DEPARTMENT: Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Heber Lefgren
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An update on community engagement regarding revisions to the Animal Care Chapter 5 of the City Code and ACS Strategic Plan.
SUMMARY:
An update on the Animal Care Chapter 5 Changes and ACS Strategic Plan Revision.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In September 2011, the Animal Care Service Department (ACS) updated its Strategic Plan by focusing on three key Departmental Priorities: (1) Enhanced enforcement; (2) Controlling the stray animal population; and (3) Increasing the City's Live Release rate. In FY 2015, ACS added a fourth Strategic Priority to engage and educate the community.
At the February 8, 2017 "B" Session, ACS provided a briefing to the City Council that included an update of Animal Care Services efforts to reduce the number of strays in the community, increase the City's Live Release rate, and engage and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. At this briefing, ACS provided a strategy to update the 2011 Strategic Plan and changes to Chapter 5 of the City Code.
During the course of the months of February to May 2017, ACS has held a series of nine public meetings across the city to discuss potential revisions to local animal laws as well as the ACS Strategic Plan. Of the nine public meetings, ACS held a special interest group meeting inviting key stakeholders, rescue groups, and animal advocates. A Spanish interpreter was made available at all meetings.
ACS also collected feedback from residents through approximately 1,000 surveys made available online and at various community meetings. The survey was provided in both English and Spanish and served as a tool to gather input towards proposed changes to Chapter 5 of the City Ordinance and the ACS Strategic Plan.
ISSUE:
This presentation will provide an update to the City Council on the ACS community engagement process to gather input to develop initial draft recom...
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