The process of reforming Greater Sudbury's animal control system took another twist Tuesday, with city council voting to take on the job themselves, at least on a one-year trial basis.
Bad blood between the current provider, Rainbow District Animal Control, and the city was on display during the debate.
Rainbow has held the contract for several years, but ran afoul of the staff and councillors in 2014 when their bid for the work increased by about $200,000 to more than $600,000.
Rainbow said the increase was a result of new elements in the RFP, but a staff report described those items – such as uniform and other requirements – should not have increased costs.
With no other qualified bidders, council awarded Rainbow a two-year deal while it explored options. That agreement runs out in October.
Another RFP was issued, but this time, the city planned to take over bylaw enforcement in-house, hoping to attract more qualified bidders. Again, Rainbow was the only qualified bidder, and it's bid was $550 per animal over the three-day redemption period, which staff estimated could cost as much as $825,000 a year.
Rainbow's Richard Paquette informed councillors and the media that they would be willing to negotiate a flat rate closer to $630,000.
But that sort of communication is not allowed during an RFP process, meaning Rainbow's bid was disqualified. So the only options were to take services in-house, or issue a new RFP.
City clerk Caroline Hallsworth said staff had found an existing facility in Wahnapitae the city could use for the next year, as well as a location in Garson that could be renovated longer-term.
Hallsworth said the city used to have responsibility for animal control, and some bylaw staff has experience in animal control.
The recent collective agreement also allows them to schedule bylaw officers in afternoon and evening, she said, meaning the pound and byalw services would be available 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, and 12-hour shifts on weekend. And there would be a bylaw officer on call over night in warmer months.
“So we think we have 24/7 covered,” Hallsworth said.
The fleet would include one truck, one SUV, and three station wagons. There would be $15,000 in the budget for a trap, neuter release program and $20,000 for a spay neuter program.
In total, Hallsworth estimates the city could do the work within a budget of $435,000, much cheaper than the previous contract.
“We're at a fork in the road,” she said. “We need a decision today.”
Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan said the city's own consultant said taking animal control in-house would be “cost-prohibitive” and he questioned the cost estimates in the staff report.
“We're fooling ourselves if we think we can do it for this amount of money,” Kirwan said.
He said the report didn't estimate enough time for bylaw officers to respond to calls, with only an average of 78 minutes per call allocated.
“It's just not going to be enough,” Kirwan said. “I already see an existing burden on our bylaw officers. I have a fear that a year from now we'll be looking at a variance of several hundred thousand dollars.”
And he said for residents in the Valley in his ward, the new pound will be 57 kilometres away.
Hallsworth said the facility is 27 kilometres from Tom Davies Square.
“It's a little further (but) for many residents it will be actually closer,” she said. “We have experienced officers in our bylaw department ... We would not propose this to council if we were not confident we could deliver.”
While supported by Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagini, Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier and Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac, the majority of council backed the staff plan.
Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Atlmann said bylaw officers work in specific wards “so they know the terrain.”
“This is an excellent opportunity” to extend bylaw enforcement hours, she said at a reasonable cost.
“I believe the committment is there to bring this under budget, or at budget.”
Ward 6 Coun. René Lapierre said they have a responsibility to control costs, and Rainbow has increased cost to the city by more than 200 per cent in just a few years.
“That's why I'm going to support the pilot project,” Lapierre said.
Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti said issuing another RFP and allowing Rainbow to bid would reward them for bad behaviour.
“The proponent decided they weren't going to follow the rules and regulations,” Signoretti said. “You don't get a second kick at the can.”
Mayor Brian Bigger said the one-year trial would give them a better idea of what running the pound themselves would entail.
“It's worth the investment ... to better understand the costs invovled,” Bigger said.
Staff has put forward a proposal they feel will be successful, he said, and that they believe would provide the best service at a reasonable cost.
“That's all we're trying to do,” Bigger said.
How they voted:
In favour of taking animal control in house:
Mayor Brian Bigger, Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti, Ward 6 Coun. Rene Lapierre, Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo, Ward 8 Al Sizer, Ward 9 Coun. Deb MacIntosh, Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier, Ward 11 Coun. Lynne Reynolds, Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann.
In favour of issuing another RFP:
Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac, Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan.
