HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 111616 Orange County Animal Services
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-942-PETS(7387)
ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD(ASAB)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT:Warren Porter(Chair), Maureane Hoffman (Vice-Chair), Edmund Tiryakian,Judy Miller, Beth
Grooms,Victoria Hudson, Molly Mullin, Michelle Walker
MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Elmore, Aviva Scully, Michael Stewart, DeWana Anderson
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director)
GUEST PRESENT: Bonnie Hammersley(Orange County Manager)
Call to order: 6:37pm
Review and adoption of the Agenda: Agenda item for discussion with County Manager and agenda item was
added. Beth Grooms made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Maureane Hoffman. The motion carried
without dissent.
Summary of October 21, 2016 meeting: Maureane Hoffman made a motion to approve the Summary; seconded by
Beth Grooms. The motion carried without dissent.
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None.
County Manager Discussion: Edmund Tiryakian requested more information on how the Board reports to the
Orange County Commission. It is a multiphasic report that includes a progress report, work plan, and an annual
meeting of the Commission with at least the Chairs of all Advisory Boards. This meeting occurs in February of each
year. Also during the year, when ASAB is on the Commissioners' agenda, ASAB members are encouraged to attend
the monthly meeting.Although no comment may be requested, particularly on consent agenda items,the
Commissioners are really engaged with the local advisory boards. When petitions arise, Bob Marotto submits items
to the County Manager's staff. County Manager Hammersley informs the Commission of the petition.
Animal Services Advisory Board:
(A) Approval of 2017 meeting schedule(attached). Beth Grooms made a motion to approve the 2017
meeting schedule; Maureane Hoffman seconded. The motion carried without dissent.
(B) Officer Nominations 2017: Wayne Potter read the Nominating Committees' report: Maureane
Hoffman, Chair; Molly Mullin,Vice-Chair; and Victoria Hudson, Secretary.
(C) Public Art Participation: Bob Marotto reported that the money had been received and the process has
begun with the Orange County Arts Commission, which includes planning the call for art by the end of
November. Applications will be due around the end of January and must meet criteria up to$5000. They
anticipate a quick turnover from submission to approval to installation by the end of June. The art may be
sculptural and occupy a space approximately 5'x5' and just to the left og the front entrance. The project
award and approval will require a panel: three people nominated from the Orange County Arts Commission;
an OCAS staff person; and a member of ASAB. Molly Mullin volunteered for the art panel.
1
(D) Further discussion of proposed amendments for Animal Services Advisory Board Policies and
Procedures:Tabled until January meeting.
(E) Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant Award review panel:The panel is scheduled to meet after this
meeting to award the first grant.
Old Business:
(A) Unified Animal Ordinance Update: Change to the wording of"vicious"to "potentially dangerous dog" and
"dangerous animal"was approved by the Orange County Commission. Approvals are still needed with the
Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro as soon as they are able to get the change on their agendas.
Until the Towns have changed their local codes, applicability for declarations must be honored. The wording
will be changed for the code, forms, promotional information, and legal documents, including citations. No
problems are anticipated with towns. No concerns were voiced about the change from Aimee Wall, UNC
School of Government.
(B) Update of free roaming cat discussions: Conversations have begun with Dr. Carl Matyac and Mart
Bumgarner with Orange County Cooperative Extension about a possible partnership on the initiative.
(C) Update of the Pets of the Homeless Task Force:The announcement and invitations are ready for
involvement in late January.They are planning three sessions to get people to come forward with their
willingness to participate.
New Business:
(A) Michelle Walker, Beth Grooms, and Edmund Tiryakian expressed concerns regarding some recent
Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeal Hearing transactions. "Provocation" is going to need some interpreting,
standardizing, and pooled committee member-training. When there is no question about the bite, no
question about location, and no lawyers present,there is still an issue with the definition of provocation
from the ordinance. The "reasonable expectation"to not be bitten is open to too much interpretation.
Committee member training is incomplete at this time. Other suggestions for orientation include an
observation and a mentoring model for pooled committee members that prepare them for the quasi-judicial
proceedings of an appeal hearing
(B) Judy Miller has requested participation of ASAB to honor the staff of OCAS. She plan and contact Board
members for a celebration, reception, or meal during early December that will show the Board's support for
the staff.
(C) Animal Services Updates: Bob Marotto reported that the Home for the Holidays campaign has begun with
discounted adoption fees, OCAS participation in local holiday parades, a canned pet food drive in
partnership with OCIM and their Meals on W heels participants. It will culminate with the photo event with
Santa. There is still a spay/neuter event scheduled for December 7t". OCAS has started processing qualified
applications to fill the new position,Assistant Animal Services Director.
2017 ASAB Officer Elections:Warren Potter made a motion to accept the slate of officers nominated by the
Nominations Committee;Judy Miller seconded. No nominations came from the floor. The motion carried without
dissent.
Information Items(made available):
(A) Monthly Sheltering Statistical Reports, October 2016
(B) Monthly Field Service Statistical Report, October 2016
Adjournment and next meeting:
Warren Porter made a motion to adjourn at 8:17; Beth Grooms seconded. Motion carried without dissent.The
next meeting is January 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm, Orange County Animal Services Center.
Minutes taken:
Victoria Hudson
2