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Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Approve of the proposed plan for the design, development, and construction of the new Animal Shelter Facility at the Shinn Ranch location; and
2) Direct said Department to undertake Phase 1 of the plan, including amending the original purchase agreement for the Shinn property in order to finalize the alignment of the access road to the Facility, constructing the access road to the facility location, and doing the necessary site improvements. (Est. Time: 1 Hr.) ( Cont'd 6/29/10, Item 66)
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no net cost to the County General Fund associated with this agenda item.
Background:
The West Slope Animal Shelter was previously housed at the City of Placerville's (City) wastewater treatment plant site. However, in February, 2004, the City informed the County that it would not be renewing the lease due to an expansion project at the plant. In March 2004, the then General Services Department identified the replacement of the Placerville Animal Shelter in the Master Facility Plan. In November 2006, the County purchased a proposed site off Mother Lode Drive (Shinn property) for the construction of a new facility. During the 2007/2008 fiscal year, the General Services Department, in partner with the Health Services Department, completed a study and design for a new shelter facility on the Shinn property. Due to budgetary constraints at the time, the facility was not constructed.
In March 2009, responsibilities for the County's facilities were assigned to DOT. Since that time, DOT has continued the work started by the General Services Department on the new Animal Shelter, to include most recently, analyzing a proposal for an alternate location for the facility at 4461 Business Drive. This alternative was the subject of discussion at the May 18, 2010 Board of Supervisors meeting. At that meeting, the Board directed DOT to drop this alternative from further consideration and to "bring back an agenda item for discussion regarding Shinn Ranch."
This presentation describes the proposed plan for proceeding with the design, development, and construction of the Facility at the Shinn Ranch location, including the amendment of the agreements to finalize the access road alignment.
Reason for Recommendation:
1. The County already owns this property, as it was purchased for this specific purpose.
2. A number of steps have already been taken such that site development and the creation of an access road could be started this year, with groundbreaking for the building beginning in 2011.
3. There is a groundswell of public support for building the Animal Shelter sooner rather than later, as well as for this specific location.
4. Animal Services believes the Shinn property is an excellent location and that the associated Facility design will meet its needs for years to come:
a. Both large and small animals can be accommodated at this site as there are over 5 acres available for outdoor uses;
b. Opportunity for future development of a dog park;
c. No residential concerns as there are no existing residences nearby;
d. Next door to veterinary services and emergency services;
e. The lease at the temporary dog and cat shelter expires in January 2011.
Action to be taken following Board approval: None.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: None.