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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
City Manager's Report 7.A.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 12/09/2024
Agenda Item:
Report on the Animal Impound.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Report only.
Summary:
Following the termination of the City’s contract with the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS) effective December 31, 2024, the City of Mankato will reopen an animal impound facility at 903 Mound Avenue. This facility will ensure compliance with Minnesota state statutes for impounding stray dogs and provide essential animal care services within city limits. Operations will commence January 1, 2025, contingent upon finalizing staffing, policies, and community partnerships.
As the Council is aware, the Department of Public Safety was notified that the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS) would be terminating our contract for animal impound services at the end of 2024. After ongoing conversations with BENCHS staff and the board, it has recently been confirmed by the Board on November 20, 2024, that they will not continue the contract. As a result, the City of Mankato will need to open an animal impound facility to operate within the city limits, specifically for dogs. This facility will ensure continued care for impounded animals and will comply with Minnesota rules and laws.
Facility:
The animal impound will be located at 903 Mound Avenue, which is the same site the former animal impound operated. Renovations to the facility have already been completed. Improvements include a new building ventilation system, seven new dog kennels and floor epoxying. Public safety staff will purchase additional supplies to ensure readiness for operations starting January 1, 2025.
Staffing:
To operate the facility effectively, public safety will utilize a combination of part-time and full-time community service officers (CSOs).
Veterinary Services:
Public Safety currently has an agreement with the Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital to provide veterinary services as needed. Staff have confirmed that Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital is able to assist with emergency animal care from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Outside these hours, there are four (4) pet hospitals in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area that provide emergency care 24 hours per day. We will continue to use Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital to cover veterinary services for injured dogs, pregnant dogs, necessary vaccinations, and euthanasia if required.
Reunification:
Public Safety will make every effort to reunite dogs with their owners. This will include neighborhood canvassing, microchip scanning, social media posts, and other outreach efforts. Dogs will be available for pickup during CSO staffing hours (3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily) or by appointment.
Adoption:
Public Safety is meeting with Mending Spirits Animal Rescue to inquire about formalizing a foster/adoption partnership. If a partnership can be agreed upon, after meeting the state-mandated 5-day holding period, impounded dogs will be transferred to Mending Spirits for foster/adoption.
Kennel Operation/Licensing:
Staff have reviewed state regulations to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements for kennel operations. We have confirmed with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) that a license is not necessary for any pound owned and operated by a political subdivision of the state.
Policies, Processes, Procedures, Forms:
Public safety staff are actively working on updating policies, processes, procedures, and forms related to the operation of the animal impound. These will be finalized and implemented ahead of our January 1, 2025, starting date.
Financials:
Pet owners will be required to pay animal impound fees upon retrieval of their dog. Fees will be $50 per day for the first impoundment, and $75 per day for each subsequent impoundment. Payments will be processed at the Public Safety Center during normal business hours, using the Tyler Cashiering system. For animals that are released outside of normal records business hours, residents will have the opportunity to pay online utilizing a customer portal.
The new costs for staffing the animal impound will be funded from Public Safety Aid. Costs are anticipated to not exceed $15,000 for the first year of a part-time employee. In examining current BENCHS related costs for 2024, we average approximately $6,600 per year.
For 2025, we have an estimated new budget of $25,000, including using Public Safety Aid and operating expenses from the Public Safety budget.
As the 2026 budget is developed, Public Safety will evaluate the existing operation, along with examining the 2025 year-to-date financial expenses. To ultimately incorporate an ongoing operational plan into the proposed 2026 General Fund Budget.
As the Council is aware, the Department of Public Safety was notified that the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS) would be terminating our contract for animal impound services at the end of 2024. After ongoing conversations with BENCHS staff and the board, it has recently been confirmed by the Board on November 20, 2024, that they will not continue the contract. As a result, the City of Mankato will need to open an animal impound facility to operate within the city limits, specifically for dogs. This facility will ensure continued care for impounded animals and will comply with Minnesota rules and laws.
Facility:
The animal impound will be located at 903 Mound Avenue, which is the same site the former animal impound operated. Renovations to the facility have already been completed. Improvements include a new building ventilation system, seven new dog kennels and floor epoxying. Public safety staff will purchase additional supplies to ensure readiness for operations starting January 1, 2025.
Staffing:
To operate the facility effectively, public safety will utilize a combination of part-time and full-time community service officers (CSOs).
Veterinary Services:
Public Safety currently has an agreement with the Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital to provide veterinary services as needed. Staff have confirmed that Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital is able to assist with emergency animal care from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Outside these hours, there are four (4) pet hospitals in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area that provide emergency care 24 hours per day. We will continue to use Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital to cover veterinary services for injured dogs, pregnant dogs, necessary vaccinations, and euthanasia if required.
Reunification:
Public Safety will make every effort to reunite dogs with their owners. This will include neighborhood canvassing, microchip scanning, social media posts, and other outreach efforts. Dogs will be available for pickup during CSO staffing hours (3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily) or by appointment.
Adoption:
Public Safety is meeting with Mending Spirits Animal Rescue to inquire about formalizing a foster/adoption partnership. If a partnership can be agreed upon, after meeting the state-mandated 5-day holding period, impounded dogs will be transferred to Mending Spirits for foster/adoption.
Kennel Operation/Licensing:
Staff have reviewed state regulations to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements for kennel operations. We have confirmed with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) that a license is not necessary for any pound owned and operated by a political subdivision of the state.
Policies, Processes, Procedures, Forms:
Public safety staff are actively working on updating policies, processes, procedures, and forms related to the operation of the animal impound. These will be finalized and implemented ahead of our January 1, 2025, starting date.
Financials:
Pet owners will be required to pay animal impound fees upon retrieval of their dog. Fees will be $50 per day for the first impoundment, and $75 per day for each subsequent impoundment. Payments will be processed at the Public Safety Center during normal business hours, using the Tyler Cashiering system. For animals that are released outside of normal records business hours, residents will have the opportunity to pay online utilizing a customer portal.
The new costs for staffing the animal impound will be funded from Public Safety Aid. Costs are anticipated to not exceed $15,000 for the first year of a part-time employee. In examining current BENCHS related costs for 2024, we average approximately $6,600 per year.
For 2025, we have an estimated new budget of $25,000, including using Public Safety Aid and operating expenses from the Public Safety budget.
As the 2026 budget is developed, Public Safety will evaluate the existing operation, along with examining the 2025 year-to-date financial expenses. To ultimately incorporate an ongoing operational plan into the proposed 2026 General Fund Budget.