HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2023-052 Resolution amending the City of Yakima Master Fee Schedule regarding Animal Control (YMC 6.20) RESOLUTION NO. R-2023-052
A RESOLUTION amending the City of Yakima Master Fee Schedule regarding Animal
Control (YMC 6.20).
WHEREAS, the City has previously adopted a Master Fee Schedule wherein the fees for
licensing of animals are located; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to amend the fees for dog licenses, which requires them to
be amended in the Master Fee Schedule; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City of Yakima and
its residents to amend the Master Fee Schedule to amend the fees for dog licenses; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. The fees for Animal Control (YMC 6.20) are hereby amended to state as
follows in the City of Yakima Master Fee Schedule:
Animal Control YMC 6.20
Dog License (Altered) 1 year $ 25.00
Dog License (Unaltered) 1 year $ 75.00
Dog License (Altered) 3 year $ 60.00
Dog License (Unaltered) 3 year $ 180.00
Replacement Tag $ 10.00
Dog License for Senior Citizen (62+) (Altered) 1 year $ 12.50
Dog License for Senior Citizen (62+) (Unaltered) 1 year $ 37.50
Dog License for Senior Citizen (62+) (Altered) 3 year $ 30.00
Dog License for Senior Citizen (62+) (Unaltered) 3 year $ 90.00
Kennel License $ 250.00
Kennel License — hobby kennel $ 200.00
Kennel License — late penalty fee 1/2 of the Kennel License amount
Kennel License —change of owner transfer fee $ 25.00
Section 2. The appropriate administrative officials of the City is hereby directed to amend
the Master Fee Schedule to reflect the amendments found in Section 1.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 4th day of April, 2023.
I V
Ktrna Janice Deccio, Mayor
ATTEST:
61
Sonya la r Tee, City Clerk cti,,sH‘,;°
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA,WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.
For Meeting of:April 4, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Resolution amending the City of Yakima Master Fee Schedule
regarding Animal Control (YMC 6.20)
SUBMITTED BY: Cynthia I. Martinez, Senior Assistant City Attorney
*Tony Doan, Supervising Codes Inspector
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Attached for your consideration is a resolution amending YMC 6.20 - City of Yakima Master Fee
Schedule regarding animal control.
Code Enforcement,Animal Control Officers, and City Legal have made changes to Chapter 6.20
that reflect current practices, streamline procedures, and address emergent issues.
The proposed changes include:
• Strengthen dangerous dog definition
• Remove potentially dangerous dog classification and regulation
• Remove levels of animal behavior
• Unify animal impound appeal timelines
• Increase and streamline dog license fees
• Reduce poultry at large violations to an infraction
• Increase the penalty for nauseous keeping to a misdemeanor
• Increase the threshold for a barking dog violation
• Add Human Responsibility for Cats section
• Update the impound notice
• Increase the time of license suspension to three years for problem pet owners
• Recognize Community Service Officers as enforcement personnel
Drafting cat owner and caretaker regulations was a challenging task. There are volumes of cat
regulatory schemes from different jurisdictions. However, due to animal control and community
service officer staffing constraints, the Human Responsibility for Cats section is a simple
statutory framework that would provide some additional tools to encourage the reduction of feral
and roaming cat populations, while holding cat caretakers responsible for creating a nauseous
condition.
2
Trap-Alter-Return (TAR) (also called Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR)) programs are recognized
throughout the country and are considered a humane way to manage cat populations. There is a
nonprofit in the Yakima area dedicated to this practice. The proposed cat regulations allow an
individual to engage in a TAR program without assuming legal ownership of the cat. The hope is
that TAR will lead to an eventual reduction in the feral cat population.
Dog Licensing has been adjusted to offer options for the license holder. Dog owners will be able
to choose between a 1 or 3 year license duration. A prerequisite to licensing is proof of rabies
vaccination. This vaccination expires every 3 years; the 3 year license option is more efficient for
the City and the savings are passed to dog owners through a discounted fee. This proposed
licensing language will assist in the City s plan to offer an online licensing portal that is user
friendly and has the potential to increase the number of dogs that are licensed.
During the January 24, 2023 Council Study Session, Council heard public comment relating to
(1)funding a humane feral cat reduction program, such as TAR, (2)licensing requirements for
those who sell animals and are engaged in animal breeding (3) requiring license identifications be
included in advertisements for the sale of puppies. These suggestions were explored by City
staff.
With respect to funding a feral cat humane reduction program, staff found that other communities
with such programs partner with a non-profit agency. At this time, City staff has identified grant
opportunities that are most appropriate to be managed and administered by non-profit entities that
provide direct spay and neutering services. Many of these opportunities have eligibility
requirements that recipients be 501(c)(3)status. That said, the City is willing to provide
resources in the form of letters of support and information. The City continues to be a willing
partner for any organization applying for available funding.
Concerning animal breeder licensing and the posting of license numbers in puppy sales ads, the
city has a business license requirement in place for anyone soliciting sales. There is a revenue
threshold that governs whether a license is required. Identifying and enforcing violations would
be a challenge, however, staff is willing to continue to explore this topic.
Enforcement of this Chapter is transitioning to the Community Service Officers of the Yakima
Police Department. Those employees are in the training process.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Res-Amend Animal Control Fee Schedule