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Home My WebLink AboutASAB Meeting Summary 09.17.25 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30pm to 8:OOpm Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Community Room at OCAS 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516 MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan Polak (Chair), Dr. Lee Pickett, Judy Miller, Annie Goldberg, Mike Dempsey, Dawn Roberts, Kim Rider, Mike Delafield, Rhonda Patterson and Dr. Ashley Robertson MEMBERS ABSENT: Debby Hill (Vice Chair), Mary Lucas (Secretary), Cathy Munnier STAFF PRESENT: Elizabeth Overcash (Director), Krista Watkins (Business Officer) PUBLIC PRESENT: Ellen Pearsall Call to Order: 6:31 pm Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: • Allan Polak proposed 3 new agenda items under new business: his daughter's fundraising outcome, the Pat Sanford Award, and Learning Opportunities for the board • Rhonda Patterson proposed a new agenda item under New Business: Enrichment Program update • Dr. Pickett proposed a new agenda item: following up on her homework assignment researching legislation about the Wild and Dangerous ordinance Vote (Motion/2nd) Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier Absent Dawn Roberts Absent for Vote Debby Hill Absent Judy Miller 2nd Kim Rider Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye 1 Mary Lucas Absent Mike Delafield Aye Rhonda Patterson Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Review and approval of 8/20 ASAB Meeting Summary: • Rhonda Patterson asked for 2 adjustments on the previous month's minutes o Change "modeled" to "inspired by" o Add "Durham" to name of youth home Vote (Motion/2nd) Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier Absent Dawn Roberts Absent for Vote Debby Hill Absent Judy Miller Aye Kim Rider 2nd Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye Mary Lucas Absent Mike Delafield Aye Ronda Patterson Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Public Participation Guidelines: • One member of the public present- Ellen Pearsall. 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 2 Monthly Meeting Attendance Record: Confirmed through approval of meeting minutes New Business: • Review of Ellen Pearsall's Application o Allan shared that because there is some turnover in board seats, the board should go ahead and review Ellen Pearsall's application and submit her for recommendation to the county commissioners, so she is already in the system if a spot becomes available. Dr. Pickett agreed that this would be a good idea, and it would expedite the process. She suggested the board vote to make a recommendation to the county commissioners. Allan made the motion to make a recommendation to the county commissioners for Ellen Pearsall's application. Motion passed. Vote (Motion/2nd) Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier Absent Dawn Roberts Aye Debby Hill Absent Judy Miller Aye Kim Rider 2nd Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye Mary Lucas Absent Mike Delafield Aye Rhonda Patterson Aye Mike Dempsey Aye • Enrichment Program Update: o Elizabeth is working on creating protocols and procedures for the legal department to review for the enrichment program partnership with Durham County Youth Home. She reported that the lawyers came back with questions, which she took as a promising sign. Elizabeth thinks it will still be another 2-3 months before this program is fully up and running. She would love to see an 3 assembly at the youth home to kick off the program and get the kids excited about this new opportunity. Rhonda added that she is happy to help Elizabeth write these protocols to help support the implementation of this program. • Fundraising: o Allan's daughter completed a service project for her bat mitzvah to benefit Orange County Animal Shelter. While the total amount raised is not known yet, Krista reported that there has been an uptick in donations recently. • Pat Sanford Grant: o Allan suggested we have the county commissioners issue a proclamation thanking Elliott Cramer for his dedication to the shelter and funding this grant for the community. Lee said that the board could actually issue our own and ask the county commissioners to endorse it. Lee is going to draft the proclamation wording, and it will be resolved via email in the next few weeks. o Allan made a motion to create a proclamation thanking Elliott Cramer for the great work he's done for OCAS and Lee will work on the proclamation wording. Motion passed. Vote (Motion/2nd) Allan Polak Motion Annie Goldberg Aye Cathy Munnier Absent Dawn Roberts Aye Debby Hill Absent Judy Miller Aye Kim Rider Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye Mary Lucas Absent Mike Delafield 2nd Rhonda Patterson Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Learning Opportunities: 4 • Allan shared that in the past, different employees from the shelter have attended board meetings to share about their responsibilities. He would like to bring this back; however, he does not want to extend anyone's day far past their end time. Elizabeth shared that most employees work 8-5 or 9-6 and can be flexible with their days. She is confident that employees would enjoy taking part in this opportunity and she can have a volunteer attend the next board meeting. Animal Services Advisory Board: Vacancies as of September 2025: We currently have no vacant seats on the board Old Business: • ASAB Orientation Video: No update at this time • Wild and Dangerous Legislation o Lee researched legislation about wild and dangerous animals and it turns out a law was adopted, but she believes it needs 2 small fixes. Elizabeth says she is working on these fixes. Information Items (Director Overcash's Report): • 30 dogs in shelter and 31 cats • Orange County Animal Services seems to be one of the only shelters in the area that is not full • 37 adoptions took place at the open house event • Caswell County reached out about helping to house some of their animals while they get their floors redone and Orange County was able to take 6 dogs, Elizabeth reported it was really nice to have the flexibility in space to help out a shelter in need • Rabies clinic on 10/25 • Shelter received a grant for free vaccines for dogs and cats to assist community in November • Elizabeth is planning a silent auction fundraiser in the spring to raise money for the shelter, and asked board members to think of any connections they have for either donations or a venue o Allan mentioned that it might be nice to hold it at the shelter so people can see the organization they are supporting, venue rentals can also be very expensive o Rhonda mentioned Extraordinary Ventures, but wants to check if they are still operating o Lee mentioned the SportsPlex o Judy mentioned one of the public libraries Informal Discussion: • The board is going to check previous board meeting minutes to see if a review committee was established for the Pat Sanford Grant 5 Adjournment: Allan motioned to adjourn, Mike 2nd, all in favor, meeting adjourned 7:34pm 6