01/02/87 Board of Public Works Special Meeting Minutes

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d,. SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 2, 1987 Mrs. DeClercq reminded Mr. Voorde that the Humane Society has declined the last two (2) offers made by the City. Mr. Voorde stated that it seems to him that the City is obligated to support the Humane Society and that the City does not want to be a burden but wants to help. He stated that because of an $8,000.00 difference the City is taking a regrettable and unfortunate course. He further stated that he would have thought that the administration would have approached the Common Council and advised them that the City was unable to negotiate a contract. He stated that he cannot help but think that the City could have found a reasonable solution to the problem. Mr. Voorde stated that it was his opinion that this type of matter is the kind that could have been presented to the intergovernmental council to resolve or perhaps the Animal Control Commission. The decision to go with an outside company then creates duplication of services. He stated that if the City administration was interested in intergovernmental cooperation parties could have met with Mishawaka and various other individuals and perhaps an agreement on a county -wide basis could have been developed with everyone paying their fair share. Mr. Voorde reiterated that he believes that the City is going down the wrong road and cannot help but think that the City could negotiate with the Humane Society. He stated that going with another company is a mistake and is an example of reasonable people not being able to reach a solution. Mr. Voorde stated that in the past the City talked about licensing and the Humane Society has offered to provide that service as they are negotiating to do so with the City of Mishawaka. He stated that the Humane Society is an organization that provides a full range of services and those are the kinds of organizations we fail to foster in the community. Mr. Voorde stated that it is his opinion that the City administration should take one more opportunity to work out differences with the Humane Society. Ms. Marva J. Leonard -Dent, Assistant City Attorney, addressed the Board and stated that she has an advantage in that she has been working with the Humane Society and the former director of Code Enforcement Ms. Katherine Barnard for the past three (3) years. She stated that in isolation, the comments made by individuals as stated earlier make sense. She stated that if you look at the facts, however, they are quite the contrary. Each year the Humane Society has the City "over a barrel." Ms. Leonard -Dent advised that she, Councilman Ann Puzzello, and Ms. Katherine Barnard, former Director of the Department of Code Enforcement met with representatives from the Humane Society. At that time, the Humane Society would not explain why they believe the City of South Bend was being subsidized and the City was accused of being a burden. Ms. Leonard -Dent stated that the City did meet with the Humane Society to reach an agreement but was unable to do SO. When asked for financial information, the Humane Society informed the City that it was none of its business. Mr. Voorde stated that it is unfortunate that the City does not make any attempt to negotiate further with the Humane Society. He stated that perhaps a public forum with the Common Council would be beneficial. He asked if the Humane Society was ever offered a multi -year contract. Ms. Leonard -Dent advised him that the Humane Society refused to consider that option. Mr. Voorde inquired if the $137,000.00 for the contract for one (1) to three (3) years with Animal Services Company would cover all costs that are now covered by the Humane Society. Mr. Leszczynski advised him that it would cover all costs. 1 1 f]