LAC Department of Animal Care FY 2015-16 Service Level Request A
Mr. Douglas Willmore
June 18, 2015
Page 2
This document will provide the Department with an acknowledgement of planned
services and allow for operational planning and deployment of resources. During the
fiscal year, the City may also submit a request for changes in services as needed.
These additions or deletions to services contemplated in a revised service level
agreement can be scheduled for implementation upon agreement by both parties.
We have enclosed a description of animal control services (Attachment B) and
FY 2015-16 budgetary estimates (Attachment C) for your reference.
Contract City Billing Rate Study
Animal care and control services have advanced over the decades to create more
complex and robust programs. These developments have been caused by changes in
state laws regarding the care of animals; increased demand for investigating animal
cruelty and dangerous or vicious dog cases; increased professionalism required of
animal control officers; increased public use of animal care centers; and many other
factors.
These changes have impacted the costs of providing animal care and control services.
This fiscal year the Department initiated an effort to determine what cost changes, if
any, have occurred. The Auditor-Controller and the Department have retained the
services of MGT of America, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the
actual costs associated with providing animal care and control services to its contract
cities. The results of this study are scheduled to be completed by the end of calendar
year 2015. The Department will be reaching out to its contract cities to keep them
apprised of the progress of this review.
Payment Procedures
The Department received a recommendation for corrective action based on a recent
audit conducted by the County's Auditor-Controller. One of the findings in the report
indicated that in accordance with the contract terms, the Department did not calculate
interest charges on invoice that were not paid timely. Therefore, beginning in
FY 2015-16, a seven percent (7%) interest rate will be calculated and applied to
invoice(s) that are overdue 60 days beyond the due date. In addition, please be
advised that the County also reserves the right to satisfy payment through any funds
that may be on deposit with the County.
The applicable language with regard to payment satisfaction may be found in
Paragraphs 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4 of our Services Agreement, and is provided below:
w
Mr. Douglas Willmore
June 18, 2015
Page 3
9.2 If such payment is not delivered to the County office which is described on
said invoice within 60 days after the date of the invoice, the County is entitled to
recover interest thereon. For all disputed amounts, the City shall provide County
with written notice of the dispute including the invoice date, amount, and reasons
for dispute within 15 days after receipt of the invoice. The parties shall
memorialize the resolution of the dispute in writing. For any disputed amounts,
interest shall accrue if payment is not received within 60 days after the dispute
resolution is memorialized.
9.3 Interest shall be calculated at the rate of seven percent (7%) annually or
any portion thereof, calculated from the last day of the month in which the
services were performed, or in the case of disputed amounts, calculated from the
date the resolution is memorialized.
9.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of Government Code Section 907, if such
payment is not delivered to the County office which is described on said invoice
within 60 days after the date of the invoice, or in the case of disputed amounts,
from the date the resolution is memorialized, the County may satisfy such
indebtedness, including interest thereon, from any funds of the City on deposit
with the County without giving further notice to City of County's intention to do so.
If you have any questions, please contact me or your staff may contact Ms. Whitney
Duong, Contract City Liaison, at (562) 256-2412 or wduong@animalcare.lacounty.gov.
Sincerely,
/se
MARCIA MAYEDA
Director
MM:BW:PM:WD:mr
s:\contract cities\service agreements\bill rate letters and attachments fy15-16\2015-16 bill rate letter 061715_mr3.docx
Enclosures
Attachment B
Los Angeles County
Department of Animal Care and Control
Description of Services Provided
Field Services
Resources dedicated to providing quality animal care services in the field.
Activities involve field officers performing a variety of tasks utilizing appropriate
equipment. These tasks (with an exception of the services that pose a safety risk
to the Director or designee) include:
• Immediate response to vicious/dangerous animals that pose a public safety
threat;
• Capture and impoundment of stray domestic animals;
• Impoundment of animals surrendered by their owners;
• Pick up and disposal ofddead animals On public highways and on public and
private property, excluding: Garbage Disposal Districts; animals on
beaches that weigh more than 150 pounds; or where a large number of
animals have died requiring specialized equipment and/or skills beyond the
capability of the department.
• Enforcement of all animal-related ordinances and state laws including leash
laws, animal cruelty laws, dangerous/vicious dog enforcement, and the
keeping of wild or exotic animals;
• Investigate Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dog cases; prepare
appropriate petitions; and conduct administrative hearings consistent with
state and county laws;
• Rescue of ill, injured, or abused animals;
• Enforcement of animal nuisance complaints such as barking dogs and leash
law violations;
• Assist local law enforcement with their cases when animals are involved
such as the service of search warrants and impounding animals belonging
to persons taken into custody;
• Emergency response to fires, earthquakes, floods, and other natural or
manmade disasters to rescue animals from harm; and
• Maintain 24-hour dispatch and communication center to receive calls for
service and dispatch them to officers for field response
Shelter Services
Represents services dedicated to providing a comfortable and safe environment
to animals sheltered at Animal Care Centers. Shelter services include:
• Providing food, water, and shelter medical care for impounded animals;
• Holding stray animals and attempting to reunite them with their owners;
• Finding new adoptive homes for domestic animals;
• Working with wildlife rehabilitators to rescue sick and injured wildlife;
• Providing emergency sheltering to animals displaced by wildfires or other
disasters;
• Spay and neuter services for all dogs and cats adopted pursuant to state
law;
• Performing surgeries to make animals more adoptable;
• Euthanizing sick, injured, dangerous, feral, or unadoptable animals;
• Quarantine and observation of animals for rabies;
• File annual reports to the State of California as required by law;
• Disposal of dead animals;
• Maintain website of lost and surrendered animals so owners may locate
their lost animals and potential adopters may find a new pet; and
• Maintain regular hours of operation for the public
Licensing
Represents resources for providing the issuance and processing of licenses. This
function includes:
• Issuance of animal licenses to animals that have been vaccinated against
rabies;
• Processing license applications, payments, and information changes;
• Issuing license renewal notices;
• Assessing and collecting fees, penalties, and other financial remittances;
and
• Maintenance of animal licensing database
Animal Licensing Field Enforcement
Represents services dedicated to providing field enforcement for animal license
compliance. This program includes:
• Neighborhood field enforcement of animal licensing and other State and
local laws and ordinances;
• Issuing citations to violators of animal licensing ordinances; and
• Collecting license revenue
Animal Facility Licensing
Represents the process to issue and enforce licenses provided to private
businesses involved in regulated activities related to animals. This program
includes:
• Annually inspect and license animal facilities such as pet shops, breeders,
animal menageries, grooming parlors, and all other places where animals
are maintained for profit or business activities; and
• Issue grades to facilities, similar to the County of Los Angeles Public Health
Department's Restaurant Grading System
Vaccination and Microchip Clinics
Represents resources to provide vaccines and microchips, including:
• Provide low cost vaccinations and microchips;
• Staff with medical personnel and necessary support staff;
• Assist jurisdictions in promoting community based clinics; and
• Provide regular vaccination and licensing clinics at each County of Los
Angeles Animal Care Center
s:\contract cities\service agreements\dacc service description fy 15-16 for mm_mm_mr2.docx
Attachment C
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL AND CONTROL
RANCHO PALOS VERDES-SERVICE LEVELS SCHEDULE
Estimated Actual Pl(14/15 Estinr►gt d FY 15/16
` � � Billing f���° Gast *•Billing #af *Cast
`,City/'service Descr ptian , .:,,,; , Animal tin `<' ;, Rates' Unit. ;; Amount. Rates ‘,,4111044.0t;‘,-
Rancho
ilnit AmountRancho Palos Verdes
Kennel Housing-Dog&Cat 100 Days $ 20.07 343 $ 6,884 $ 23.79 343 $ 8,160
Kennel Housing-Other Animals 74 Days $ 9.95 116 $ 1,154 $ 11.23 116 $ 1,303
Special Care Housing 4 Days $ 24.08 4 $ 96 $ 28.55 4 $ 114
Disposal of Dead Animals Each $ 12.84 269 $ 3,454 $ 13.74 269 $ 3,696
Private Vet Each Varies 4 $ 250 Varies 4 $ 250
Field Services*** Hours $ 85.02 689 $ 58,558 $ 86.43 689 $ 59,529
Animal License Enforcement Services Hours $ 67.34 - $ - $ 70.10 - $ -
Liability Insurance(4%Field and Animal License Enforcement Services) $ 2,342 $ 2,381
License Processing Fee Licenses $ 2.45 2,145 $ 5,255 $ 2.58 2,145 $ 5,534
Redemption Fee $ (1,534) $ (1,534)
License/Penalty Fee Credits $ (40,936) $ (40,936)
Total City Net Cost $ 35,524 $ 38,497
Estimate FY 15/16%variance 8%
*Service Levels Schedule is an estimate only(based on the current fiscal year 10 months actual)and is for your reference. City is liable for actual cost.
**FY 15/16 Billing Rate approved by Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller to be effected on July 1,2015