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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 08.20.25 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2025 Community Room at OCAS 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan Polak (Chair), Debby Hill (Vice Chair), Dr. Lee Picket, Judy Miller, Annie Goldberg, Mary Lucas (Secretary), Mike Dempsey, Cathy Munnier, Dawn Roberts MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Delafield, Kim Rider STAFF PRESENT: Elizabeth Overcash (Director), Krista Watkins (Business Officer) PUBLIC PRESENT: Ellen Pearsall, Rhonda Patterson (pending ASAB At-Large member) Call to order: 6:31 PM Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: • Allan Polak proposed addition of items to the agenda under Old Business: I Care license plate discussion, Wild and Dangerous Legislation, Employee Appreciation Day briefing. Vote (Motion/2nd): Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Debby Hill 2nd Judy Miller Aye Kim Rider Absent Lee Pickett Aye Mary Lucas Aye Mike Delafield Absent Mike Dempsey Aye Review and approval of 6/18 ASAB meeting summary: • Judy Miller noted that Annie Goldberg was incorrectly listed as present in the notes. Approval noting that edit. • Vote (Motion/2nd): Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Dawn Roberts Aye Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller Aye Kim Rider Absent Lee Pickett Aye Mary Lucas Aye Mike Delafield Absent Mike Dempsey Aye Public participation guidelines: • Two members of public present- Ellen Pearsall and Rhonda Patterson (pending ASAB At-Large member). Allan shared they are free to participate, and comments are limited to 3 minutes. New Business: • Pat Sanford Grant - Elizabeth Overcash shared that this is the last year of the grant, but Elliott Cramer would like to continue to fund it if Chatham and Durham are able to participate. Discussion was had about who is the administrator of the grant, number of applicants and the time spent for the board. Dr. Lee Picket noted that as a part of the ASAB policies and procedures it specifically states that our charge is for Orange County. Allan made the motion to kindly respond to Elliott Cramer and share that due to county policies and charge as a board as defined by the County Commissioners, we cannot open it up to additional counties. Motion passed. • Vote (Motion/2nd): Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier 2nd Dawn Roberts No Debby Hill Aye Judy Miller No Kim Rider Absent Lee Pickett Aye Mary Lucas Aye Mike Delafield Absent Mike Dempsey Aye • ASAB Orientation - No update at this time. Will provide update during September meeting. • Youth Enrichment Program Introduction: Program inspired after "Eyes, Ears, Nose and Paws." Elizabeth and Rhonda have been talking to a juvenile center (Durham County Youth Home) about allowing programming for kids (ages 10-18) that incorporates shelter animals. Unsure of frequency and further details. Both teams need to look at liability and legal guidelines. Next meeting between the groups is September 15. • Allan applauds the initiative and asks what we can do to support. Elizabeth shared not much help needed for now - working through details. • Dr. Pickett offered advice - she worked on a similar program where she placed fosters in a youth home. She can share the details she has from that program. • Dog Training Program Update: Cathy shared that the program is on pause due to staffing challenges and timing. Will check back in the spring on this topic. • Elizabeth stated that the Shelter is offering dog and cat basic ownership classes -how to prepare your home, what to expect, etc. Dog Class starts in September, first Cat Class went very well. • The shelter is surveying volunteers to see what needs are in terms of training. The goal is to extend this program out long-term. Cathy offered her 1-1 assistance for anyone considering surrender due to behavior issues. Animal Services Advisory Board: Vacancies as of August 2025: Veterinarian and At-Large • Rhonda Patterson is still pending. • Allan asked if there is a time limit before a vacancy becomes an issue. Krista will follow up. Old Business: • Employee Appreciation Day - Allan said it went well - good turnout. $100 spent. Will do donut and coffees in winter. Extra money donated to the shelter. • I Care License Plate update - Dr. Pickett met with OCAS staff 6/24 to follow up on license plate process to see if there are ways to make it easier for all shelters to access the funds for low cost spay/neuter programs, especially those with less staff. Elizabeth is the legislative liaison for NC Animal Federation - she was going to propose to increase funds in the program at the legislature in the long session but shared it could be difficult. ■ Dr. Pickett suggests ASAB members acquire I Care license plates and post on social media your support- tagging the shelter. • ASAB attorney - Dr. Pickett shared that Wild and Dangerous ordinance updates (listed below) that the ASAB suggested in the past have been sitting with the attorney for some time. Dr. Pickett wants to ask the attorney if we could move forward at a county level update instead of statewide. Elizabeth shared she has to work with the attorney on ordinance updates later this year and it could be a good time to regroup on this topic then. ■ Division 4: Display of Wild, Wild and Dangerous, and Exotic Animals ■ Division 5: keeping of Wild and Dangerous Animals Information Items (Director Overcash's Report): • 30 dogs in the shelter, 31 cats. 1/3 of the cats are adopted and awaiting spay/neuter • 35 dogs and 68 cats in foster. • Saturday 8/23 is open house - clear the shelters event with community partners. • Clinic is now open for owned animals in Orange County. Had license since March, but planning has taken time. Not advertising further due to funding. • Dawn offered her help, resources and time in setting up system for bloodwork in the shelter. • Recruiting for new program called "Safe Foster." Helps find long term fosters for owners in crisis - not adoptable animals. • New play yard is up and running! • New Program Manager starts Monday 8/26. Informal Discussion: • Allan donated ice cream truck money to the shelter. His daughter is doing a project to raise awareness of the shelter and hopes to bring in more donations. • Dangerous dog hearing occurred in Chapel Hill. Finding was upheld. Adjournment: Allan motioned to adjourn, Cathy 2nd, all in favor. Meeting adjourned 8:05 p.m.