City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize staff to implement an Animal
Control Canvassing Program for Fiscal Year 2006/2007 for a cost not to exceed
$15,000.
BACKGROUND:
According to California law, animal owners have the responsibility to procure a
new or renewal license for their dogs. While many animal owners license their
dogs as required by law, the City could improve upon its activities relating to
canvassing. Dog license canvassing is the process by which a trained staff
person goes to a home of a pet owner who is out of compliance to bring a
household into compliance and to delinquent obtain fees.
The City periodically procures canvassing services from the Los Angeles
County Department of Animal Care and Control (LACDACC), who is charged
with administering the City’s animal care and control program, and licensing
services.
The last door-to-door canvassing, performed by LACDACC, was completed in
November 2005, targeted households out of compliance in the 90232 zip code,
and covered approximately one-third (1/3) of the City at a cost of $14,666.49.
The effort resulted in bringing an additional 831 households into compliance.
The canvassing effort generated a total of $24,545 in licensing and late fee
revenues.
Meeting Date: 08/28/06 Item Number: _A-2_____
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization of an Animal Control Canvassing Program for
Fiscal Year 2006/2007
Contact Person/Dept.: Martin Cole / Akil
Manley
Phone Number: (310) 253-6007 /
(310) 253-6015
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Friends of Culver City Animals, Los Angeles County Department of
Animal Care and Control (08/23/06)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (08/23/2006)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (08/23/2006)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang 8/23/06City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|In reviewing the City’s animal care and control expenditures for the last three
(3) fiscal years, the average net animal care and control program costs were
$21,666. In FY 2004-2005, 1,900 licenses were sold, generating $33,945 in
revenue with no canvassing effort undertaken. In comparison, the partial
canvassing carried out in FY 2005-2006, in which 2,860 licenses were sold,
generated $70,314 in license revenue to the City.
LICENSE AND CANVASSING STATISTICS
Service Provided 7/1/03- 6/30/04 7/1/04- 6/30/05 7/1/05-6/30/06
Licenses Sold 1,745 1,900 2,974
Canvassing (Hours) 5:00 0:00 321:00
License Revenue $31,832.50 $33,945.00 $70,314.50
Program Expenses (i.e.
Housing, Canvassing,
Veterinarian Costs)
$55,940.17 $61,978 $83,172.65
PROGRAM NET COST $24,107.67 $28,033.00 $12,858.15
The data suggest a positive correlation between canvassing efforts and license
fee revenues and net program costs.
DISCUSSION:
Establishing an annual canvassing program is a proactive approach in keeping
records updated, enforcing the requirement to have dogs licensed, reducing
shelter overcrowding, lowering euthanasia rates, lowering associated housing
costs, and realizing revenue to offset cost of the program.
To bring a greater number of dog-owning households into compliance, staff
proposes to continue the City’s 2005-2006 canvassing program by conducting
an additional effort in FY 2006 - 2007. Staff would work with LACDACC to
structure this canvassing program that would canvass a second, one-third (1/3)
segment of households in the City that are out of compliance. This year’s
program would begin in winter at a cost not to exceed $15,000. Staff would also
monitor the program to evaluate the results for program enhancement to keep
records updated, to increase the percentage of compliance among dog owning
households, and to realize revenue to more fully offset costs.
To notify residents of required licensing and upcoming canvassing effort, staff
will advertise scheduled canvassing efforts in local newspapers, the City
Community Calendar, public service announcements and cable crawlers on
Cable Channel 35. The City’s animal control liaison will also be available to
address citizens’ questions during the duration of the canvassing period.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed canvassing effort is expected to raise revenue from improved
licensing and late fee collection. However, the actual amount to be collected is
difficult to estimate at this time.
It is expected the $15,000 in canvassing costs could be absorbed by existing
appropriations. Therefore, a budget amendment would not be necessary.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize staff to enter into a contract with Los Angeles County Officials to
implement a canvassing program for FY 2006-2007, covering a second,
one-third (1/3) segment of the City annually, with a cost not to exceed
$15,000.