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City Council Agenda Request
July 18, 2017
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AGENDA REQUEST NO: III.A.
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| | AGENDA OF: City Council Regular Meeting |
| | INITIATED BY: Dawn Steph, Director of Environmental and Neighborhood Services |
| | PRESENTED BY: Kathryn Ketchum, Animal Services Manager |
| | RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: City Secretary |
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| | | | | | | | | AGENDA CAPTION: | | SECOND CONSIDERATION: Consideration of and action on CITY OF SUGAR LAND ORDINANCE NO. 2101 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE III, DIVISION 3, SECTION 2-61, SUBSECTIONS (B) AND (C) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY BOARD, ADD MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, AND EXPAND BOARD DUTIES. |
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| | | | | | | | | RECOMMENDED ACTION: | Approve Ordinance No. 2101 on second reading to expand the Animal Advisory Board membership and duties. |
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| | | | | | | | | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: | The Animal Advisory Board is created by state law with appointments being made pursuant to membership requirements and qualifications as provided by state law. The membership includes:
• A licensed Veterinarian
• A representative from an animal welfare organization
• A citizen of the city that actively volunteers with the animal services division
• A person whose duties include daily operation of an animal shelter
• A municipal official
The purpose of the board is to review and recommend procedures for the care and maintenance of animal shelter facilities and impounded animals to ensure compliance with state law; and to periodically review the City animal control ordinances and make recommendations for revisions. State law requires that the board meet at least three (3) times a year.
In 2015, the Facility Master Plan identified that the existing Animal Shelter building has already exceeded its design capacity and does not have sufficient size to accommodate the expected growth at 100,000 population and beyond. An animal expansion study was conducted to identify the expansion options and construction phasing plan. Interim improvements have also been identified to meet the immediate needs and to bridge the gap till a new facility can be built. The preliminary results from the study were presented to the City Council at the workshop on June 28, 2016.
In April 2017, Animal Arts was selected to assist the City with confirming the size, scope, scale, approximate budget, and site layout for the new animal shelter. The process will focus on needs versus wants and provide cost options to aid the City in identifying budget needs and funding options.
On June 27, 2017, staff proposed expanding the Animal Advisory Board membership and duties to assist with the Animal Shelter expansion project. The expanded duties include:
• Review policies, programs and practices of the current animal shelter
• Review animal capacity calculations and animal population trends
• Review and recommend policies, programs and practices for implementation in the new animal shelter
• Determine the shelter program needs versus wants and identify budget needs of each
• Recommend funding options for the programming of space
• Recommend a capital campaign
The Animal Advisory Board membership will be expanded to eleven members and appoint a Vice Chair. Members will be selected through an application process and applicants must be a resident of the City of Sugar Land, Greatwood or New Territory. The additional membership must meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Volunteer at the City of Sugar Land Animal Shelter
• Adopted an animal from a shelter or rescue group
• Demonstrated interest in the welfare of animals
• History of involvement in local community organizations
• Career in an animal related industry (veterinary, boarding, grooming, pet sitting, etc.)
• Career in the medical, epidemiology or zoonotic field
• Career or experience in wildlife management
• Work or volunteer for a shelter or rescue group
The Animal Advisory Board members are reappointed annually. The expanded board will meet twice a month for the first three months to discuss the planning and design of the new animal shelter and then once a month for twelve to eighteen months to discuss and develop a capital campaign and complete other duties. The expanded board will remain in place for two years, but can be extended if needed. After the two-year period, the Animal Advisory Board Ordinance may be revised to revert back to the five-member board.
The Environmental & Neighborhood Services department recommends that City Council approve first reading of Ordinance No. 2101 to expand the Animal Advisory board membership and duties.
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| BUDGET |
| | EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: N/A |
| | CURRENT BUDGET: N/A |
| | ADDITIONAL FUNDING: N/A |
| | FUNDING SOURCE: |
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