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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.24.2003• COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 24, 2003 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Randy Herod updated the council on the status of the Humane Society/Animal Control. The Cedar Bend Humane Society has been in existence for over 60 years. Since 1995, the Cedar Bend Humane Society has had an agreement to perform the animal control function for the city. Similar services are performed for the City of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County and recently the City of Hudson entered into an agreement with Cedar Bend. Mr. Herod reported that nearly 7,000 animals are handled annually by the Cedar Bend Humane Society. Some 1,500 animals are of the wildlife category and 5,400 are primarily cats and dogs equally divided between strays and animals no longer wanted by the owners. Mr. Herod stated that it is primarily the job of Animal Control, with support of other agencies such as the police department, sheriff's department, health department and prosecuting attorneys, to enforce laws controlling animals. Whether it is a barking dog, an at large cat or dog, a dog bite, an animal attack or other code violations, it is the responsibility of the Animal Control Officer to address the situation and resolve the problem while helping the citizen to understand what is going on and why. Mr. Herod reported that since 1995 the Animal Control function has been performed by the Cedar Bend Humane Society. During these years, there has been a small increase in the numbers of animals. Mr. Herod explained that the job of Animal Control has developed additional responsibilities. Mr. Herod explained a few examples of these responsibilities. Mr. Herod stated that dog fighting is a problem in our community and animal shootings have occurred during the last several months. Mr. Herod explained that while citizens have concerns with wildlife and horses, these situations are outside the responsibilities of Animal Control, but citizens assume that Animal Control is the responsible organization. Mr. Herod stated that there are individuals in the community who collect animals in large numbers within their homes. Two cases during the last year had a large number of cats in the homes causing unhealthy conditions for animals and people. In both situations, Animal Control removed the cats and assisted in re -homing them. Mr. Herod reported that during the last fiscal year, Cedar Bend began replacing its vehicle fleet (4 vehicles) with the purchase of two replacement vans, and this will continue this year. The vehicles are fully equipped with equipment including stretchers, capture sticks and cages. The radios in the vehicles and the radios carried by the Animal Control Officers are being updated. The Animal Control staff is comprised of a supervisor, four full-time officers and two part-time officers. Councilperson Getty asked what the City of Cedar Falls pays for Animal Control and the number of animals picked up by Animal Control for the City of Waterloo. Mr. Herod answered he will get the information on the figures and animals. Mr. Herod reported that the Animal Control Officers are the front line image of the Cedar Bend Humane Society. There is a full staff backing them up with another 14 employees performing other functions including kennel cleaners, adopters, office administration and laboratory technicians. Mr. Herod explained the process when a call is received by the dispatcher. When the call is received, dispatch must decide which jurisdiction it is in and which local codes and contracts apply, then select the closest Animal Control Officer and dispatch them to the scene. If the call results in an animal being brought to the Cedar Bend Humane facility, it is placed in the Council Work Session February 24, 2003 Page 2 quarantine area to meet the correct jurisdiction codes, contract responsibilities and situation demands. While efforts are made to contact the apparent owner, the animal is medically examined, forms are completed and files established. It is Cedar Bend's goal that the owner of the animal be found and the animal returned. When the animal reaches its time limit in quarantine, ownership passes to the Cedar Bend Humane Society with the intent that the animal will be re -homed. Mr. Herod stated that the functions of the Cedar Bend Humane Society are changing and expanding to fit the changing environment of our community. Councilperson Hurley asked how much it costs to pick up a dog from a home. Mr. Herod responded he has not done a cost analysis. Councilperson Getty asked Mr. Herod for the costs for the services provided to Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County and to define what services are provided to these entities. Councilperson Getty asked if the city's contract calls for 80 hours of services per week to be provided by Animal Control. Mr. Herod responded that the contract is 24 hours per day for seven days per week. Sherry Roberts, Superintendent of Animal Control, stated that they have to be ready to answer all calls as stated by the city's contract with Animal Control. Ms. Roberts stated that time of year makes a difference on the number of calls received as well as time of day and that Animal Control is called because of barking dogs, dogs loose, deer, etc. Mr. Herod asked that the council increase Animal Control's contract by 5 percent as there has been no increase since 1995, and the basic rate has stayed the same. Mr. Herod suggested increasing the dog and cat license fee by $5.00 each to help pay for the increase. Mr. Herod suggested a meeting with the City of Waterloo, City of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County and the Cedar Bend Humane Society be held to discuss the contracts, codes and other areas. Councilperson Hurley suggested that the Cedar Bend Humane Society put together a film for the public access channel. Councilperson Jordan stated that if we double the license fees, we should aggressively go after pet owners who do not license their pets. Ms. Roberts stated when an animal is picked up, the Humane Society charges $30.00 to board the animal and $8.00 each day thereafter. The owner also must go to City Hall to pay $15.00 administrative charge and purchase a license if necessary. Ms. Roberts suggested that the Humane Society collect the city's $15.00 administrative charge to be used by them for operating expenses rather than revenue by the city. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Greenwood that the meeting be adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk •