Martha Pettit, Deputy Clerk provided a new presentation on the Legislative Services - Animal Service Delivery Model in response to questions raised on this matter at the November 17, 2020 Budget Committee meeting. Staff provided the following feedback to inquiries from the Committee:
Hours of Service
Staff advised that reducing the number of full time Animal Care Officers would lead to a reduction in the current service level, which could include a reduction in the hours of coverage and being unable to transfer wildlife to Shades of Hope, the City’s Wildlife Services provider.
Current Budget versus Proposed Budget
Staff reminded Committee Members that the OSPCA would no longer be providing animal enforcement services to Ontario municipalities. The current cost of providing the City’s Animal Services sheltering and enforcement program via a contract with the OSPCA is $578,000 per annum, which is one of the lowest per resident in Ontario. Staff provided that the OSPCA had advised prior to announcing they’d no longer provide enforcement services, that they had undervalued this service and the costs would be raised were they to continue offering this service to the City. The cost of bringing the Animal Care Unit enforcement program in-house adds an additional $213,253 in 2021.
Salaries
The salaries of the proposed 7 Animal Care Unit staff (inclusive of benefits) were determined in consultation with the City’s Human Resources Department. The number of staff included in staff’s proposal represents the same number of staff that the OSPCA has utilized to provide the City’s animal enforcement services for the past 20 years.
Role of the Supervisor
Some of the responsibilities of the Animal Care Supervisor are to create the work schedule, ensure the safety of the officers, ensure a quality level of service is being provided, provide feedback on whether the animal services model is working, manage the performance of the officers, and manage the Shades of Hope and OSPCA contracts.
City of Vaughan Animal Services
The City of Vaughan currently provides its Animal Services in-house, and does not provide wildlife service. It refers all of its wildlife calls to Toronto Wildlife. It also provides Animal Services to Richmond Hill, but does not have the capacity to serve any additional municipalities without expanding its facility. Vaughan is currently exploring expanding its facility.
Partnering with York Region or Other Municipalities to Provide Animal Services
Staff will continue to explore opportunities to partner with York Region or other municipalities to provide for future shared domestic animal services delivery.
Markham Providing Animal Shelter and Enforcement Services
Staff advised they are open to exploring different models of providing Animal Services. Staff noted that a significant initial expenditure would be required if the City were to open its own animal shelter.
Wildlife Services
Most municipalities do not pay for wildlife rehabilitation. In the last several years, Toronto Wildlife has also started to request compensation for its services. In 2012, the Study of Animal Service Delivery Model recommended that Markham be a leader and expand its Wildlife Services to include rehabilitation.
Provincial Animal Welfare Services
The Provincial Animal Welfare Services are called when the City has a severe animal welfare case, but it does not replace municipal animal services.
Alternatives Funding Strategies
Staff agreed to explore alternative funding strategies to address the funding shortfall and to mitigate a future tax rate increase, including increasing revenue from animal licensing fees.
Committee discussed how animal licensing revenue should be reported in the Budget.
Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (d) (f) of the Municipal Act, Budget Committee resolve into a confidential session at 10:40 AM to discuss matters pertaining to labour relations or employee negotiations and receive advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
Carried
Moved by Deputy Mayor Hamilton
Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish
That the Budget Committee rise from the confidential session at 11:31 AM and return to open session.
Carried
Committee requested that its recommendation on the Legislative Services – Animal Services Model go directly to Council.
The Committee discussed the proposed staff recommendations and put forward various amendments. The Committee consented to vote on Clause #4 separately.
Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
- That Council approve an increase in the 2021 operating budget for Animal Services of $120,652 to accommodate the change in service delivery; and,
- That Council approve a new 2021 capital budget request of $142,464 for the procurement of 2 animal care enforcement vehicles with funding as follows: $124,769 from the Ramp-Up Reserve and $17,695 from donations; and,
- That staff be authorized to enter into a 3 year contract (plus possible 2 year extension) with the OSPCA for domestic animal sheltering services and CAEC management services, subject to the satisfaction of the City Clerk and City Solicitor; and
- (Voted on Separately)
- That staff be directed to continue to explore opportunities with other municipalities, York Region, and private providers for future shared domestic animal services delivery; and,
- That staff report back on options to increase revenue through user fees to help mitigate the cost; and further,
- That staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
- That staff be authorized to hire 1 full-time Animal Care Supervisor, 2 full-time Animal Care Officers, and 4 part-time Animal Care Officers at a cost of $390,364 for 2021 and $472,189 annually for 2022 for the delivery of the City’s animal enforcement services, and, that subject to clause 5 of this resolution, that Staff report back after one year regarding the cross training of Officers within the Legislative Services and Corporate Communications Department to determine if further efficiencies can be achieved; and,
Carried
Main Motion as Amended
- That Council approve an increase in the 2021 operating budget for Animal Services of $120,652 to accommodate the change in service delivery; and,
- That Council approve a new 2021 capital budget request of $142,464 for the procurement of 2 animal care enforcement vehicles with funding as follows: $124,769 from the Ramp-Up Reserve and $17,695 from donations; and,
- That staff be authorized to enter into a 3 year contract (plus possible 2 year extension) with the OSPCA for domestic animal sheltering services and CAEC management services, subject to the satisfaction of the City Clerk and City Solicitor; and,
- That staff be authorized to hire 1 Fulltime Animal Care Supervisor, 2 Fulltime Animal Care Officers, and 4 Part Time Animal Care Officers at a cost of $390,364 for 2021 and $472,189 annually for 2022 for the delivery of the City’s animal enforcement services, and, that subject to clause 5 of this resolution, that Staff report back after one year regarding the cross training of Officers within the Legislative Services and Corporate Communications Department to determine if further efficiencies can be achieved; and,
- That staff be directed to continue to explore opportunities with other municipalities, York Region, and private providers for future shared domestic animal services delivery; and,
- That staff report back on options to increase revenue through user fees to help mitigate the cost; and further,
- That staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried