It is not likely the animal shelter in Hollister, on a
quasi-beach front to the city’s wastewater ponds, will expand out
from the current location anytime soon.
The unpleasant locale
– along with a slew of other issues – has elicited talks about
finalizing a shelter relocation along with construction of a new
facility within two years.
It is not likely the animal shelter in Hollister, on a quasi-beach front to the city’s wastewater ponds, will expand out from the current location anytime soon.
The unpleasant locale – along with a slew of other issues – has elicited talks about finalizing a shelter relocation along with construction of a new facility within two years.
Preliminary estimates gauge a new shelter costing about $1.5 million to build, which would be financed from the Redevelopment Agency Fund and the Police Impact Fund. None of the funding will come from a General Fund that is already beyond spending capacity, Shaddox said.
The subject was the lead topic of discussion at a City Council retreat last week – a continuation and conclusion to the previous week’s gathering.
Moreover, the city is currently in the process of transferring the Animal Control Division into the Police Department’s jurisdiction. The division is currently under the authority of the Management Services Department, which oversees a wide variety of issues ranging from recreation programs to human resources.
It is a move spearheaded by City Manager Dale Shaddox; and one he believes should lead to the new animal shelter’s establishment adjacent to the police headquarters. The Hollister Police Department is relatively isolated, located in a business park on the north side of town.
“That’s the logical place to put it,” Shaddox said.
He added: “There is some opportunity for the two activities to help one another.”
Police Chief Jeff Miller agreed. Animal Control officers, he said, often help police officers manage animals that belong to vehicle accident victims or people who are arrested. They even occasionally conduct criminal investigations.
The undesirable location, however, is not the only reason city officials are pushing for the relocation. The current shelter – built in 1982 – is overcrowded with animals and structurally dilapidated, according to Shaddox.
Plus, with houses nearby, Shaddox said, “We get complaints on a regular basis on noise and odor.”
Council members – who make the final call on financing the project – also support Shaddox’s plans, a notion that seems to be a sure bet these days.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia said she advocates the new facility as long as Hollister has the financial resources available. And the city does, according to Shaddox, because costs for operation of a new shelter would not surpass the current slate of expenses.
Other Council members also expressed confidence in the plan Friday. Councilman Tony Bruscia said he is primarily viewing the issue from a budgetary perspective. So is Councilman Tony LoBue.
Besides, LoBue said, the city doesn’t have much choice because the current facility maintains so many problems.
“It’s right on the side of the sewer pond,” LoBue said. “There are all kinds of issues, and there’s no real room to grow.”
Hollister officials want to start construction by June 2004 and finish it about a year later. In the meantime, the city must finalize one other animal control issue.
Officials are actively negotiating a contract renewal with San Benito County. The city contracts with the county to provide its animal control services as well. Hollister pays 45 percent, and the county pays 55 percent of costs; the budget this year was projected at $468,000, according to Management Services Director Clay Lee.
Both sides have agreed the language in the contract is outdated, Lee said. The county, he said, is probably concerned about its share of the costs and will likely request reduced service levels. The contract dates back before the 1980s, but Lee was unsure of an exact commencement because the city’s records don’t go that far back.
