the Agreement began, FAAS and City staff have been working together to ensure the terms of the Agreement are met. FAAS and City staff also work collaboratively in other areas, including on the new campaign, Leashed, Licensed, and Loved, an outreach campaign addressing unleashed pets, an emerging issue in Alameda.
The Agreement between FAAS and the City was for annual compensation not to exceed $804,300 for 12 months. In addition, the City provided an initial advance to FAAS to assist with cash flow that has since been drawn down. In year one of the contract, the total amount billed and approved by the City was $784,198. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 not to exceed compensation is $835,668, which includes a 3.9% Consumer Price Index adjustment from the prior year. FAAS submits monthly invoices that describe the services rendered, including the amounts paid to vendors, with receipts and invoices. These invoices are reviewed and approved for payment by the Alameda Police Department to ensure compliance with the Agreement.
In addition to compensation, the City provided funding for capital projects as part of the lease agreement, including renovating the kitchen and performing sound mitigation. In FY 2018-19 the City will replace the kennel doors, which will increase the quality of life at the shelter and improve conditions for the animals.
Status Update
Below is a table that summarizes key components of the Agreement and the status of those activities:
|
Terms of Agreement |
Status |
|
Operational Assessment |
The City is contracting with Team Shelter USA to provide an operational assessment. Team Shelter will be onsite in January 2019, and will make recommendations for impactful life-saving and cost-effective public and animal safety services. |
|
Animal Intake |
In the last year, the Alameda Animal Shelter had the following animal intake: • 29 impounded animals • 662 stray animals • 173 animals returned to owner • 613 adopted animals • 82 animals transferred out to another shelter • 1 stolen animal • 486 DOA animals • 28 animals died in care • 36 euthanized animals |
|
Live Release Rate |
The current live release rate is 96%, up from 94% last year |
|
Adoption Fees |
In the last year, FAAS received $37,660 in adoption fees, an increase of $2,345 from the previous year |
|
Volunteer Program |
FAAS has an active volunteer program with 16,878 hours of volunteer service documented this year, an increase of 374 hours from the previous year |
|
Alameda Point Collaborative |
FAAS currently has two kennel staff who were hired through the Alameda Point Collaborative |
|
Additional Revenues |
Additional revenues to FAAS increased over the previous year, and included: • $518,966 cash donations through fundraising efforts • $743,945 in-kind donations (including donation of land) • $39,625 grant funding |
|
Reporting Requirements |
FAAS provides quarterly reports to the City on their activities and disposition of animals that includes data requested in the contract; FAAS submitted a mid-year report in compliance with the Agreement |
|
Animal Control Officers |
The City currently has one full-time ACO, with an additional PT ACO in the Agreement. Due to high turnover, staff is currently reevaluating this position. |
|
Licensing |
All animals adopted from FAAS are licensed at FAAS; FAAS received $14,475 in licensing revenues this year, down $12,875 from the previous year due to the City’s new licensing program not yet implemented. |
|
Board Meetings Consistent with the Sunshine Ordinance |
The FAAS Board of Directors meets every other month at City Hall. Agendas and minutes are posted on the City’s website 7 days prior to the meeting. Board meetings comply with the Brown Act, as supplemented by the City’s Sunshine Ordinance. The next FAAS Board Meeting is October 24, 2018 in Room 360. |
|
|
|
Licensing
As part of the Agreement, the City was to take over the responsibility for animal licensing from FAAS. Shortly after the new Agreement was in place, the City hired a part-time employee to work at the Police Department and develop a licensing program, but that person left before the program was fully implemented. The City recently hired an administrative assistant (pet licensing technician) to take on this project. At the same time, the City is working with FAAS to change over the shelter management software and use a new software that will allow for online pet licensing.
Animal Control
The Agreement provides that the City shall devote one full-time (34 hours per week) and one part-time (20-30 hours per week) Animal Control Officer to the shelter. The City has had difficulties maintaining someone in the part-time position and is currently reevaluating the position.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the presentation and acceptance of this report. However, staff estimated receiving $125,000 in licensing revenues that because of the delay in getting the program implemented, the City did not receive. The City expects to have the licensing program in place and begin collecting revenues in early 2019.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This presentation does not affect the municipal code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This presentation does not require environmental report because it is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA Guidelines, section 15378(b).
RECOMMENDATION
Accept presentation by Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) - Annual Progress Report
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Annual Report
2. 4th Quarter Report
3. Mid-Year Report
4. Leash Your Dog Flyer
5. FAAS Staffing
6. Agreement