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Chino council approves renaming, expansion of animal services JPA to form Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire
Summary
Council approved a First Amendment to the West End Animal Services Agency JPA to rename it the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire (ARC) and admit the City of Montclair and San Bernardino County unincorporated areas; staff said a temporary shelter in Ontario should be operational this summer and a permanent facility is planned.
The Chino City Council on Jan. 21 unanimously approved an amendment to the West End Animal Services Agency joint powers agreement to rename the agency the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire (ARC) and to admit the City of Montclair and certain unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County as members.
Assistant City Manager Jackie Melendez briefed council on the JPA changes. She said the JPA board unanimously approved the name change at a special meeting on Jan. 16. Under the revised membership and fiscal shares, the city of Ontario’s contribution would decrease from 65% to 58%, Chino’s share would decrease from 35% to 28%, Montclair would contribute 10% and the county’s unincorporated area would contribute 4%. Melendez said the change will not affect Chino’s representation on the governing board; Mayor Pro Tem Burton will remain Chino’s board representative.
Melendez asked council to authorize the city manager to execute conforming changes to the JPA documents and operational agreements. The council approved the amendment by unanimous vote; the motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Burton and seconded by Councilman Lucio.
Glenn Thacker, introduced by staff as the JPA’s executive director, outlined operational steps and timelines. He said the JPA secured a temporary site in Ontario, hired an architect and planned to award construction bids in early February; staff expected construction to start mid‑February and forecasted roughly 80% completion of the temporary facility by June 1, allowing the JPA to begin training and operational setup in summer 2025.
Thacker said six animal‑control vehicles have been ordered and dates for new hires are scheduled in February; the JPA aims to be fully staffed by June 1 so training can begin. He estimated annual animal intake at "anywhere between 4,000 and 7,000" animals and said the permanent center design would follow once the temporary location is operational. Thacker estimated the permanent project could take about a year for design and 18 months to build, and said in his experience the temporary site might be used for about 3½ years.
Melendez and Thacker also clarified continuity with Inland Valley Humane Society (IVHS): the city’s contract with IVHS remains in effect through July 1, 2025, and IVHS will accept animal intakes until the ARC is operational.
Ending: Council authorized necessary document changes and the city manager to execute amendments; staff and the JPA will return with implementation updates as the temporary shelter is outfitted and hires are completed.
