08/11/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e The council discussed Component 2A, Animal Control: Enforcement/Shelter (Reduce Field Enforcement 25 percent; realizes $35,000) and Component 3C, Animal Control: Enforcement/Shelter (Reduce Field Enforcement 50 percent; realizes $70,000). Responding to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Mounts explained that the two components were identified for further consideration as neither received enough votes for automatic inclusion in the strategy but together received sufficient support (five votes) to warrant discussion. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Mounts said that the City's contribution to Lane County's animal enforcement program paid for four animal control officers inside Eugene. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to include Compo- nent 2A in the draft strategy. Mr. Nicholson asked why the City could not collect enough fines to support the program. City Manager Mike Gleason responded that the goal of field enforce- ment was not to collect dogs, but rather to locate owners of stray dogs for the purpose of licensing. The cost of enforcement and the revenues resulting from licensing and fines resulted in what Mr. Gleason termed a "push." Ms. Ehrman suggested that enforcement occur on a complaint basis, rather than by means of field enforcement officers driving the streets searching for stray animals. e The motion passed, 6:2. The council discussed Component 4A/B/C, Animal Control: Spay-Neuter Clinic (Eliminate; realizes $50,000). Mr. Boles asked for more information about the clinic's ability to reduce its costs by raising fees. He suggested that the council decide if it wished to raise fees, and how much of an increase was appropriate. Mr. Rutan suggested that the issue before the council was whether to eliminate General Fund support for the clinic, and take on the challenge of "doing things differently." Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Robinette, to eliminate General Fund support for the Spay-Neuter Clinic. Ms. Ehrman said that the staff analysis indicated that an increase in fees would bring the clinic's fees up to the level charged by certain private sector veterinarians. She expressed surprise that administering shots comprised half of the clinic's business. Noting that the focus of the many letters received in support of the clinic was the need to control the pet population, Ms. Ehrman suggested that, were the council to continue to support the clinic, services such as administering shots be eliminated. e MINUTES--City Council Work Session August 11, 1992 Page 2 5:30 p.m.