The Ukiah City Council voted unanimously Oct. 6 to approve a consent-calendar item authorizing a memorandum of understanding under which the city will provide on-demand animal-control services to the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, after tribal representatives reported multiple dog attacks and said they had not received help from county authorities.

Council member Roden asked for clarification about what the city was being asked to do and why the matter was on the agenda. "I'm confused what the issues are regarding animals at the Pinellasville Pomo Nation. And, what is the city being asked to do? Because we don't the city doesn't handle animal licenses like the county does," Roden said.

Police leadership told the council the nation had reported a "large issue" involving packs of dogs that had attacked several people on the reservation and in some cases sent them to the hospital. The police chief said the county had not provided assistance and that tribal leaders had asked the city police department for help. "They have not received any help, and the problem is continuing," the chief said.

City staff described the response as primarily educational and complaint-driven rather than a program of mass capture. The chief said Ukiah community service officers will respond to calls, contact owners, and follow standard procedures for dog bites, including quarantine when applicable. "When there is a dog bite, the animal will be quarantined, and then, the humane or the pound can determine what they're gonna do with the animal," the chief said.

The city manager said intergovernmental meetings involving the county, the city, the school district and the Pinoleville Pomo Nation began in December and produced a memorandum of understanding to allow the city to respond on demand and to coordinate with tribal leadership. "Our attorney, city attorney, along with the nation's attorneys came up with an MOU," the city manager said. The manager added that the nation has adopted the city's animal-control codes for the tribal jurisdiction to allow enforcement and that the nation will reimburse the city for costs of the services rendered.

Ukiah's city attorney told the council that the proposed arrangement is authorized under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, which allows governmental entities to agree to provide services outside their normal boundaries through intergovernmental agreements. "Under a JPA, the city actually has the authority to go outside the city limits to provide services," the city attorney said.

The city manager also noted the MOU includes an "out" clause allowing either the city or the nation to discontinue the arrangement with notice if the parties later determine the services are no longer needed. The consent calendar motion that included the MOU was moved and seconded and passed by roll call vote with all five members present voting in favor (Council member Roden: yes; Council member Chris: yes; Council member Orozco: yes; Vice Mayor Schur: aye; Mayor Crane: aye).

The council discussion consisted of questions from council members and detailed explanations from the police chief, the city manager and the city attorney; there were no public comments on the item during the meeting. The council adjourned to closed session after completing the consent and new-business votes.