Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 08.21.24 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Community Room at OCAS 1601 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill,NC 27516 MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan Polak(Chair), Debby Hill (Vice Chair), Dr. Sunita Driehuys (Secretary), Michael Delafield, Annie Goldberg, Debby Hill, Judy Miller, Cathy Munnier, Dr. Lee Pickett, Kim Rider, Dawn Roberts Members ABSENT: Paula Kotarakos STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Sandra Strong (Director), Tiani Stamey (Assistant Director), Holly Meyer(Administration) PUBLIC PRESENT: none Call to order: 6:30 PM Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: Vote (Motion/2°d) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Paula Kotarakos Absent Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munmer Motion Lee Pickett 2nd Allan Polak Aye Kimberly Rider Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Page 1 of 4 Review and approval of June, 2024 ASAB meeting summary: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield 2nd Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Paula Kotarakos Absent Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier Aye Lee Pickett Motion Allan Polak Aye Kimberly Rider Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Public Participation Guidelines: limit of 3 minutes at today's meeting. Can submit more information by email for inclusion as an agenda item for discussion at a future meeting. General Public Comments (not on agenda): None present. Monthly Meeting Attendance Record: Confirmed through approval of meeting minutes. New Business: 1. Welcome from Allan Polak 2. ASAB Youth Delegates—Debby Hill introduced topic of youth delegates based on her interactions with youth volunteers at OCAS. There is a designation for this type of position on the Orange County government website and seems like a worthwhile way to engage younger Page 2 of 4 people in county government and Animal Services. Debby will look into this and present at next meeting. 3. Cathy Munnier raised discussion of creating a rabies vaccine waiver for sick animals in NC—Drs. Strong, Pickett and Driehuys voiced their opinions that this is not a worthwhile endeavor to pursue due to minimal adverse effects of rabies vaccination, incidence of rabies in NC and public health repercussions of rabies. Animal Services Advisory Board: Current Vacancies 1. Currently have 2 vacancies on ASAB —Town of Hillsborough and Animal Welfare/Advocacy positions are open. 2. One applicant- Roni Peterson—has been invited to attend a meeting in support of her application. Old Business: None Information Items: Presented by Dr. Strong 1. OCAS has more animals under care than optimal - adoptions have been slower over the summer, so population has increased. This is happening nationally right now. 2. Participating in National Clear the Shelter event in September-NCSU vet and pre-vet students will be helping with this event. 3. Enrichment pathway plans are moving forward. There will be a volunteer day planned to install various features—plants, bird feeders, agility equipment have been discussed. 4. Negative social media about mini-pig in Orange County—there were reports about cruelty, so Animal Control investigated, and the situation was deemed ok,but there was a rescue group that became passionately involved and instigated negative publicity targeting OCAS. This has been resolved now but was a stressful time that OCAS staff and the owners of the mini pig had to work through. 5. Recent tropical storm resulted in planning for possible evacuation situations,which is part of emergency response in the county and state and OCAS manages their role in this. 6. Recent Animal Care Technician week was appreciated by staff—a few ASAB members brought treats in 7. AnimalKind nonprofit organization is no longer providing intermediary services to OCAS for low-cost veterinary care because their organization has disbanded. OCAS Page 3 of 4 now looking for other avenues for low-cost veterinary care for county residents who qualify. Informal Discussion: 1. Dr. Pickett brought up the I Care license plates as an easy way to provide funds for low cost spay/neuter. 2. Allan Polak brought up that there is a dangerous dog hearing panel appeal scheduled next Wednesday 6:30 p.m. at OCAS Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Paula Kotarakos Absent Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak Motion Kimberly Rider Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Page 4 of 4