Resolution Establishing the North Valley Animal Disaster Group as an Affiliate of the Butte County Public Health Department and Declaring Intention to Utilize Criminal History Information Screening in Connection with Volunteer Services

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte has determined that the functions of Animal Control are important to the citizens of Butte County and,

WHEREAS, during times of fire, flood, natural or man-made disasters and other emergencies, animals may need rescue services beyond the capability of regularly staffed Animal Control personnel to deliver, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group have voted that they wish to affiliate with the Butte County Public Health Department, Animal Control for purposes of providing emergency assistance when requested in ways including but not limited to the situations mentioned above, and

WHEREAS, Penal Code Sections 11105 (b)(1) and 13300 (b)(10) authorize counties to access state and local summary criminal history information for employment related purposes, and

WHEREAS, Penal Code Sections 11105 (b)(1) and 13300 (b)(10) provide that there be a requirement for or exclusion from employment, licensing or certification based on specific criminal conduct on the part of the person who is the subject of the record, and

WHEREAS, Penal Code Sections 11105 (b)(1) and 13300 (b)(10) require the city council, board of supervisors, or governing body of a city, county or district to specifically authorize access to summary criminal history information for employment, licensing, or certification purposes;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Butte County Board of Supervisors establishes the relationship between the Butte County Public Health Department and The North Valley Animal Disaster Group as follows:

1. The volunteer services of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group will be utilized at the discretion and under the direction of the Butte County Public Health Department Animal Control and shall be authorized under the following conditions but not limited to:

A. Evacuation of animals impacted by wildfire, flood, hazardous

materials incidents and declared disasters B. Animal seizure due  to abuse, neglect or other issues C. Neighborhood evacuations or evacuations of specific county areas that may leave animals unattended or in need of emergency assistance;

2. The request and authorization to respond to an emergency shall be made to North Valley Animal Disaster Group through Butte County Fire/CDF Emergency Command Center upon approval of one of the following:

A. On Call Animal Control Officer

B. Supervisor, Animal Control

C. Program Manager or Manager overseeing Animal Control D. Environmental Health Director

E. Assistant Public Health Director

F. Public Health Director

3. North Valley Animal Disaster Group and its volunteers will be covered for liability only when authorized by the County to be activated for response and to the extent required by law.

4. All evacuation team volunteers who will be handling animals in an uncontrolled setting are required to have rabies pre-exposure vaccinations. A current tetanus vaccination is recommended. Butte County Public Health Department will provide the rabies vaccine at its cost.

5. All volunteers must pass a minimum background check, which will be provided in coordination with the Butte County Sheriffs Department and the Department of Justice.

6. All volunteers agree to advocate and support the spaying and neutering of

      pets in Butte County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Health be authorized to access summary criminal history information for employment (including volunteers), licensing, or certification purposes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County shall not consider a person eligible for employment (including volunteers and contract employees) or licensing; who has been convicted of a felony, or convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a misdemeanor which may otherwise be considered under applicable law; except that such convictions may be disregarded if it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist, or that the conviction is not related to the employment, volunteerism or license in question;