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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 061808Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Approved Minutes for June 18, 2008 Meeting Present ASAB Members: Daniel Textoris, Ross Oglesbee, Jean Austin, Bonnie Norwood, Dewana Anderson, Tracy Carroll and Suzanne Roy and Pat Sanford Absent ASAB Members: Susan Elmore, James Cramer, Moses Carey, Kris Bergstrand and Rachel Beckham. Others in Attendance: Animal Services Director Bob Marotto, Animal Shelter Manager Jessica Allison, Animal Control Manager Irene Phipps, Administrative Assistants Andi Morgan and Paula Ragan. Public Members Present: None Welcome and Opening Comments—ASAB Chair, Ross Oglesbee, called the meeting to order. Motion was made by Daniel Textoris and seconded by Tracy Carroll to approve the Agenda dated June 18, 2008. VOTE: Unanimous. Motion was made by Jean Ausitn and seconded by Daniel Textoris to approve the minutes dated May 21, 2008, with the correction of several typographical errors. VOTE: Unanimous General Public Comment—None Information Items— Animal Ordinance- Bob Marotto presented the members with a copy of a letter dated June 2, 2008, from Laura Blackmon, County Manager to Mr. David Sykes, an Orange County citizen who had come to the ASAB to request that the County’s Animal Ordinances be amended so that animal nuisances included crowing roosters. Manager Blackmon’s letter summarized the ASAB decision against recommending an ordinance amendment and indicated that Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) received an information memo on the ASAB decision as part of their May 1st agenda package. The letter also noted that there were no comments from any of the Commissioners nor was any direction given to staff to do anything different. Unfinished Business— Tethering Ordinance Update— Ross Oglesbee reported that several ASAB members attended the last BOCC meeting at which the Commissioners decided they would discuss the proposed tethering ordinance amendment at one of their September meetings. Some ASAB members would like to request work session with the BOCC prior to that BOCC meeting to provide information and discuss concerns. There was some discussion of the concerns of hunters, and one ASAB member raised the possibility of exempting hunting dogs from the ordinance and involving hunting groups in our discussions. Mr. Marotto agreed to have a discussion with Commissioner Moses Carey regarding the request that the topic of tethering be discussed at another BOCC Work Session.. Animal Services Advisory Board June 18h, 2008 Meeting Approved Minutes Page 2 Fee and Fine Updates—Bob Marotto reported that the implementation of the new fees and fines would occur on July 1, 2008. Andi Morgan has been doing the public outreach required by the commissioners in order to implement these adjustments. Mr. Marotto also noted that the adjusted County license fees for intact animals would also come into effect July 1, 2008, for dog and cat owners who are residents of the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. ASAB Committees— Potentially Dangerous Dog Committee—No hearings or hearing requests have been made since the last ASAB meeting.. Adopter Surveys—Per the request of a board member at the May ASAB meeting, Ms. Allison provided copies of the Adopter Survey, which has been recently implemented at the shelter. It is a tool used to help staff determine which type of animal best fits the potential adopter’s lifestyle in order to have a more successful match of pet and person. Ms. Allison indicated that the survey is from the ASPCA and used in conjunction with the Meet Your Match Program. Placement Partner Update—Mr. Marotto reported that the finished product should be completed soon. The only thing remaining is completing the research on the possible requirement for certain liability insurance and the cost associated with it. At this time we are still waiting to hear back from insurance companies on various quotes. Spay/Neuter Committee— Mr. Marotto reported that the committee has not met recently but expects to meet in the month of July. He also noted that he and Paula Ragan had recently met with Beth Livingston of Animal Kind to discuss a partnership between AnimalKind and Orange County Animal Services. The intent is to obtain legal review of a draft agreement and then seek BOCC approval after their recess.. May Statistical Summary—Ms. Jess Allison gave an overview of the May 2008 statistical summaries. She reported that the increase in intakes is due to the spring season. New Business— Select Updates— Mr. Marotto gave an overview the FY08/09 budge process as it related to Animal Services (pending final BOCC approval and adoption). The Animal Services Department obtained approval for 2 of 3 new positions that the County Manager recommended, and there were no cuts in its operating budget (except for a 25 percent across the board reduction in the training line item). However, commissioners had specific concerns and questions regarding the spay/neuter funds and why there are two separate funds and Mr. Marotto stressed the importance of ASAB representatives attending public hearings during next year’s budget process to indicate their strong support for such initiatives. Mr. Marotto also noted that BOCC approved the purchase the “animobile units” and vehicles needed to replace three Animal Control vehicles. The new compartments will help to maintain Animal Services Advisory Board June 18h, 2008 Meeting Approved Minutes Page 3 the correct internal temperatures while transporting animals from the field to the shelter location for intake process. Groundbreaking Ceremony—Paula Ragan reported that the new Animal Services Center groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 5th, 200, the hottest day of the year! Despite the heat it was a great success and she thanked everyone for attending and helping to organize the event. Ms. Ragan gave special thanks to Ms. Sarah Fallin for working with her to prepare for the event and a special thanks to Ms. Jessica Allison for coming out the day of the event to help with set up. There were approximately 55- 60 people that attended the event. Speakers included Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director, Barry Jacobs, Chair of County Commissioners, Moses Carey, Jr. Commissioner and ASAB Board Liaison, Laura Blackmon, County Manager, and Ross Oglesbee and Susan Elmore, ASAB Chair and Vice-Chair.. Spring Cookout—Jessica Allison reported that the Animal Shelter held a very successful Spring Cookout on May 31st, 2008. Andi Morgan helped to organize two volunteer bands that provided free entertainment and Sarah Fallin organized the booths that included face paintings, free hotdogs and a scavenger hunt. Approximately 100 people attended and there were some animals adopted due to the event. Animal Control Staff Update—Ms. Irene Phipps announced that Animal Control Officer Harvey Melton would be retiring on July 1st, 2008 after 24 years of service with Orange County. There will be a gathering held at the Food Lab located in the Carr Building in Hillsborough on June 30th from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., everyone is invited to attend to wish him farewell. Rabies & Rabies Clinic Updates—Irene Phipps announced that two clinics were being held today, one in the morning at Fairview Park in Hillsborough and the other this evening in the Annex Building Parking lot in Hillsborough. There have been a total of 567 vaccines administered to date at 10 clinics. Ms. Phipps reported that there are 11 clinics remaining this year and the goal is exceed last year’s total (1157 vaccinations). So far this year there have been ten positive rabies cases, and six of these occurred in the month of May. Marketing and Outreach—Andi Morgan gave an overview of a handout describing how marketing and outreach is being done via Petharbor and Petfinder. She gave some statistical reports from the Animal Service website adoption page and Petfinder views comparing 2007 to 2008 showing an increase in the number of “hits.” On Petfinder we now average anywhere from 13,000 to 21,000 “hits” per month, and we are getting approximately five times as many views as the average Petfinder Shelter group. Additionally, Ms. Morgan provided posters, display ads and features that are distributed throughout the community. Adoption promotions also include the “ pet of the week” advertised in the News of Orange, Chapel Hill News, Carrboro Citizen and Channel 265. Another area of outreach includes public education regarding issues such as tethering (pending BOCC action) plus fee and fine increases and rabies and rabies control. Upcoming initiatives include the promotion of animal adoptions and the recovery of lost animals by owners and custodians; spay/neuter outreach and education; and the opening of the County’s new Animal Services Center facility. Animal Services Advisory Board June 18h, 2008 Meeting Approved Minutes Page 4 Attendance Requirement—Ms. Ross Oglesbee gave an overview of a handout provided to all board members entitled the “Resolution--Orange County Appointment and Orientation Process for Boards and Commissions”. The Resolution states that “[i]f an appointee, in any calendar year, has absences which constitute more than 25 percent of the regularly scheduled board meetings or three consecutive meeting, whichever comes first, which he or she is required to attend, he or she is obligated to resign. The Board of Commissioners may consider extenuating circumstances.” Ms. Oglesbee would like board members to be mindful of the process part of which includes the Clerks office contacting Ms. Ragan prior to re-appointments and providing their office with attendance records. It was noted that Ms. Ragan tracks attendance throughout the year based on ASAB meeting sign in sheets. Motion was made by Bonnie Norwood and seconded by Jean Austin to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. VOTE: Unanimous. Next ASAB Meeting: Wednesday, Ju1y 16, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in Southern Human Services Conference Room, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill.