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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 052009 Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Approved Minutes for May 20, 2009, Meeting Present ASAB Members: Daniel Textoris, , Jean Austin, Bonnie Norwood, Rachel Beckham, Dewana Anderson, Suzanne Roy, Mike Nelson, and Susan Elmore Absent ASAB Members: Kris Bergstrand, Rob Gray and Tracy Carroll. Others in Attendance: Animal Services Director Bob Marotto, Shelter Manager Jess Allison, Administrative Assistant Paula Ragan and Animal Control Manager, Irene Phipps. Public Members Present: None Welcome and Opening Comments—ASAB Chair, Susan Elmore, called the meeting to order. Motion was made by Bonnie Norwood and seconded by Daniel Textoris to approve the Agenda dated May 20, 2009 with one request to add the renewal of the $20 Fix. VOTE: Unanimous. Motion was made by Daniel Textoris and seconded by Bonnie Norwood to approve the minutes with two changes, one to add Rob Gray to those in attendance and to change a sentence in paragraph one under General Public Comment to read “at full cost which insurance did not cover” instead of $20,000.00. VOTE: Unanimous General Public Comment—None ASAB Committee Status Reports— Dangerous Dog Task Force—Jean Austin reported that she and Bonnie Norwood met and they had previously written a proposal about the confinement of animals. One question they had was whether or not Animal Control keeps a separate file and list of all the dangerous dogs. Animal Control Manager, Irene Phipps reported that they do keep a list. At some point, possibly in June the task force would like to go through the standard procedures and steps with Animal Control. Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeals— Jean Austin reported that there were no appeals to report. Placement Partner Committee— Bob Marotto reported the committee is on hold. Pet Overpopulation Committee— Suzanne Roy reported that the committee met and reviewed the draft plan and made a few minor changes. The Committee will come back to the Animal Services Staff with a few questions for clarification and then present the draft plan to the ASAB members for review and comments. Animal Services Advisory Board May 20, 2009 Meeting-- Approved Minutes Page 2 FY09/10 Budget Update—Bob Marotto reported that Laura Blackmon made a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on May 19, 2009 for a revenue neutral budget. Included in her presentation was the Animal Services budget that was prepared with a 10% reduction of the expenditure line items excluding wages and salary but including overtime and non-permanent salaries. The County Manager has been asked to identify additional reductions for taxations. One cut for next year may be the employee 401k. The next BOCC Public Hearings will be held on May 21st and May 26th. Mike Nelson added that things could get worse due to the 1.7 billion dollar shortfall that the State has found after their review and analysis. New Business— Recognition of County Advisory Board and Commission Volunteers— On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, Paula Ragan presented board members with a gift to say “Thank You” for their time and talents to study County Issues and contribution to making Orange County a better place to live. ASAB Re-appointments— Paula Ragan announced that Board Members, Rachel Beckham, Tracy Carroll and Rob Gray have agreed to be re-appointed to the board for another term. The Board of County Commissioners approved their re-appointments at the May 19, 2009 meeting. April 2009 Statistical Service—Jess Allison gave an overview of two handouts she provided to members. The stats were at an increase compared to previous months. May 2009 Placement Partners—Board members were provided with a handout of Animal Services Placement Plan for the month of May. May is a challenging month due to the facility being closed during the move and with the upcoming Holiday. As far as outreach there will be Petsmart, Last Friday’s Street Fair, WRAL TV 5 and the local Farmers Markets. Ms. Allison also announced that Orange County Animal Services is now on Facebook. $20 Fix— Bob Marotto ask if the board would endorse the renewal of the Animal Kind Agreement for low cost or no cost for qualified Orange County residents for the upcoming fiscal year. This year the Agreement was signed in September and for the first quarter there were a total of 30 sterilizations done. The need for this type of service is greater than in years past due to the economy. Motion was made by Jean Austin and seconded by Daniel Textoris to strongly endorse the Animal Kind Spay/Neuter Program for fiscal year 2009/2010 with sound endorsement and recognizing the savings to the county. Transition to the New Animal Services Center— Bob Marotto reported that the Animal Services Department would be closed on May 28-31st to move in to the new facility. Citizens will be allowed to reclaim animals starting on May 29th. The facility will open to the public for full Animal Services Advisory Board May 20, 2009 Meeting-- Approved Minutes Page 3 service on June 1, 2009. During the move there will be one staff person at the Animal Control Office and the Animal Shelter to answer telephones. Animal Control will provide narrow field services during the move. Staff will be responsible for moving all of the animals. Professional movers will move all furnishings and boxed items. New Facility Tour—The board members took a tour of the new facility and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Next ASAB Meeting: Wednesday, June 18th, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room in the New Animal Services Center located at 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill.