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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 102109 Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Approved Minutes for October 21, 2009 Meeting Present ASAB Members: Daniel Textoris, Jean Austin, Suzanne Roy, Tracy Carroll, Susan Elmore and Dewana Anderson. Absent ASAB Members: Rob Gray, Kris Bergstrand, Bonnie Norwood and Mike Nelson Others in Attendance: Animal Services Director Bob Marotto, Shelter Manager Jess Allison, Office Supervisor Paula Ragan and Animal Control Manager Irene Phipps. Public Members Present: Kathy Clifton Welcome and Opening Comments—ASAB Chair, Susan Elmore, called the meeting to order. Public Comment—Orange County resident Katheryn Clifton spoke with board members regarding her concerns about “dogs at large” in Orange County. Ms. Clifton has recently experienced seven near incidents and two injury-inflicting attacks by unrestrained dogs while biking in and around her neighborhood. According to Ms. Clifton, these attacks have caused her pain and suffering, required medical attention, incurred monetary expenses and have caused her to be fearful of dogs and to give up her freedom of enjoying bike riding. Ms. Clifton has written letters that have been published in the News of Orange and Chapel Hill News; she is trying to raise people’s awareness about what she feels is a growing problem in the county. She believes that it is critical for citizens of Orange County to report to the animal control office any encounters that may occur, not only those that involve injury but those that don’t. Ms. Clifton feels this can be used as a tool for preventing further attacks/encounters with dogs at large. She is proposing stiffer fines to pet owners and to hold them fully responsible for their animals. She promotes more outreach and education on how bikers/citizens that may be outdoors should react if approached by dogs at large. Ms. Clifton believes that all of these things will help to prevent attacks by dogs at large and to hopefully decrease the chances of bodily injury and to allow people to enjoy outdoor biking without being in fear. Another concern that she has is how the new tethering law is going to affect those animals that are not being contained properly. The board and Animal Services will look at ways to do more education and outreach in the community. Motion was made by Jean Austin and seconded by Daniel Textoris to approve the minutes dated October 21, 2009. VOTE: Unanimous. Motion was made by Daniel Textoris and seconded by Jean Austin to approve the agenda dated September 16, 2009 with two small edits. VOTE: Unanimous Animal Services Advisory Board October 21, 2009 Meeting--Approved Minutes Page 2 ASAB Memberships— Bob Marotto reported that there was a discussion at the last ASAB meeting that raised some questions. One was whether or not the township appointments that have been recommended to the BOCC had been made by the Townships and the answer was no, that process had somehow been circumvented. The clerk in light of that information would go back to board and it would go back through the normal townships appointment process. The townships make recommendations to the BOCC for their township positions. Another question by the ASAB was, what is our role in filling vacancies? Mike Nelson had identified a process at the last meeting; Mr. Marotto spoke to the clerk’s office about using this process and it was decided that it would be a good way to proceed. That process could include the ASAB inviting qualified applicants to meetings for an opportunity to meet them and vice versa, which may also include a question and answer session. It would be made clear to the applicant that the townships would make the recommendations and not this board. We currently have 3 vacancies with the board representing the Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and a Certified Animal Handler. We decided that since the Town of Carrboro position was vacated first that we would invite qualified applicant(s) to the November meeting. At the same time we would contact appropriate staff with the Carrboro Township to let them know, if they do not already know, that there is a vacancy and that the ASAB has invited the applicant to a meeting. Dangerous Task Force—Jean Austin reported that the proposal put together by the committee regarding specific enclosures should be tabled at this time. One reason for this is based on a request of statistics provided by Animal Control Manager Irene Phipps regarding dogs that had been declared dangerous over the past 2 years. The data received showed that out of 40 dogs declared dangerous only 5 committed infractions. Ms. Austin feels that there are more pressing issues that the board can work on at this time and with these numbers it may not be justified to move forward with the proposal. Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeal—Jean Austin reported that there were two hearings. One was a biker that was approached in an aggressive way; the dog crossed the centerline as it chased a biker and put the person in fear. The other case did not involve a biker, but rather a person handing out flyers in a neighborhood who was attacked by a dog. Both cases were affirmed. Placement Partner Committee—Nothing to report since the last months meeting. Monthly Statistical Summaries—Jess Allison reported that the monthly statistics for September are holding steady. Irene Phipps reported that animal control was responsible for bringing in 130 animals for the month of September. There were 2 rabies clinics held, one at the Animal Shelter and one at the Government Services Center. There were a total of 283 animals vaccinated. Ms. Phipps also reported that there were a total of 4 rabies exposures, all of which were negative. Animal Services Advisory Board October 21, 2009 Meeting--Approved Minutes Page 3 New Business— In-House Spay and Neuter—Jess Allison reported that the surgical suite is almost outfitted. The interview and selection process for the veterinarians are in the final stages; two have been recommended and we should know the outcome in the coming weeks. The plan is to start transitioning from out-sourcing to in-house spays and neuters by mid-November and thus begin utilizing the surgical suite. There will be approximately a 3-4 week period that we will continue to send some of the animals out for surgeries with our contract veterinarians before we start performing all of the spay/neuter surgeries in house. Ms. Allison also reported that we will have a non-permanent healthcare technician to help assist with the surgeries. NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Rotation—Jess Allison reported that the Animal Services Facility has teamed up with North Carolina State University Veterinary School of Medicine to bring in 6 students to the facility to help assist and perform surgeries on a rotational basis. In addition to the surgeries the students will be performing health exams on the animals and other medical procedures under the supervision of our consulting veterinarian. Today the students performed 6 successful cat surgeries. Strategic Plan for Proactively Managing Pet Overpopulation—Bob Marotto reported that the legal and budget review have been initiated; we have requested a work session with the Board of County Commissioners in January. Mr. Marotto provided handouts to board members that compared the number of dogs/cats that have been spayed or neutered through the Community Spay/Neuter fund. 66 total surgeries have been performed for the third quarter of this calendar year using the $20 fix program; 44 were DSS clients. By comparison with the proceeding quarter there were only a total of 48 spay/neuters. Year-to-date there have been a total of 172, compared to 50 in 2008. It seems reasonable that we will go over the target set for this year. Can you state here what the target is for this year? Crematorium and Disposal Options—Mr. Marotto was tasked with looking into crematorium and disposal options at the Animal Services Center. He has met with vendors and done research to determine what the purchasing cost would be, what options there are and how the various processes work. A document will be provided to the County Manager with all of Mr. Marotto’s findings to be reviewed and discussed. The Animal Services Center currently uses the landfill to dispose of euthanized animals, the landfill will be closing at some point in the near future but will still have disposal options available to us. Triangle Care Updates—Mr. Marotto reported that he participated in discussions with the Triangle Care Organization that has been trying to bring animal welfare people together to form a coalition for Maddy’s Fund for a no-kill shelter. Mr. Marotto feels that, with all the productive possibilities that are currently under way with the new facility, we should not commit to this organization at this time but that we may revisit it in the future. Animal Services Advisory Board October 21, 2009 Meeting--Approved Minutes Page Coyote Dialogue Meeting—Mr. Marotto provided the board members with handouts of the Meeting Summary and Dialogue from a meeting held on September 30, 2009. The meeting addressed concerns of coyote presence in the county and the displacement of native species such as red fox, and habitation of coyotes to humans. Informational material was presented at the meeting and the next step will be educating the public on wildlife rather than singling out coyotes. The group will meet again in several months to review a draft of the educational brochure and to continue their communication and collaboration. FY 1011 Budget Process— Mr. Marotto reported that, in general, the budget process is no better than last year and may be worse. We will be going through the same budget process as last year under new leadership. We will consider reducing costs in some areas and various realignments that are cost effective; we must be informed and proactive at the staff and board level. In addition, we will want to think about some revenue-increasing options in the area of licensing. Further discussion on this agenda item will be discussed at the November meeting. Standing Committees— Based on the requirement of the Rules of Procedures governing the ASAB there should be an annual review of the standing committees. There are currently two standing committees-- (1) Potentially Dangerous Dog and (2) Adoption Refusal Committee. The committees seem to be working well and the structure seems to be working satisfactorily. There have not been any adoption refusal appeals. There was a suggestion by a member to consider having an “Appeals Committee” which would consist of 5 members, instead of having two separate committees. The members of the board thought that was a good idea and would review this possibility for 2010. 2009 Officer Nominations— Chair Susan Elmore reported that it is time for Jean Austin and herself to come off the committee as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Ms. Elmore appointed Daniel Textoris and Kris Bergstrand to be on the nominations committee. She requested that they provide a proposed slate to the ASAB members by next Friday via email for review so that it would be available for a vote at the November meeting. If there any concerns regarding the slate, members should communicate that to the Chair and Vice-Chair prior to the November meeting. Motion was made by Daniel Textoris and Suzanne Roy to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: Unanimous. Next ASAB Meeting: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Animal Services Center, 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill.