Petaluma nixes plan to turn city animal shelter over to nonprofit

<p>A proposal to turn Petaluma's city animal shelter over to a nonprofit run mostly by volunteer labor has been rejected nearly as quickly as it was born.</p><p>The proposal, submitted by the current director, said it could save the city $150,000 a year in the cost of animal control, shelter, rescue and adoption services it provides. It would do that primarily by replacing the city's union employees with unpaid volunteers under a few paid managers.</p><p>Employees at the shelter said they were told on Friday they faced possible replacement by Aug. 1 if they couldn't accept the new positions offered, which didn't include the pension and benefits they currently receive.</p><p>They and their union, the city's largest, were prepared to descend on the City Council meeting on Monday to convey their anger, disappointment and concern for the animals — and their jobs.</p><p>But City Manager John Brown said Wednesday the plan is “not baked enough to go forward” and won't be considered by the City Council during its budget discussion.</p><p>“Ultimately what the proposal tried to accomplish ... is better service and stabilizing the service, allowing it to grow,” he said. “Those are attractive points. But I just don't think it's ready for the light of day.”</p><p>Shelter Director Jeff Charter said he understands his employees' concerns, but felt his proposal was better for the animals and more attractive than turning the operation over to an unknown entity if the city decided to send it out to bid.</p><p>“That part is heartbreaking to me because I work with every one of them,” he said. “It was genuinely made from a business perspective, for the animals, not necessarily the employees.”</p><p>Charter said he felt the services under his nonprofit could be provided at a level Petaluma residents have become accustomed to, although some employees felt differently.</p><p>One shelter worker said employees were concerned unpaid volunteers wouldn't share the dedication and sense of commitment employees feel. The employee spoke under condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.</p><p>“It's not the same as a full-time employee willing to show up every day. That's a flawed business plan,” the employee said. “On a personal level, it sucks, but more importantly, I want to make sure the animals get what's best for them.”</p><p>Brown said managers had “some pretty serious conversations about it,” but decided — after some rapid opposition materialized — that the time wasn't right to privatize animal services.</p><p>Without the savings, though, it could mean the city will look elsewhere to cut $100,000 or more, which Brown said may mean layoffs.</p><p>Brown said he is still negotiating with all 10 of the city's bargaining groups on cost-cutting ideas. The council will discuss potential layoffs and other budget cuts at its Monday night meeting.</p>