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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 2017 1101 CCSA REG ITEM 10C ITEM 10.C. Ci'dl^Councils EPeting MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL N /-a of 7 AGENDA REPORT ACTION: _ _ =a TO: The Honorable City Council --yto�- FROM: Jessica Sandifer, Program Manag DATE: October 17, 2017 (CC Meeting of 11/01/2017) SUBJECT: Consider Resolution Updating Animal Control Program License Fees and Rescinding Resolution No. 2015-3387 BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION Since incorporation, the City of Moorpark (City) has utilized the animal license fees adopted by Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS). The City has the ability to change the animal licenses fee to a different rate structure pursuant to the Moorpark Municipal Code Title 6 Animal Regulations Section 6.04.030. In 2015, the City Council approved a resolution to increase the animal license fees from $20/year for altered pets to $30/year and from $75/year for unaltered pets to $85/year. The increased license fees took effect January 1, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2017, the County of Ventura began charging a discounted senior license fee of$10/year for altered pets. This license fee is 50% of the cost of the current County license fee of$20. Seniors living within the County areas and those City's that use County animal services, receive this discount. Unfortunately, if any of these seniors move into Moorpark, they are required to pay the higher$30/year fee because Moorpark has.not yet adopted a senior license fee. Staff is proposing adopting a senior altered license fee of $15/year. This represents a 50% discount on the currently adopted altered pet fee. Consistent with the County's fee structure, no discounts are proposed to be made available for unaltered pets. Beginning July 1, 2017, the County of Ventura has also increased their unaltered pet license fee from $85/year to $100/year, in an attempt to encourage pet owners to spay or neuter their pets. Staff is recommending adopting the same fee structure as the County for the unaltered pet license fee as a tool to encourage pet owners to spay or neuter their animals, which could equate to future cost savings due to an overall reduction in stray animals. 219 Honorable City Council November 1, 2017 Page 2 In summary, the below table has been prepared to illustrate the proposed fee changes: One-Year License Fee Current Proposed County Altered $ 30 $ 30 $ 20 Unaltered $ 85 $ 100 $ 100 Senior n/a $ 15 $ 10 FISCAL IMPACT Of the 6,291 licenses sold in FY 2016/17, unaltered dog licenses were 361 of the total licenses sold. If all pet owners with unaltered pets continued to pay the unaltered license fee, the $15 increase would equate to an additional $5,415 in license revenues. Staff is unable to determine the actual number of residents that would use the option for the senior license fee. Current census data indicates that 27% of the population in Moorpark is over the age of 55. If we assume that 40% of those residents own pets, then we can expect approximately 10% of our altered licenses being reduced by$15. This would equate to an estimated reduction in licensing revenues of approximately $9,436/year. The net fee decrease results in an estimated reduction of total revenues of$4,021/year. In FY 2016/17, licensing revenues covered the cost of all County provided animal shelter services, and provided $71,000 in revenue that will be used to defray the costs borne by the City to provide animal services. Animal licensing revenues covered 40% of the City's costs in FY 16/17. The fee decrease will lower this percentage in future fiscal years, meaning the General Fund will continue to pay a higher proportion of the costs to provide these services. STAFF RECOMMENDATION (ROLL CALL VOTE) Adopt Resolution No. 2017- , rescinding Resolution No. 2015-3387 and approving unaltered pet and senior license fees to be effective January 1, 2018. Attachment: Resolution No. 2017- 220 RESOLUTION NO. 2017- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES, AND LICENSES REGARDING TITLE VI, ANIMAL REGULATIONS OF THE MOORPARK MUNICIPAL CODE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2015-3387 WHEREAS, on December 21, 2005 the City Council adopted Ordinance No.329 establishing the City's animal compliance program, and WHEREAS, on May 6, 2015, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2015- 3387, increasing license fees for altered pets; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate and necessary to collect certain fees and charges for animal services; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to establish a fee schedule to reflect current services provided by the City. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Resolution 2015-3387 is hereby rescinded upon the effective date of this resolution. SECTION 2. The following rates and charges for services rendered by and for the City Animal Compliance program are hereby established. 1) License Fees a. Fees in the table below may be prorated in six month increments for the purpose of synchronizing the duration of a valid rabies vaccination to the term of the license. License 6 mos. 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr Dogs and Cats unaltered $50.00 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 altered $15.00 $30.00 $60.00 $90.00 Owner aged 55+ *altered pets only senior altered $7.50 $15.00 $30.00 $45.00 b. Late license penalty. If a license fee is thirty (30) days or more past due, a late penalty is added that is equal to 100% of the license fee 221 Resolution No. 2017- Page 2 due. The late license penalty is applied for each year or portion thereof in six-month increments. c. Regardless of when the license fee is paid, the license term is calculated and fees and penalties are to be paid from the license original due date. d. Senior Discount. Pet owners aged 55 and older shall receive a 50% license fee reduction upon proof of age. 2) Pick-up and disposal of a dead household pet as defined in Chapter 6.04 of the Code weighing up to 75 pounds (charge to animal owner per animal) a. Dogs and cats, licensed: $65.00 b. Dogs and cats, unlicensed: $90.00 c. Fowl, rodents, bird, other small household pets: $65.00 d. Household pets owned or kept by a person aged fifty-five (55+) or older: $25.00 3) Pick up and disposal of a dead, wild, or stray animal on private property not owned or kept by the property owner or occupant: no charge 4) Miscellaneous a. Humane Trap Rental - refundable deposit to Moorpark residents for trap use within the City of Moorpark. $40.00 b. Other Services - For those services rendered by City animal staff not listed above, the current Ventura County Animal Services fee schedule shall be used to determine the rate payable to the City. SECTION 3. This resolution shall be effective January 1, 2018. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of November, 2017. Janice S. Parvin, Mayor ATTEST: Maureen Benson, City Clerk 222