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Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board approve the Board of Supervisors Policy G-3, Dead Animal Disposal, with the original administrative modifications.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On September 18, 2018, Item 15, the Department of Transportation (Transportation) recommended modification updates to titles to reflect County department name changes as well as citing County Ordinance 6.28.030 and Board of Supervisors Resolution 143-2016 for charging/recovering costs of dead animal disposal. This was done as part of Objective 2.2 of the Good Governance Goal in the Board approved Strategic Plan, where Board policies are undergoing a review/update process.
During this Board meeting, Supervisors had questions and concerns in regards to providing response to dead animals on the roadway over the weekends, the health impacts of dead animals on the roadway and recouping costs from owners of domestic animals found dead on County property. Staff from Transportation, Environmental Management and Animal Services met to discuss these questions and concerns.
In regards to responding to dead animal pick up calls over the weekend, Transportation does not have the staff nor the funds to provide this service on the weekends. Transportation has one FTE Highway Maintenance Worker dedicated to pick up and disposal of dead animals during a 40 hour work week. Staff calculated the cost of providing this service on call and found it would cost approximately $200 for a response. If there are multiple requests, the costs would go up from there, especially depending on where the calls are coming from (i.e., Georgetown, Somerset, Kyburz, El Dorado Hills). During the weekend of October 19 - 21, 2018, Transportation received 10 reports of dead animals on the roadways.
There were concerns raised as to the health impacts of dead animals on the roadway. Staff have been fully trained on the proper personal protective equipment, pick up and disposal of dead animals. According to the Public Health Department, there is minimal risk to staff associated with this when proper procedures are followed. There are no records of any other health issues related to dead animals on the roadway.
The Policy states, "For animals that are not wild, County may charge the owner of the dead animal for the cost of the pick up and disposal." Supervisors raised concerns about charging an owner for picking up their animal when they may be grieving the death of their beloved pet. This language is in the Policy so the County has the ability to recoup costs if able, necessary and/or justified. Often times the owner can not be located or identified. But in the cases in which the owner is negligent, this gives the County the ability to recoup the costs, if necessary. Board of Supervisor Resolution 143-2016 gives the Chief of Animal Services the authority to waive fees associated with dead animal disposal.
The Board first adopted the Dead Animal Disposal Policy G-3 in 1987, to set forth rules regarding the responsibility and disposal of dead animals. On July 22, 2014, Item 4, the Board approved an Amendment to Policy G-3 which clarified department responsibility for disposing of dead animals on County roads and roadsides and enabled the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding between Transportation and Animal Services.
This modification updates titles to reflect County department name changes as well as citing County Ordinance 6.28.030 and Board of Supervisors Resolution 143-2016 for charging/recovering costs of dead animal disposal.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the modifications and direct further revisions.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Environmental Management Department, Animal Services and County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to the financial impact associated with approving the modified Policy.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk of the Board will update the online Board of Supervisors Policy G-3, Dead Animal Disposal.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation