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Committee advances $60.5M certificates to finance replacement Animal Care & Control facility
Summary
The committee recommended the Board consider certificates of participation (up to $60.5 million) to finance a replacement Animal Care & Control facility; staff said the financing is structured as COPs with interim commercial paper and prior capital plan amendments and appropriations in place. Public commenters praised the new shelter for disaster readiness and improved animal care.
The Budget & Finance Committee on Nov. 16 recommended forwarding a resolution authorizing certificates of participation (COPs) in an amount not to exceed $60.5 million to finance design and construction of a replacement Animal Care & Control (ACC) facility.
Jamie Corubin of the Comptroller’s Office told the committee the resolution authorizes execution and delivery of up to $60.5 million in COPs and related financing documents; the plan assumes interim use of commercial paper proceeds until COPs are executed and delivered, with certificates structured as an asset‑transfer lease between the city and a third‑party trustee. Corubin said the financing documents and a revised preliminary official statement would be brought back to the Board before going to market.
Budget analyst Harvey Rose summarized prior Board appropriations and packet figures: $60.5 million in COP proceeds was previously appropriated, of which about $49 million was to fund the ACC project, roughly $10.58 million for debt‑service reserves and financing costs, and a secondary interest‑rate uncertainty reserve of about $920,000. Based on conservative assumptions, the analyst cited estimated annual principal and interest payments (presented in committee materials) and a total principal and interest estimate over roughly 20 years.
Corubin and attending project staff said the ACC site is currently occupied by SFMTA and that the project includes relocating SFMTA operations (DPW reported the receiving site at 1570 Burke Avenue in District 10). Project managers and advocates told the committee the new shelter will meet modern veterinary and emergency preparedness standards and better support disaster response and community services.
Public commenters from the Animal Control & Welfare Commission, SFDOG and Friends of Animal Care & Control urged approval, citing improved animal care, isolation for sick animals, earthquake and disaster readiness, and services for people leaving abusive relationships who need safe shelter for pets.
The committee took Supervisor Tang’s motion to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation without objection.
What happens next: The Board will consider the COP authorization and related financing documents; staff said a revised preliminary official statement and disclosure materials will be returned to the Board prior to sale.
