HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 11.19.25 Meeting Minutes Approved1
ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB)
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Community Room at OCAS
1601 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan Polak (Chair), Debby Hill (Vice Chair), Cathy Munnier,
Annie Goldberg, Dawn Roberts, Mike Dempsey, Dr. Lee Picket, Kim Rider, Judy Miller,
Mike Delafield, Dr. Ashley Robertson, Mary Lucas
Members ABSENT: Rhonda Patterson
STAFF PRESENT: Elizabeth Overcash (Director), Krista Watkins (Business Officer),
Sydney Herron (Program Manager)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Ellen Pearsal, Dr. Ann Brady
Call to order: 6:31 PM
Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: Adding to new business - Staff Appreciation
and under old business - Training and Group lasses.
Member Vote
Cathy Munnier Aye
Annie Goldberg Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Mike Dempsey Aye
Dr. Lee Picket Aye
Kim Rider Aye
Judy Miller Second
Mike Delafield Aye
Allan Polak Motion
Debby Hill Aye
Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye
Mary Lucas Aye
2
Review and approval of 10/15 ASAB meeting summary: Correction to name of the
organization - Friends of the Orange County Animal Shelter.
Member Vote
Cathy Munnier Aye
Annie Goldberg Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Mike Dempsey Aye
Dr. Lee Picket Aye
Kim Rider Aye
Judy Miller Aye
Mike Delafield Aye
Allan Polak Motion
Debby Hill Second
Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye
Mary Lucas 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
New Business:
1. Pat Sanford Grant - committee formed with Judy, Cathy, Mike, Director
Overcash and Krista at the last meeting. They met and made recommendations
and recommended Longleaf Animal Rescue for the grant.
Vote on recommendation of Longleaf Animal Rescue for the Pat Sanford Grant.
Member Vote
Cathy Munnier Aye
3
Annie Goldberg Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Mike Dempsey Aye
Dr. Lee Picket Second
Kim Rider Aye
Judy Miller Aye
Mike Delafield Aye
Allan Polak Motion
Debby Hill Aye
Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye
Mary Lucas Abstained
2. Staff appreciation - coffee and donut holes. February for Valentine’s Day. Cathy
will organize the event. Allan recommends reaching out to friends/family/public
to recognize them further.
3. Training - mentorship program underway. Three new trainers coming. Revisiting
group classes - Elizabeth and Brian meeting to talk about a January start date.
Animal Services Advisory Board:
No vacancies currently.
Old Business:
1. Boards and Commissions 2026 Annual Report Progress: Update due Jan 16
a. Presenting in February or March. Form must be done no later than January 16.
b. No formal committee in place, but Dr. Robertson, Allan and Debby are all
going to work on this. Dr. Pickett shared that via email we could approve as a
board.
Debby motioned for committee formation.
Member Vote
Cathy Munnier Second
Annie Goldberg Aye
4
Dawn Roberts Aye
Mike Dempsey Aye
Dr. Lee Picket Aye
Kim Rider Aye
Judy Miller Aye
Mike Delafield Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Debby Hill Motion
Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye
Mary Lucas Aye
Information Items: Presented by Director Overcash
1. Tons of animals in foster great news - talking about the positive shift where most
animals are in foster care.
a. Rabies clinic this Saturday - free vaccines. $10 rabies shots 9-1pm Saturday.
b. Silent auction coming in May - board could be very helpful in finding local
businesses and vendors to contribute. Dr. Pickett suggested personal artwork.
Allan will donate IT services.
2. Sydney Herron - new Program Manager.
a. She worked at Burlington.
b. Dogs Playing for Life - seminar for playgroups. Level of enrichment that is a
higher level - been very well received. Playgroups every weekday.
c. Blood drive next week on November 26 - for humans
d. Pet yoga classes with kittens. 6 participants raised $120 the first month -
covers medical treatments. 16 participants in the second month and raised
$425
e. Healing Hearts Giving Tree - angel tree but with tags featuring heartworm
positive dogs. Each tag inspires people to donate $25. Tree went up on
Saturday - 3 people have already donated.
f. Growing foster programs is a long-term plan. Benefits of fostering pets.
g. Merchandise - selling shirts.
h. Expanding dog adventures program - partnering with local organizations for
running program.
5
Informal Discussion
1. Allan asked if Dr. Pickett needs any help preparing Elliot’s proclamation for
January. Dr. Pickett will invite him.
2. Early 2025 we challenged everyone to bring big ideas - Allan asked everyone to
come back in January to talk about what we can do to move the mission forward.
3. A youth delegate on the board was brought up. Will reconsider. Allan asked for it
to be on agenda for the next meeting.
4. Elizabeth shared youth program is still coming along - hung up with legal on both
sides.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.
Adjournment vote:
Member Vote
Cathy Munnier Aye
Annie Goldberg Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Mike Dempsey Aye
Dr. Lee Picket Aye
Kim Rider Aye
Judy Miller Aye
Mike Delafield Aye
Allan Polak Motion
Debby Hill Second
Dr. Ashley Robertson Aye
Mary Lucas Aye