2011-06-21 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -JUNE 21. 2011- -7:01 P.M.
Mayor Gilmore convened the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
ROLL CALL — Present: Councilmembers Bonta, deHaan, Johnson, Tam and
Mayor Gilmore — 5.
Absent: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON - AGENDA
(11 -335) Brad Wick, Alameda Towne Center General Manager, stated the name of the
Center would be restored to South Shore Shopping Center.
(11 -336) Janet Gibson discussed the Crown Beach incident.
AGENDA ITEM
(11-337) Resolution No. 14577, "Approving the Memorandum of Understanding Among
the City of Alameda, the Humane Society of Alameda, and the Friends of the Alameda
Animal Shelter Regarding the Future Operation of the Shelter." Adopted.
The Assistant City Manager and Police Chief gave a brief presentation.
Speakers: Tom Hyland, Save Our Shelter (SOS); Suzanne Renner, Alameda; Janet
Davis, Alameda; Nancy Bianchi, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS); Holly
Schmalenberger - Haugen, Humane Society of Alameda; Brian Berg, Alameda; Gesine
Lohr, Alameda; Annie Choy, Mikaila Baskin, and Rachel Menendez, Alameda High
School Humane Society Club; Len Grzanka, Alameda (submitted comments); Jean
Richter, Alameda; Bonnie Peterum, Rosemary McNally, Alameda; Chris Allan,
Alameda; Jon Spangler, Alameda; Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association; and
Trish Spencer, Alameda.
The Police Chief stated on May 31St, staff proposed outsourcing services to another
jurisdiction; closing the shelter was never discussed; the current proposal would provide
an opportunity for the Police Department to work with groups to establish a sustainable,
non - profit organization that would have a vision of how the Animal Shelter should run.
Mayor Gilmore requested information regarding removing the Animal Shelter from the
Police Department and placing it in another department.
The Police Chief stated the Police Department does not run the Animal Shelter, but
provides management oversight, which is a small portion of the overall budget;
removing the Animal Shelter from the Police Department would still result in the same
fixed costs.
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The Assistant City Manager stated the Animal Shelter would still be a General Fund
operation.
Mayor Gilmore stated Council has often discussed moving toward establishing
public /private partnerships; the proposal would be a win win for everyone.
The City Manager stated the Animal Shelter would not be the last public service
confronting a different model going forward; everyone needs to work together.
Councilmember Johnson stated one speaker mentioned the Warmington Project; the
idea was to build extra shelter capacity to help off set operating costs and offer services
to other cities to take animals.
Vice Mayor Bonta moved adoption of the resolution.
Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion with a caveat [to not use bequest money
for the four month bridge].
Under discussion, in response to Councilmember deHaan's inquiry, the Assistant City
Manager stated the non - profit idea was not part of the May 31St discussions when staff
proposed outsourcing with another community and holding back two Animal Control
positions; now, staff is looking at using bridge funding for four months; having the City
run the shelter is expensive because of unionized labor; a non - profit can determine
salaries and operations would be a lot cheaper than the City.
Councilmember deHaan inquired how much is the bequest money, to which the Police
Chief responded $327,495.
Councilmember deHaan stated that his second to the motion stands as long as the
bequest money is not used for the four -month bridge.
The Assistant City Manager stated the money in next year's budget is not sufficient for
four months of operation.
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether there is another alternative for gap funding,
to which the Assistant City Manage responded the only alternative would be to hold
Police Officer positions vacant.
In response to Councilmember Johnson's inquiry, the Police Chief stated currently, four
Police Officer positions are being held; a fifth position could be held; seed money would
be available one way or another.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated that he would keep his motion as is.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she would second the motion as is.
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The Assistant City Manager stated there would be 88 sworn positions, which would be
down from 92; one more position could be held.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she would be nervous going below 88 positions.
In response to Councilmember deHaan's inquiry, the Police Chief stated the bequest
money needs to be used for the operation of the shelter.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she would second the motion if hiring an officer
was delayed a month.
Councilmember deHaan stated that he would like to see some seed money for the non-
profit.
The City Manager stated staff would negotiate terms; that he does not advise beginning
negotiations now.
Councilmember deHaan stated that his second to the motion holds if seed money is
considered.
Councilmember Tam stated the agreement already has provisions for the City to
provide fiscal support; either way, the City would provide funding.
The City Manager stated Section A -d of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
states the objective of the cooperative agreement would be to define the City's ability to
provide a portion of fiscal support to the non - profit organization.
Councilmember Johnson stated good faith efforts are being made on both sides;
inquired whether Councilmember deHaan's second still stands.
Councilmember deHaan responded as long as the funding is in consideration his
second stands.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated the funding is inherently in consideration because of the terms
of the MOU; that he does want to accept any friendly amendments to the motion for
anything broader than what is in the MOU.
Councilmember deHaan stated that he seconded to motion.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether Councilmember deHaan's second included
conditions, to which Councilmember deHaan responded in the negative.
Councilmember deHaan stated the bequest money was not part of the last discussion.
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The Assistant City Manager stated the MOU notes that the City would agree to utilize
Shelter donations and money from the Police Department's operating budget to fund the
Shelter operation until November 1, 2011; the situation has been fluid.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated that he is supportive of the approach going forward; achieving
the goal in four months will be difficult but can be done with collective commitment;
having a sense of urgency going forward is important.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote — 5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Gilmore adjourned the meeting at 10:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
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