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Independence, MO —
Plans for operating the new Independence Animal Shelter are raising lots of questions and concerns for one resident.
“One of my biggest concerns is that we’re less than 60 days out from that facility opening, and we don’t have a definite plan in place as to who is going to operate the facility,” Tim Watkins told the City Council Monday night.
The proposed budget for 2012-13 includes funding to operate the new shelter with city staff, including a full-time veterinarian and a shelter manager separate from the field supervisor position.
But one nonprofit organization – Heartland SPCA – also has submitted a proposal to operate the shelter. No final decision or agreement is in place yet, but Watkins said he is most concerned about the lack of time between now and when the shelter is supposed to shift from its space at 875 S. Vista Ave. to the new facility on Missouri 78, just east of the MCC-Blue River campus.
An August move-in date is the goal, City Manager Robert Heacock said, but the agreement between the city and Jackson County is open for an occupancy date. In 2009, the two signed an agreement saying the county was responsible for construction of the facility while the city will operate and maintain it.
“Once a final decision is made by the council, staff will make arrangements to pursue implementation as soon as practicable,” Heacock said by email this week.
But that time frame, Watkins said, may not be long enough.
“Being in such a short time between now and when the shelter opens, if the city is to run the shelter, hiring good, quality personnel is an issue,” Watkins said.
Watkins also posed the following questions to council members:
• If the city is to operate the shelter, does it have a comprehensive plan – and what would it be – to work toward the goal of running a no-kill shelter? The city and Jackson County have a mutual goal of making the facility a no-kill shelter.
• How will the Animal Shelter grow its volunteer base to include 100 volunteers by the end of next fiscal year, as proposed in the upcoming budget?
Watkins also raised concerns on projected revenues at the shelter for 2012-13, saying they rivaled those of the Kansas City-based Wayside Waifs, a nonprofit humane society and animal welfare organization that has been in the area for 68 years. He also pointed out Wayside Waifs has an extensive advertising budget.
Plans for operating the new Independence Animal Shelter are raising lots of questions and concerns for one resident.
“One of my biggest concerns is that we’re less than 60 days out from that facility opening, and we don’t have a definite plan in place as to who is going to operate the facility,” Tim Watkins told the City Council Monday night.
The proposed budget for 2012-13 includes funding to operate the new shelter with city staff, including a full-time veterinarian and a shelter manager separate from the field supervisor position.
But one nonprofit organization – Heartland SPCA – also has submitted a proposal to operate the shelter. No final decision or agreement is in place yet, but Watkins said he is most concerned about the lack of time between now and when the shelter is supposed to shift from its space at 875 S. Vista Ave. to the new facility on Missouri 78, just east of the MCC-Blue River campus.
An August move-in date is the goal, City Manager Robert Heacock said, but the agreement between the city and Jackson County is open for an occupancy date. In 2009, the two signed an agreement saying the county was responsible for construction of the facility while the city will operate and maintain it.
“Once a final decision is made by the council, staff will make arrangements to pursue implementation as soon as practicable,” Heacock said by email this week.
But that time frame, Watkins said, may not be long enough.
“Being in such a short time between now and when the shelter opens, if the city is to run the shelter, hiring good, quality personnel is an issue,” Watkins said.
Watkins also posed the following questions to council members:
• If the city is to operate the shelter, does it have a comprehensive plan – and what would it be – to work toward the goal of running a no-kill shelter? The city and Jackson County have a mutual goal of making the facility a no-kill shelter.
• How will the Animal Shelter grow its volunteer base to include 100 volunteers by the end of next fiscal year, as proposed in the upcoming budget?
Watkins also raised concerns on projected revenues at the shelter for 2012-13, saying they rivaled those of the Kansas City-based Wayside Waifs, a nonprofit humane society and animal welfare organization that has been in the area for 68 years. He also pointed out Wayside Waifs has an extensive advertising budget.
“I don’t remember seeing anything for advertising or a promotions budget for the new shelter,” Watkins said. “...When going from a 7,100-square-foot facility to a 27,000-square-foot facility, it’s going to cost some money.”
Following direction from the City Council in mid-May, Management Analyst Zachary Walker prepared a report that reviewed the contract proposals and city staff proposals for the new shelter.
Walker’s report did not evaluate the quality or manner in which the shelter would operate – instead, it provided information on each proposal and whether each proposal met the city’s obligation and national guidelines.
Walker’s report found that under the nonprofit proposal, the facility’s operation would require $883,846 in net city expenses in the first year and $1,009,940 annually in years two through five, compared to $307,526 under the Health Department proposal, which is included in the proposed 2012-13 budget.
The city’s Health Department proposed continuing its management of the shelter. Just one organization – Heartland SPCA – answered the request for proposals for private entities to provide management services. In the five months since Heartland SPCA provided a proposal, talks with city staff have led to three revised proposals.
The report found:
• The city/county agreement approved in 2009 says the city must operate the shelter at least 35 public hours each week and must open the shelter Monday through Saturday. The Health Department proposes operating 49 hours a week, six days a week, while Heartland SPCA proposes operating 70 hours per week, seven days a week.
According to Walker’s report, both proposals exceed the minimum 25 hours and six days per week required by the city/county agreement. Both proposals also would allow the city to meet its shelter management obligations according to the city/county agreement.
• The Health Department is projecting an annual animal intake of 5,000 animals, while Heartland SPCA projects an intake of about 4,200. Walker’s research found that the Health Department’s proposal is closer to the five-year intake average for the existing shelter.
To date, the City Council has not had a first reading on an ordinance for either management option. Council members are, however, slated to approve the 2012-13 budget on June 18.
As for Watkins, Heacock said he followed up with him after Monday’s meeting to answer some of Watkins’ questions and to discuss his comments.
On Wednesday, Watkins said he did receive some answers he needed, but he still has concerns.
“I’m still bewildered by some of the figures, the projected revenues for the new shelter, with no advertising budget,” Watkins said. “I don’t think the figures are right, and I know it’s tough to project an accurate figure when you’ve never done anything like this before, but I just don’t think it’s realistic – especially not in the first year that you’re open.
“It’s something they could reach, but it would take a lot of time and building a good reputation to actually get to that point.”
