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Home My WebLink AboutASAB Meeting Summary 09.18.24 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 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 Members ABSENT: Dawn Roberts, Kim Rider STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Sandra Strong (Director), Tiani Stamey (Assistant Director), Holly Meyer(Administration) PUBLIC PRESENT: Carol McCanna, Roni Peterson (ASAB applicant),Michael Dempsey (ASAB applicant) Call to order: 6:31 PM Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak Motion Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent Page 1 of 7 Review and approval of August, 2024 ASAB meeting summary: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller 2nd Cathy Munnier Aye Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak Motion Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent 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): Carol McCanna returned to ASAB to discuss her dog being attacked by an off-leash dog. She took the owners to court and doesn't understand why the judge did not make the attacking dog's owner pay for the veterinary bills. Dr. Strong has discussed this matter with the Orange County lawyer and Ms. McCanna is advised to pursue the case in civil court on the grounds that the owner was negligent and seek legal advice. ASAB discussed whether it is appropriate or beneficial to form a committee to discuss and vote on making a recommendation to the Orange County BOCC about owners being held accountable Page 2 of 7 for damages inflicted by pets to other animals. Consensus was that this is a legal issue and ASAB does not have authority. Ms. McCanna expressed disappointment and left the meeting Monthly Meeting Attendance Record : Confirmed through approval of meeting minutes New Business: 1. ASAB Youth Delegates—Proposal by Debby Hill to add youth delegates to ASAB. Considerations are: a. Eligibility: High school students who reside in Orange County or attend one of the Orange County or CHCCS high schools AND who volunteer at OCAS, aged 15-17 at appointment b. Dr. Strong is checking with the county attorney and Holly Meyer will check with Tara May, clerk to BOCC, regarding how the youth delegate position is intended to function within Orange County government c. Parks & Rec department currently has youth delegates. ASAB should consult with any boards that have youth delegates to understand the pros and cons and how to implement d. Limit to 2 delegates at any time, term from September—May e. Need ASAB Manager of youth delegates. Need to discuss with Melissa Ramirez-Grimaldi,who is in charge of OCAS volunteers Vote on whether to form a committee to look into all of the above and present to ASAB: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Page 3 of 7 Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak Motion Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent Cathy Munnier, Judy Miller and Debby Hill volunteered to be on the youth delegates committee 2. Volunteers for Emergency Colocation. When the emergency shelter is necessary and activated in Orange County, there are colocation facilities opened to which evacuees can bring their pets at Smith Middle School and Orange Middle School. This only lasts for 3 days, at which point the Red Cross takes over management. Animals are placed in separate area from people and there are protocols in place for how the emergency shelter is managed. Need 3 volunteers to help supervise shifts and make sure that pets are being cared for by their families and provide supplies as needed. There is a companion animal emergency supplies trailer. Allan Polak, Cathy Munnier, Judy Miller, Lee Pickett and Roni Peterson volunteered Page 4 of 7 Animal Services Advisory Board: Current Vacancies 1. Currently have 3 vacancies on ASAB —Town of Hillsborough and Animal Welfare/Advocacy positions are open and Paula Kotarakos (At-Large position) recently resigned 2. Roni Peterson introduced herself to the board. She is a retired dramatic arts teacher and speech therapist with experience in business and also a long-term dog owner. 3. Michael Dempsey introduced himself to the board. He has a small farm with multiple species of pets and livestock in Orange County and is a pilot. Motion to nominate Roni Peterson for the At-Large position on ASAB: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Motion Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier aye Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak 2nd Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent Motion to nominate Mike Dempsey for the Animal Welfare/Advocacy position on ASAB: Vote (Motion/2nd) Mike Delafield Aye Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Motion Page 5 of 7 Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munnier Aye Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak 2nd Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent Old Business: None Information Items: Presented by Dr. Strong 1. Clear the Shelters was successful—26 adoptions on that day 2. August stats 93.8% live release 3. Saturday, Oct 19th—rabies clinic scheduled at OCAS 4. Oct 21 st—County Roadshow at Eno River Art Mill— outreach to community about county services and OCAS will be there 5. OCAS is on a panel about hoarding in the county 6. There was a backpack event for back-to-school to educate about bite prevention and animals 7. Melissa Ramirez-Grimaldi and Ashley Miller do presentations at public schools 8. 1'week of December OCAS will partner with NCSU veterinary students for an animal welfare assessment and will host some vet students who are interested in shelter medicine 9. Holly Meyer will be moving to Finance Department in Orange County. Her position has been posted and applicants are being considered. 10. Tiani Stamey was featured in a local neighborhood publication and interviewed about OCAS and her role here 11. 2024 is on track for more than 10,000 volunteer hours thanks to Melissa Ramirez- Grimaldi 12. Still working on Enrichment Path set up plans Informal Discussion: Recent dangerous dog appeals panel resulted in the declaration being upheld. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:47p.m. Vote (Motion/2 d) Mike Delafield Aye Page 6 of 7 Sunita Driehuys Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller Aye Cathy Munmer 2nd Lee Pickett Aye Allan Polak Motion Kimberly Rider Absent Dawn Roberts Absent Page 7 of 7