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Home My Public Portal About7A1 CCM 12-09-25CITY COUNCIL TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 1. CALL TO ORDER -Mayor Yu AGENDA ITEM 7.A.1 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: ABSENT: Councilmember-Bium, Chavez, Vizcarra, Sternquist, Yu 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 cou ld either approve staff's 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 9:12p.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. 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 B. 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 9:45p.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 Tern 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 . 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. Mayor A TrEST: City Clerk