14.          SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC UPDATE – September 14th MEETING Disposition

 

MISE A JOUR SUR LA CLINIQUE DE STERILISATION ANIMALE – SUITE À DONNER À
LA RÉUNION DU 14 SEPTEMBRE

 

 

 

EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED AND CORPORATE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION (RECOMMENDATION A ONLY)

 

That Council approve the following:

 

a)         Authority be delegated to the Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services to relocate the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic to a suitable facility, with funding to an upset limit of $450,000.00 to cover retrofit and moving costs.

b)         Staff pursue sponsorship opportunities to help offset the capital expenditure identified in a).

c)         Staff report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and Council in early 2007 with a proposed Spay/Neuter Clinic fee schedule that focuses on the overriding importance of an affordable service that will be attractive to the public and enhance the reduction of unwanted pet population and reducing the need for expanded pound services.

 

 

For the information of Council

 

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee approved the following directions to staff:

 

d)         Staff investigate what other large Ontario municipalities have done with respect to spay/neuter clinics including the nature of any special legislation that may have been required.

e)         Staff investigate what constraints or permits exist in the Municipal Act or the act creating the City of Ottawa which would affect Ottawa’s ability to operate a spay/neuter clinic through a separate agency.

 

 

COMITÉ DES SERVICES DE PROTECTION ET D’URGENCE RECOMMENDATIONS ET LE Comité des services organisationnels ET DU DéVELOPPEMENT éCONOMIQUE (Recommendation a seulement)

 

Que le Conseil municipal approuve pour approbation :


 

a)                  Que le Directeur municipal adjoint des Services communautaires et de protection soit mandaté pour transférer la clinique de stérilisation animale de la Ville d’Ottawa dans une installation adéquate, grâce à des fonds limités à 450 000 $ pour couvrir les coûts de mise aux normes et de déménagement;

b)         Que le personnel recherche des possibilités de parrainage afin d’aider à compenser les dépenses en capital désignée en a);

c)         Que le personnel soumette au Comité des services de protection et d’urgence et au Conseil, au début de 2007, un rapport qui renferme, au sujet de la Clinique de stérilisation, un projet de tarification mettant l’accent sur l’importance primordiale d’offrir un service abordable qui soit attrayant pour la population, qui favorise la réduction du nombre d’animaux domestiques non désirés et qui permette de diminuer la nécessité d’accroître les services de fourrière.

 

 

À TITRE D’INFORMATION AU CONSEIL

 

Le Comité des services de protection et d'urgence a approuvé les directives suivantes adressées au personnel :

 

d)         Que le personnel vérifie les mesures que les autres grandes municipalités de l’Ontario ont prises au sujet des cliniques de stérilisation, ainsi que la nature des mesures réglementaires spéciales pouvant être requises.

 

e)                  Que le personnel vérifie les contraintes ou permis prévus par la Loi sur les municipalités ou la loi ayant créé la Ville d’Ottawa qui pourraient influer sur la capacité de la Ville d’Ottawa d’assurer l’exploitation d’une clinique de stérilisation par l’intermédiaire d’un organisme distinct.

 

 

Documentation

 

1.   Deputy City Manager, Community and Protective Services revised report dated
9 October 2006 (ACS2006-CPS-BYL-0043).

 

2.   Extract of Draft Minutes, 12 October 2006 (Emergency and Protective Services Committee).

 

3.   Extract of Draft Minute, 17 October 2006 (Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee).

 

 


Report to/Rapport au:

 

Emergency and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services de protection et d'urgence

 

and / et

 

Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee

Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

9 October 2006 / le 9 octobre 2006

 

Submitted by/Soumis par: Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager /

Directeur municipal adjoint,

Community and Protective Services / Services communautaires et de protection

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Susan Jones, Director / Directrice

By-law Services / Services des règlements municipaux

(613) 580-2424 x25536, susan.jones@ottawa.ca

 

City-Wide/ Portée générale                                                       

Ref N°: ACS2006-CPS-BYL-0043

 

 

SUBJECT:

SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC UPDATE – September 14th MEETING Disposition

 

 

OBJET :

MISE A JOUR SUR LA CLINIQUE DE STERILISATION ANIMALE – SUITE À DONNER À LA RÉUNION DU 14 SEPTEMBRE

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve the following:

a)         authority be delegated to the Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services to relocate the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic to a suitable facility, with funding to an upset limit of $450,000.00 to cover retrofit and moving costs; and that,

 

That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council approve the following:

b)         staff pursue sponsorship opportunities to help offset the capital expenditure identified in a); and that,

c)         staff report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and Council early in 2007 with a proposed Spay/Neuter Clinic fee schedule which will allow it to operate on a cost recovery basis, including recovery of facility leasing costs.


RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des services de protection et d’urgence et le Comité des services généraux et du développement économique recommandent ce qui suit au Conseil pour approbation:

a)         que le Directeur municipal adjoint des Services communautaires et de protection soit mandaté pour transférer la clinique de stérilisation animale de la Ville d’Ottawa dans une installation adéquate, grâce à des fonds limités à 450 000 $ pour couvrir les coûts de mise aux normes et de déménagement;

 

Que le Comité des services de protection et d’urgence recommande ce qui suit au Conseil pour approbation:

b)         que le personnel recherche des possibilités de parrainage afin d’aider à compenser les dépenses en capital désignée en a);

c)         que le personnel propose au Comité des services de protection et d'urgence et au Conseil, au début de 2007, une grille tarifaire des coûts liés à la clinique de stérilisation animale lui permettant de fonctionner sur une base de recouvrement des coûts, y compris la récupération des coûts de location de l’installation.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Ottawa’s Spay/Neuter Clinic is presently operating out of an 1835 square foot location located at 1851 Merivale Road.  The City negotiated a three-year lease for the site in 2003 when the former Bayview facility was scheduled for demolition.  Other than $4,800.00 annually for utilities, the leasing arrangement represents no cost to the City. The three-year lease contains an option to renew annually for up to five years subject to a clause that provides that either party may terminate the lease with six months written notice.  On May 1, 2006, the landlord provided six months written notice of its intention to terminate the lease agreement effective October 31, 2006, with the option of continuing on a month-to-month basis until December 31, 2006.  This announcement was unexpected.  The City has identified $1.25 million in the 2007 capital budget but was hoping to extend the lease at the current location to allow time for the planning of the new facility.

 

At its meeting of September 14th, the Emergency and Protective Services Committee received for information a staff report which outlined the status of the Spay/Neuter Clinic and a number of options for continuing the services it provides, and directed staff to pursue with the current landlord the possibility of an extension of the lease beyond December 31, 2006 and to report back to Committee with the results of the aforementioned discussions, as well as any other options for the delivery of the Spay/Neuter Clinic services.

 

Staff approached the current landlord without success, save for the offer of the donation of all the fixtures that the Clinic has been using at this site.  With that avenue closed, staff is currently investigating the possibility of relocating the Clinic, on a temporary basis, to the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre facility. 

 

Should that avenue also fail however, the only feasible and reliable option to continue the Spay/Neuter Clinic services, without or with minimal interruption, would involve a lease arrangement.

 

Capital funding for retrofitting is required but, staff will pursue sponsorship opportunities to help offset those costs.  Staff will report back with a proposed Clinic fee schedule, which will incorporate facility leasing costs, with a view to operating the Clinic on a cost-recovery basis in accordance with previous Council direction.

 

RÉSUMÉ

 

La clinique de stérilisation animale de la Ville d’Ottawa dispense actuellement ses services dans des locaux d’une superficie de 1 835 pieds carrés situés au 1851, chemin Merivale. La Ville a négocié un bail de trois ans en 2003, époque à laquelle l’ancienne installation de Bayview devait être démolie. Exception faite des frais annuels de 4 800 $ pour les services publics, le bail n’entraîne aucun coût pour la Ville. Il comporte une option de reconduction pour des périodes d’un an (jusqu’à un maximum de cinq ans), chacune des parties pouvant résilier le bail à la condition d’en aviser l’autre partie par écrit six mois à l’avance. Le 1er mai 2006, le propriétaire a donné avis par écrit de son intention de résilier le bail le 31 octobre 2006, tout en offrant la possibilité de le reconduire de mois en mois jusqu’au 31 décembre 2006. Cette situation n’était pas prévue. La Ville a réservé 1,25 million de dollars pour la clinique dans le budget des immobilisations pour 2007, mais elle espérait pouvoir reconduire le bail pour l’installation actuelle afin d’avoir le temps de planifier la nouvelle installation.

 

Lors de sa réunion du 14 septembre, le Comité des services de protection et d'urgence s’est vu remettre, à titre informatif, un rapport précisant le statut de la clinique de stérilisation animale et mentionnant un certain nombre d’options relatives à la poursuite de son exploitation. Le Comité a demandé au personnel d’examiner avec le propriétaire actuel la possibilité de prolonger le bail au-delà du 31 décembre 2006 et de rendre compte des résultats de ces discussions ainsi que de toute autre option de prestation de services à la clinique de stérilisation animale.

 

Des membres du personnel se sont entretenus sans succès avec le propriétaire actuel, à l’exception de l’offre de don de tous les accessoires fixes utilisés sur place par la clinique. Cette option étant donc écartée, le personnel envisage de transférer temporairement la clinique à l’Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre. Si cette option devait également s’avérer inapplicable, la seule possibilité réalisable et fiable d’offrir des services à la clinique de stérilisation animale sans fermeture ou sans longue interruption consisterait à passer un accord de location.

 

Des fonds pour dépenses de capital servant à la mise aux normes sont requis mais le personnel recherchera des possibilités de parrainage afin d’aider à compenser ces coûts. Le personnel proposera une grille tarifaire des coûts liés à la clinique, qui tiendra compte des coûts de location de l’installation, en vue d’exploiter la clinique sur une base de recouvrement des coûts, conformément à une demande antérieure du Conseil.


 

BACKGROUND

 

The City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic was established in 1978 with a Council-approved mandate of making pet sterilization services more accessible to and affordable for pet owners who might not otherwise have their pets spayed/neutered, thereby encouraging the sterilization of the optimum number of cats and dogs. 

 

The overall objective is to reduce the unwanted pet population, thereby reducing the need for care and shelter for homeless animals, the euthanasia rate and hence, the costs of animal care and control, which are borne by the municipality.  The Spay/Neuter Clinic provides pet sterilization services at fees that are approximately 50%-60% of those charged by the local private industry.  Additional information concerning the policy mandate and operation of the Clinic can be found in report ACS2006-CPS-BYL-0031 (ref. September 14, 2006 EPS Committee).

 

The Clinic had been operating from a facility located at 95 Bayview Road since its establishment in 1978 and the facility was slated for demolition by late 2003.  In July 2003 therefore, City Council considered an Emergency and Protective Services staff report concerning the status of the Spay/Neuter Clinic and directed and authorized staff to:

·        decommission and vacate the Bayview location by November 30th, 2003;

·        continue the services provided by the Spay/Neuter Clinic on the same cost-recovery basis at an alternate location;

·        continue to investigate alternate locations and to conclude negotiations to lease a facility and to execute any required documentation in accordance with the provisions of the Delegation of Authority By-law 2001-12, as amended, provided that costs for retrofitting and leasing be identified in the existing budget and that such lease not exceed a 3-year term with an annual 1-year renewal requirement, and subject to a report back to the appropriate Committee and Council in the event that such arrangements cannot be made.

 

Following the foregoing direction of Council, staff identified the 1835 square foot location at 1851 Merivale Road and negotiated a three-year lease, with the option to renew annually for up to five years.  A clause, which provides that either party may terminate the lease with six months written notice is also part of the lease agreement.  Other than $4,800.00 annually for utilities, the leasing arrangement represents no cost to the City.  On May 1, 2006, the landlord provided six months written notice of its intention to terminate the lease agreement effective October 31, 2006, with the option of continuing on a month-to-month basis until December 31, 2006.  This announcement was unexpected.

 

At its meeting of September 14, 2006 and after hearing from a number of delegations, the Emergency and Protective Services Committee (EPSC) received for information a staff report which outlined the status of the Spay/Neuter Clinic as well as a number of options being investigated with a view to continuing the services provided by the Clinic, including city-owned buildings/properties as well as leased facilities, along with cost estimates.  At that time, EPSC approved the following motion:


 

WHEREAS, the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic was established in 1978 to provide accessible and affordable dog and cat sterilization services with a view to: encouraging pet spaying/neutering; reducing the population of pets in need of care and shelter, as well as the euthanasia rate; and, ultimately, reducing the costs of animal care and control which are borne by the municipality;

 

AND WHEREAS, the Clinic operation was housed at 95 Bayview Road until 2003, when, as a result of the requirement to demolish the Bayview Road site, staff reported to Council with alternate service delivery options for consideration;

 

AND WHEREAS, during the 2003 discussions concerning the Clinic, Council recognized the valuable service provided to the public by the Clinic and re-affirmed its desire to continue those services on a cost-recovery basis, directing staff to continue to investigate alternate locations and to conclude negotiations to lease a facility;

 

AND WHEREAS, following the foregoing direction of Council, staff identified the 1835 square foot location at 1851 Merivale Road at which the Clinic is currently located, and negotiated a three-year lease, with the option to renew annually for up to five years and with a provision that either party may terminate the lease with six months written notice, all at no cost to the City other than $4,800.00 annually for utilities;

 

AND WHEREAS, on May 1, 2006, the landlord provided six months written notice of its intention to terminate the lease agreement effective October 31, 2006, with the option of continuing on a month-to-month basis until December 31, 2006;

 

AND WHEREAS, in light of the timing of the landlord’s unexpected announcement as well as the results of staff’s preliminary work to date with respect to options for service delivery, there are clearly insufficient time and resources to fully identify, review and implement any such options by year’s end;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to:

 

1.      pursue with the current landlord the possibility of an extension of the lease beyond December 31, 2006, the negotiation of which may include the offer of payment of leasing costs, and may result in an increase in spay/neuter clinic fees to offset any expenditure related to lease costs, in accordance with Council’s previous direction to continue the services of the Spay/Neuter Clinic on a cost-recovery basis; and,

 

2.      report back to Committee with the results of the aforementioned discussions, as well as any other options for the delivery of the Spay/Neuter Clinic services, including costs, as necessary.


 

DISCUSSION

 

Current Location

 

In accordance with the September 14 EPSC direction, staff approached the current landlord with respect to the possibility of extending the lease beyond December 31, 2006.  The written portion of the submission to the landlord included a copy of the staff report (ref. ACS2006-CPS-BYL-0031), the September 14th EPSC motion, and recent local print media coverage of the issue.  On October 6th, staff received written confirmation from the landlord that, most regrettably, such an extension cannot be granted since it would conflict with a planned schedule for the construction of an expanded service at that location.  The landlord did however indicate that all the fixtures that the Spay/Neuter Clinic has been using at this site, valued at approximately $35,000, would be donated to the City should it be of use at another location.

 

Other Option

 

With the elimination of the foregoing avenue, and given time and budget constraints, another similar existing facility would be the ideal option.  Staff is currently aware of one other facility that would likely require limited investment for purposes of retrofitting for the Spay/Neuter Clinic – the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre (OCWC).  The OCWC, which had been providing wildlife rehabilitation services from a building located at Nortel Networks Carling Campus, discontinued providing those services a few years ago. That building, which included veterinary facilities, is likely to be suitable to house the Clinic operation and would seem to be a reasonable and prudent option, particularly given that, when it was built in the early 1990’s, significant public funds from all levels of government, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, were invested in its construction.

 

Worthy of note is that, although the OCWC is no longer involved in wildlife rehabilitation, it is now engaged in supporting wildlife through public awareness and education.  The OCWC provides: public education and outreach through school programs and community presentations and events; public awareness through various written materials and communication vehicles such as community newspapers; and public policy strategies through involvement with other stakeholder organizations working on behalf of progressive environmental goals.  On that basis, there may be implications with respect to the delivery of its services if the Spay/Neuter Clinic were collocated with it.

 

Nortel Networks, the landlord of the OCWC and also a financial contributor towards the building itself, has indicated that it would have no issues with the City’s Clinic being temporarily located at that site.  Staff has met with the President of the OCWC who has committed to taking the matter before the Board of Directors.  Information with respect to the compensation, if any, that the OCWC may desire or to logistical concerns it may have is not yet available in any detail.


 

Should this option come to fruition and given the anticipated limited investment required, the Clinic could still ultimately be housed with the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) and the Municipal Animal Shelter (MAS) – operated on the City’s behalf by the OHS under a purchase of service agreement – as part of a public-private partnership with the OHS, which has a mandate complementary to that of the City and plans to build a new facility in 2008-2009.  This is the best and most prudent option to secure the long-term future of the Spay/Neuter Clinic.

 

Leasing Arrangement

 

Should negotiations with the OCWC fail and to comply with the direction to staff to continue the services provided by the Clinic without or with minimal interruption, the only feasible and reliable option would involve a lease arrangement.  The Real Property and Asset Management Branch advises that annual leasing costs for retail space range from $25.00 to $40.00 per square foot representing a total annual cost, based on 2,000 square feet, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000, and for industrial space from $12.00 to $17.00 per square foot, representing a total annual cost from $24,000 to $34,000.

 

It is expected that industrial space would be pursued.  In the likely event that a potential facility does not meet the layout requirements, fit-up related to the relocation would also be required, the one-time capital cost of which would be in the range of approximately $450,000.

 

There is currently no capital funding in the 2006 budget for fit-up purposes, nor are there operating dollars identified for the purpose of leasing.  Capital funding for retrofitting is therefore required but, staff will pursue sponsorship opportunities to help offset those costs.  Staff will also report back with a proposed Clinic fee schedule, which will incorporate facility leasing costs with a view to operating the Clinic on a cost-recovery basis, in accordance with previous Council direction.

 

Given the considerable investment involved in the adoption and implementation of the leasing option however, the potential public-private partnership with the OHS with respect to the inclusion of the Spay/Neuter Clinic, along with the OHS and the MAS in a comprehensive animal facility, would essentially be eliminated.

 

If Council does not approve the staff recommendation, there will be no alternative but to suspend the services provided by the Spay/Neuter Clinic pending Council consideration of $1.25 million identified in the 2007 capital budget for this purpose.


 

CONSULTATION

 

Corporate

 

A copy of the report has been forwarded to Corporate Services’ Real Property Asset Management Branch, Legal Services Branch, Financial Services, and Human Resources.

 

External Agencies

 

The various agencies that made presentations on this subject to the EPSC on September 14th were notified of the Committee meeting at which this report would be considered.  Those agencies include the Animal Defence League of Canada, the Cat Rescue Network, Friends of Abandoned Pets, the National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs, and the Ottawa Humane Society.

 

Public

 

There is no statutory requirement to notify the public with respect to the status of the Spay/Neuter Clinic.  A notice advertising the date and time of the meeting at which the report will be discussed has however appeared in the dailies, in accordance with relevant City policy.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There is no budget identified in 2006 to fund the capital costs associated with the relocation of the Spay/Neuter Clinic.  It is therefore recommended that funding, to an upset limit of $450,000 to cover retrofit and moving costs, be identified in the City Wide Capital Reserve Fund.

 

DISPOSITION

 

Community and Protective Services’ By-law Services, in consultation with other applicable Branches/Departments, to lead the implementation of the direction of Council.

 


 

Spay/Neuter Clinic - Disposition of SeptEMBER 14 Meeting

Clinique de stérilisation animale - Suite à donner à la réunion du 14 septembre

ACS2006-CPS-BYL-0043

 

Moved by Councillor G. Hunter:

 

That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee approve the addition of this item for consideration by the Committee at today’s meeting pursuant to Section 81(3) of the Procedure By-law (being By-law no. 2005-431).

 

                                                                                                 CARRIED

 

Susan Jones, Director of By-law Services, Community and Protective Services (CPS) provided an overview of the departmental report and an update on the status of negotiations.  She indicated that the current landlord confirmed to the City on October 5, 2006 that the lease could not be extended past the end of the year.  Pursuant to the direction given at the last meeting, staff pursued other avenues, including the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Center (OCWC), which previously housed a veterinary facility within the building.  Ms. Jones indicated that she met with Donna DuBreuil, President of the OCWC, to pursue the opportunity to acquire space, even on a short-term basis, without having to invest significant money and retrofit costs.  A written response from the OCWC indicating support for the spay/neuter program, but declining to provide space in order to focus on education and outreach programs, was circulated to the Committee and is held on file with the City Clerk.  Ms. Jones presented the report recommendations and noted that Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee approval is also required in order to fund one-time retrofit costs in 2006.  She indicated staff would be returning to Committee and Council in early 2007.

 

Councillor McRae expressed disappointment and questioned if there was any opportunity, instead of leveraging money, to retrofit a building to temporarily use a subsidized private system in which veterinarians could perform the service.  Ms. Jones replied that this option could be investigated further, but could be more costly. She also indicated that the retrofit costs would likely be less than the amount identified in the report, as the landlord will be giving the City the veterinary equipment from the current location.  She added that if a leased building is found and retrofitted, Council would determine during the 2007 budget process if funds were required for a new City-owned building. 

 


In response to further questions from Councillor McRae, Ms. Jones indicated the City has passed one of the most progressive animal care and control by-laws in the country and currently spends $750,000 annually for animal shelter and pound costs.

 

Councillor Little emphasized the importance of affordability and presented a motion, replacing report recommendation (c):

 

“That staff report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and Council in early 2007 with a proposed Spay/Neuter Clinic fee schedule that focuses on the overriding importance of an affordable service that will be attractive to the public and enhance the reduction of unwanted pet population and reducing the need for expanded pound services.”

 

Candice O’Connell, National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs, reaffirmed support to find an appropriate home for the spay/neuter clinic.  She voiced disappointment regarding the decision of the Wildlife Center, but she commended City staff for their strong efforts to find a facility.  Ms. O’Connell stated time is running out and the clinic is now seriously at risk of a service interruption or an extended shut down, which could have grave consequences in terms of a spontaneous increase in unwanted pets.  She asked that the Committee proceed with an allocation of funds to lease an appropriate facility and ensure that the low cost spay/neuter service continues with little or no interruption.  In reply to Councillor Little, Ms. O’Connell indicated she would support his motion as it relates to providing an affordable service.

 

Rob McCulloch, Ottawa Humane Society (OHS), voiced concern with disruption of service and reinforced the OHS’ support.  He explained that, in the past 30 years, the clinic has played an essential part in reducing Ottawa’s unwanted animal population, which has decreased over this period from 18,000 to 11,000.  Mr. McCulloch explained that the OHS would take into consideration the integration of the spay/neuter clinic within its planned new shelter facility.  In response to questions from Councillor Legendre, the delegation stated the OHS supports this clinic, but is not involved in the operation or funding.  Ms. Jones clarified that the City operates the clinic through power granted through special legislation adopted in the 1970s.

 

Louise Hindle, Founder and Coordinator of the Cat Rescue Network, began by commenting that cost recovery should be revisited to take into account people on very limited incomes and small rescuers that care for a large numbers of animals.  Ms. Hindell called for more community input and she suggested a mobile spay/neuter clinic could be an option. 


 

Ms. Hindell suggested that the notion to ultimately house the clinic with the OHS be carefully considered, expressing concerns with respect to location, timing and completion.  In response to questions from Councillor Legendre, Ms. Hindle explained her concerns with OHS policies with respect to feral cats, specifically testing for contagious diseases and euthanization.

 

In response to questions posed by Councillor Legendre, Ms. Jones confirmed this service is provided with no cost to the taxpayer.  She indicated that veterinarians were approached with respect to a subsidized chit service, similar to the one operated by the OHS, and were not interested.  Councillor Legendre questioned whether cost recovery could be achieved at the same level of fees due to the costs associated with a new location.

 

In reply to questions from Councillor Legendre, Anne Peck, Legal Counsel, Corporate Services, indicated the authority to operate a clinic was established in 1976 through special legislation, which allowed the former City of Ottawa to establish a by-law to provide for a spay/neuter clinic at either no cost to the client or with certain fees.  In 1979, an amendment was adopted to allow the City to advertise the services.  She noted the legislation allows the City to establish a spay/neuter clinic and does not provide for alternative mechanisms to provide this service, but the Municipal Act would have to be examined to determine if the City could do so.  With respect to other municipalities and benchmarking, staff agreed to investigate if other municipalities sought such powers and how services are provided. 

 

Councillor Harder expressed her disappointment regarding the letter received from the OCWC.  She questioned whether the Board’s decision was related to a cut in City funding a few years ago.  In response to questions from Councillor Harder, Ms. Jones confirmed that the OCWC received $150,000 from the Region, $175,000 from the Ministry of Natural Resources and $200,000 from a federal funding program to build the facility, with the former City of Nepean waiving development charges.

 

In response to further questions from Councillor McRae, Ms. Jones indicated she was unaware if capital dollars were invested in the OCWC facility since amalgamation.  She noted that if the City did move in, there would be a possibility of providing an additional revenue stream for the centre.  Chair Deans suggested staff continue the dialogue with Ms. DuBreuil and the OCWC, expressing the Committee’s disappointment and asking to reconsider in the best interests of animal welfare.

 

Councillor McRae concurred with Chair Deans’ request and commented on cost recovery in light of the motion put forth by Councillor Little.  In response, Ms. Jones explained that fees range depending on several variables (i.e. cat/dog, weight/size, male/female).  She noted the clinic’s fees are 50-60% less expensive than regular veterinarian prices.  In reply to further questions from the Councillor, Ms. Jones indicated the fit-up would be a one-time capital investment to retrofit the facility.  Leasing costs are to be determined and staff will return to Committee and Council in the early 2007 to identify options.

 

Councillor Hunter suggested abandoning the request for temporary accommodation at the OCWC in order to focus on other options, as the centre is out of the way.  He recommended that the centre be located within the urban boundary with visibility and frontage.

 

Moved by Councillor J. Legendre:

 

That Staff investigate what other large Ontario municipalities have done with respect to spay/neuter clinics including the nature of any special legislation that may have been required.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor J. Legendre:

 

That staff investigate what constraints or permits exist in the Municipal Act or the act creating the City of Ottawa, which would affect Ottawa’s ability to operate a spay/neuter clinic through a separate agency.

 

                                                                                                Carried

 

Moved by Councillor S. Little:

 

That report recommendation c) be replaced with the following:

 

That staff report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and Council in early 2007 with a proposed Spay/Neuter Clinic fee schedule that focuses on the overriding importance of an affordable service that will be attractive to the public and enhance the reduction of unwanted pet population and reducing the need for expanded pound services.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve the following:

 

a)         Authority be delegated to the Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services to relocate the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic to a suitable facility, with funding to an upset limit of $450,000.00 to cover retrofit and moving costs.

b)         Staff pursue sponsorship opportunities to help offset the capital expenditure identified in a).

c)         Staff report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and Council in early 2007 with a proposed Spay/Neuter Clinic fee schedule that focuses on the overriding importance of an affordable service that will be attractive to the public and enhance the reduction of unwanted pet population and reducing the need for expanded pound services.

d)         Staff investigate what other large Ontario municipalities have done with respect to spay/neuter clinics including the nature of any special legislation that may have been required.

e)         Staff investigate what constraints or permits exist in the Municipal Act or the act creating the City of Ottawa which would affect Ottawa’s ability to operate a spay/neuter clinic through a separate agency.

 

CARRIED as amended, with Councillor J. Legendre dissenting on recommendation (a).


 

SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC UPDATE – September 14th MEETING Disposition

MISE A JOUR SUR LA CLINIQUE DE STERILISATION ANIMALE – SUITE À DONNER À LA RÉUNION DU 14 SEPTEMBRE

acs2006-CPS-BYL-0043                                                                         CITY WIDE

 

Moved by Councillor R. Jellett

 

That the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee approve the addition of this item for consideration by the Committee at today’s meeting pursuant to Section 81(3) of the Procedure By-law (being By-law no. 2005-431).

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

Mayor Chiarelli advised the Committee the original staff report incorrectly indicated that all three of the recommendations contained therein required Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee consideration, when in fact only recommendation a) needed CSEDC approval.  He pointed out a revised report had been issued and distributed to Councillors.

 

The Mayor also noted this report was considered by Emergency and Protective Services Committee at their meeting of 12 October 2006 and members had received a copy of the memo from EPS Committee Coordinator, setting out that Committee’s disposition of this matter (held on file with the City Clerk). 

 

            The following written documentation was distributed to all members of Council and is held on file with the City Clerk:

·        Letter from Candice O’Connell, Chairperson, National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs dated 16 October 2006;

·        Letter from Donna DuBreuil on behalf of the Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre dated 11 October 2006;

·        Letter from Susan Jones, Director, By-law Services to Donna DuBreuil, Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre, dated 16 October 2006;

·        Letter from Donna DuBreuil on behalf of the Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre dated 16 October 2006;

·        Letter from Susan Jones, Director, By-law Services to Donna DuBreuil, Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre, dated 17 October 2006.

 

 

That the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve:

 

a)         authority be delegated to the Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services to relocate the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic to a suitable facility, with funding to an upset limit of $450,000.00 to cover retrofit and moving costs; and that,

                                                                                                CARRIED