Agenda Item # 5
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
Agenda Report # 005
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Best Friends/Pet Smart Charities Grant
INITIATED BY: Pat Biegler, Department of Public Works
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit a grant application for upto
$1 Million over a 36 month period or the amount awarded and any subsequent
extensions and if approved, accept funds from Best Friends Pet Smart Charities
to implement a Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) program for all feral or free
roaming cats in Muscogee County. There is no local match required for this
grant. Approval is also requested to amend the Multi-Governmental Grant fund
by the award the grant.
Background: This is a Best Friend Pet Smart Community Cats Grant that will
provide the funding to implement a Trap, Neuter and Release programs for all
feral or free roaming cats.
Analysis: The Animal Care and Control Center has diligently implemented the
Save-A-Pet Program which includes a component to start a TNR Program, but
didn?t have the funding to do so. Accepting a grant of this magnitude will
allow this program to be started. Implementation of this program will have a
drastic effect on the reduction of our euthanasia rate for cats.
Financial Considerations: The City is not required to provide matching funds
to participate in these grants, however, a minimum of ten (10) hours per week
of allocated time from shelter staff will be required in the overseeing of this
program as well as a documented commitment from this organization?s leadership.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed this grant request and
approved as to form.
Recommendations/Actions: Approval is requested to submit a grant application
and any subsequent extensions and if approved, accept funds from Best Friends
Pet Smart Charities Community Cats Program grant for the implementation and
operation of a TNR Program for Muscogee County.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO FUND A
TRAP, NEUTER AND RELEASE PROGRAM FOR CATS IN MUSCOGEE COUNTY. THIS GRANT IS
BEING ADMINISTERED AND PROVIDED, WITH NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIREMENT, BY BEST
FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY (BFAS) IN CONJUNCTION WITH PET SMART CHARITIES.
WHEREAS, the implementation of a Trap/Neuter/Release activities program
which includes spay/neuter of healthy stray, feral and/or free-roaming cats
that enter the Animal Care and Control Center and returning them to their
original habitat; and proactively locating additional cats in and around the
return area and providing TNR services for these ?hot spots? areas. The
overall goals of this program is to significantly reduce the shelter?s
euthanasia rate; increase the shelter?s live release rate; reduce the
population of community cats who are at high-risk of entering the shelter; and
mitigate cat nuisance/cat calls for service; and,
WHEREAS, this grant will award up to $1 million over a 36 month period,
which will cover all program costs, including: spay/neuter surgeries; staff to
offset program coordination and implementation activities; transport vehicle
(remain the property of BFAS); and equipment and supplies;
WHEREAS, the anticipated award date is February 15, 2013, the specific
amount of funding to the awarded organization will be determined by a mix of
interventions, number of community cats in the city, ability to decrease
euthanasia rates, and likelihood of success and,
WHEREAS, a cash match is not required; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
1. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application
for a grant for upto $1 million over 26 months period and any extensions to
fund the Animal Care and Control Centers Trap, Neuter and Release program and
if awarded accept grant and any subsequent extensions from Best Friends, Pet
Smart Charities Grant with no local match requirement and,
2. Authorize to amend the Multi-Governmental Grant fund by the grant
amount.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the _______________ day of ___________, 2013 and adopted at said meeting
by the affirmative votes of ______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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