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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 2.16.22_meeting minutes approved Orange County Animal Services 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill,NC 27516 919-942-PETS (7387) ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Virtual Meeting Summary MEMBERS PRESENT: Edmond Tiryakian(Chair), Bryan Stuart(Vice Chair), Brenda Scott, Lee Pickett, Sunita Driehuys, Dawn Roberts,Allan Polak Meggie Romick Members ABSENT (excused)Lori Gershon STAFF PRESENT: Tenille Fox (Communications), Greg Ceseretti (Animal Services Assistant Director) PUBLIC PRESENT: Diana Adimari, Paula Greeno Call to order: 6:30 p.m. Virtual meeting voting guidelines addressed-Bryan Stuart Monthly Meeting Attendance Record(confirm completion): Confirmed Review and Approval of February 2022 Meeting Summary With this Amendment Proposed - change to previous meeting *** February, 16 minutes Pat Sanford Award Grant -Winners Our Wild Neighbors Change from 1,4080 animals to rescued last year to 1,408 animals last year. Motion for amendment made by Lee Picket Seconded by Bryan Stuart, approved by Edmond Tiryakian, Bryan Stuart, Brenda Scott, Sunita Driehuys, Dawn Roberts,Allan Polak, Lucia Welborne, Meggie Romick Review and adoption of the meeting agenda New business - o Staffing updates - In Dr. Strong's absence Greg Ceseretti reported the need for 2 additional veterinary technicians. Current staff is doubling up until hiring is complete. o Update on Wolfdogs - Ed Tiryakian mentioned that "the general public had raised$1 OK to donate to the Non Profit Sanctuary which had agreed to take the last of the wolf dogs." Noisy Rooster committee - Reported progress in reviewing zoning ordinances for the county, and work continues. Animal Services Advisory Board Interview with Paula Greeno: Differed to the next ASAB meeting Letter to County Commissioners Regarding Special Bill: Motion proposing removal of muzzle after 18 months and look back at behavior, copy of this proposal will be sent to Orange County Commissioners. (see copy attached to this summary for reference) Vote (Motion/2nd) Ed Tiryakian Y Bryan Stuart Y(Motion) Lee Pickett Y(2nd) Lucia Welborne Y Sunita Driehuys Y Dawn Roberts Y Meggie Romick Y Allan Polak Y Brenda Scott Y Lori Gershon Absent Review of public participation guidelines -Bryan Stuart reminded participants that comments should be limited to 3 minutes. Public issue / concern Ms. Adimari petitioned the board for modification to the Animal Control Ordinance Section 4.45 Public Nuisance. She and her husband are currently in a situation where they cannot utilize/ enjoy their property as a result of a neighbor's outdoor cat. However, this situation is not odor or noise related and therefore, is not covered under the ordinance as currently written. She provided details and examples. Informational Items: Informal Discussion: Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Letter to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners We, the Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board, respectfully request the OC Board of County Commissioners forward to the Orange County Legislative Caucus a proposed Local Bill to serve as a pilot initiative. During the 2022 Short Session, only certain types of legislative proposals are acceptable, of which a Local Bill is one. Our proposal is to bring NC GS 67-4.2. into conformity with Orange County's Dangerous Dog Law, Section 4-42(k). In November 2018, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to allow dog owners whose dogs have been declared dangerous to appeal to the Orange County Animal Services Director after 18 months to review the lifetime muzzle requirement. The Director has authority to investigate whether under the totality of the circumstances a relaxation of the muzzle requirement is warranted. See Application for Review of Declaration.pdf However, if a dog has been found dangerous under GS 47-4.1., the lifetime muzzle requirement remains in effect thus negating the ability of the OC Animal Services Director to provide relief, where warranted, after an 18-month period. We believe bringing the state statute into conformity with OC's ordinance will work to enhance the OC Director's ability to alleviate untoward hardships on dog owners where efforts have been made to ensure no recurrence of the original offense is likely or where the owners have made substantial improvements in restraining their dog. A local bill works to have effect in a limited jurisdiction, usually one county and allows in effect a pilot study to be made. We believe a local bill is warranted here because the county ordinance and the state statute are currently at odds and work to negate each other. We respectfully ask the OC BoCC to make this request of our Legislative Caucus during the 2022 short session.