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Home My WebLink About194-10 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 194-10 A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF PARTNERING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY TO BUILD AND OPERATE A COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE USE OF ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING FAYETTEVILLE CITIZENS WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville has long operated its Fayetteville Animal Shelter and allowed county residents to bring in dogs and cats pursuant to a contract with Washington County; and WHEREAS, other Washington County cities that do not have their own animal shelters have also contracted with the City of Fayetteville to provide animal sheltering services to their citizens; and WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville recently notified Washington County and the affected cities that we could not continue to offer such animal sheltering services indefinitely because of over -crowding and asked that they find a way to handle their own needed animal sheltering services; and WHEREAS, Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards and the Washington County Animal Concerns Advisory Board have requested that the City of Fayetteville consider the feasibility of a county -wide animal shelter to replace the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its willingness to explore the possibility and feasibility of partnering with Washington County to build and operate a county -wide animal shelter for use by all county residents including Fayetteville citizens. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its position that nothing in this Resolution commits the City Council to the expenditure of any funds. PASSED and APPROVED this 2nd day of November, 2010. APPROVED: 1 By.All.t4 . . . 40.16. I1 ' ELD JO '►r ayor ATTEST: By: GW.4/1.4.i 4. SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer Don Marr, Chief of Staff Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form City Council Agenda Items and Contracts, Leases or Agreements 11/2/2010 City Council Meeting Date Agenda Items Only Mayor's Administration Division Action Required: Chief of Staff Department Resolution of the City of Fayetteville to express the Council's willingness to explore the possibility and feasibility of partnering with Washington County to Build and Operate a County Animal Shelter for the Use of All County Residents Including Fayetteville Citizens. . Cost of this request Account Number Project Number Budgeted Item Category / Project Budget Program Category / Project Name Funds Used to Date Program / Project Category Name Remaining Balance Fund Name Budget Adjustment Attached artment irector City Attorney Finance and Internal Services Director 10-1C-10 Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Date Original Contract Date: tO Original Contract Number: Date 10 -2010 Date %'110 Date Received in City 10-15-1 0 P03 :5,8 RCVD Clerk's Office 4kA-AN, - Received in Mayor's Office deP Comments: Revised January 15, 2009 'Fayeteyille City Council Agenda Memo City Council Meeting Date: November 2, 2010 To: Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Don Marr, Chief of Staff Thru: Mayor Jordan Date: October 15, 2010 Subject: Resolution to Study the Feasibility of Partnership with Washington County to Build and Operate a County Animal Shelter for the Use of All County Residents Including Fayetteville Citizens Recommendation: The City Staff and Administration recommend on behalf of the Mayor's office that the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, AR, approve a resolution to study the feasibility of partnering with Washington County to build and operate a county -wide animal shelter for use by all county residents including Fayetteville Citizens. Background: The City of Fayetteville, received a letter from County Judge Marilyn Edwards (attached) asking the City of Fayetteville to partner with Washington County to investigate the feasibility of a county shelter that would be large enough for all animals in the County, including city animals from Fayetteville and even possibly Springdale. We are bringing this request to the City Council to receive authorization to study this possible partnership. Budget: There is no budgetary impact for this study. 113 West Mountain 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) (479)-521-1316 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF PARTNERING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY TO BUILD AND OPERATE A COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE USE OF ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING FAYETTEVILLE CITIZENS WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville has long operated its Fayetteville Animal Shelter and allowed county residents to bring in dogs and cats pursuant to a contract with Washington County; and WHEREAS, other Washington County cities that do not have their own animal shelters have also contracted with the City of Fayetteville to provide animal sheltering services to their citizens; and WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville recently notified Washington County and the affected cities that we could not continue to offer such animal sheltering services indefinitely because of over -crowding and asked that they find a way to handle their own needed animal sheltering services; and WHEREAS, Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards and the Washington County Animal Concerns Advisory Board have requested that the City of Fayetteville consider the feasibility of a county -wide animal shelter to replace the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its willingness to explore the possibility and feasibility of partnering with Washington County to build and operate a county -wide animal shelter for use by all county residents including Fayetteville citizens. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby requests that city staff examine the feasibility, advantages, disadvantages, and any other relevant concerns or issues related to a possible replacement of the Fayetteville Animal Shelter with a new Washington County Animal Shelter. PASSED and APPROVED this 7th day of December, 2010. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer MARILYN EDWARDS County Judge September 7, 2010 WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS County Courthouse The Honorable Lioneld Jordan Mayor, City of Fayetteville 113 W. Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 RE: Animal Sheltering Dear Mayor Jordan: 280 North College, Suite 500 Fayetteville, AR 72701 RECEIVED SEP 08 2010 CITY OF FAYEI I EVILLE MAYORS OFFICE I want to express my appreciation to the City of Fayetteville for contracting with Washington County over the past many years to shelter county animals. This has been a tremendous benefit to our rural population; however, I do realize that the City's Animal Shelter was not built for this purpose and was built to only accommodate city animals. With the population growth of Washington County and the City of Fayetteville, it is understandable that the Animal Shelter is continually at or over capacity and, in order to serve its citizens, the City is now faced with the necessity of not renewing sheltering contracts after the Year 2011. In anticipation of this happening, the Quorum Court has already asked the Washington County Animal Concerns Advisory Board to begin looking into the feasibility of building and operating a county shelter. I would like to ask the City of Fayetteville to partner with Washington County to investigate the feasibility of a county shelter that would be large enough for all animals in the County, including city animals from Fayetteville and even possibly Springdale. This could result in a good partnership with all governmental entities and could provide improved services to all the citizens while reducing governmental costs. Thank you in advance for your consideration. I hope we can work together to explore the possibilities of helping animals within Washington County. Marilyn Edwards County Judge ME/kb cc: Don Marr, Jr,,, Fayetteville Chief of Staff Telephone: 479 / 444-1700 • FAX: 479 / 444-1889 Claudette Cardwell PO Box 1482 Fayetteville, AR 72702-1482 Don Marr Chief of Staff City of Fayetteville Fayetteville, AR 72701 Don — First, as chairperson of the Washington County Animal Concerns Advisory Board, I want to thank the City of Fayetteville for being such a good neighbor over the years by sheltering animals from Washington County. Although the relationship has lasted far longer than was originally intended, together we have helped countless animals. The recent decision of the City to end the contractual relationship with not only Washington County but the smaller cities of the County in 2012 is understandable. The City of Fayetteville Animal Shelter was originally built to accommodate Fayetteville animals and with space a critical issue now within the shelter, the time has come to make decisions that will adequately serve the citizens and animals of Fayetteville. The Washington County Quorum Court has charged the Animal Concerns Advisory Board with gathering information specific to building a County Animal Shelter. We are exploring the possibility of partnering with all cities within Washington County to build a shelter large enough to serve the entire county and have already received very positive feedback from most of the smaller cities. We would, however, be very remiss if we did not extend the invitation to the City of Fayetteville as well. Please explore this possibility with the Fayetteville City Council and let me know as soon as possible if the City of Fayetteville would like to enter the discussion regarding a countywide animal shelter. The decision of the City will have a definite impact on the size of a county shelter so we need to proceed as quickly as possible. Of course, we are not asking for any commitment at this time, just the opportunity to explore the possibilities of a partnership that includes the animals from the City of Fayetteville in our final plans. Sincerely, Claudette Cardwell Chairman Washington County Animal Concerns Advisory Board