Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-020 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND DR. LANCE GIBSON, DVM FOR RELIEF VETERINARY SERVICES AT THE CHULA VISTA ANIMAL CARE FACILITY AND AMENDING THE ANIMAL CARE FACILITY BUDGET TO REFLECT AN INCREASE IN COUNTY CONTRACT SERVICES (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Animal Care Facility seeks the City Council’s authorization to amend an Agreement with Dr. Lance Gibson for relief veterinary services at the Facility and Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, and to increase appropriations to the Animal Care Facility budget based on increased contract revenue for veterinary services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
Staff has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed activity is not a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus no environment review is necessary.
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Environmental Determination
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The Chula Vista Animal Care Facility engages veterinarians as contractors to provide relief veterinary services. Services include checking animals for illness or injury, treating or supervising treatment, performing surgery as needed, and performing a large number of spay/neuter operations. Relief veterinarians provide the Facility with full coverage.
The veterinary staff also ensures that the Facility complies with State law requiring that adopted animals be spayed or neutered before leaving the Facility. Additionally, the Facility is able to offer weekly clinics providing no-cost spay and neuter surgeries to low-income residents of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and Lemon Grove. These clinics, which reduce the number of unwanted animals admitted into shelters, have been very successful and are booked a month in advance.
The Facility averages more than 6,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year (2,000 in-house, 1,000 for public clinics and over 3,000 for County of San Diego). Additional surgeries may include orthopedic, soft-tissue and dental. Outsourcing these surgeries would cost the City more than $350,000 per year. On average, 80 to 100 surgeries are scheduled weekly. This is a high volume when compared to private shelters and private veterinary practices. Accordingly, unique skills and abilities are required of veterinarians to practice effectively in a public shelter setting.
Vet Contract Amendment
Dr. Gibson’s agreement was approved for two years with up to three one-year extensions with the City Manager’s approval. The amount authorized by the current Agreement is up to $29,500 per fiscal year. The Amendment under consideration increases the annual maximum to $60,000.
Budget Amendment for County Contract Services
The Animal Care Facility is under contract to provide surgery services to the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. Based on a new contract for services, increasing compensation, and the County’s request for additional surgery days, the amount of contract revenue will increase in the current fiscal year. This will also require increasing appropriations to reflect the increase of services. Future appropriations will be considered as part of the normal annual budget process.
The table below reflects the proposed budget amendments:
|
Object Code |
Revenue |
Expenditures |
Reason |
|
Reim-Other (4481) |
$25,000 |
- |
Increased County Contract |
|
Contracted Services (6301) |
- |
$25,000 |
Increased County Contract |
|
Total |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decisions contemplated by this action and has determined that the decision is not site specific. Consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to the decisions. Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that might constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This action supports the Healthy Community goal by staffing with the Animal Care Facility with an experienced and effective veterinarian, ensuring that the Facility has full coverage, meets standards of care for its animals, complies with applicable State and Federal laws, and is able to provide no-cost spay and neuter services to low-income constituents.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the resolution results in no net fiscal year impact to the General Fund. The requested increase to the Supplies and Services category for County contract services will be offset by County reimbursement revenue.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the resolution results in no new ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund. Future allocations for these costs will be considered as part of the normal budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement Amendment
Staff Contact: Amanda Mills, Animal Care Facility Administrator