To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera 707-565-4774, Johannes Hoevertsz 707-565-3585
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Animal Services Facility Needs Assessment Report
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive an informational report on the progress of an Animal Services Unit Facility Needs Assessment.
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Executive Summary:
This item is an informational update on the progress of an Animal Services Unit Facility Needs Assessment.
Discussion:
Sonoma County Animal Services serves the public in the care and well-being of animals, both domestic and livestock, throughout the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County and the City of Santa Rosa. The Animal Services division mission <https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/divisions/public-health/animal-services/services-and-information/about-us> is to create a balance between the population of domestic animals and responsible homes to care for them within the County of Sonoma. This is achieved through: protecting the health and safety of people and animals; investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty, abuse and neglect; educating the public about responsible domestic animal ownership; reducing pet overpopulation through Spay/Neuter programs; providing a safe environment for animals in need; and by placing adoptable animals into caring homes.
Animal Services Organizational Background
In September 2010, the Board of Supervisors approved an organizational transfer of Animal Care and Control from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office to the Department of Health Services.
A September 2020 Animal Services Performance Review Report prepared by consultant Harvey M. Rose Associates LLC revisited the organizational placement of this Animal Services function and reaffirmed appropriate placement within the Department of Health Services (DHS). A key finding from the Harvey M. Rose report included the need for physical upgrades to improve public interactions and the overall experience for the animals at the shelter.
On May 17, 2022, the Board of Supervisors reviewed a report on the organizational placement of Animal Services and recommendations brought forward to keep Animal Services within the Department of Health Services as well as add an Animal Services Director. These recommendations were reviewed and approved.
Current Operations
The Sonoma County Animal Services (Animal Services) service area is comprised of approximately 1,575 square miles with nearly 480,000 residents and includes an animal shelter that serves nearly 2,500 animals annually. Animal Services staff includes 31 FTE and 1 contracted Veterinarian. Animal Services operations run seven days a week onsite for the cleaning and caring for animals and the front office is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. The kennels are open to the public from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Animal Control Officers are on duty from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday-Saturday. Animal Control Officers are on call and dispatched by Sheriff or Santa Rosa dispatch on Sundays and after normal business hours.
Facility Assessments
Animal Services programs are currently housed at 1247 Century Court in Santa Rosa within the Airport business area. The current facility comprises 23,500 square feet of office space and 10,600 square feet of the animal kennel area space. The office consists of administration spaces such as a volunteer room, locker room, administration staff office, multipurpose room, and auxiliary support spaces such as exam prep room, surgery room, and isolation room. The last renovation to the facility was completed in 2001, which was to expand the animal kennel area by adding a second animal shelter structure.
On October 6, 2015, the Board directed the General Services Department (currently Sonoma Public Infrastructure) to approve facility design funds for $175,000.
TLCD Architecture was selected to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for the facility-subsequently, the evaluation recommended expanding the interior space by implementing a prefabricated modular structure. Following the conclusion of the study, TLCD Architecture was further retained to undertake the completion of construction drawings. The progress of the project was abruptly halted in the wake of the pandemic and never reached the stage of realization.
On May 17, 2022, the Board of Supervisors accepted a report on the organizational placement of Animal Services within the Department of Health Services further solidifying the integration of this unit with DHS and adopted a staff recommendation to add an Animal Services Director and to increase investments to improve service delivery.
An Animal Services project was identified in the FY 22-23 Capital Improvement Plan, including fencing improvement ($150,000) and chiller replacement ($521,506). The FY22-23 Capital Budget recommended using the Facilities Accumulated Capital Outlay (ACO) fund balance to complete these projects. As of this report, the fencing improvements are in progress, and the chiller replacement has been analyzed and identified by the consultant that upkeep maintenance will suffice and will conclude their study in a report.
The assessment for this mechanical improvement is as follows:
o Load monitoring assessment to be completed to determine electric power demand on the building.
o Electrical and Chiller rehabilitation.
o The mechanical maintenance upgrade is estimated to be around $200,000. Funding has been identified for this upgrade and is currently being held by SPI.
The Department of Health Services and Sonoma County Public Infrastructure have met periodically over calendar year 2023 to discuss facility needs and to determine cost-effective options to improve operations. Planning and assessments that were abruptly halted due to the pandemic have now been revived and critically needed operational and infrastructure improvements for the Animal Services site can now be brought forward and recommendations reviewed.
The building improvements encompassing the following items:
o Expansion of building footprint and exterior improvements to create a welcoming lobby space for clients, visitors and staff to meet and greet and to accommodate the growth of administration staff by adding private offices.
o Interior improvements to improve operations include soundproof walls, additional storage, meeting room, reconfiguring of office areas and public lobby/intake areas, and expansion of laboratory/exam spaces. Entrance improvements such as landscaping improvements, glass walls to show animals, cat obstacle course, sitting areas and furniture.
o Prefabricated barn-style outdoor storage dedicated for cleaning equipment such as foam guns and mops and other types of implements, items that are used for events either in house or off site such as containers, popup tents, animal emergency and disaster equipment and supplies.
o The building improvement encompassing 2,031 square feet of building footprint expansion, 2,754 square feet of interior improvement and a new, and a new 240 square feet of outdoor storage is estimated to be approximately $2 million.
In addition to the actions above, DHS has identified the following facility and operational needs to further support operations within Animal Services:
Operational needs include radios in the field and for shelter staff, vehicles, uniforms, field equipment upgrades, Body Worn Camera’s, Security camera systems, upgraded medical equipment in treatment rooms.
Larger shelter areas to keep emergency rescued animals during potential crisis such as fire and earthquake. This will be identified outside the current facility as the site is limited.
Next steps
DHS will continue to coordinate with SPI on facility improvement estimates and will return to your Board with a formal request for Capital Investments in Animal Services. At this initial stage, staff is estimating a $4million request.
Projected proposed timeline for the building & mechanical improvement:
Mechanical improvement:
Report of recommendation of the Mechanical improvement is estimated to be completed in November 2023. A two-month period has been allocated for the bidding process, allowing ample time for the solicitation and evaluation of competitive proposals. Once the bidding phase concludes, and board approval is obtained, a two-month construction period is estimated during which the project will be executed according to the selected plan, ensuring that it progresses efficiently and on schedule. There is currently funding for this project from the previously approved FY 23-23 Capital Improvement Plan funding, and it should be completed by the Summer of 2024.
Building Improvements:
Once funding is approved, three weeks is estimated for the solicitation phase of the Master Service Agreement (MSA), ensuring that all necessary contractual arrangements are in place. Six months is estimated for the creation of detailed drawings, allowing for meticulous planning and design considerations, then additional two months for the permitting process, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. Then the bidding phase will span two and a half months, providing ample time for contractors to submit proposals and allow for a comprehensive evaluation. Finally, the construction phase is expected to extend over six months, during which the project will be executed according to the selected plan. This timeline has been thoughtfully structured to ensure a well-coordinated and successful project outcome within seventeen months after funding is approved.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
September 12, 2023: Board of Supervisors authorized contingency set aside to FY 23-24 adopted budget in the amount of $173,862 including $54,071 to support Animal Services.
May 17, 2022: Board of Supervisors accepted a report on Animal Services organizational placement and recommendations to keep Animal Services within Department of Health Services and add Animal Services Director.
October 6, 2015: Board of Supervisors directed General Services to approve Animal Services facility design funds in the amount of $175,000.
August 21, 2012: Board of Supervisors received a report from DHS titled Sonoma County Animal Care and Control Services- Governance Model Review and Best Practices; reaffirmed the transfer of Animal Services to DHS; directed DHS to work with cities, partners, and other interested organizations to develop a local governance model; directed DHS to implement best practices; authorized DHS to work with County Counsel and CAO to identify financial resources to develop a proposed governance model; and directed DHS to identify financial and other resources needed to implement best practices.
September 28, 2010: Board of Supervisors approved report on Budgetary and Operational Impacts of moving Animal Control to the Department of Health Services.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item. This is a Facilities Assessment Update information only item. Budget related recommendations and identified funding sources will be included either as part of upcoming agreement awards and/or the FY 24-25 budget development for the Board’s consideration.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None