For City Council Meeting November 12, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to (1) Approve the Sale of a Police Service Dog for the Amount of $1.00 to Officer Erik Valtierra; (2) Authorize the Interim City Manager or his Designee to Execute all Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) authorize the sale of a police service dog for the amount of $1.00 to Officer Erik Valtierra; (2) Authorize the Interim City Manager or his designee to execute all documents.
BACKGROUND
Police service dog "Yuri" has been in active service since March of 2017. Yuri is an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois and has reached the normal age of retirement from police service. Yuri has also recently experienced medical issues that have complicated her law enforcement career. Yuri has reached the end of an honorable police service career and her handler, Officer Erik Valtierra, has been reassigned to Patrol.
Yuri was first assigned to Officer Valtierra in March of 2017. The normal duties and responsibilities of our canine officers require the officer to keep their police service dogs at their residence during off-duty time. Police service dogs are fed, groomed, and maintained at the handler's residence, which is an important part of the required functions of our canine team. As a result, a strong bond between the handler and police service dog develops. Officer Valtierra has expressed his desire to purchase Yuri from the department. Officer Valtierra has agreed to provide a comfortable, humane and caring environment for the remainder of Yuri’s life. Officer Valtierra has agreed to purchase Yuri for the amount of one dollar ($1.00) and sign a "Release of Police Service Dog" agreement authored by the City Attorney's Office. The sale of police service dogs to their handler is common and the department’s past practice.
Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 2.48.390, surplus property which is considered unsuitable for city use may be disposed of as deemed appropriate by the City. Here, Yuri has reached the end of an honorable police service career and is no longer able to serve the city. Given the history and bond between Yuri and Officer Valtierra, staff believes it is appropriate for Officer Valtierra to purchase Yuri.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Staff recommends City Council approve the sale of the police service dog to the handler, who has worked alongside and bonded with the animal since 2017. Yuri has been honorably retired after 7 years of service.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making.
2) Organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objectives relating to public safety.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports the legal contract for the sale of the police dog and this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Funding in the amount of $1.00 from the sale of the police service dog Yuri will be posted to Field Services Revenue Account No. 10106281 47799.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.