The City Council voted to accept the recommendation from staff and proceed to negotiations with Suris Valley Animal Shelter (SVA) for city pound services after an RFP process yielded SVA as the only respondent.

Council members sought clarifications on several points they want included in negotiations: clearer monthly reporting and measurable performance indicators (e.g., kennel occupancy and long‑hold counts), indemnification language to protect the city, justification for multi‑year price increases, and consideration of a shorter base contract with optional extension years or mutual termination terms. Staff said the RFP process and contract timeline allow for negotiations without re‑posting as long as changes are not substantively different from the original scope.

Why it matters: The contract governs animal control services funded by city dollars; council emphasized transparency, performance reporting and fiscal prudence before finalizing longer‑term commitments.

What’s next: Staff will negotiate terms with SVA, consider council input on reporting and contract length, and may return to council for executive‑session negotiation parameters or final approval.