Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold public hearings to examine and investigate the manner in which the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Office of the Mayor awards contracts to vendors performing animal care and control on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS,

In December of 2008, the Department of Public Health abruptly cancelled its contract with the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association shortly after signing a one year contract renewal to perform animal care and control on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS,

In January of 2009, the Department of Public Health awarded a six month contract to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to perform animal care and control services for the City of Philadelphia; this contract is set to expire on June 30, 2009.

WHEREAS,

Council wishes to review and evaluate the process the Department of Public Health uses to award contracts related to animal care and control including but not limited to criteria for vendor selection.

WHEREAS,

Council wishes to review the progress of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals since assuming the contract with the City of Philadelphia as well as the agency's long term plan in executing the deliverables set forth in the current contract as well as long term goals of the agency.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

, That Council hereby authorizes the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold public hearings to examine

the manner in which the Philadelphia Department of Public Health awards contracts to vendors performing animal care and control on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That in connection with such hearings the Committee is authorized to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.

End