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Home My WebLink About2023-07-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - ANIMAL CARE GRANT PGMO Agenda Item: 3 1. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: TAA,/� DATE: July 11, 2023 SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ANIMAL CARE GRANT PROGRAM AND ADOPTION PROMOTION DEPARTMENT: Community Development PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Approve the City of Santa Clarita Animal Care Grant Program and appoint two Councilmembers, and one alternate, to serve on the Animal Care Grants Ad Hoc Committee. 2. Appropriate ongoing funding in the amount of $50,000 to expenditure account 1003203- 517101 for the City of Santa Clarita Animal Care Grant Program, and $10,000 to 1003203- 516105 for the City of Santa Clarita Adoption Promotion. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND The City of Santa Clarita (City) contracts with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) for animal care and control services. This includes providing shelter services to stray and abandoned animals, responding to field -related requests, and issuing pet licenses. The City's shelter needs are primarily served through the Castaic Animal Care Center, located at 31044 Charlie Canyon Road in Castaic. In March 2022, the City Council directed staff to evaluate existing animal sheltering services and explore options to enhance the services currently being provided through DACC. In response, the City contracted with a consultant to develop a comprehensive report, analyzing data and statistical trends from the Castaic Animal Care Center. The report was completed, finding that the Castaic Animal Care Center follows industry best practices and has capacity to adequately meet the needs of Santa Clarita. The report additionally identifies opportunities for the City to Page 1 Packet Pg. 44 O provide animal -related service enhancements. At the regular City Council meeting on May 9, 2023, City staff presented the City Council with a summary of the report and various options for service enhancements. Options included ways for the City to help supplement the services being provided through DACC and increase positive outcomes for local animals. After reviewing the report and discussing the options presented, the City Council directed staff to implement the following actions: Collaborate with DACC on expanding existing programs and providing additional spay and neuter clinics; low/no-fee vaccine, microchipping, and licensing clinics; special adoption promotions; and trap -neuter -release services; 2. Utilize the City's communication platforms to augment DACC's outreach efforts, increase adoption rates, and help raise awareness about available resources provided through DACC and/or local non-profit organizations; 3. Create a program that provides grant funding to local non-profit organizations who are supplementing services provided by DACC; 4. Partner with DACC and/or private donors to consider feasibility of upgrades to the Castaic Animal Care Center; 5. Integrate Castaic Animal Care Center into the City's Volunteer Program, and help to better promote volunteer opportunities; 6. Sponsor a City of Santa Clarita adoption promotion to assist with adoption fees; and, 7. Continue to monitor events and services provided by DACC. City staff has already begun implementation of these action items, including several communications partnerships through social media. The City has approximately 115,000 followers across its five social media platforms, which helps to broaden awareness of upcoming events and animals available for adoption. In addition, City staff has established quarterly meetings with DACC to discuss needs and monitor service levels. The purpose of this staff report is for the City Council to review and approve the actions items with a fiscal impact, inclusive of an adoption promotion program and competitive grant program, as outlined below. Adoption Promotion Overview In an effort to help boost adoption rates, City staff is working with DACC to establish a City of Santa Clarita Adoption Promotion where the City will cover the cost for residents to adopt an animal from the Castaic Animal Care Center. Funding to support the promotion will be used to waive any adoption -related fee, which represents savings for residents of approximately $100- $150 per adopted animal. Eliminating these fees will both encourage adoptions and promote positive outcomes for animals in need of a permanent home. Page 2 Packet Pg. 45 O The promotion will be proclaimed during a regular meeting of the City Council and is anticipated to run a full week in Fall 2023. City staff will coordinate with Castaic Animal Care Center to have adoptable animals visit City Hall and be present for the proclamation. Staff is additionally working with DACC to incorporate an event at a City park as part of the promotion, whereby residents can conveniently meet and greet with adoptable animals without needing to travel to the Castaic Animal Care Center. This program is being initiated at the City's request and would be in addition to the services DACC is obligated to provide under its contract with the City. Staff is recommending the City Council appropriate $10,000 on -going to support this annual program. Animal Care Grant Program Overview The Animal Care Grant Program (Program) is being proposed to assist nonprofit organizations, outside of DACC, that provide animal care services in Santa Clarita and effectively alleviate potential overcrowding issues at Castaic Animal Care Center. Eligible uses include services such as spay/neuter clinics, trap -neuter -release programs, adoption readiness programs, foster programs, and other programs that result in adoption/rescue and/or medical care for dogs, cats, and other pets in Santa Clarita. Organizations applying for grant funds must have 501(c)3 status and directly benefit animals in the City. Staff recommends a total annual Program budget of $50,000, with a maximum grant of $7,500 per organization. This funding will be used to positively impact the lives of animals located in Santa Clarita and help augment non-profit resources. Based on staffs research, there are approximately twelve organizations that meet the Program's basic eligibility requirements within the community. Following the same model as the City's long-standing Community Services and Arts Grants Program, the proposed Program will be led by a Grants Committee (Committee), which will determine priorities, review and rate applications, and make funding recommendations. The Committee will include two City Councilmembers along with City staff members. Recommendations by the Committee will be subject to approval by the City Council, consistent with the process for Community Services and Arts Grants. Upon approval of the recommended actions, applications for the first annual grant cycle will be released in January 2024, followed by a 45-day application period. Various outreach methods will be utilized in advance to broadly disseminate information about the Program, including a press release, social media blasts, and a public information meeting. Staff expects to present the Committee's grant recommendations to the City Council for final approval in Spring 2024. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. Page 3 Packet Pg. 46 O FISCAL IMPACT Upon approval of the recommended actions, adequate funds will be available in expenditure accounts 1003203-517101 (Animal Care Grants) and 1003203-516105 (Promotion and Publicity). Page 4 Packet Pg. 47