HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 081512
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, August 15, 2012
Animal Services Center
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Suzanne Roy (Vice-Chair), Susan Elmore, Aviva Scully, Donna Bravo,
Kate Doom Patel, Jenn Merritt, Judy Miller, Lynn White
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kris Bergstrand (Chair), Michelle Walker, Mike Stewart, Lori Lumpkin
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Director, Animal Services), Annette Moore (County Attorney)
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Agenda:
Motion to approve agenda but move the potentially dangerous dog hearing discussion up
Motion passed and agenda unanimously approved.
Summary of June 20, 2012 meeting: reviewed and approved unanimously
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda:
Animal ID: Margaret Heath, a member of the public, wished to discuss animal ID,
but this item was not on the agenda. Margaret has sent an email to the BOCC and
this will be an item to discuss at the next meeting.
ASAB Updates:
Michelle Walker completed new member orientation
There were no recent appeal hearings for the Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeals
Committee
Old Business
A) Animal Recovery and Sterilization Committee progress report
Met twice and will meet again in another week. Investigating programs such as
microchipping and mandatory sterilization laws for stray animals that are returned to
their owners.
B) Cat Sheltering
No updates since Progress Report III due to the heavy summer workload
Deanna Rowan, member of the public, provided six (6) handouts to the ASAB members
on cat housing and cat colony housing.
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Margaret Heath, member of the public, provided four (4) aspects of cat housing and a
marked up floor plan of OCAS
New Business
A) Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeal Hearings (PDDAH)
Bob Marotto provided and explained in detail the documents that are used for
PDDAHs using an example (fictitious) of a case report for a PDDAH. Documents
included a letter of appeal, certificate of service document, a potentially dangerous
dog declaration document, a complaint and investigative report, animal bite report,
rabies observation and quarantine notice.
Annette Moore (Animal Services’ staff attorney) explained more of the details of a
dangerous dog/potentially dangerous dog determination and hearing. The
supplementary document “findings sheet for a potentially dangerous dog hearing
(Exhibit A)” was shared with the group. There was an extensive question and
answer session regarding the specifics of a potentially dangerous dog declaration,
appeal, and hearing with Annette Moore and Bob Marotto.
A FAQ sheet has been developed to hand out to future appeal hearings that have
important facts and common questions regarding PDDAHs.
B) Nuisance Animal Noise Report and Recommendation
Suzanne Roy presented the subcommittee’s report on nuisance animal noise. There
was discussion about what the complainants options are at this point. Annette Moore
indicated that they can seek mediation via dispute settlement and also have legal
recourse via civil court.
A document was discussed that contained email communications from two County
residents (Julie Tucker and David Sykes) about the recommendation and report of the
subcommittee examining the issue of nuisance animal noises. Suzanne Roy indicated
that the points brought up in Julie’s email were covered in the report and the other
ASAB members agreed.
Bob Marotto suggested that we get the attention of the Agricultural Preservation Board
(APB) on this matter and have productive communication between our two boards.
Decision/vote: Subcommittee report was unanimously approved and will be sent to the
BOCC
Decision/vote: Motion was made and approved for Bob Marotto to arrange for a
meeting between the committee chairs of both the ASAB and the A PBBoard, the
subcommittee members, senior Animal Services staff, and Annette Moore to discuss
this issue.
C) Board and Commission Policy
Bob Marotto provided a “summary of county advisory board policy and animal services
advisory board”. This discussion included attendance requirements for advisory
boards, officers, subcommittees, meeting agendas, orientation and training, and
duties.
Action items include
a) create an annual attendance sheet that indicates when there are absences and
whether they are excused or not; ensure Chair notification of mem bers who are at
risk of removal and to document the notice; and ensure Chair notification of BOCC
clerk.
b) elect a Secretary
c) recognize the role of the chair as the board spokesperson.
d) define the charge, outcomes and timeline of any subcommittee created by the
ASAB at the time of its creation
e) schedule an annual review of any non-standing subcommittee of the ASAB
f) prepare and distribute and advisory board manual
g) organize an orientation for newly elected Chair and Vice-Chair (as needed)
h) Incorporate Commissioner’s adopted goals and objectives into advisory board
manual and ensure that these are referenced in deliberations and decisions
Decision/vote: All action items were approved by the ASAB without a specific
timetable.
Ongoing and Upcoming Events were reviewed by staff.
Meeting adjourned at: __9:00pm__
Name of Minute Taker __Dr._Susan A. Elmore___