Mold jeopardizes county's animal shelter contract

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http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-gov/2002/aug/30/513922488.html

August 30, 2002

Mold jeopardizes county's animal shelter contract

By Adrienne Packer

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LAS VEGAS SUN

County attorneys are exploring how a mold infestation at the county's

animal control offices at Dewey Animal Care Center will affect its $1.1

million-a-year contract with the privately run animal shelter.

The contract has provisions that allow nearly 20 county animal control

officers and dispatchers to work out of an office at the facility off

Decatur Boulevard.

But after workers complained of illnesses and mold was found in the office

walls, employees were moved out of the building in May and do not plan to

return.

" We're not moving back and reoccupying that space, " said West, the

county's assistant parks director who oversees animal control. " Our

employees are extremely concerned about their health. "

County commissioners rejected Dewey's request for a contract extension last

year and the agreement expires in 2005, according to Jim Spinello, assistant

administrative director. The county is uncertain whether the contract will

be affected by animal control officers moving out.

" It's something we're reviewing right now, " Spinello said. " It's in the

hands of the DA to see how one piece fits into the others. "

-Anne , the commission's attorney, did not immediately return a

phone message.

Though Dr. ph Freer, president of the animal shelter, said no mold has

been found in areas where animals are kept, the discovery comes at a

critical point for the shelter as county officials are examining other

shelter options.

In March 2001 -- four years before his current contract was set to expire --

Freer attempted to persuade commissioners to grant him a five-year

extension.

Freer argued that he needed a longer term financial commitment from the

county before he renovated the shelter, which Dewey has operated since 1985.

He offered to build a $10 million state-of-the-art facility.

Commissioners, who reviewed county reports about cats being stacked in cages

in the arrival areas for more than 24 hours and wet and cold kennels,

rejected Freer's request.

Joe Boteilho, manager of County's animal control division, declined to

discuss the conditions at Dewey other than to say they are " static, no

improvements have been made. "

An animal advisory committee assembled by the commission is exploring

options other than Dewey. The most promising proposal is a regional animal

care " campus " adjacent to Lied Animal Shelter on Mojave Road and Bonanza

Avenue.

The Las Vegas City Council gave staff members permission to begin working

with the county on the proposal.

" We've been tasked to take a look at what our other options are, and talk in

clear terms so the board can make an educated decision on what to do, "

Boteilho said.

Freer balked at the proposal, arguing that the government would spend about

$12 million on the complex when Dewey can provide the same services with no

added cost, only a contract extension.

" Why would they want to spend $12 million when they have private industry

that can redo the kennel at the existing site, " Freer said. " The owner of

the building would take out old kennels and put in new kennel facilities and

it's a matter of zero dollars. "

Freer said most of the $1.1 million it receives from the county annually

goes toward salaries and rent. This year money was also spent on

air-conditioning and heating in the kennels, reconstructed rooftops and

painting the facility.

The mold, Freer said, is simply what happens to older buildings in the Las

Vegas Valley.

" There is not an old building in this community that doesn't have mold, " he

said. " Go look in your bathroom, look behind your sink, you'll find mold. "

The county's advisory committee is expected to make a presentation to

commissioners regarding their options next month.