DATE: May 20, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chief of Police
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept Up to $550,000 from the Keith Lacey Trust to be Used by the Hayward Animal Services Bureau for Community Animal Programs, to Provide Shelter Pets Veterinary Care, to Purchase a Shelter Animal Transport and Community Event Use Van, and to Supplement Shelter Improvement Projects
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to accept up to $550,000 from the Keith Lacey Trust, to be used by the Hayward Animal Services Bureau (HASB) to operate community focused animal programs aimed at keeping pets with their owner and reducing pet overpopulation, to provide shelter animals with veterinary care, to purchase a replacement van, and to supplement shelter improvement projects.
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SUMMARY
HASB has been named as a beneficiary of a cash gift from the Keith Lacey Trust (the Trust). Pursuant to the Trust, one third of the Estate of Keith Lacey shall be distributed to “Hayward Animal Control” strictly for the rehabilitation of animals. A preliminary distribution of $200,000 has been ordered by the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. On October 15, 2024, the City Council authorized the City Manager to accept up to $500,000 from the Keith Lacey Trust (Resolution #24-207). The HASB received a notice in April 2025 that there will be additional disbursements totaling between $315,000-$350,000, therefore requiring an additional authorization from City Council to accept the full disbursement.
HASB is proposing to use the donation towards the operation of community-focused animal programs, specifically for spay and neuter services and providing pet owners with financial assistance for veterinary care. HASB also proposes allocating a portion of the donation towards veterinary care for shelter animals to improve their quality of life and enhance their chances for adoption. Funds would also be dedicated to identified shelter improvement projects that enhance the quality of life for shelter animals. Additional funds would support these programs and projects, with HASB proposing to allocate funds for the purchase of a van for animal transport and use at community events. HASB plans to place donor recognition on any transport van acquired and to create the “Keith Lacey Memorial Fund” in his honor.
The Trust has been informed of and approved of the proposed projects the City intends to utilize the donation towards, as more fully explained below.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution