HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2008-11-04 Item 2C - Discussion - Identification of Evaluation Criteria for Animal Control Services
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Subject:
Date:
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Dennis Robertson
Evaluation Criteria for an Animal Control Service Policy & Approach
October 21st, 2008
Finance and Safety Committee
Discussion Goal
Today's meeting goal is to create criteria: for evaluating and selecting a 'policy approach'
for a City Animal Control Service.
Finance and Safety Committee's Commitment to Council as a Whole.
We stated that we would provide a report/presentation of four alternatives for animal
control service:
1. Basic contractual service from King County
2. Enhanced (officer dedicated to Tukwila several days/week) service from King
County.
3. Animal control service shared with adjacent cities. The service would be
provided by one of the .cities but funded by all. Puyallup and Sumner are a
possible model.
4. Animal control service provided by Tukwila for Tukwila. This would
basically be the Des Moines (full-time commissioned officer) or the
Normandy Park (part-time use of CSO officer) models.
Please note that variations and combinations of the four alternatives are possible. Also,
the committee committed to provide a report/presentation for Council-wide discussion
without a F &S committee recommendation. .
General Background Discussion
First, the City Attorney has stated that the City is not, according to Washington State
Code, statutorily responsible for providing animal control services to its citizens. The
City Council in the past was willing to make a policy decision that it would provide
limited animal control evidenced by the interlocal agreements with King County but there
is no legal reason the City has to continue to provide animal control service. "Second, the
Council is in consensus with the Administration proceeding with 'alternative 2' above
while Council and Administration discuss and decide on an overall Animal Control
Service policy.
Possible Evaluation Criteria
1. How well does the proposed service meet the stated goaVmission statement for a
Tukwila Animal Control Service?
Please note we do not currently have such a goaVmission statement other
than that what is stated in the TMC section on animal control. However,
likely starting places for a goaVmission statement could be:
Tukwila Police: "Our mission is to improve the quality of life for
all through community partnerships and problem solving to
promote safe, secure neighborhoods."
SPCA: "The mission of SPCA International is to raise awareness
of the abuse of animals to a global level, to teach and foster good
pet parenting practices, and to promote spay and neuter programs
around the world with the goal of eradicating the need to euthanize
healthy and adoptable companion animals.
King County Animal Control and Care: "It is declared the
public policy of the county to secure and maintain such levels of
animal care and control as will protect animal and human health
and safety, and to the greatest degree practicable to prevent injury
to property and cruelty to animal life." (taken from KC code)
Tukwila Code: "It is the public policy of the City to secure and
maintain such levels of animal control as will protect human health
and safety and, to the greatest degree practicable, will prevent
injury to property and cruelty to animal life."
Des Moines Code: It is the declared public policy of the city to
severe and maintain such levels of animal control as will protect
and safety, to the greatest degree human health a gr gr practicable
Y p
prevent injury to property and cruelty to animal life." taken from
their code)
2. Cost to provide the proposed service. There are three components to the cost; (1)
capital (initial costs such as a truck), (2) ongoing costs (mainly salary, benefits
and administration costs) and, (3) Kenneling service for animals.
3. How well does the proposed service fit/integrate with existing Administration
policy, capabilities, and contracts? (ie how will it be managed, are there union
issues /concerns, etc)
4. How will the proposed service be received by our citizens, employee groups,
neighboring cities, and King County or its successor in providing kennel and
animal control services?
5. How long will it take to implement the proposed service? How long to truly
integrate it with related City services (Police, Code Enforcement, Court, City
Clerk, etc.)
6. Does the proposed service require changes to our existing TMC section on
Animal Control? If so, how significant?