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Clear Lake Council votes to terminate North Bay Animal Services contract; 180-day notice
Summary
After months of complaints about response times, shelter capacity and communication, the Clear Lake City Council voted 3–1–1 to terminate its contract with North Bay Animal Services without cause and give 180 days' written notice while directing staff to prepare for replacement services.
The Clear Lake City Council voted to terminate its animal care and control contract with North Bay Animal Services, directing the city manager to serve a 180-day notice of termination.
Councilmember Downey moved to end the contract without cause; Councilmember Hooten seconded the motion. The motion passed with Mayor Michael Kramer, Councilmember Downey and Councilmember Hooten voting yes; Vice Mayor Sloaten voting no; and Councilmember Wilson abstaining. The vote followed extensive public comment and council debate about shelter management, response times and enforcement of licensing and vaccination requirements.
The vote responds to repeated complaints presented at council meetings and in a 2024 Lake County grand jury report that cited overcrowding, slow response to loose or attacking animals, inconsistent medical care for sick or injured animals and poor communication with the public. Councilmembers and multiple residents said those problems had continued into 2024–25.
Councilmember Downey cited the lack of basic services in her remarks and said the absence of required vaccinations and licensing “creates unnecessary risk and liabilities for the city and its residents.” Mayor Kramer said he had not taken the decision lightly and apologized for an earlier outburst during the meeting, but said the council needed change.
Members of the public and several local volunteers who work at the shelter told the council they supported shelter staff on the ground while faulting management. Volunteer speakers and representatives of local rescue groups urged solutions that preserve live outcomes for animals, while other residents described public-safety incidents involving unlicensed and unaltered animals roaming neighborhoods.
City staff noted the contract commits the provider to deliver spay/neuter services and medical care consistent with available funding, but several council members said the language in the current contract is vague and enforcement has been insufficient. Council direction includes preparing for replacement or interim animal-control services, and scheduling a future agenda item to consider an RFP and service standards.
The council’s action triggers the contract’s termination timeline and starts a period for the city to identify alternate providers and define performance expectations, including response times, vaccination and licensing enforcement, and spay/neuter availability.
The council did not direct the shelter to change its stated live-release goals; several council members and public speakers emphasized that the intent is not to convert the operation to a “kill” facility but to secure accountable management and clearer performance requirements.
Next steps identified by council members include drafting written notice to North Bay Animal Services, returning to council with an agenda item to discuss an RFP for animal services and clarifying performance standards the city will require of any future contractor.
