HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_2012-09-25_Special 20121
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Yu called the City Council Special Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located at 5938 Kauffman Avenue, Temple City.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember -Blum, Chavez, Vizcarra, Sternquist, Yu
ABSENT: Councilmember -None
ALSO PRESENT: Community Development Director Masura, City Clerk Kuo, Public Safety
and Services Manager Sahagun and Public Safety Officer Ariizumi.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Yu led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS — None
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA — None
6. CONSENT CALENDAR — None
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY (PHS) &
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (SPCA) FOR ANIMAL
CARE, CONTROL AND SHELTERING SERVICES
Since its incorporation in May 1960, the City has enforced animal control regulations to
protect the health and safety of its residents and the public, as well as to promote the
general welfare of the persons and animals within Temple City. In 1980, the City joined
the San Gabriel Valley Joint Powers Authority (JPA) (i.e., San Gabriel, Azusa, Monterey
Park, Monrovia, and Temple City) which negotiated cost and level of animal control
services for each member city. JPA contracted with the San Gabriel Valley Humane
Society (SGVHS) to provide animal control services for its member cities.
JPA reorganized in 2007 when City of Monrovia withdrew and new service agreements
were entered with SGVHS on an annual basis. In 2012, SGVHS proposed an increase in
fees, which would have doubled the cost of sheltering and animal control services for
Fiscal Year 2012 -13. The JPA Administrative Committee reviewed the proposed rates
and obtained rates from other animal control agencies. JPA's attempt to negotiate lower
rates with SGVHS proved unsuccessful. After reaching an impasse in negotiations with
SGVHS, the JPA Executive Committee elected to dissolve itself thereby terminating its
contract with SGVHS effective June 30, 2012 which left each individual member city
responsible for providing their own animal control services.
The City Council is requested to award a service agreement with Pasadena Humane
Society & Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for animal care, control and
sheltering services.
Public Safety and Services Manager Sahagun gave a brief summary of the staff report.
He stated that City Council could either approve staffs recommendation to contract
animal control services with PHS or reject all bids and continue service agreement with
SGVHS on an interim basis and have staff bring this item back to Council before end of
FY 2012 -13.
Mayor Yu opened public comment.
Pat Brayer, President of San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, requested City Council
consider continuing the City's animal control services with SGVHS. SGVHS would be
agreeable to continuing their services to the City at an interim basis of $9,000 per month.
Ms. Brayer answered Council questions regarding SGVHS.
Mayor Yu opened public comment.
Maria Werner, Temple City residents, spoke in favor of the City continuing its animal
control services with SGVHS.
Linda Josephian, Monrovia resident, volunteer of SGVHS, concerned that the animals at
the Pasadena Humane Society are only given a stay of 30 days. Spoke in favor of the
City continuing its animal control services with SGVHS.
Mary Cardenas, Temple City resident, spoke in favor of the City continuing its animal
control services with SGVHS. She felt SGVHS is more convenient since the shelter is
local.
Arthur Crittenden, Temple City Animal Hospital Veterinarian, spoke in favor of the City
continuing its animal control services with SGVHS.
Quinn Bebb, Temple City resident of 26 years, spoke in favor of the City continuing its
animal control services with SGVHS and in favor of the City having its own Animal
Control Officer.
Jo Beckwith, Temple City resident of 40 years, spoke in favor of the City continuing its
animal control services with SGVHS.
Patricia Todd, San Gabriel resident, volunteer dog walker with SGVHS for the past year,
spoke in favor of the City continuing its animal control services with SGVHS.
Cindy Rigney, Altadena resident, bookkeeper for SGVHS, spoke in favor of the City
continuing its animal control services with SGVHS.
Councilmember Vizcarra left the meeting at 9:09 p.m. returned meeting at 9:12 p.m.
Doreen Hudson, San Gabriel Valley resident, asked Council to reject all bids and
continue its animal control services with SGVHS.
Lynne Collmann, Sierra Madre resident, volunteer for the SGVHS, spoke in favor of the
City continuing its animal control service with SGVHS.
Councilmember Blum left the meeting at 9:15 p.m. and returned at 9:16 p.m.
Gail Rincon, Temple City resident of 8 years, spoke in favor of the City continuing its
animal control services with SGVHS.
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Cathleen Rusch, Temple City resident of over 20 years, spoke in favor of the City
continuing its animal control services with SGVHS.
Chris Valles, Arcadia resident, spoke in favor of the city continuing its animal control
services with SGVHS.
Grace Thompson, Sierra Madre resident, volunteer of SGVHS, spoke in favor of the City
continuing its animal control services with SGVHS. Felt Council should consider the
logistic of the shelter.
Speaker, SGVHS volunteer of 14 years, spoke in favor of the City continuing its animal
control services with SGVHS.
Mayor Yu closed public comment.
Councilmember Vizcarra expressed that he has been talking with residents of the City
about the animal control service. Said PHS facility is clean, but SGVHS has been around
and is very convenient for the residents of Temple City. Felt service delivery and
customer service is important.
Councilmember Vizcarra left the meeting at 9:40 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 9:45
P.m.
Councilmember Blum expressed concerns about Ms. Brayer's response when Council
asked why SGVHS took exception to the questions on the RFP. Councilmember Blum
stated that based on the comments presented by Ms. Brayer tonight, if Temple City does
not continue with SGVHS for animal control services, it will still operate as an adoption
facility. The public will still be able to adopt animals from SGVHS.
Councilmember Chavez stated that he shares the same concerns as Councilmember
Blum about Ms. Brayer's response to the City's RFP. He also stated concerns about
SGVHS's transparency regarding their record keeping and reporting. He expressed that
after hearing from the residents of Temple City and those that live outside of the City,
making a decision will not be easy.
Mayor Pro Tem Sternquist stated that she received 67 emails from Temple City residents
sharing personal experiences and expressed in favor of staying with SGVHS for animal
control services. She feels the City can work with SGVHS to address some of the issues
brought up by the other Councilmembers. She is in favor of continuing SGVHS's contract
on an interim basis.
Mayor Yu stated that two major factors needed to be considered tonight, the welfare of
the animals and the welfare of residents. He feels the City need to look at both apparent
and hidden costs. Residents should not be inconvenienced to go to Pasadena. The fact
that SGVHS can draw so many volunteers from surrounding cities speaks volumes. He
is in support of rejecting all bids and continuing to work with SGVHS.
Councilmember Vizcarra made a motion to reject all bids and continue animal control
services with SGVHS on an interim basis and further directed staff to bring this item back
to Council for consideration before the end of this fiscal year, seconded by
Councilmember Blum and unanimously carried.
B. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 12 -956, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE
CITY AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF TITLE 3 OF THE TEMPLE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE 10-
ANIMALS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE
City Attorney Murphy stated that while an ordinance can be introduced during a
special meeting, it can only be adopted during a regular meeting. City Council
may listen to the public's comments but not vote on this item.
Councilmember Chavez made a motion to table this item to the Regular City
Council meeting of October 16, seconded by Councilmember Blum.
The City Clerk will notice this item for the Regular City Council meeting of October
16.
8. NEW BUSINESS — None
9. COMMUNICATIONS — None
10. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA — None
11. CLOSED SESSION — None
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Special City Council Meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m.
ATTEST:
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