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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-006 - Contract with Kitchener Waterloo Humane SocietyREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: January 17, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department, Ext. 2325 PREPARED BY: Shayne Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement, Ext. 2753 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: January 5, 2011 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-006 SUBJECT: Contract with Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society RECOMMENDATION: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an amendment to the Animal and Dog Control and Pound Services Agreement and the Spaying and Neutering Program Agreement, with the Corporation of the City of Waterloo and the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society, dated January 1, 2007, to extend the term for an additional 1 year until December 31, 2011, with the terms set out in Council Report No. CSD-11-006. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener has a long standing relationship with the KW Humane Society, by way of agreements to provide for animal control services, shelter services, spay and neuter programs and the issuance of dog licenses. Typically these agreements are developed and executed to run with the terms of Council. Thus, both agreements expired on December 31, 2010. REPORT: The main components of the City’s agreement with the Society include: - the provision of animal shelter services for animals surrendered by the public; - the provision of impound services for animals seized or otherwise coming into the care of staff; - providing enforcement services relating to the City’s Animals and Dogs By-laws; ç ó ï - the issuance of dog licenses (noting that the City and the Society share the net revenue from such licenses, based on a formula prescribed in the agreement; and - administration of the rebate program for spay and neutering services. The following table of funds paid to and received from the Society in 2009 provides a high level overview to help clarify the financial implications of our contractual arrangement. The final reconciliation for 2010 has not yet been determined. Base Contract Amount (paid to Society) $458,243 City’s share of licensing revenue (received) ($136,647) Impound Fees (received) ($9,800) Spay/Neuter Program Subsidy (paid to Society) $30,255 Miscellaneous adjustment (net amount of boarding $1,252 fees minus unclaimed subsidy vouchers) Net Amount Paid to Society in 2009 $343,303 Carriage of the files relating to these agreements was transferred from Financial Services to By- law Enforcement in 2010. In addition, there has been a change in leadership at the Humane Society with the appointment of a new Executive Director. City and Society staff have agreed to use this coming year to undertake a review of certain operational issues that are of mutual interest, prior to entering into any form of longer term contract. Examples of the issues to be reviewed are licensing operations and spay/neuter programming. The existing agreements, were authorized pursuant to Council Report No. FIN-07-041 (copy attached). Staff are proposing to enter into an amending agreement with the Society, to extend the existing contract for a period of 1 year, subject to the following terms: - A 2% increase in the base Animal Control and Pound Services fee that was agreed upon for 2010 (being $472,449), pursuant to section 4(a) of the current agreement; - The parties to the agreement will continue to use the formula to determine the yearly “Base Amount” of dog licensing fees to be kept by the Humane Society, as outlined in section 4(b)(ii); - The parties to the agreement will continue to use the formula to determine the yearly “impound fee” payable from the City to the Humane Society, as outlined in section 4(c); and ç ó î - Pursuant to section 4(b)(v) of the agreement, the City shall receive 100% of any increase in dog licensing fees that may be approved by Council for 2011, including any increases already approved over the course of the existing agreement. City Council, at its November 15, 2010, meeting approved the dog licensing fees for 2011. This timing was necessary in order to provide the Humane Society with enough time to prepare their forms and licensing documentation for use as of January 1, 2011. There are several licensing fees, based on a variety of circumstances, and the average fee increase for 2011 is 2.5% which is in line with Council’s previous direction in setting user fees for 2011. A copy of the 2011 fee schedule is attached to this report. Based on the existing contract, the City currently receives 100% of the value of any license fee increase approved by Council after the execution of the contract. In other words, the City will receive 100% of the fee increase approved for this coming year. Otherwise, the licensing fees are apportioned between the City and the Society based on the formula prescribed in the contract. It is estimated that the increase in licensing fees for this year will result in an increase of approximately $8,900 for the City, understanding that it is contingent upon the number of licenses issued. These dollars will be used to help offset the overall cost to the City for contracting animal control and shelter services, spay and neuter programs and the issuance of dog licenses. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The City’s arrangement with the KW Humane Society supports the Community Priority of Quality of Life as well as the Foundation of the Strategic Plan relating to Efficient and Effective Government. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The 2% increase in the 2010 base contract amount ($472,449) is $9,449, and has been allocated in the 2011 Operating Budget Forecast. The anticipated increase in dog license revenue, of approximately $8,900 will help offset this operating increase. ç ó í COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: A community engagement initiative will be forthcoming relating to specific aspects of the operational review to be conducted throughout 2011. CONCLUSION: Staff are proposing a 1 year extension to the existing contracts with the City of Waterloo and the K-W Humane Society. Over the course of 2011, staff with the City and the Humane Society will be collaborating with regard to a review of licensing operations and spay/neuter programming, as well as negotiating a longer term contract that will run through to the end of 2014. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department ç ó ì