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Title:
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Approve Contract #20250146 TNVR Program for Veterinary Services.
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Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve Contract #20250146 TNVR Program for Veterinary Services.
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Submitted By: Shelby Dolan, Procurement Contracts Manager, Procurement Management Division (PMD).
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a high-performing city government organization.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Shelby Dolan, PMD.
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and various providers.
3. Purpose: Allow the City to contract with various veterinarians to perform services under the TNVR program.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: Master Agreement shall continue until terminated.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: Reduce the population of free roaming cats throughout the City through sterilization.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): Estimated annual expenditure is $70,000. Future years expenditure as budget allows.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve, per City Code of Ordinance, Sections 35.08(a)(1) (incorporating into the City's Code the exemptions provided in section 287.057, Florida Statues), and section 287.057(3)(e), Florida Statutes (providing an exemption for health services); and 35.08(a)(14) (goods and services provided by not-for-profit organizations), Veterinary Services to be provided for the TNVR Program.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve Contract #20250146 for veterinary services for the TNVR program.
2. Move that the Council not approve Contract #20250146 for veterinary services and provide staff with direction.
Background: In 2019, the City changed from a trap and remove policy for free-roaming cats and initiated a 5-year Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) pilot program. During the pilot program, over 1,800 cats were captured, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their capture site through partnership with Operation Catsnip. Starting in 2024, Animal Control began to assume a larger role in the TNVR program to remove barriers of access to the public and increase surgery numbers. So far in FY 24/25, 570 cats have undergone TNVR making it the most successful year so far and putting the goal of 600 cats this year well in range. With the end of the pilot program, the City has now codified TNVR and we need continued funding for the program. This funding will further partnerships with participating veterinarians, which is crucial to the program's sustainability and growth.
TNVR is designed to reduce the population of free roaming cats, over time, through sterilization. Returning the cats to their capture location, decreases the number of cats transported to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County and assists them in maintaining their status as a No-Kill shelter.
Issues/Analysis: Staff has reviewed the requirements of the program based on the recent updates to the City Code of Ordinances that reflect a growing emphasis on humane animal population control and public safety.
Each provider who will provide services under the program will sign the Participating Addendum, which incorporates the Master Agreement, attached thereto. This will form the contract between the City and each provider. Many of the providers are not-for-profit organizations, however, some may not have not-for-profit status. In order to keep the program running, staff may need to add or remove providers, as necessary. The Participating Addendum/Master Agreement set up is designed to permit staff to have the flexibility to ensure the program continues successfully, while also having a contract in place, as needed. Once the Participating Addendum/Master Agreement is approved by Council, staff will add and remove providers as needed for the program, with services cumulatively totaling within the expenditure levels as approved by Council within this agenda item. Several past providers have already signed Participating Addendums, and staff is working on including additional providers.
Financial Information: Funding is appropriated in the General Fund / PD Animal Control / Other Contractual Services (#001-6200-534000-00000).
Special Consideration: To align the services to reflect the City Ordinance Section 92.19 - Trap, neuter, vaccine and release program.
Location of Project: Various Locations.
Attachments:
1. TNVR Master Agreement.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the "Attachment" section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25106-01.
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Alyssa Lunin, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.
V45 8/4/2025