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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 08/24/2006 f City of co�us r - Chnsti City of, orpusChrls� MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI � `� ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE f r rf Nueces County Public Health District Y Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd `s August 241, 2006 Members Present: Dr William Watson,Sharon Massad, Kendal Keyes, Paul Reynolds, Bill Schroeder and Dr.John Buckley Members Absent: Pam Rhyner Staff Present: Robert Smith,Jaime Luna,Annette Rodriguez, Elizabeth Hundley and Margie Rose Staff Absent: Eric Cuevas Guests: Becki Jones,Sheila Cudd 1. Call to Order: Dr.John Buckley,Acting Chair, 12:30pm 2. Approval of August 24th,2006 Mr, Reynolds made a motion to approve the minutes, Dr. Buckley 2,,d the motion and all in favor, motion passed., Approval of Absences Dr. Buckley made a motion to approve the absences, Mr. Reynolds 2nd the motion,all in favor motion passed. Ms. Hundley advised to make an alternative motion, I believe that the absence should be approved at the next regular meeting,that at any alternate you could approve her absence if you desire to and have the response later. Mr.Reynolds inquired if they had to do an alternate motion or do what we just did. Ms.Hundley replied that it is advised to do an altemate motion unless you are tabling is void. The result of that would mean the absence is unapproved. Ms.. Keyes made a motion to approve her absence in her absence; Mr, Reynolds 2nd the motion and all were in favor, motion passed. 3. Zoonosis Report The zoonosis reports were from May,June and July, Dr.Watson pointed out that the West Nile Virus activity had increased due to high temperatures in Texas. 2 human cases of WN neurological disease have been confirmed so far within a total of 11 counties. He said using a repellant helps keep mosquitoes away because repellant in clothing works even after being washed many times. 4. Staff Report Mr.Cuevas was called out of town on an emergency,so Mr. Smith presented the staff report. The facility"statistical information for the last 4 years showing confiscations,euthanasia request,owner surrender, returned to owner,transfers; rescues, adoptions,died„sick,strays were presented. It also showed some of our large scale confiscations in the last few years. Adoptions were made to citizens and transfers to other shelters;the adoption numbers have increased every year. Animal Control Advis rj Cominjuee Meefing®fAu st24`A 2006 1 This increase may be due to news spots on Channel 10 and other programs in place to enhance adoption. The equipment ordered by Dr.Watson had gone out for bidding and results should be out soon. Adoptions included other animals like goats,pigs,chickens,turtles, rabbits and snakes. Channel 10 is filming our administrative hearings,cruelty hearings and bite cases, and also participating in ride along with field officers. The primary focus of ACS right now is the SpaylNeuter Program and the stray animal population. There is a segment being developed for educating the public on how important it is to spay and neuter their pets. Full staffing continues to be an issue and all efforts are being made to hire new officers both in the Kennels and the Field. The financial year end and budget constraints have delayed filling these positions. Ms. Rose said she had spoken with Human Resources to fill the positions immediately. She said all concerns conceming salary savings which often results in frozen positions should be addressed to the office of management and budget division. Ms. Massad made reference to a previous day interview on the air that compared favorable 2006 adoptions numbers to previous years and wanted to know the adoption goal for the Year 2006. ACS has not had as many transfers as in previous years because Gulf Coast Humane Society had a change in administration. The relationship with Gulf Coast and ACS is well cultivated but Mr. Reynolds still felt not enough animals were being transferred. Mr. Reynolds wanted to know the reason for the increase in seizures. Mr. Smith said the creation of the Bite Case Investigator position was instrumental to this even though the facility had been active in this respect in the past, Mr.Smith said he wanted to see more. Mr. Smith was responsible for his own education as the Bite Case Investigator with the approval of his former supervisor. Ms. Hundley of the legal department is also responsible for enforcement and stated that the City was involved in various enforcement programs that included prosecution,impoundments and quarantines for various violations which were included in the Environmental Court. Ms. Massad wanted the division to set measurable goals. 5. New Business Update for Manager of Animal Care Facility Dr.Watson wanted the cooperation of the Advisory Committee in assisting with the hiring of the new program manager for the facility. Ms. Rose said the position had been posted and had closed but was re-opened due to many phone calls that came in stating an interest in the position. Interviews are intended to take place in mid September. The concern arose as to why ACS was under the Health Department instead of Law Enforcement. Dr.Watson felt Code Enforcement would have been a better fit because of the enforcement aspects of ACS however the Public Health issues associated with ACS are just as important. Ms. Rose wanted some members of the Advisory Committee to participate in the interview for the new manager's position. Kill vs.Adoption Dr.Watson added that euthanasia was still necessary but fewer animals were being put to sleep at the facility. With the Spay/Neuter program being sponsored by the Foundation, all animals adopted at the facility will be sterilized. A lot of educating the public will be necessary. When full staffing is achieved,this will become easier to do. Mr. Reynolds wanted to know if the facility was getting help in cleaning and maintaining the kennels from administrative staff. Mr. Luna said he was, however,working in the Kennels was a specialized field that required employees to have Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting ofAugust 24'" 2006 2 proper vaccinations to work with the animals. The division had always had staffing problems even though the move into the new facility came with full staffing. Ms. Hundley said the move of the City from Gas Euthanasia to Injection euthanasia was also responsible for higher staff turnover because more hands on were required in the process of euthanizing the animals. This was across the board with other cities and Ms. Hundley noted that the working environment fostered a high mobility of versatile working individuals. Ms. Massad wanted to know if there was enough money for the staffing. Ms. Rodriguez replied that salaries and compensations had been added to the current year's budget,and the acting manager was paid from salary savings. Discussion•Animal Care Services to go under Law Enforcement Dr.Watson inquired from Ms.Rose if the City was amiable to changing ACS from the Health Department to Code Enforcement Department. Ms. Rose said City Manager had to make such a decision and all concerns should be channeled to him. She recommended that the committee submit something to the City Manager for a response. Mr.Schroeder inquired about other comparable cities. Ms.Hundley said Animal Control was placed under Public Health because of the quarantine issues. Quarantine is similar to Tuberculosis Quarantine cases. She said any type of quarantine with animals, registration of animals or Veterinarians are under the State Department of Health,which includes the Zoonosis Control Division of the State and Animal Care Offices and municipalities. Some smaller cities she said are under the Police Department, but they still had a specialized operation for animals. Veterinarians would rather deal with public health officers than with police commands. The issuing of quarantine and refusal of home quarantine comes under the discretion of the Director of Health. Dr. Buckley said he had been in rehabilitation for over 20 years,which came under law enforcement thru Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. However, he said, public health issues come up such as rabies quarantine which makes the whole issue a human related one where Public Health can override Parks and Wildlife. Dr.Buckley said he can rehabilitate wolves,coyotes or foxes but if you read the Zoonosis reports the ban is still in effect. The ban came from Public Health Department that goes out through the state Zoonosis Report. Ms. Hundley said municipalities have broad powers not granted by the state, however since the City of Corpus Christi functions as a City and not a municipality,the City has very broad powers to make laws for public health and safety. Ms. Massad said sanitation was the main issue for enforcement with animals. Ms. Hundley added that there was a significant issue with the cruelty aspect too which fell under Penal Codes for cruelty-a Class C misdemeanor. The matter was placed under continued research by Dr.Watson. 6. Old Business Dr.Watson updated the committee on the Spay/Neuter Program. A written job description is being drafted for the veterinarian and technicians. Equipment needs to be ordered. Due to shipping and space some of the equipment might take 2-3 months to acquire. The veterinarian will be hired after the facility receives the equipment and the veterinarian will take part in the hiring of the technicians. The facility is being staffed to handle 15—20 animals per day. Fees from surgical procedures will go back into the SpaylNeuter fund and not the General Fund. Dr.Watson concluded that with the job Mr. Cuevas had done along with the committee, the investment was a solid one. Ms.Rose added that she had talked with the Foundation President and a letter had been submitted awaiting confirmation from them. 7. Public Comments No public comments were made. 8. Adjournment Ms.Massad made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Buckley 2"d the motion and all were in favor. Motion passed at 1:30 pm Animal Control Advisory C®tnwheee Afeetlhg ofAtsgustV'x,2006