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Home My WebLink AboutASAB Meeting Summary 04.15.26 Meeting Minutes Approved ORANGE COUNTY—ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Animal Services Advisory Board—April 15,2026 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD—WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 Meeting Information Board Name: Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Date: April 15, 2026 Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Location: Orange County Animal Services, Community Room 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill,NC 27516 Chair: Allan Polak, Chair Staff Liaison: Christina Allen, Business Officer, Animal Services Minutes Recorded By: Mary Lucas Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Attendance Board Members Board Member Name Special Representation 'oPresent/Absent Dr. Lee Pickett Veterinarian from Health Board Present Dr. Ashley Robertson Veterinarian Present Debby Hill Town of Carrboro Vice Chair Present Town of Chapel Hill Mary Lucas Town of Hillsborough Secretary Present Annie Goldberg Non-Municipality Present Rhonda Patterson At-Large Present Dawn Roberts Non-Municipality Absent Michael Dempsey Animal Welfare/Animal Advocacy Present Judy Miller Animal Welfare/Animal Advocacy Present Cathy Munnier Animal Welfare/Animal Advocacy Present Certified Animal Allan Polak Handler/Trainer/Technician Chair Present Owner/Manager Retail Pet Services Animal Services Advisory Board I DRAFT—Pending Approval I Page 1 of 4 ORANGE COUNTY—ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Animal Services Advisory Board—April 15,2026 Staff& Guests Present Name ' iOrganization Elizabeth Overcash Director,Animal Services Christina Allen Business Officer,Animal Services Ellen Pearsall Member of Public Quorum & Call to Order Quorum established: Yes–Members present: 12 of 13 (7 required for quorum) Meeting called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Allan Polak, Chair. Monthly meeting attendance record–completed. Review and Adoption of Meeting Agenda New business addition–Orange County Survey Discussion Motion to approve: Allan Polak, Chair I Second: Debby Hill, Vice Chair I Vote: Unanimous Approval of Previous Minutes Minutes from the March 18, 2026, meeting were: Approved -On page 4, correct name to Michelle Handy Motion to approve: Allan Polak, Chair I Second: Cathy Munmer, Vote: Unanimous Public Comment(Non-Agenda Items) No public comments were received. Agenda Items—Discussion & Action Summary Agenda Item SummaryDiscussion Topic New Business: 1. Judy Miller shared concerns about the recent survey–there Orange County was no mention of pets, feral cats, animals, etc. "She noted Survey Discussion with so many competing funding priorities this was Animal Services Advisory Board I DRAFT—Pending Approval I Page 2 of 4 ORANGE COUNTY—ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Animal Services Advisory Board—April 15,2026 New Business: upsetting."Judy did share concerns with the Board of Orange County Commissioners and received a response. Survey Discussion 2. Dr. Lee Pickett noted that this also occurred last year, and Preseshe was not sure if anything was done before. Allan Polak, ad 3. Allan Polak shared that the County Manager noted that this Allan Polak, wasn't meant to exclude; it was an effort to set priorities. Chair 4. Cathy Munnier shared that maybe in the farming parts of the survey it would make sense to include. 5. Dr. Robertson was unsure if it would impact tax dollars. 6. Judy read through the purpose of the survey. 7. Allan shared concerns about inserting the ASAB in this issue, and for what purpose we would want to engage. Allan read through the County Manager's response. He said he would advise against it. 8. Elizabeth Overcash shared that she believes animal services was left off the survey because they would not be impacted by cuts and the department is not underfunded. 9. Debby Hill shared that she agrees that there is no reason to address it if there is not a need from the dept. 10. Next steps—the ASAB would review the survey and continue the discussion. Survey can be found at OrangeCountySurvey.org Animal Services Report on current vacancies as of April 2026 Advisory Board: 1. Two vacancies—Town of Chapel Hill, Owner/Manager of Board Vacancies Retail Pet Services. 2. Dawn Roberts will be leaving at the end of June,which will Presenter/Lead be non-municipal spot. Debby Hill, 3. Ellen Pearsall and Dr. Brady will be voted on at the next Vice Chair meeting. Old Business: Follow-up discussion on 2026 goals—Debby would like to revisit these subjects at the May meeting after the Follow Up fundraiser, to give time for discussion with Elizabeth. Discussion on 1. Youth delegate(Debby Hill)-This background work and 2026 Goals changing ASAB policy was done in early 2025. Transportation Board shared some feedback about two Presenter/Lead youth positions they have. One never has been filled. The Debby Hill, second position was filled until she had personal conflict Vice Chair and stopped coming. Debby proposed that in May we revisit to reactivate this work. Dr. Pickett remembered that this did go to the County Attorney at one point. Allan asked if added to bylaws would it be another vacancy to fill and Debby clarified that it is a nonvoting member. Debby will email the changes to the policy to everyone and we will review next meeting. 2. Staff Appreciation Day (Allan Polak)—Ice cream truck on July 15 tentative day). Animal Services Advisory Board I DRAFT—Pending Approval I Page 3 of 4 ORANGE COUNTY—ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Animal Services Advisory Board—April 15 2026 Information Items OCAS developments from Director, Elizabeth Overcash Presenter/Lead • 36 dogs in shelter, 15 cats Elizabeth • 39 dogs in foster, 33 cats in foster Overcash, • Silent auction is coming up on May 3 — Animal would love to see everyone there and please Services Director share. • Clinic update—started last year. 122 animals Presenter/Lead seen last year. So far this year over 300 animals Christina Allen, have come in. The county is self-sufficient right Business Officer now, thanks to the grant from ASPCA and people paying the discounted price. Very good track right now! Only concern is that in the future it may be hard to manage. • Another 26-27 pallets of donations came from Chewy! Food is going to be organized with Porch and other pantries. Sticker is on the food that shares a QR code for resources. • Question about deportation and if animals are being turned in—not happened in Orange County. Introduction Christina Allen,Business Officer • Started March 23 and is enjoying her time so far. Grateful for the team and Elizabeth's help. Background is in public health. Caswell County prior to Orange County as medical biller. Flexible with roles—front desk, patient eligibility, medical billing. Shared in 2024 she got a dog,but prior to that was afraid of dogs. Very thankful she stepped outside of the fear to get her here—he changed her career trajectory! Informal 1. Allan's chicken survived the attack. Great update! Discussion 2. Fundraiser—auction items going to be added to the website. Elizabeth shared goal was 200, and things are increasing but not quite there yet. Cathy Presenter/Lead asked if Tara May could send a media release, and Elizabeth will ask. Allan Polak, Chair WHUP and Chapel Boro were discussed. Mary will connect Elizabeth with WHUP radio for an interview. Announcements & Next Meeting Next Meeting: Wednesday,May 20, 2026, 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. by Allan Polak. Animal Services Advisory Board I DRAFT—Pending Approval I Page 4 of 4