HomeMy WebLinkAbout#13 - Animal Impound Contract
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STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 15, 2020
CONSENT
AGENDA ITEM: Approve Animal Impound Services Agreement with Otter Lake Animal
Care Center
SUBMITTED BY: Julie Johnson, City Clerk
FISCAL IMPACT: No cost to the City for animals that are claimed by the owner; unclaimed
animals subject to daily boarding fees of $19 ($95 max) and other potential fees for veterinary
services as outlined on Exhibit A of the contract.
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The City has previously contracted with Animal
Humane Society in Woodbury for a few years for the impoundment of stray animals picked up by
our animal control officer, Brittany Harmon. Ms. Harmon has been working with OLACC since
2013 in her capacity as animal control officer for several other cities and recommends the City
contract with them for impound services (see attached email from Ms. Harmon). Staff
recommends contracting with Otter Lake Animal Care Center (OLACC) going forward due to the
cost savings and the welfare of impounded animals.
RECOMMENDATION: If item is pulled from consent agenda, the recommendation should read.
“Approve Animal Impound Services Agreement with Otter Lake Animal Care Center.”
ATTACHMENTS: Email from Brittany Harmon, Animal Impound Agreement
From:Companion Animal Control
To:Julie Johnson
Subject:Animal Impound Contract Change
Date:Monday, October 26, 2020 4:20:47 PM
Attachments:Otter Lake Impound Agreement.docx
Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution.
Good Evening,
As we near year end I am formally requesting the City of Lake Elmo to change animal
impound contract services by not renewing the impound contract with Animal Humane
Society, instead to begin contracting with Otter Lake Animal Care Center (OLACC) in Lino
Lakes effective January 1st 2021.
Since 2013, I've partnered with OLACC as an impound for multiple municipalities. The
events of 2020 have changed the animal welfare field by creating significant growth of foster
based rescues and a shift toward preventing animals from unnecessarily entering shelter
facilities. OLACC serves solely as an animal impound with the capability to provide
veterinary care if necessary. Animals impounded at OLACC are held at the facility for only
the 5 day stray hold period, OLACC does not adopt animals to the public. Rather, I work with
local rescues to transfer animals into foster homes as soon as the 5 day hold is complete.
Moving animals into a foster home environment prevents stress, behavioral deterioration and
unnecessary euthanasia of animals.
In addition, impounding at OLACC will result in significantly lower cost to municipalities.
for a unclaimed animal OLACC charges the municipality $145, AHS charges
municipalities $196 per animal
for a reclaimed by owner animal OLACC charges the municipality $0, AHS charges a
$22 administrative fee per animal
boarding of animals held for a 10 day bite quarantine at OLACC is $190, AHS charges
$392
owners reclaiming their animals are charged a $90 fee plus boarding, this reduces the
reoccurrence of at large animals by holding owners accountable
owner information is provided to municipalities in monthly invoicing from OLACC,
making it easier for the municipality to additionally invoice owners for animal control
services
note that if it takes longer than 5 days to find rescue placement for an animal, the
municipality is still only charged for 5 days of boarding
Moving forward, please review the attached impound contract to add to your council agenda
for November. If my attendance at your next council meeting is requested in order to answer
additional questions please let me know as soon as possible.
After approval, please email signed contracts to myself and clinic manager Mollie Fisk.
For reference, a complete list of municipalities contracting with OLACC for impounding and
the clinic manager contact info is below.
Otter Lake Animal Care Center
6848 Otter Lake Road, Hugo MN 55038 (Lino Lakes location, Hugo mailing)
Clinic Manager Mollie Fisk
mollfisk@hotmail.com
651-426-8871
Forest Lake
Hugo
Mahtomedi
Town of May
Marine on St. Croix
Birchwood
West Lakeland Township
Afton
Scandia
Centerville
Circle Pines
Lexington
Lino Lakes
North St. Paul
Mounds View
Stillwater Township
Thank you,
Brit Harmon, MPA, NCACO, WCHO
Companion Animal Control, Owner-Operator
(715) 220-1332
ANIMAL IMPOUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
This agreement, effective on the ___ day of _______, 20__ by and between Hugo Animal Hospital, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, dba Otter Lake Animal Care Center, hereinafter referred to as “OLACC” and the
City of _______________, a Minnesota municipal corporation located in the County of Washington,
State of Minnesota, hereinafter referred to as “City”.
In consideration of the covenants and agreements, hereinafter set forth, it is mutually agreed by and
between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Services. OLACC shall serve as the impound facility for the City beginning on the date of the
signing of this agreement, providing services as follows:
a. OLACC shall receive and care for any small domestic animal brought to it during business
hours by an authorized City representative, or by ruling of the Minnesota Board of
Health or other Minnesota or United States Agency with jurisdiction.
b. If an animal is diseased, vicious, rabid or exposed to rabies and the animal cannot be
impounded without serious risk to the persons attempting to impound the animal, it
may be immediately humanely euthanized.
c. Impounded animals shall be kept in a suitable, humane manner for a period required by
the City Ordinance.
d. In the event that any animal is unclaimed after the expiration of any applicable
redemption of quarantine period, of five (5) business days, whichever is longer, it shall
become the property of OLACC and may be disposed of or sold at its sole discretion. All
proceeds from the disposition of such animals shall be the sole property of OLACC.
2. Fees.
a. If an animal is unclaimed, the City shall pay to OLACC the charges as agreed to on “Exhibit
A” to this agreement within 30 days of receipt of an itemized invoice thereof.
b. Before an animal is released to its owner, OLACC or its agent shall collect the charges
specified on “Exhibit A” to this Agreement.
3. Records/Data Practices.
a. OLACC shall maintain a record of all animals impounded, and shall promptly respond to
inquiries from the City for information or documentation related to its performance of
this agreement.
b. OLACC shall comply with the Minnesota Data Practices Act and all other State and Federal
laws relating to data privacy or confidentiality, and shall hold the City and its employees
harmless from any claims resulting from an improper disclosure or use of data it receives
or maintains in performance of this Agreement. OLACC shall immediately report to the
City any requests from third parties for information relating to its performance of this
agreement.
4. Indemnity. OLACC shall be liable for and shall defend, indemnify and hold the City, its officers,
employees or agents harmless from any and all claims, lawsuits, losses, damages or expenses on
account of bodily injuries, sickness, disease, death and property damage, including injury to
animals caused by or resulting from its activities under this Agreement.
5. Insurance. OLACC shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, a general liability insurance
policy with limits of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 annual aggregate.
OLACC shall provide the City with proof of insurance upon request of the City. OLACC shall carry
and upon request of the City provide proof of Workers Compensation Insurance coverage
required by Minnesota Law.
6. Discrimination. OLACC agrees to abide by the requirements and regulations of the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1980 (ADA), the Human Rights Act (Minnesota Chapter 363A and Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), and any laws governing discrimination based on race, gender,
disability, religion, sexual preference, and sexual harassment. Violation of any of the above laws
may lead to termination of this contract.
7. Independent Contractor. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended or should be
construed as creating the relationship of employer and employee between OLACC and the City.
No tenure or any rights or benefits, including workers compensation, unemployment insurance,
medical care, sick leave, vacation leave, severance pay, PERA, or other benefits available to City
employees shall accrue to OLACC or employees of OLACC performing services under this
Agreement.
8. Notices. Any notice or demand which must be given or made by a party hereto under the terms
of this agreement shall be in writing and shall be provided to the parties by U.S. Mail at the
addresses listed below:
To City: City Administrator
To OLACC: Otter Lake Animal Care Center
6848 Otter Lake Road
Hugo, MN 55038
9. Term. This agreement will continue in effect until March 1, 2019, and will automatically extend
for additional one (1) year terms, unless either party gives written notice of intent not to extend
to the other party, said notice to be given at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the
then current term.
10. Cancellation. The agreement may be cancelled with or without cause by either party upon sixty
(60) days written notice.
11. Entire Agreement. It is understood and agreed that this is the entire agreement between the
parties and that this agreement supersedes all previous written and oral agreements between
the parties relating to the subject matter.
12. Severability. Every section, provision or part of this agreement is declared severable from the
other section, provision or part thereof to the extent that if any section, provision or part of this
agreement shall be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not invalidate any
other section, provision or part thereof.
City of ____________ Hugo Animal Hospital, Inc.
dba Otter Lake Animal Care Center
By:_____________________________ By:___________________________
___________,City Administrator
ATTEST: Its:___________________________
By:_____________________________ Date:_________________________
_________, City Clerk
Date:___________________________
ANIMAL IMPOUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A
Charges due from City of ______________, Unclaimed Animal:
$19.00 Daily boarding fee, up to 5 days
$150.00 Maximum, statutory veterinary services
$30.00 Euthanasia
$55.00 Cremation
$50.00 Disposal of animal not euthanized
Charges due from Owner, Claimed Animal:
$22.00 Daily boarding fee
Actual Cost Veterinary services
Actual Cost City of ________________ Impound Fee (per City ordinance)
$90.00 Impound Fee