HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 20, 2002 I-01Ua
CITY OF LODI COUNCIL• •
O
AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Accepting Recommendations from the
Animal Shelter Task Force Approving Site Location for the
New Animal Shelter at Lodi Avenue and Guild Avenue
MEETING DATE: March 20, 2002
PREPARED BY: Terri Arbuckle, Animal Services Officer
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council accept recommendations from the
Animal Shelter Task Force approving site location for the
new Animal Shelter at Lodi Avenue and Guild Avenue.
BACKGROUND: The Animal Shelter Task Force was created by the Lodi City
Council September 2000 in order to provide short and long-
term recommendations regarding the City of Lodi Animal
Shelter. After extensive research and many meetings, the
Task Force presented to Council recommendations for those solutions. Funding has been
appropriated for several of the short-term solutions and the Task Force is currently focusing on the
development of a new shelter. Several City staff members, along with three members of the Task
Force, are currently working with architect George Miers to develop the schematic design for the
facility. Essential to the development of that design is the selection of an appropriate site. The
Task Force, by a six -to -one vote (exhibit A), recommends the City designate the Lodi and Guild
Avenues site (approximately 2.5 acres) as the most suitable location.
FUNDING: None
Respectfully submitted,
Terri Arbuckle
Animal Services Officer
Staff Liaison to the Animal Shelter Task Force
Attachments
APPROVED: v -
H Dixon nn - C y Manager
EXHIBI T a
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor Pennino and members of the Lodi City Council
FROM: Lodi Animal Shelter Task Force
DATE: March 8, 2002
REGARDING: Shelter Site Selection
At the February 13, 2002 meeting of the Lodi Animal Shelter Task Force, a 6 to 1 vote
was taken favoring the Guild Avenue site for the new Lodi Animal Shelter.
After much consideration a majority of the Task Force felt this site was the most
appropriate and best met the needs of Lodi Animal Services. The site is presently ready
for construction and the size is adequate for the proposed shelter.
The Guild Avenue site further offers good access for traffic including shelter staff
responding to calls for service, and adequate parking will be available for staff and public
needs.
We want to update the Council and again thank our City Council members for your
continued support of the Lodi Animal Shelter Task Force.
Respectfidly submitted,
#7C. /L C,
Linda Sunday Hansen
For the Lodi Animal Shelter Task Force
Shelter Site Selection -Dissent
The only way an animal leaves the Lodi Animal Shelter alive is with a person,
through adoption (22% of cats, 32% of dogs in 2001) and, to a much lesser extent,
through redemption (4% of cats, 28% of dogs.) Adoption, without aggressive, city-wide
spay/neuter education and heavy community participation will never achieve the balance
necessary for a no -kill community. Remember: the community (not the shelter)
generates the high number of unwanted pets, and only the community can reduce that
number.
I cannot recommend the Guild site, because I believe that locating the shelter in a
heavy industrial zone on the eastern border of a town that is growing to the west will be
detrimental to the community participation necessary to lower the number of deaths due
to pet overpopulation. Experts and statistics support my position - locating a shelter in
the midst of the community increases, in some cases even doubles, the adoption rate.
Some of the shortcomings of the Guild site can be overcome, but it will require
the expenditure of modest amounts of money on operating costs. Lodi is very fortunate
to currently have a most qualified and dedicated animal control staff and shelter
volunteers, who between them run an internet site and monthly news ads to boost
adoptions above and beyond their animal control and care responsibilities. An additional
staff position and operating funds dedicated to community participation events,
education, and marketing is of critical importance to the goal of no -kill.
I fear, however, that Lodi's track record of having the lowest "cost per capita" for
animal services in all of San Joaquin County, and being lower only than Stockton in
"staff to animals taken in" and "staff to population served" ratios, will persist. Lodi's
shelter expenditures rank far lower than that of Sonoma and Napa "wine country"
shelters (see, Task Force Report, Regional Shelter Survey). City officials have
repeatedly stated their commitment to making Lodi a no -kill city.' Whether these are
more than just words will be seen in future funding decisions.
Respectfully submi ,
cp
Susan J. Pixler
Lodi Animal Shelter Task Force
1 Police chief "absolutely committed" to no -kill goal (6/99); City stated its "goal to
dramatically reduce need to euthanize animals and to find good homes for every
adoptable dog & cat (Res. 99-90); City stated it "will cooperate in every possible way to
accomplish the no -kill goal" and makes its "resolution to move city toward no -kill goal."
(1/19/2000)
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-57
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTING
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER TASK FORCE
APPROVING SITE LOCATION FOR THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER AT LODI
AVENUE AND GUILD AVENUE
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEREAS, the Animal Shelter Task Force was created by the Lodi City Council in
September 2000, in order to provide short and long-term recommendations regarding the
City of Lodi Animal Shelter; and
WHEREAS, after extensive research and meetings, the Task Force presented
several recommendations; and
WHEREAS, funding has been appropriated for several of the short-term solutions
and the Task Force is currently focusing on the development of the new shelter, and is
currently working with an architect to develop the schematic design for the facility; and
WHEREAS, essential to the development of the facility design is the selection of an
appropriate site; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force therefore recommends that the City Council approve the
site location for the new Animal Shelter at Lodi and Guild Avenues, which consists of
approximately 2.5 acres.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council does here approve
the site location for the new Animal Shelter at Lodi and Guild Avenues.
Dated: March 20, 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2002-57 was passed and adopted by the Lodi
City Council in a regular meeting held March 20, 2002 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Land, and Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Howard and Mayor Pennino
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
SUSAN J. BLACOTON
City Clerk
2002-57