07-11-11 Council Agenda & Packet

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RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA, SUPPORTING THE NEED FOR QUALITY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL SERVICES INCLUDING SPACE TO HOUSE AND CARE FOR SUCH ANIMALS AT A REASONABLE COST TO THE TAXPAYERS in June of 2010, the Board of Public Works opened bids for the construction of a new animal shelter for the City of South Bend,with the lowest bid coming in approximately$32,000 over budget; and the City reviewed the architectural plans again, in the interest of incorporating greater energy efficiencies in the hope of reducing the facility's operating costs;and 6*A" the initial bid for construction of$1.5 million did not include the project's"soft costs such as architect and engineering fees, landscaping, parking lot and furniture and equipment'; which resulted in an additional funding request being made to the Redevelopment Commission in the amount of$300,000 which was tabled in order to permit further discussions;and the proposed new shelter is planned to quadruple the size of the current animal shelter located at 105 South Olive Street,where it has operated since 1996;and 4CM14 on June 30, 2011, the Board of Public Works received bids on the construction of a new animal shelter,with such bids coming again above the project estimates;and CA" approximately 4,000 animals per year are handled by the South Bend shelter,with the new facility projected to help increase adoptions by at least ten percent;and the City currently budgets approximately$520,000 for animal care and control; and needs to discuss whether funding for the construction of a duplicate animal control facility is in the best interest of our community or whether it would be more feasible for the City Administration to enter into negotiations with other entities for a comprehensive animal control program. cJifoaa, C�,Fe gP,o,6e`d"eu°!'�eal,6YDds 'a�xaaw,. yl, y-1CV— d fiend, Q&&",as follows: Section I. The South Bend Common Council believes that there is no doubt that our community needs quality animal care and control services, which include the means to house such animals in a safe, sanitary and humane manner. Section 11. The Council further believes that exploring all animal control alternatives would be the prudent thing to do,especially during challenging fiscal times. Section III. Consolidation of duplicate services, especially when paid with tax dollars, should be considered as a viable and feasible goal by the City,in which the Common Council wishes to be involved. Section IV. This Resolution shall be inFA re and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. Derek D.Dieter, I"District %A ��'� Oliver J.Davis,6 District Henry Davis,Jr.,2d District A A]"Buddy"Kirsits,At Large c4 6 Thomas LaFountain,3` District "v' Se;' Cb"° � Timothy A.Rouse,At Large Ann Puzzello,41 District L. White,At Large Dr.David Varner,5' Di ct p Filed !! John Voorde,City lerk ```° `` ' Y ;Stephen J. Luecke,Mayor of South Bend CITY CiEP-