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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 20, 2014 I-02AGENDA ITEM 4� 4L CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Consider Disbanding the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission MEETING DATE: PREPARED BY: August 20, 2014 Chief of Police RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider disbanding the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Resolution 2007-161 authorized guidelines, powers, and duties of the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. At its meeting of June 17, 2014, the Lodi City Council directed staff to place an item on a future agenda to permit the Council to consider disbanding the Lodi Animal Commission. Staff outlined some of the Commission's difficulties in attracting members. The Commission discussed the potential disbanding at its June meeting and provided a response, which is attached. FISCAL IMPACT: N/A FUNDING AVAILABLE: N/A MH/CJ Prepared by: pjo cc: City Attorney APPROVED.:. Mark Helms Chief of Police Stephen SGhftbgUer, City Manager LODI ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION LODI, CALIFORNIA August 2.th, 2014 City Council City of Lodi, California P.O. Box 3003 Lodi, CA 95241 Re: City Council's Proposed Disbandment of The Lodi Animal Advisory Commission (LAAC) Dear Mayor and City Council: It would appear both common sense and a mutual respect for representative government would demand if a city council plans to act to abolish a commission it established to advise them, that city council would, at a minimum, demand it inform the commission of its intent prior to placing that action on the next scheduled meeting of that city council. The Lodi Animal Advisory Commission ("LAAC" or "Commission") members are at a loss to understand the rationale for this proposal. There has been conjecture the City Council wishes to deal only with PALS/LSP for advice and suggestions for animal welfare in the city. Surely the City Council is aware of the inherent conflict of interest any such agreements would pose since the city has entered into contracts with these originations to provide care, adoption services, licensing, clerical support, and myriad of other services and functions affecting animal welfare in Lodi. How could these organizations provide independent oversight over contracts for these services when they are parties to the agreements? It is our understanding from our governing Resolution we are responsible to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to animals (e.g. animal shelter, city ordinances, animal control, etc.), to make recommendations on possible funding sources, among other responsibilities. The Council may have confused the contractual agreement with PALS/LSP and the advisory relationship between Council and Commission. While we congratulate the city for forming what seems to be mutually beneficial and successful contractual agreements with PALS/LSP, PALS/LSP cannot, due to a conflict of interest, advise City Council on the portion of animal services which they Letter From T.AAC To City Council 1 07/28/2014 Page 2of2 are involved. There are clear and distinct differences between the responsibilities the Commission and PALS/LSP have. In fact, the Commission believes, in part, it is our responsibility to advise City Council on the successfulness of contractual agreements of PALS/LSP. We believe there needs to be improved communication between the Commission and the City Council (i.e. receiving prompt feedback on annual reports, as well as any questions, concerns, and direction the City Council would like the Commission to provide advice on). We urge City Council to abandon the notion the Commission has "out -lived" its purpose, and the City Council votes "noe" on the proposed disbandment of the commission. We look forward to continuing our voluntary service to the City of Lodi and its City Council to provide for the highest quality of care for the animals within our city. We would be more than happy to meet with the City Council to address any concerns you may have. We look forward to hearing back from you shortly. Respectfully submitted, Hayim "Hy" Cohen, Chair Phillip Laughlin, Vice -Chair Linda Castelanelli, Secretary Richard Vasquez, Commissioner LAAC APPROVED BY VOTE: 4 YAES / 0 NOES on 7/28/2014 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-162 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL DISBANDING THE LODI ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby authorize the disbanding of the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission effective immediately. Dated: August 20, 2014 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2014-162 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held August 20, 2014, by the following votes: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hansen, Johnson, and Mayor Katzakian NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Mounce and Nakanishi ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None -(NA• NIFER R0BISON P"V4,-- ty Clerk 2014-162 CITY COUNCIL PHIL KATZAKIAN, Mayor LARRY D.. HANSEN, Mayor Pro Tempore BOBJOHNSON JOANNE MOUNCE ALAN NAKANISHI Hayim "Hy" Cohen CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807 www a cityclerk9lA,gov August 26, 2014 STEPHEN SCHWABAUER City Manager JENNIFER M. ROBISON City Clerk JANICE D. MAGDICH This letter is to notify you that at the regular meeting of August 20, 2014, the Lodi City Council voted to disband the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. On behalf of the Lodi City Council and the citizens of this community, thank you for donating your time and energy toward volunteering to serve as a member of this Commission. In ending your service, it will be necessary for you to complete a Form 700 — Conflict of Interest Leaving Office Statement no later than 30 days from the date of this letter of notice (due Thursday, September 25, 2014, by 5:30 p.m.). The original statement will be retained in the City Clerk's Office. Forms have been enclosed for your convenience. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope that you will continue to give generously of your talent and support through volunteerism. Sincerely, .44 nnifer . Robison ity Clerk JMR cc: B&C Liaison B&C folder Follow-up N:\Administration\CLERK\Boards\MISC\LeavingDisband.doe City Attorney CITY COUNCIL PHIL KATZAKIAN, Mayor LARRY D. HANSEN, Mayor Pro Tempore BOBJOHNSON JOANNE MOUNCE ALAN NAKANISHI Phillip Laughlin CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807 www -10di,poy citycIerk gQodi. ov August 26, 2014 STEPHEN SCHWABAUER City Manager JENNIFER M. ROBISON City Clerk JANICE D. MAGDICH City Attorney This letter is to notify you that at the regular meeting of August 20, 2014, the Lodi City Council voted to disband the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. On behalf of the Lodi City Council and the citizens of this community, thank you for donating your time and energy toward volunteering to serve as a member of this Commission. In ending your service, it will be necessary for you to complete a Form 700 — Conflict of Interest Leaving Office Statement no later than 30 days from the date of this letter of notice (due Thursday, September 25, 2014, by 5:30 p.m.). The original statement will be retained in the City Clerk's Office. Forms have been enclosed for your convenience. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope that you will continue to give generously of your talent and support through volunteerism. Sincerely, '� n�Iobison City Clerk JMR cc: B&C Liaison B&C folder Follow-up N:\Administration\CLERK\Boards\M ISC\LeavingDisband.doc CITY COUNCIL PHIL KATZAKIAN, Mayor LARRY D. HANSEN, Mayor Pro Tempore BOB JOHNSON JOANNE MOUNCE ALAN NAKANISHI Linda Castelanelli CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807 www.lodi.gov cityclerk0lodi.gov August 26, 2014 STEPHEN SCHWABAUER City Manager JENNIFER M. ROBISON City Clerk JANICE D. MAGDICH City Attorney This letter is to notify you that at the regular meeting of August 20, 2014, the Lodi City Council voted to disband the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. On behalf of the Lodi City Council and the citizens of this community, thank you for donating your time and energy toward volunteering to serve as a member of this Commission. In ending your service, it will be necessary for you to complete a Form 700 — Conflict of Interest Leaving Office Statement no later than 30 days from the date of this letter of notice (due Thursday, September 25, 2014, by 5:30 p.m.). The original statement will be retained in the City Clerk's Office. Forms have been enclosed for your convenience. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope that you will continue to give generously of your talent and support through volunteerism. Sincerely, �-CIA 1fi ennifer . Robison City Clerk JMR cc: B&C Liaison B&C folder Follow-up N:\Administration\CLERK\Boards\M1SC\LeavingDisband.doc CITY COUNCIL PHIL KATZAKIAN, Mayor LARRY D. HANSEN, Mayor Pro Tempore BOB JOHNSON JOANNE MOUNCE ALAN NAKANISHI Richard Vasquez CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807 www.lodi._gov citycler_k lodi. ov August 26, 2014 STEPHEN SCHWABAUER City Manager JENNIFER M. ROBISON City Clerk JANICE D. MAGDICH City Attorney This letter is to notify you that at the regular meeting of August 20, 2014, the Lodi City Council voted to disband the Lodi Animal Advisory Commission. On behalf of the Lodi City Council and the citizens of this community, thank you for donating your time and energy toward volunteering to serve as a member of this Commission. In ending your service, it will be necessary for you to complete a Form 700 — Conflict of Interest Leaving Office Statement no later than 30 days from the date of this letter of notice (due Thursday, September 25, 2014, by 5:30 p.m.). The original statement will be retained in the City Clerk's Office. Forms have been enclosed for your convenience. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope that you will continue to give generously of your talent and support through volunteerism. Sincerely, nifer M obison City Clerk JMR cc: B&C Liaison B&C folder Follow-up N:\Admin istration\CLERK\Boards\M ISC\LeavingDisband. doe