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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 10.18.23 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Community Room at OCAS 1601 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill,NC 27516 MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Pickett(Chair),Allan Polak(Vice Chair), Sunita Driehuys (Secretary), Debby Hill, Lynne DuBose, Cathy Munnier, Lucia Welborne (by phone), Michael Delafield, Judy Miller, Kim Rider Members ABSENT: Tracey Little, Dawn Roberts STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Sandra Strong (Director) PUBLIC PRESENT: none Call to order: 6:30 PM Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield aye Sunita Driehuys aye Lynne DuBose Not present for vote Debby Hill 2nd Tracey Little absent Judy Miller aye Cathy Munmer aye Lee Pickett aye Allan Polak motion Kimberly Rider aye Dawn Roberts absent Lucia Welborne aye Page 1 of 6 Review and approval of September, 2023 ASAB meeting summary: Vote (Motion/2"d) Mike Delafteld 2nd Sunita Driehuys aye Lynne DuBose aye Debby Hill aye Tracey Little absent Judy Miller aye Cathy Munnier motion Lee Pickett aye Allan Polak aye Kimberly Rider aye Dawn Roberts absent Lucia Welborne aye Public Participation Guideline: not necessary General Public Comments (not on agenda): not necessary New Business: The Pat Sanford Grant is an annual $500 grant that is administered by OCAS and ASAB. There are 3 applicants this year: 1. Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, 2. Paws 4Ever and 3. Independent Animal Rescue. The past recipients list was distributed to ASAB. ASAB members who have volunteered to be on the grant committee are: Judy Miller, Page 2 of 6 Lee Pickett, Michael Delafield. OCAS members on committee: Holly Pittman, Melissa Ramirez-Grimaldi Committee recommendations will be made to the ASAB at the November meeting. Monthly Meeting Attendance Record : Confirmed through approval of meeting minutes Animal Services Advisory Board: 1. At-Large Position still open - application for Paula Kotarakos was received,but she was unable to attend today's meeting, so the ASAB will meet her at the next meeting 2. Allan Pollak suggested that ASAB meetings be included in OCAS communications to the public to increase public awareness and attendance for these meetings. Old Business: Lee Pickett is planning to reach out to Elliot Cramer to discuss the proposed gift recipient for funds held by the Friends of OCAS and will update the ASAB at the November meeting. Page 3of6 Information Items: OCAS Developments from Director, Dr. Strong 1. OCAS received Petrie Grant again for$15,000 to support spay/neuter. Looking for more partnerships for low cost spay/neuter in the area. Dr. Jarred and Melissa Ramirez- Grimaldi working on this. 2. It is currently Vet Assistant Appreciation week 3. New Animal Control officer started recently and there is still 1 vacant Animal Control officer position due to recent resignation received 4. Assistant Director Greg Ceseretti is doing well and working remotely for medical reasons currently. 5. 7 active court cases currently, which is taking a lot of time for staff and attorneys. 6. Working on getting DEGA into Orange County to help with pets of Meals on Wheels clients in northern Orange County; Kindred Heart Animal Hospital Mobile Service is providing this service in southern Orange County. 7. Canine influenza public service announcements being made in Orange County. Currently Wake County is having an outbreak and their shelter had to close for 35 days as a result. 8. Had excellent session for resiliency training with a counselor to help with staff stress recently and this was well received. The common stressors are: meeting the expectations Page 4 of 6 of the public, dealing with neglected animals and finding placements for tough-to-place dogs 9. Current adoption event with reduced fee for cats and dogs >4 months of age runs until October 3l". It costs more to house these animals at the shelter than the amount that is lost in revenue by reducing the fee. 10. Will be working on more marketing for the barn cat program since there are 13 cats that need placement currently. Informal Discussion: There will be an OCAS holiday potluck in December and ASAB members are included. Suggestion for OCAS to use asynchronous meetings to facilitate briefings to accommodate the scheduling constraints of having all staff be able to attend. Loom is a free product that enables this. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield aye Sunita Driehuys aye Lynne DuBose aye Debby Hill motion Tracey Little absent Judy Miller aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Lee Pickett aye Allan Polak aye Kimberly Rider aye Page 5of6 Dawn Roberts absent Lucia Welbome aye Page 6 of 6