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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-4-84 ��.),/- 1. -r, ) (a) wso�' K�bWEaEa,.o CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK ` 40 TEMPERANCE STREET TELEPHONE 623-3379 BOWMAN L1 C 3A6 ONTARIO REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JANUARY 16TH 1984. CD-4-84 - File: 68.29.99. SUBJECT: ANIMAL CONTROL - EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That this report be received for information. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: The General Purpose and Administration Committee at the meeting of Monday, November 7th 1983, considered and approved the recommendations contained in Clerk's Report CD-65-83. The Committee directed, "that staff be authorized to review the matter of extended hours of work for the Animal Control Officers, with the employees affected and the bargaining unit;" and "That a further report be prepared for the General Purpose and Administration Committee's consideration, following the holding of discussions with the employees affected, and the Bargaining Unit. " As directed, a meeting was convened by the Administrator on Wednesday, November 30th 1983. Three alternate systems were discussed:. a copy of the discussion paper is attached for information. Staff were unable to negotiate an agreement with the Bargaining Unit with respect to the possible implementation of any of the alternate systems (Option 2 and Option 3) proposed. The Union's position was, that the introduction of overlapping shifts was unacceptable, and weekend coverage, or indeed any alteration to the existing program could only be achieved by the hiring of a third fully qualified Animal Control Officer who would be C� Continued . . . . ./2 � i CD-4-84 - 2 - January 16, 1984 integrated into the system. If an additional Officer were hired, the employees and Union representatives would agree to provide after-hours and weekend emergency coverage on a rotating, on-call basis. The proposal acceptable to the employees and the Union would be as follows: - 2 officers for patrol duty; - 1 officer for pound duty; - 2 vehicles for patrol duty; - hours of operation as at present; - provision of after hours and weekend emergency call-out service with each officer being on call every third week. The cost of providing this level of service would include: - 1 additional animal control officer $20,000 plus benefits of $5,000 - $25,000 - 1 additional fully equipped vehicle $12,000 - 1 additional 2-way radio $ 800 In addition to these costs, there would be: - Stand-by premium at $5.75 per day; plus - The regular three hour call-out charge for calls responded to. An examination of the Animal Control records shows, that there were only 21 after hour or weekend calls responded to by Animal Control during 1983. (Cost-21 x 3 hours = 63 hours @ $10.00 = $630.00) If, as members of Council indicate, there have been a significant number of complaints received by them regarding a lack of evening and weekend coverage, then it may be appropriate to give serious consideration to improving the system by increasing staff and purchasing additional equipment. However, it is staff's position, that the costs associated with upgrading the service are too great in relation to the real , or perceived need for higher animal control service levels. Accordingly, because of the cost, alterations to the animal control system cannot be recommended at this time. Res ectfully submitted, r David W. Oakes , B.A. , A.M.C.T. , Town Clerk. DWO/ms Attachment. ANIMAL CONTROL THREE ALTERNATE SYSTEMS OPTION 1. (Present System) Manpower - 2 Officers Equipment - 1 Vehicle 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 'p.m: - Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday Evening and Weekend Emergency Coverage as and when officers are available. Pound is operated by one officer. Vehicle operated by the other officer Duties (pound and truck) alternated every week, Cost of Service as at present. ---------------------------------- Option 2. Manpower - 2 officers for patrol duty (2 vehicles) 1 additional employee to operate the facility, 1 additional vehicle for patrol purposes. 1 radio for second vehicle 1 tape recorder to record calls when staff are away from the pound. Hours of Operation Officer #1. - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday Officer #2. - 1:00 p.m. to 9:.00 p.m. Monday to Friday Facility Operator - 8:00 a.m, to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday Animal Control Officers would rotate shifts weekly. Facili.ty Operator would work day shift only. Cost of Service 1 - Vehicle and Equipment $12,000 1 - Radio for Second Vehicle $ 800 1 - Tape Recorder $ 500 1 - Additional Employee & Benefi.ts : - Est. Salary $11,000 - Est. Benefits $ 2,000 Option 2 weekend coverage would have to be approved by the Union in writing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0 ti.on 3. Manpower - 2 officers for patrol duty (1 vehicle). 1 additional employee to operate pound facility. 1 Tape Recorder to record calls when staff are away from facility. / Option 3 Cont'd Hours of Operation Shifts would be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. as may be established (summer and winter scheduling) Seven days of the week. Both Officers would work on a shift. rotation basis (see attached examples), Facility operator 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 'p.m: ; Monday to Friday, Cost of Service 1 - Tape Recorder $500 1 - Additional employee: - Est. Salary $11,000 - Est. Benefits $ 2,000 Option 3 extended hours (12 hour shifts) would have to be approved by the Uni.gn and the Ministry of Labour. Could not be implemented without the concurrence of both in writing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMENT: Option 1 is the present system and i.t is unsatisfactory for a number of reasons : 1. Poor utilization of enforcement officers; 2. Limits patrol and enforcement opportunity; 3. Precludes possibility of responding as quickly as possible to complaints; 4. lack of evening and weekend coverage results in complaints to counci.1lQrs about poor service program. The only positive comment is, that the present system exists and is the least costly. COMMENT: Option 2 - Benefits from this system would- be: 1. Virtual elimination of complaints about availability of service, pro vi.sion of full service program; 2. 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. , seven days of the week (statutory holidays excepted) ; 3. Efficient utilization of enforcement officers: - Two vehicles and officers on the road during peak periods 1:00 'P,m, to 5:00 p,m. i - Establi.shment of patrol zones;, - Improved enforcement opportunity; - Higher profile and visibility i.n all areas of municipality; 4. Effective records maintenance and communications between pound and patrolling vehi.cle(s). This system would have a one time cost associated with the purchase of a second vehicle and its equipment and an ongoing cost associated with the hiring of one additional person to operate the pound fapility. - 3 - I 1 l� COMMENT: Option 3 - Benefits from this system would be: 1. Reduction in number of complaints about service; 2. Provision of coverage by one officer on a daily basis from 9:00 a.m, to 9:00 p.m. - seven days of the week. The ongoing costs associated with this option would relate to the hiring of one additional person to operate the pound facility. This system would not improve the .overall efficiency of the animal control program, it would simply extend the hours of operation with marginal benefits.