Explanation
BACKGROUND: Due to age and health issues both Canine Rasta and Canine Cyrus have declined in their abilities to continue as police service dogs and should be retired. Canine Rasta has served the Division of Police well since 2008 and Canine Cyrus since 2009. The Division of Police is requesting that "Rasta" be sold to his current handler Police Officer Carter, who is willing to provide "Rasta" with a home as a pet. The Division of Police is requesting that "Cyrus" be sold to his current handler Police Officer Anderson who is willing to provide "Cyrus" with a home as a pet. Additionally, the Division of Police Legal Bureau has developed a general release document that relinquishes the City of Columbus from any liability as it relates to the post retirement care and control of canines “Rasta” and “Cyrus”, and assigns that liability to Police Officer Carter and Police Officer Anderson respectively. Upon approval of this recommendation, the legal form with one dollar will be submitted.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the sale of a police dog for one dollar to Police Officer Carter and the sale of a police dog for one dollar to Police Officer Anderson. Replacement dogs have been purchased from the General Fund this year.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to sell to Police Officer Carter and Police Officer Anderson for the sum of $1.00 each, police canines with the registered name of "Rasta" and "Cyrus" which have no further value to the Division of Police, and to waive provisions of the City Code-Sale of City Owned Personal Property.($2.00)
Body
WHEREAS, canines "Rasta" and “Cyrus” must be retired from active police service due to age and health issues; and
WHEREAS, no City of Columbus Government Agency except Police and Fire Divisions use canines; and
WHEREAS, this Council finds it to be in the best interest to waive City Code 329.34, Sale of City-Owned Personal Property; and
WHEREAS, because canines “Rasta" and “Cyrus” has been trained in police tactics, it would be in the City's best interest to provide the dogs good homes during retirement; and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Carter, "Rasta’s” handler prior to his retirement, is able and willing to provide accommodations for this canine at his personal residence and expense, and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Anderson, "Cyrus’s” handler prior to his retirement, is able and willing to provide accommodations for this canine at his personal residence and expense, and
WHEREAS, a general release document that relinquishes the City of Columbus from any liability as it relates to the post retirement care and control of canines “Rasta” and “Cyrus” and assigns that liability to Police Officer Carter and Police Officer Anderson will be submitted upon approval of this request; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Police respectfully requests that the City allow “Rasta” to be purchased by Police Officer Carter for the sum of $1.00; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Police respectfully requests that the City allow “Cyrus” to be purchased by Police Officer Anderson for the sum of $1.00; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to authorize the Director to sell the dogs to their handlers; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to sell a police canine with the registered name of "Rasta" to Police Officer Carter for the sum of $1.00.
SECTION 2. That the Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to sell a police canine with the registered name of "Cyrus" to Police Officer Anderson for the sum of $1.00.
SECTION 3. That the Council of the City of Columbus finds it to be in the best interests to waive City Code 329.34, Sale of City-Owned Personal Property, to permit the sale of these specific police canines to Police Officer Carter and Police Officer Anderson.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.