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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 126 Draft 01 1998-2000 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION N0. 126 99 RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO PERFORM A SPECIAL STUDY ABOUT THE STATUS OF ANIMAL CONTROL IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WHEREAS, animal control is recognized as a major function of municipal governments throughout the world in order to provide citizens with a safe environment while ensuring the humane treatment of animals; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 143 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which assigns the County Councils authority to take certain actions relating to animal control, the County of Hawaii has articulated the scope of its authority in Chapter 4 of the Hawaii County Code; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii currently contracts the implementation and enforcement of Chapter 4, including the shelter and disposition of animals, the recovery and disposal of dead animals, the patrol and pick-up of animals, and the administration and operation of shelters to the Hawaii Island Humane Society; and WHEREAS, the animal control contract cost the County of Hawaii $667,620 in fiscal year 1998- 1999 and is budgeted at $627,620 for the fiscal year 1999-2000; and WHEREAS, the County Council and the administration have received complaints about its animal control program covering issues such as the enforceability of animal control laws, the process and awarding of the animal control contract, the timeliness and follow-through of responses to animal control calls, the treatment of animals held by the Hawaii Island Humane Society, and the condition of animal shelters on the island; and WHEREAS, in order to accurately assess the effectiveness of the County's animal control program, the Council desires to have a clearer understanding of the animal control needs and challenges in our County, the accepted standards and practices that should be used to meet those needs, and how animal control efforts and results compare to other municipalities; and WHEREAS, a detailed report analyzing the status of animal control in the County of Hawaii could be the foundation upon which a performance review of the Hawaii Island Humane Society could be performed and the complaints received investigated. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it finds a special study of animal control in the County of Hawaii is warranted. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the scope and objectives of this special study shall be as follows: 1. Provide a detailed synopsis of the history of animal control in the County of Hawaii, including: • When did animal control became a specific and separate objective of the County and why? • When did the County of Hawaii begin contracting out the service? • What departments have managed the contract and why? • What organizations have been awarded the contract? • How much funding has been appropriated throughout the years? • What reviews, studies, and/or other audits have been conducted in the past? 2. Examine the relevant legislation affecting animal control in the County of Hawaii and determine the following: • Who has the authority to enforce the current legislation? • Is the current legislation clear and understood by those in charge of enforcing it? • Is the current legislation consistent at both the State and County level? • Is the current enforcement process (e.g. issuing citations, conducting hearings, etc.) working? 3. Identify the common functions of animal control programs and determine what, if any, are the unique needs faced by the County of Hawaii 4. Examine the current animal control contract and report on the following: • What is the method of procurement used to award the contract? • What are the specific obligations required under the contract? • Does the contract require the enforcement of all provisions of Chapter 4 of the Hawaii County Code? • What are the reporting obligations provided for in the contract? 5. Determine how County ownership of the West Hawaii Shelter affects the effectiveness of the County's animal control program. 6. Determine what nationally recognized organizations exist that influence animal control efforts and detail the acceptable animal control standards established by these organizations. 7. Investigate and compare the animal control efforts of other municipalities with those of the County of Hawaii using, at minimum, the following: • The approximate per capita budget for animal control. • The practice of contracting animal control functions to a private entity. • The use of animal control officers vs. police officers to enforce animal control ordinances. • The per capita cost in other counties (animal control budget/county population). • The per animal cost in other counties (animal control budgetranimals processed). • The percentage of animals brought into the shelter that are adopted~uthanized-reunited with owner. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it requests the Office of the Legislative Auditor to investigate the above-stated scope and objectives and to submit the study to the Council. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it requests full cooperation from the Hawaii Island Humane Society, the Department of Finance, and the Police Department in providing any requested documents and responses for the special study. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii transmit copies of this resolution to the Legislative Auditor Constance R. Kiriu, Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro, Finance Director Harry Takahashi, Police Chief Wayne Carvalho, Hawaii Island Humane Society Executive Director Lisa Fowler, and West Hawaii Humane Society President and General Manager Ginger Towle. Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this day of , 1999. O Councilmemb r, County of Hawaii COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX Hilo, Hawaii ARAKAKI CHUNG I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by ELARIONOFF the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the JACOBSON County of Hawaii on LEITHEAD-TODD ATTEST: PISICCHIO SMITH TYLER YAGONG Reference: C-396/FC COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 1.i~'F7 99