Title
Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a minor Amendment (Amendment No. 1) to the Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS)’ Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA Agreement) to clarify the JPA's insurance coverage obligations and satisfy potential carrier requirements.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a minor Amendment (Amendment No. 1) to the Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS)’ Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA Agreement) to clarify the JPA's insurance coverage obligations and satisfy potential carrier requirements.
SUMMARY:
Staff requests that the Board approve a minor Amendment (Amendment No. 1) to the JPA Agreement to clarify the JPA’s insurance coverage responsibilities The amendment would remove extraneous insurance requirements from the JPA Agreement and confirm that the JPA’s sole insurance obligation is to maintain comprehensive general liability coverage, consistent with current practice and insurer requirements. Approval by the County and the City of Salinas is required to finalize the amendment, which was previously approved by the JPA Board by a 4/5 vote on November 20, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
JPA Staff and Risk Management have been working to secure insurance carrier quotes and comprehensive general liability coverage for itself and its governing Board. The JPA Agreement currently requires that the JPA also obtain insurance coverage for automobile liability, workers’ compensation, and excess liability. (JPA Agreement at p. 9, § 3.9.) However, as Administering Agency, the County is responsible for these additional coverages. Consequently, a prospective carrier requested amendments to the JPA Agreement to clarify that the only coverage obligation the JPA actually has is for comprehensive general liability coverage.
On November 20, 2025, a 4/5 majority of the JPA Board approved these revisions. Both the County and the City of Salinas must also separately approve these changes and execute the amended JPA Agreement. Attached to this report are both a redlined and a clean copy of the proposed amended JPA Agreement. The only suggested edits are to remove the extraneous coverage requirements and to conform language to reflect that only a singular coverage obligation remains.
Staff ask the Board to approve the JPA Agreement Amendment No. 1 and that the Chair of the Board execute the Amendment No. 1. The JPA is bringing the same Amendment to the City of Salinas’ City Council for its approval, hopefully in March 2026.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 1 as to legal form, and fiscal provisions, respectively. The Hitchcock Road Animal Services Agency Board of Directors reviewed and approved this amendment consideration during their JPA Board meeting on November 20, 2025.
FINANCING:
There will be no fiscal impact resulting from the approval of this action. Appropriations for this Agreement are included in the Health Department’s (4000-HEA001-8601) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This recommendation supports the Safe and Resilient Communities goal by ensuring clear and appropriate allocation of insurance coverage responsibilities, thereby reducing risk exposure and strengthening governance and operational resilience. Clarifying liability coverage aligns with key objectives related to effective risk management, fiscal responsibility, and continuity of public services.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
___ Well-Being and Quality of Life
___ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Juanita Sanders, Management Analyst II, 755-5494
Reviewed by: Cindy Burnham, Animal Services Administrator, 769-8796
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No. 1
Amendment No. 1, JPA Agreement, with proposed new insurance language (redlined)
Amendment No. 1, JPA Agreement, with proposed new insurance language (clean)
JPA Agreement (original fully executed)
Board Order