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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Proposed Meeting Summary 09162020Orange County Animal Services 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919-942-PETS (7387) ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 20202020 Virtual Meeting Summary MEMBERS PRESENT: Amanda Schwoerke (Chair), Bryan Stuart (Vice Chair), Casey Ferrell (Secretary), Lee Pickett, Lucia Welborne, Edmund Tiryakian, Sue Millager, Sunita Driehuys, ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director), Andi Morgan (AS Assistant Director), Call to order: 6:XX p.m. Virtual meeting voting guidelines: Bryan Stuart, ASAB Vice-Chair Review and adoption of the agenda: approved Vote (Motion/2nd) Amanda Schwoerke Yes Bryan Stuart Yes Sue Millager Yes (M) Lee Pickett Yes (2nd) Ed Tiryakian Yes Lucia Welborne Yes Sunita Driehuys Yes Casey Ferrell Yes Summary of July 2019 meeting: approved Vote (Motion/2nd) Amanda Schwoerke Yes (2nd) Bryan Stuart Yes Sue Millager Yes Lee Pickett Yes (M) Ed Tiryakian Yes Lucia Welborne Yes Sunita Driehuys Yes Casey Ferrell Yes Review of public participation guidelines: Bryan Stuart, ASAB Vice-Chair General public comments on items not on agenda:  Mr. Joseph Williams o Turned in several complaints this year about a pit bull in the apartment complex where he lives o In talking to ACO Hess, felt the local ordinance didn’t cover his concerns the criteria to determine a dangerous dog is an either/or proposition o Is asking for a graduated protocol that allows for the provisions outlined in the correspondence between Dir. Marotto and Mr. Williams  Encouraging consideration of some incremental steps between the dangerous dog designation and absence of such designation o Board discussion with Mr. Williams ensues  Chairperson Schwoerke communicates that the board will take Mr. Williams’ recommendations under consideration Monthly Meeting Attendance Record (confirm completion): confirmed Animal Services Advisory Board updates:  Preparing for the mass sheltering function associated with the county’s emergency response system (remnants of Hurricane Sally poised to create a flooding event as of 9.16.20)  A Volunteer Program Assessment Survey will be administered by the University of  Georgia and the results used to identify opportunities and process improvement for the  volunteer program.  An application has been submitted for another Margaret Petri Spay Neuter Grant to  provide free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs to county households between  200% and 400% of federal poverty level.Grant application for $20k+ to support foster program out to PetCo  Pet Food Assistance Program o Continuing to deliver at biweekly events around the county  Veterinary assistance program development is ongoing  Commentary on the August 2020 statistics o Pleased that despite overall numbers returning to 2019 leve ls, outcomes are still exceeding expectations and proud of AS performance under the duress of the pandemic Old Business:  Shelter Requirements for Livestock Guardian Dogs o Dir. Marotto speaks on behalf of citizen about the uniquities of a certain group of livestock guardian dogs whose lack of common-breed shelter requirements are potentially misaligned with the minimum shelter standards as articulated in local ordinance. o Mr. Noah Ranells joins the virtual call  Concern is about the requirements of a three-sided shelter and how that’s worked out on his farm in the past. Livestock guard dogs are territorial by nature. Can coexist with many kinds of livestock, but sometimes a dog will adopt a space as its domain/home, and if a sheep is happens into that space (the dog’s claimed domain/home), the dog and the livestock will come into conflict.  Has never had a dog die of exposure to winter conditions at their farm. Believes certain breeds are better served by having an exemption to the ordinance’s stipulations about shelters. o Board discussion with Mr. Ranells ensues  Mr. Ranells encourages that the criterion be tethered/non-tethered for the application of the shelter requirements  Chairperson Schwoerke states that the board will take Mr. Ranells’ concerns under advisement and add to the agenda of an upcoming OCASAB meeting  Systemic Racism and Animal Services o Task Force (Schwoerke/Pickett/Driehuys): first meeting Friday, Sept. 18; more information to come at next board meeting Animal Services Advisory Board  Vacancies o Will redistribute comprehensive listing of occupancies and vacancies by quota positions o Recent board nominations will be put forth at the BOCC Oct. 6 meeting; yet 2 vacancies remain  1 animal welfare advocacy position open  1 non-municipality position open Informational Items  Communications between Joseph Williams and Bob Marotto about the Unified Animal Ordinance  August 2020 Monthly Statistics for Sheltering Operations  August 2020 Monthly Statistics for Field Services Informal Discussion  Mr. Tiryakian expressed thanks to OCAS for including negative rabies test results in standard reporting Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.