Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement with Spay Neuter Imperative Project (SNIP) for the provision of all-inclusive spay/neuter clinics for domestic and feral cats of residents in unincorporated Monterey County communities, the City of Salinas, and Shelter Sniptember Clinics, in the amount of $315,000 for a retroactive term of September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not exceed 10% ($31,500) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and the total Agreement amount does not exceed $346,500.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement with Spay Neuter Imperative Project (SNIP) for the provision of all-inclusive spay/neuter clinics for domestic and feral cats of residents in unincorporated Monterey County communities, the City of Salinas, and Shelter Sniptember Clinics, in the amount of $315,000, for a retroactive term of September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not exceed 10% ($31,500) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and the total Agreement amount does not exceed $346,500.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department’s Animal Services Program (County) is responsible for providing animal control services in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County and City of Salinas (City) via the newly created Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The County, through the JPA, also operates an Animal Services Center located at 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, California that offers an array of services, including but not limited to animal sheltering, field services, volunteers and outreach, and licensing services.
The County, City, and JPA continue to support the community by offering for low cost spay/neuter opportunities for both feral cats and owned dogs and cats. Due to the high demand for these services, local veterinary clinics are currently unable to offer them. This is also magnified by a shortage in veterinary staff both in the county and statewide. As a result, Animal Services will collaborate with SNIP, a local mobile organization specialized in providing spay/neuter services, through a contractual partnership. SNIP is the only specialized organization at this time that can provide this type of service at the volume needed to assist the community.
Through this Amendment, SNIP will provide 48 clinics in unincorporated Monterey County at a rate of $3,750 per clinic, through June 30, 2025, and 24 clinics in the City at a rate of $3,750 per clinic. There will be no fees for the pet owners for any of these clinics for the spay/neuter, and ear tipping for feral cats (as needed). Additional services, including all vaccinations, will be at the pet owner’s expense.
Through the Hitchcock Road JPA, the department will be overseeing the SNIP clinics for City of Salinas as a shared vendor through this agreement. The City will be contributing, through reimbursement, $90,000 (24 clinics) through June 2025.
Animal Services has also received a renewed 1-year grant through the California for All Animals program for $45,000. This renewed grant is for spay/neuter services and will also be done via the contractual partnership with SNIP for 12 additional clinics, at a rate of $3,750 per clinic, to help both increase the spay/neuter capacity of Animal Services but also to provide additional opportunities for large dog and feral cats. These clinics, as they come to Animal Services, will be for animals housed at the shelter or in sheltering jurisdictions as well as owned large dogs and feral cats, most of whom will be referrals through the Field Services unit.
This work supports the County of Monterey’s Health Department’s 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. To empower the community to improve health and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health Services. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; and 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, and fiscal provisions, respectively.
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 (HEA001-8442) FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Cindy Burnham, Animal Services Administrator, 769-8796
Approved by:
_______________________________Date:_______________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement