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Home My WebLink AboutASAB Meeting Summary 03172021 Orange 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, March 17, 2021 Virtual Meeting Summary MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryan Stuart (Vice Chair), Casey Ferrell (Secretary), Lee Pickett, Edmund Tiryakian, Sunita Driehuys, Meggie Romick, Lori Gershon, Susan Spinks, Sue Millager, Amanda Schwoerke, Lori Gershon, Dawn Roberts, Allan Polak, Lucia Welborne ABSENT: Amanda Schwoerke, Susan Spinks STAFF PRESENT: Bonnie Hammersley (County Manager), Vicki Jones (Interim Animal Services Director), Rachel Plast (Administrative Assistant) Call to order: 6:32 p.m. Virtual meeting voting guidelines: Bryan Stuart, ASAB Vice-Chair Review and adoption of the agenda: • Motion to add an item about ASAB leadership Vote (Motion/2nd) Amanda Schwoerke Bryan Stuart Y (Moved) Sue Millager Y Lee Pickett Y Ed Tiryakian Y (2nd) Lucia Welborne Y Sunita Driehuys Y Casey Ferrell Y Meggie Romick Y Allan Polak Susan Spinks Lori Gershon Y Dawn Roberts Y Review and approval of February 2021 meeting summary Vote (Motion/2n,) Amanda Schwoerke Bryan Stuart Y Sue Millager Y (Moved) Lee Pickett Y (2nd) Ed Tiryakian Y Lucia Welborne Y Sunita Driehuys Y Casey Ferrell Y Meggie Romick Y Allan Polak Y Susan Spinks Lori Gershon abstained Dawn Roberts Y Review of public participation guidelines: Bryan Stuart, ASAB Vice-Chair General public comments on items not on agenda: • N/A Monthly Meeting Attendance Record (confirm completion): confirmed Introduction of Vicki Jones, Interim Animal Services Director: Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager • Bonnie shared remarks on the qualities that Vicki has that will help shepherd the department through this transitional period • Bonnie shared remarks on the recruitment process o Bob put a recruitment profile for the position prior to leaving o Job posted Feb. 3rd(remained in place for 30 days) o 23 interested candidates o HR does first evaluation of applications o Have identified top 5 candidates o Interviews begin early April with two panels (one internal, one external) o Lee: How many ASAB members can be involved in choosing the next director? ■ Bonnie: Advisory board members do not get involved in the hiring decisions of departmental staff. o Ed: Expressed reservations about the transparency of the hiring process, dismay at lack of communication about departures of Andi Morgan and Bob Marotto, and wishes that the ASAB had been more involved and consulted in the search. Asked for application window to be reopened. Asked to know who is on the search committee and their qualifications and that two members of the ASAB be added to it. ■ Bonnie: Not at liberty to disclose matters of personnel regarding Andi's and Bob's departure. Feels that the hiring process has been robust; emphasized the importance of clear reporting lines; reiterated it is the county's position as endorsed by the county lawyer that advisory board members do not get involved in hiring of staff. Confident in the caliber of current candidates and pleased with level of interest. o Lucia: Expressed desire to be advising the search committee. ■ Bonnie: The advisory board advises the BOCC, and that is where this advisory board should take their advisements. o Bonnie: the county is aware of issues within Animal Services. The county has invested —$40k in a consultant to evaluate the veterinary services. Acknowledged that the department has been experiencing morale issues and has been closely involved with the department's operations for the last 8 months. Animal Services Advisory Board • Legislative Agenda Item Update o No updates to report; Amanda has already submitted the legislative item request and the Chair and Vice Chair have been invited to April 22nd BOCC working session. • Board leadership o Amanda Schwoerke has resigned as the board chair, will remain as a regular board member and a member of the Hearing Panel. o Vice Chair Bryan Stuart nominates Ed Tiryakian to serve as board chair Vote (Motion/2nd) Amanda Schwoerke Bryan Stuart Y (Motion) Sue Millager Y Lee Pickett Y (2nd) Ed Tiryakian abstained Lucia Welborne Y Sunita Driehuys Y Casey Ferrell Y Meggie Romick Y Allan Polak Y Susan Spinks Lori Gershon Y Dawn Roberts Y Old Business: • Shelter Requirements for Livestock Guardian Dogs: Discussion o Task force recommendation is currently to recognize the unique realities of working dogs and allow for livestock guardian dogs to be exempt from the shelter adequacy standard while working. o Task force reached out to Agricultural Preservation Board; next step is for ASAB to articulate a recommendation and bring it to the next Ag Board meeting in May for consultation before bringing any recommendations to the BOCC. o Continued to April ASAB for a vote • Dangerous Dog Requirements: Discussion o Bonnie Hauser joined to offer some comments regarding the application of a dangerous dog designation for killing backyard chickens. ■ Hauser helped to create the Hearing Panel. ■ Felt that the ruling for killing a chicken was "over the top." ■ Not sure if this is common practice elsewhere in North Carolina. ■ Concern is the application of the ordinance is too punitive. ■ Wants the board to consider a "second chance" law, or to exempt poultry from dangerous dog designations. Informational Items • February 2021 Monthly Statistics for Sheltering Operations • February 2021 Monthly Statistics for Field Services Informal Discussion • N/A Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.