For City Council Meeting [September 28, 2021]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to Approve the Sale of a Police Service Dog for the Amount of $1.00.
Body
BACKGROUND
Police service dog "Blade" has been in active service since January of 2016. Blade is a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois and has reached the normal age of retirement from police service. Blade has reached the end of an honorable police service career and his handler, Officer Michael McDonagh, has been reassigned to Traffic.
Blade was first assigned to Officer Michael McDonagh in January 2016. 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 McDonagh has expressed his desire to purchase Blade from the department. Officer McDonagh has agreed to provide a comfortable, humane and caring environment for the remainder of Blade’s life. Officer McDonagh has agreed to purchase Blade 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 2.48.400, surplus property which is considered “inoperative” may be disposed of as deemed appropriate by the City. Here, Blade 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 Blade and Officer McDonagh, staff believes it is appropriate for Officer McDonagh to purchase Blade.
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 2016. Blade has been honorably retired after almost 6 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 Blade will be posted to Field Services Revenue Account No. 010-400-6281-7799.
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.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Rialto Police Department to sell the police service dog Blade, to his handler, Officer Michael McDonagh for the amount of $1.00.