HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes from November 28th meetingOrange 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, November 28, 2012
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kris Bergstrand (Chair), Donna Bravo, Jen Merritt, Judy Miller,
Suzanne Roy (Vice-Chair), Aviva Scully, Michael Stewart, Michelle Walker, Lynn White
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kate Doom-Patel, Susan Elmore
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director)
Agenda: Motion to approve agenda passed and agenda unanimously approved
Summary of October 17, 2012 meeting: Reviewed and unanimously approved
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None
Comment from Chair: Kris Bergstrand described phone discussion she had with BOCC Chair
Ms. Pellesier regarding difficulties the ASAB has had completing agendas and running overly
long meetings. Ms Pellesier recommended that public comment be kept to strict 3 min limit, and
that ASAB members avoid discussion back and forth with speakers. Also, any documents
provided by speakers should be reviewed after the meeting.
Animal Services News
Bob Marotto reviewed information on OCAS staffing, recent Live Release Rates, volunteer
program development, formation of a Community Giving Fund for Orange County, on-going
discussions with animal control service delivery for Carrboro, and his discussion regarding rural
Orange County living with Carla Banks, Public Affairs Director and David Stancil, DEAPPR
Director. He announced the January 23, 2013 Coyote Hazing discussion, provided a handout,
“Deer Hunting with Dogs” and additional handouts on upcoming OCAS events listed below.
Home for the Holidays adoption specials from November 1st to January 5th
Canned food drive for OCIM – November 19th to December 21st
Pictures with Santa – Saturday, Dec. 15th from noon to 4:30 pm – OCAS
Partner Profile— The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Kim Alboum, North Carolina Director, HSUS, presented an overview of HSUS’ animal
welfare accomplishments, goals and upcoming legislation, including minimum standards for
commercial dog breeding in North Carolina. The latter is a bill to be entitled, “An Act to
Regulate The Commercial Breeding of Dogs” to set standards for recordkeeping, facilities,
inoculations and an annual medical care for commercial breeding operations where 10 or more
intact, adult female dogs are kept for breeding and selling the offspring. Kennels and
establishments in operation for boarding or training hunting, sporting, herding, show or working
dogs are excluded.
Suzanne Roy asked if supporting local municipality resolutions would be helpful in the effort to
pass this legislation on minimum standards for commercial dog breeding operations in North
Carolina and Ms. Alboum said this would be helpful. By general consensus, the ASAB agreed
to add support for this legislation as a BOCC resolution to the January 2013 ASAB agenda.
ASAB Updates
a. There have been no Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeals Committee Hearings
b. Animal Services Advisory Board Policy and Procedures were voted on and adopted
unanimously
c. Implementation of General Policy on Boards and Commissions will be
accomplished in 2013 including the items below.
i. New officer orientation
ii. Manual
iii. Attendance Records
Old Business
a. Animal Recovery and Sterilization Report and Recommendations was deferred to the
January 2013 meeting due to lack of time
b. Cat Sheltering
• Community member Deanna Rowan inquired about the status of cat condo
conversions. Bob Marotto replied that the cat condo conversion remains scheduled for
the low population season during the upcoming winter months.
• Community member Margaret Heath presented an article, “A Gentle Kind of Cat Care:
Reducing anxiety, frustration and URI in shelter cats” to Mike Stewart and Donna Bravo
who were absent at the October meeting.
New Business
a. ASAB Action Items
i. The 2013 Monthly Meeting Calendar was voted on and adopted unanimously
ii. The 2013 Slate of ASAB Officers was presented with Susan Elmore as
Chair, Michelle Walker as Co-Chair. Kris Bergstrand volunteered to serve as
Secretary for the first half of 2013 and Suzanne Roy to serve as Secretary for
the second half of 2013. The election of officers will be held at the January
2013 meeting.
b. The2013 Work Plan was reviewed and approved with Bob Marotto to make minor
modifications to the final question, “What are the concerns or emerging issues your
board has identified for the upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring
to the Commissioners’ attention?”
c. Judy Miller asked if there was any staff appreciation planned for the upcoming
holiday season. The board members agreed a breakfast repast would be a good
idea and will supply breakfast on Wednesday, December 5th at 9 am.
Meeting adjourned at: 8:30 PM
Name of Minute Taker: Donna Bravo