10 Staff Report - Disposition of Surplus Property - Police Canines~Z N 0
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: November 13, 2007
MEETING DATE: 11-19-2007
AGENDA ITEM: j Q
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: PAMELA JACOBS, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER A44.,_~ o4a eoko,
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS
PROPERTY - POLICE CANINES
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the disposition of surplus property - police canines.
BACKGROUND:
Town policy generally requires that surplus property be disposed of by auction. Special consent of
Council is required to approve a different form of sale.
The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department Canine Unit began in May 1999. The Department's
first canine handler, Officer Sam Wonnell, along with his partner canine Quarz, served the
community for well over eight years, and the second canine handler, Corporal Erin Lunsford, along
with his partner canine Eddy, served the community from June 2001 to August 2007. Both canines
were retired from police duties in August of this year.
DISCUSSION:
Police canine handlers and their canines develop a special relationship over years of service. They
work full time together and the handler is also responsible for the off duty care of the canine. The
canine becomes part of the handler's family. It is customary that police canines, once retired from
duty, to remain with their handlers. It is also customary for canine handlers to purchase their canines
from the police agency for a nominal amount, normally one dollar. Police canines that are retired
before the expiration of standard years of service (5-7 years) are allowed to remain in the possession
of the handler for a pro-rated amount based on the original cost of the canine.
Staff researched policies and agreements involving other police agencies, including the Alameda
PREPARED BY: ORRY P. KORB, TOWN ATTORNEY
OPK:I,MBIwp [N ACLMATTORNE iVolice Canine Sale-pd]
Reviewed by: Town Manager Assistant Town Manager Clerk
Finance Community Development
Rev: 11/16/07 3:18 pm
Reformatted: 7/19199 File# Sol-os
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Disposition of Surplus Property - Police Canines
November 19, 2007
and Santa Clara County Sheriff Departments and the Fremont and Palo Alto Police Departments.
All four of these agencies permit the purchase of retired canines by their handlers for a nominal or
pro-rated amount, depending on the remaining service life of the canines. Corporal Lunsford asked
the Department to retire Eddy one year early due to personal reasons and the canine's health. Staff
determined that a pro-rated amount was appropriate for the sale of Eddy. The cost to acquire Eddy
was $6,500. Pro-rated over a service life of seven years, Eddy is nowbvalued at $925. Quarz, on
the other hand, worked a full term of service and should be sold for the nominal amount of one
dollar.
The retirement of these two canines leaves the program with a single canine. That canine is due to
retire in 2009. The Police Department intends to fill the second canine position in the near future.
The attached resolution authorizes the sale of the canines to their respective handlers at the prices
suggested in this report. It specifies that the handlers will acquire full legal ownership and
responsibility for their respective canines. Lastly, it authorizes the Interim Town Manager to execute
documents necessary to perfect these sales.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Town will receive $925.00 from Corporal Lunsford and one dollar from Officer Wonnell for
deposit into the general fund.
Attachment: Proposed Resolution
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY - POLICE CANINES
WHEREAS:
A. Town policy generally requires that surplus property be disposed of by auction.
B. The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department Canine Unit utilizes doges that are
specially trained to work with specific police officer partners in law enforcement activities.
C. Canine handlers are also given primary responsibility for the care of their assigned
canines.
D. The Police Department's first canine handler, Officer Sam Wonnell, along with his
partner canine Quarz, served the community for well over eight years, and the second canine handler,
Corporal Erin Lunsford, along with his partner canine Eddy, served the community from June 2001
to August 2007.
E. Both Quarz and Eddy were retired from service in August 2007 after the expiration of
Quarz's full service life and one year prior to the expiration of Eddy's full service life.
F. Given the long term relationships established between the canine handlers and their
canines, after their retirement the canines should be able to remain in the possession of their
handlers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the retired police canines Quarz and Eddy shall be disposed of by sale to their
handlers Officer Sam Wonnell and Corporal Erin Lunsford, who shall take full ownership and legal
responsibility for their respective canines.
2. That Quarz shall be sold to Officer Wonnell for $1 and Eddy shall be sold to Corporal
Lunsford for $925.
3. That the Interim Town Manager is authorized to execute any documents required to
perfect the sale of the Canines as approved herein.
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Attachment I
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town
of Los Gatos, California held on the 19`x' day of November, 2007, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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