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Title:
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1) Approval of the Classification Specification for Animal Services Officer; and 2) Adoption of a Resolution Revising the Salary Schedule to include the Position of Animal Services Officer and Rescind Resolution No. 2008-R061.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council: 1) approve the classification specification for
Animal Services Officer; and 2) adopt a resolution revising the salary schedule to
include the position of Animal Services Officer and rescind Resolution No. 2008-
R061.
BACKGROUND
The City Council has an Animal Control Subcommittee (“Subcommittee”) which
has been discussing the animal control services that are provided to the City and
explore options in bringing the program in-house. After months of discussion, the
Subcommittee recommended to City Council that a full time Animal Services
Officer position be funded to complement the services that are currently provided
by the County of Los Angeles (“County”).
At the June 16, 2008 City Council meeting, the Council approved a 24-month pilot
program for animal care and control services which includes the addition of a full-
time Animal Services Officer. The position will be responsible for enforcing all
federal, state and local laws pertaining to the ownership, treatment, and licensure
of animals within the City of Culver City.
A copy of the new classification specification has been reviewed by the Culver City
Employees’ Association and was subsequently approved by the Civil Service
Commission on October 1, 2008.
Meeting Date: 10/13/08 Item Number: A-4
AGENDA ITEM: 1) Approval of the Classification Specification for Animal
Services Officer; and 2) Adoption of a Resolution Revising the Salary Schedule to
include the Position of Animal Services Officer and Rescind Resolution No. 2008-
R061.
Contact Person/Dept.: Serena Wright Phone Number: 310-253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [x] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [x]
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (10/08/08) and Culver City
Employees’ Association on (10/08/08).
Department Approval:
Serena Wright (10/07/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (10/08/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (10/08/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (10/08/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION
The City Council approved the addition of the Animal Services Officer position on a
trial basis. This start up program will initially be assigned within the Police
Department under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant within the
Operations Bureau. This non-sworn classification will be responsible for
supplementing the services that are provided by the County including patrolling
assigned areas to enforce animal care and control laws and ordinances,
investigating complaints, capturing and impounding animals, and conducting
license canvassing.
The contract with the County currently provides Culver City with one officer and
available field service 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The newly hired Animal
Services Officer will work in concert with the County program. This will provide
Culver City with coverage on days, nights, and weekends. It is anticipated that
when not responding to calls or transporting animals, the Animal Services Officer
will canvass the City for delinquent or absent animal licenses.
All calls for service, even when the Animal Services Officer is off duty, will be
routed through the Police Department dispatch center. During off hours, the
dispatch center will relay calls to the County. This will provide the residents of
Culver City with convenience and continuity and provide the City with a record of
the call.
Training & Experience
The proposed classification requires candidates to possess a minimum of one year
full time paid experience performing animal care and control. In addition,
incumbents complete 30 semester units of college-level course work in Animal
Science, Veterinary Science, Zoology or a related field; or successful completion of
80 hours course work at the State Humane Association’s Animal Control Officer
Training Academy within two (2) years of hire.
The Animal Services Officer may be required to serve warrants and exercise the
powers of arrest in the course of employment. To that end, incumbents within this
classification will be required to successfully complete the California Commission
on Peace Officer Standards & Training PC 832 Arrest and Firearms training
course. In accordance with California Penal Code 830.9, “Animal control officers
are not peace officers but may exercise the powers of arrest….if those officers
successfully complete a course in the exercise of those powers pursuant to
(California Penal Code) Section 832.”
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Labor Market Cities
A survey of our labor market cities indicate that five (5) out of the thirteen cities
have an in-house animal control program. The other eight (8) cities either contract
with other agencies or have outsourced it to another entity. The proposed
classification specification’s training, education, and experience requirements are
consistent with the labor market.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Through the FY 08-09 budget process, City Council approved the following range
for the Animal Services Officer classification:
Range 420 $3,501 - $4,269 Monthly $42,012 - $51,226 Annually
Sufficient funding has been included in the fiscal year 2008-09 Police Department’s
adopted budget to cover this cost.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Classification Specification for Animal Services Officer
2. Labor Market Survey
3. Labor Market Cities Comparable Classification Specifications
4. Resolution and Exhibit A
5. Organizational Chart for the Police Department
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve the classification specification for Animal Services Officer; and
2. Adopt a resolution revising the salary schedule to include the position of
Animal Services Officer, and rescind Resolution No. 2008-R061.