City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (1) determine if implementation of Temporary
Animal Sheltering Facilities is desired and (2) consider and discuss location options
for the temporary sheltering of animals in relation to the two-year Animal Control
Pilot Program.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On June 16, 2008, the City Council approved a two-year Animal Control Pilot
Program (Program). Operations of the Program are housed within the Police
Department and will be directly overseen by a Police Sergeant. In accordance with
the City Council’s direction, the Program will officially begin with the hiring of an
Animal Services Officer (ASO), and will run for 24 months from that point. The ASO
classification was approved by the Civil Service Commission on October 1, 2008,
and was subsequently approved by the City Council on October 6, 2008. The
position is currently in open recruitment, and has a closing date of November 17,
2008. The pilot program will be returned to the City Council after the initial 24-month
time frame to see if it is a program the City Council wishes to continue.
Included in the original June 16, 2008 staff report were personnel costs, including
benefits, for one (1) ASO; annual operating expenses, such as fuel, moderate
training, phone, etc.; and start-up costs that included one (1) vehicle purchase,
departmental special equipment and supplies, and a personal computer. These
aggregate costs amounted to $129,190 and were subsequently adopted in the fiscal
Meeting Date: 11/10/08 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Determination as to the Implementation of Temporary Animal
Sheltering Facilities and Discussion of Location Options for Temporary
Sheltering for the Two-year Animal Control Pilot Program.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Martin R. Cole, Assistant City Manager
Don Pedersen, Chief of Police
Phone Number: 310-253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification:
Master E-Mail Notification List (11/05/08);
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (11/05/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (11/05/08)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (11/05/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (11/05/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
2008-09 budget. Because of the quick turnaround in getting the report to the City
Council, it was not prudent or possible at that time to include information and costs
relating to the location of a temporary shelter, or information and costs relating to the
temporary sheltering of animals during the course of a day.
Staff has extended a large amount of time visiting local cities that currently have
animal control programs to see how they operate and to see what types of
temporary shelters they have in place. During the course of the interviews and visits
it was found that it is common to have some form of temporary shelter for animals.
Temporary Sheltering and Care of Animals
While there is no legal requirement to have temporary sheltering, it may be desirable
on both an operational and appropriate level of care basis.
Among the many factors that must be considered when picking up a live animal and
placing them in the truck are: (1) the impound process may add stress to the animal
and prolonged confinement in the truck may not provide the level of care desired by
the City; (2) there is no way to know when the animal last had food or water; (3) the
probability an animal will soil themselves increases the longer they are confined in
the truck, and (4) there is a chance another call may come in that requires urgent
attention, which may result in a previously confined animal being confined in the
truck for a period longer than appropriate.
TEMPORARY LOCATIONS
The basic items such as structures, cages, and fencing for a temporary shelter can
be implemented to conform to most any location. The infrastructure needed to
successfully create a viable, working temporary shelter is more challenging. Easy
access to the location is also a necessity, not only for the City’s own ASO vehicle,
but also for residents who may be coming to pickup their animals or for a firm the
City would need to contract with that would dispose of DOA animals kept in a freezer
at the location. Since the Police Department will be overseeing the program,
locations close to the Police Station were looked at closely. Below is a list of sites
discussed as potential locations:
Options for Temporary Shelter Locations
Option 1 - No Temporary Shelter
The ASO would take any live animal picked-up within Culver City directly to the City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
permanent shelter approved by the City Council.
Advantages Disadvantages
No cost to City to purchase cages,
equipment, etc.
No annual costs for utilities, etc.
ASO would spend a potentially
significant amount of time
transporting animals between Culver
City and permanent sheltering. This
reduces time available for the ASO to
provide field services and other
duties (canvassing and enforcement).
Animals would be subjected to
additional stress or subject to longer
than optimal confinement in the truck,
especially if injured, hungry or thirsty
Pet owner would need to travel to
permanent sheltering location to
reunite pet with owner.
Option 2 – Use of Local Vets
There was a recommendation by the City Council Subcommittee to contact
local veterinarians within Culver City to see if they would be willing to
temporarily shelter animals.
Advantages Disadvantages
No cost to City to purchase cages,
equipment, etc.
No annual costs for utilities, etc.
Zoning permits the use
Animals may be taken to several
different locations – hard to
coordinate/communicate with
residents where their pet is
In initial contacts with a local
veterinarian, the local veterinarians
would require sheltered animals to be
in good health. Unhealthy animals
may not be accepted at local
veterinarians and would be
transported to the local sheltering
location or a veterinarian for care.
Animals would also need current
Culver City licenses.
Rabies vaccinations would need to
be up to date.
Option 3 – North side of Police Station (May not be viable)
Several sites were discussed within the Police Department’s parking area, and
the only area large enough to hold the temporary shelters and have sufficient
vehicle access is along the north side of the Police Station.
Advantages Disadvantages City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Located on Police Department
property
Easy access to kennels
Easily accessible for vehicle
Location is a Fire Lane where
emergency vehicles must enter/exit
Emergency exit for Jail and City Hall
Would be obstruction in case of
emergency
Animal Shelter Use could be
considered ancillary to the primary
public safety facility use (Police
Station), but would require a CUP
due to the underlying RMD
(Residential) zoning.
Option 4 – Fire Station #1 (May not be viable)
Only viable area would be dirt area in south/east corner behind
Communications Shop.
Advantages Disadvantages
Retaining wall surrounds location
Easily accessible by vehicle
Animal Shelter Use could be
considered ancillary to the primary
public safety facility use (Fire Station)
and would be permitted in the CD
zone
Emergency operations center with
personnel, apparatus and equipment
moving on the grounds at any given
time.
Fire vehicles are connected to power
source supplied from this location.
May conflict with the City’s
Emergency Operations Center based
at this location.
Area is located against parking lot
where mixed use redevelopment is
scheduled (construction)
Fire Department parks vehicles in this
area, and Police Mobile Command
Center parks at this location – would
block ASO vehicle from accessing
location
Large vehicles moving nearby and
loud sounds (sirens, horns) would
place additional stress on the animals
Option 5 – Transportation Facility (May not be viable)
Located in yard area parallel to Jefferson Boulevard.
Advantages Disadvantages
Easily accessible by vehicle from
Jefferson Boulevard
Perimeter fencing around area
Federal Transportation Authority
(FTA) does not recommend non-
transportation related activities to
occur on site City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Loss of FTA funding for
transportation related activities would
be highly likely
Option 6 – Parks & Recreation Lot located off Leash Lane, south of Jefferson
Boulevard
The requested portion of the lot to use as a temporary shelter would be 30’ x
50’.
Advantages Disadvantages
Some perimeter fencing is already
installed
Secured exterior lot is accessible to
vehicles
Near Dog Park
Unknown access to utilities and costs
to access
Somewhat near Skatepark, which
may cause security issues
Will require planning administrative
determination of compatibility with OS
zoning district
Will require PRCS Commission
hearing and amendment to CCMC to
allow animals in the park for this
limited purpose
Option 7 – Lower parking lot below Nature Trail off Leash Lane, south of
Jefferson Boulevard
The requested portion of the lot to use as a temporary shelter would be 15’ x
80’ and would remove approximately eight (8) spaces from use.
Advantages Disadvantages
Near Dog Park
Easy to Find and accessible to public
Unknown access to utilities and costs
to access
Somewhat near Skatepark, which
may cause security issues
Reduced parking for the Dog Park
Narrower and more difficult to
operate within
Will require planning administrative
determination of compatibility with OS
zoning district, and impact on parking
Will require PRCS Commission
hearing and amendment to CCMC to
allow animals in the park for this
limited purpose
Should the City Council determine to provide its preliminary determination on what, if
any, sites should receive further study, public notification related to those sites would
be provided (500 feet radius to the end of block along with a notice in the local City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
papers). Also, as mentioned, locations in parks would be brought before the Parks,
Recreation, and Community Services Commission (tentatively scheduled for their
December, 2008 meeting in the case Option 6 or 7 should be studied further).
Equipment and Materials
In most respects, the cages and equipment needed for a temporary animal shelter
can be conformed to meet the size and needs of any location deemed appropriate
for use. Staff has developed the following list of cages and equipment found to be
appropriate to meet the basic level of temporary animal housing. Onsite visits to
other local agencies which house animal control programs and interviews with
employees of these agencies assisted staff in developing this list.
Description (Known Costs) Amount
Two (2) Dog Kennel Structures:
4’ x 6’, five-foot tall on a concrete slab suitable for
plumbed drainage. (Estimate from California Fence
Company)
$ 2,400
Cages for small cats, small dogs and feral animals:
10’ x 12’ TR800 HD, Tuff Shed, Painted and installed
$ 3,059
Storage/equipment and Clean-up Shed:
6’ x 8’ TR600 HD Shed, Painted and Installed
$ 2,055
Three (3) Medium Kennel Cabs (to be used in shed or with
truck)
$ 232
Three (3) Large Kennel Cabs (to be used in shed or with
truck)
$ 262
Stainless Steel Cat & Small Animal Cages:
One (1) four-unit 36” x 30”, Shor Line Manufacturing
$ 3,220
Interior Perimeter Fencing (calculation for 30’ x 50’ area from
Option #6), California Fence Company
$ 2,500
Contract service for pick-up of DOA Animals:
Rental of freezer: $15/month
Charge for service of DOA animal pick-up and disposal:
$210/month
$2,700
TOTAL KNOWN COSTS $ 16,428
Description (Estimated Costs) Amount
Estimated plumbing, heating and engineering costs if location
is Option #6 or #7 (which may be preliminarily the most viable
locations – additional input from the public and City
Commission is needed to make further evaluations)
$25,000 – $50,000
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS $25,000 – $50,000 City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Depending on direction from the City Council, an engineering report would need to
be generated on Option #6 and #7 to analyze the feasibility of using these two
locations for this particular usage.
There has been discussion from outside groups in the past of donations being given
to the City for equipment to supplement this and other programs. If this were to
occur, to allow the City to provide the appropriate level of care to the animals, the
donated items must meet the same requirements as what the City would purchase
and install. The City is often held to a higher standard by the law and by our
residents than others, and must conform to these, especially if under any health,
safety or legal obligation.
LEGAL ISSUES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The California Penal Code and Civil Code place responsibility on any shelter to treat
animals kindly and humanely. Penal Code section 597e provides that an impounded
domestic animal must have sufficient wholesome food and water, and cannot be
without the necessary food and water for more than 12 consecutive hours.
Wherever the location of the temporary shelter, Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC)
Chapter 5.05, pertaining to Stormwater Runoff, specifically prohibits discharge of
animal waste into the City’s stormwater system. A site-specific non-stormwater
mitigation plan would be required for the outdoor confinement of animals.
Additionally, the staff-recommended locations in options #6 and #7 in Culver City
Park would require a CCMC amendment since animals are not currently permitted in
the park (with the exception that dogs are permitted in the Dog Park and on the
designated dog path in Culver West Alexander Park). The matter would need to be
heard by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission prior
to it coming before Council for a final decision. This issue is currently tentatively
scheduled to be heard by the PRCS Commission at their regularly scheduled
meeting of December 2, 2008.
Locations 6 & 7 would also require an administrative determination by the Planning
Division as to whether placing the temporary shelter in the park is compatible with
the requirements in the Zoning Code for the Open Space district and that the use will
not result in a significant intensification to the park or significant impacts to the
surrounding community. Planning would also need to review the impact of the loss
of parking spaces if Option 7 is selected.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Initial costs for the temporary animal shelter would be one-time. The adopted fiscal
2008-09 budget for the animal control program includes full salary and benefit costs
for one (1) full-time ASO at B-step. This position is anticipated not to be filled for at
least six months of the year (50%), therefore, these salary savings could be used to
offset all or part of the initial one-time costs for the temporary animal shelter. The
amount of salary savings would be approximately $35,000. The amount of known
costs for cages and equipment that have been identified as necessary items for a
temporary animal control shelter is $16,428. This does not include the unknown
estimated costs for engineering plans that would be needed to determine utility
hookups (i.e. electricity, water, sewer) and ongoing utility costs. The ongoing
maintenance and utility costs are not able to be quantified at this time. If staff
receives direction from the City Council this evening as to the location best
determined to house the temporary animal shelter, staff will be better able to
calculate these ongoing operating and maintenance costs and will bring these costs
back for Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. None
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Determine if the City Council wishes to implement a temporary sheltering
program in Culver City; and
2. If a temporary sheltering program is desired, discuss location options for
temporary sheltering for the two-year Animal Control Pilot Program and direct
staff as deemed appropriate.