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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 07/31/2003 l MINUTES CITY CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Administration Conference Room, 1702 Horne Road July 31, 2003 Members Present: Chris Cooper, Sherry Dunlap, Cheryl Martinez, Sharon Massad, and Dr. Alan Garret Members Absent: Susan Thiem and Kendal Keyes Staff Present: Cherriee Stunz,Elizabeth Hundley,Annette Rodriguez,Dr.Boostrom,and Jorge Cruz-Redo Guests: Several Citizens Call to Order: Chris Cooper,Vice Chairperson,called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. Minutes from the June 10,2003 meeting were approved as written. Board Business Chris Cooper was nominated as Chair of the committee. Dr. Boostrom interjected to read a letter written by Susan Thiem, a member of the committee who could not be present at today's meeting. Mrs. Thiem requested the letter be read prior to the election of officers and be entered into the minutes of the meeting. The letter stated that several members of the committee filed a lawsuit against Cherrie Stunz, Animal Control Manager, challenging her position in court. She stressed her view of the committee was to support Cherrie and her work at the Animal Control facility. Mrs. Thiem noted that the lawsuit made by several committee members to challenge Cherrie's carefully appointed position by a search committee panel constituted a serious conflict of interest and should prevent any of those board members from election to Chair or Vice-Chair of the committee. Sherry Dunlap stated that the facts of the letter were incorrect. She further added if they as citizens felt something was not quite correct; as citizens, they had the right to investigate the issue. Elizabeth Hundley, Assistant City Attorney and legal advisor of committee, clarified a couple of items related to the letter. There are several corrections and misinformations: it was not a lawsuit and has not been dismissed because it was not a lawsuit. It was a petition to take discovery pre-suit; it was called a deposition before suit, it is to perpetuate testimony. It is considered pending with no mechanism for dismissal. The board members involved have two years to file suit from the date of the challenging incident. The committee should not take any position on whether or not it creates a conflict of interest, nor is it against any ethic violation. The nomination for Chris Cooper for Chair of the committee remained. A motion for Kendal Keyes was made for Chair as well. However, the motion failed for lack of a second. The nominations for Chair were closed. A vote was taken for Chris Cooper as Chair, a total of 2 and 3 abstentions; the vote failed. The committee voted to table the election of officers until the next meeting scheduled for September 11, 2003. u 'o Update on Ordinance Revisions Chapter 6 Elizabeth Hundley asked the committee for a non legal request before finalizing the ordinances. The format of the chapter is archaic and does not flow. Ms. Hundley suggested the ordinances use the following order: duties of citizens, administrative provisions, animal care and control,conduct of owners, how to keep pets,commercial permitting,Iicensing and administrative hearing process. Sherry Dunlap said her idea of the main goal of the committee was to clarify current ordinances by clarifying and properly defining the ordinances. Cheryl Martinez informed the committee that there was a state law regarding owner's that breed more than one liter per year; this law requires the owner to pay sales tax. The breeders will not be able to place an ad in the state of Texas without a sales tax license. Sharon Massad again expressed her concern regarding the breeder definition in the Chapter 6 Ordinances. Elizabeth Hundley did say the definition of breeder was subject to change. Ms. Hundley reminded the committee that breeding unless conducted as a gift;it is for profit,subject to state sales tax,and subject to federal income. Ms. Massad made a motion to remove the excerpt of the breeder definition that reads, the breeder permit is $200. There was no second to the motion. Ms. Massad then made a motion to reduce the breeder permit fee to $50. Again, there was no second to the motion. Ms. Massad added that there will be a fight with the public regarding this ordinance. Ms.Hundley reminded the committee that the ordinances are a recommendation to the City Council. City Council is the governing body of the committee and can change any recommendation the committee makes. Dr. Garret suggested imposing the $200 fee for one year, and if the Animal Control Manager was not successful, giving the other side of the realm a try. Cherrie Stunz, Animal Control Manager, asked the committee to prioritize the ordinances decided by the committee. Ms.Massad asked Cherrie if she would be willing to use her manpower on enforcing this law when her division was short staffed and animals needed to be picked up. Ms. Stunz reiterated her suggestion to the committee on prioritizing their ordinances. Dr. Garret added that the fees would be great for the City treasury; however, he would much rather see animals being picked up. Chris Cooper interjected by adding that the meeting must move on. Before doing so, Cheryl Martinez stated, under auction, the word animals was going to be changed to livestock. Ms.Martinez made a motion to the committee that they review the ordinances and provide any concerns or issues in writing at the next meeting. A vote was taken,motion passed. Dr. Boostrom reminded the committee that there was no scheduled meeting in August. A motion was made that there be a special meeting in August. Mr. Cruz-Aedo suggested that the full committee be present to be effective. A discussion took place regarding who would be able to attend the special meeting. The full committee would not be able to attend for various reasons; the motion was withdrawn. Elizabeth Hundley asked the committee for clarification regarding: mandatory spay/neuter of dogs on the first offense unless registered or vaccinated and mandatory spay/neuter of male cats by January 1,2005. Ms. Martinez commented that the dogs got a "freebie" if they were licensed and vaccinated, the second time the dog would be picked up,then mandatory spay/neuter. She then made a motion that this verbiage be added to the ordinance. A vote was taken and motion passed. Questions arose regarding the over population of cats by mandatory spay/neuter of male cats by January 1,2005. Dr. Boostrom added that the law should apply to both male and female. Ms.Dunlap felt that all Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 cats should wear a leash as dogs do. Ms. Martinez didn't feel that the cat population could be controlled or enforced. Dr.Garret left at 1:22 p.m. Ms. Hundley explained in detail the cat neutering definition. Cheryl Martinez made a motion to neuter free roaming male cats. A second to the motion was made; a vote was taken totaling 3 to 1. The motion passed because it was the majority of the quorum. Ms. Massad noted the verbiage referring to the 25 foot line was not underlined in section 6-33 1,2, 3. Status Report on New Shelter Construction is going well and is on track for an early November date. Interior colors,lighting, furniture, and security are being decided as well. Director's Report There are no positive rabies cases in Nueces County. There is a continuation of West Nile Virus within community. There is also a positive human case of WNV in Hidalgo County. Animal Care and Control Division Manager's Report A kennel statistic report was provided for the committee as requested. Animal Control has a total of 4,184 total euthanized animals for the year. The division is estimating 7,400 for the entire year. The manager thanked several of the committee members for placing animals in shelters.There are a total of ten officers with two new hires. Cherrie Stunz asked the committee for their continued support. New Business Mr.Cruz-Aedo informed the committee that a member of the Animal Control division was recognized for his duties. He said the difference in training and commitment is noticeable. Old Business None Public Comment •citizen stated by stopping all breeding, the population will go out of Corpus Christi. • question was asked if animals could ride in City buses. A visiting veterinarian affirmed that animals are allowed on City buses. Another citizen stated that there should be a cat restraint ordinance. Second, getting through to Animal Control through City Hall was not convenient. The visiting veterinarian asked if the Veterinarian's Association could give their recommendation to Dr. Garret to voice to the Animal Control Advisory Committee. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. The next meeting will be held Thursday, September 11th at 12:30 p.m.in the Administration Conference Room of the Health Department, 1702 Horne Road. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3