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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 011707 Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Approved Minutes for January 17th, 2007 Meeting Present ASAB Members: James Kramer, Kristine Bergstrand, Ross Oglesbee, DeWana Anderson, Pat Sanford, Caroline Green, Bonnie Norwood, Moseys Carey, Tracy Carroll, Susan Elmore and Jean Connerat Austin. Absent ASAB Members: Daniel Textoris Others in Attendance: Animal Services Director Bob Marotto, Animal Shelter Operations Manager Jessica Allison, Animal Control Manager Irene Paul, and Administrative Assistant Paula Ragan. Public Members Present: Kindra Mammone of CLAWS , Inc., Susie Fisher, Tuc Fisher, Lori Widener, Steve Stone, Mark Franczak, Marlee Franczak, Sarah Duffy, Vincent Mammone, Kasha Mammone, and Dan Johnson Welcome and Opening Comments—Vice-Chair of the ASAB Committee, Kristine Bergstrand Motion was made by Ross Oglesbee and seconded by Moses Carey to approve the minutes dated November 15, 2006. VOTE: Unanimous Motion was made by Kristine Bergstrand and seconded by Moses Carey to approve the Agenda dated January 17, 2007 with one change to move “ item e” (Amendment Ordinance Proposal- “Keeping of Wild Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property”) to “item a” under Section 4 Unfinished Business. VOTE: Unanimous Unfinished Business-- Amendment Ordinance Proposal- “Keeping of Wild Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property”—Several people signed up and spoke in support of the proposed amendment ordinance that Kindra Mammone, Executive Director, Claws, Inc, has proposed to the ASAB to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The speakers spoke on behalf of the revised proposal and shared their experiences from volunteering, educational field trips, explaining how their rehabilitation center operates and stressing the importance of rescues, safety and education. A motion was made by Pat Sanford and seconded by Ross Oglesbee to create a committee or task force that will work with staff to gather information and decide what recommendation should be made to the BOCC. VOTE: Unanimous. The task force will consist of Pat Sanford, Bonnie Norwood, Ross Oglesbee, Susan Elmore and Jean Connerat Austin. It was asked that the committee meet and come back to the ASAB with a timeline, and also that it invite member of NC Legislative committee and others to speak to the committee regarding this matter. ASAB Approved Minutes— January 17th, 2007 Page 2 Tethering Committee--Bob Marotto reported that we presently have six applicants, not including two ASAB representatives, as potential members of the BOCC appointed Tethering Committee. It was recommended that staff at this time coordinate with the Clerk’s Office to schedule initial appointments to the Tethering Committee. . Design Committee--Bob Marotto gave an update, indicating that many appointments have been made but some remain, and that the Design Committee has already met with members of the design team and staff on several occasions. New Animal Services Facility--Bob Marotto reported that the process is underway and the Design Committee and others met with architects to do needs assessment workshop and reviewed the wish list generated by staff and ASAB members. The architects are using this information to develop a preliminary building program, which it is expected that they will return to the Design Committee for review and discussion. It was indicated that an important next step was a concept review in the context of the Chapel Hill regulatory process, and there was a brief discussion of whether there was any leeway in the project timetable. The Orange County Arts Commission has offered to purchase two figurative canine sculptures created by Carrboro artist Mike Roig. The Director of the Arts Commission will be speaking to the Design Committee regarding this offer. The next step would be for the Design Committee to make a recommendation to the BOCC that they be acquired. The ASAB gave very positive feed back regarding the sculptures and thought it would be an excellent idea to acquire them for placement at the County’s new Animal Services Facility Foster Program Review-- Figures on foster activity were provided for the month of November and December, 2006. There was nothing to report at this time, given other activities, but it is something to which staff will return as time allows. Adoption/Placement Committee--Bob Marotto reported that meeting schedule needed to be adjusted as a result of work on the new animal services facility, and that there will be a meeting on February 9th. The Committee has committed to getting materials together for transfer programs and they will look at protocols and procedures that other facilities are using and look at our own practices. A brief discussion was held regarding the under ground railroad that transports animals from North Carolina up north and it was ask that the adoption/placement committee look at this closer and ways to improve on current practices. New Business-- Select Department Updates: Bob Marotto requested that the ASAB meet in February. One reason is to discuss the animal services fee study that Budget and Animal Services staff are conducting. Any recommendations will go to the County Manager and ultimately the BOCC for its annual budget amendment. It was noted that this year’s review would be limited to existing fees and if new fees were proposed, this would be done through a review in the following fiscal year. ASAB Approved Minutes— January 17th, 2007, Meeting Page 3 Another reason to meet in February is that Beth Livingston with the $20 Fix is tentatively scheduled to make a presentation about the program at the invitation of staff and the ASAB. Other select updates are: • The Community Response Team Training (CERT) is now underway and it includes an animal module. While some people have offered to be instructors for that module, others are still needed to serve in that role. • Animal Services is in the process of revamping the website in co-ordination with the County’s IT staff which is evolving a new standard for the county website that is much more service oriented. A page on the ASAB has been added to the website. Also notable in this regard is that the Animal Services Department is one of the top five county departments in terms of the number of “hits”. • There is currently a cruelty case conducted by Animal Control that involved the seizure of almost twenty dogs that are being held at the shelter in protective custody. Staff are working closing with DA and county attorney to position themselves to have the bond posted for the cost of the care of these animals as well as successful criminal prosecution. • The shelter has obtained their shelter certificate from Department of Agriculture based on the application and inspection and they were generally satisfied. Related maintenance work is currently underway at the shelter. Elections--Nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of the ASAB were voted on by written ballots and the vote was unanimous. Kristine Bergstrand, Chair and Ross Oglesbee, Vice-Chair. A motion was made by Jim Kramer and seconded by Ross Oglesbee to have the next ASAB as scheduled on February 21, 2007. VOTE: Unanimous Informal Discussion-A concern was raised regarding how quickly Pet Finder and Pet Harbor updates information on the animals in the shelter. Also discussed were ways to advertise and promote permanent pet identification via microchipping. . Motion was made by Ross Oglesbee and seconded by Bonnie Norwood to adjourn meeting at 8:30 p.m. Vote: Unanimous. Next ASAB Meeting: Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, Economic Development Center, 110 E. King Street Hillsborough Services Center, Hillsborough.