Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 09/28/2006 City of C le orpus Ch uti �►+�+�•+ City of orpus Christi. MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd September 28th, 2006 ',� , Members Present: Dr William Watson, Sharon Massad,Kendal Keyes„ Paul Reynolds, Bill Schroeder and Dr.John Buckley Members Absent: Pam Rhyner Staff Present: Ronald Sepulveda,Jaime Luna,Annette Rodriguez, Elizabeth Hundley and Margie Rose Staff Absent: Robert Smith Guests: Becki Jones„Sherry Dunlap, Susan Thiem,Judi Sisson and Sheila Cudd 1. Call to Order: Dr.Watson, Chairman, 12:31 pm 2. Approval of September 28th 2006 Dr. Buckley amended the minutes under the Zoonosis Report; it should read "Dr. Buckley said that using repellants helps keep mosquitoes away because repellant in clothing works even after being washed many times. Dr. Buckley added that under New Business, Discussion on ACS to go under Law Enforcement, par. 3 should read "Dr. Buckley said he cannot rehabilitate wolves." Mr. Reynolds made a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Keyes 2^d the motion and all were in favor, motion passed. Approval of Absences Dr. Watson pointed out Ms, Rhyners' absence and that she was not able to attend today and according to legal we need to wait to approve the absence until she is in attendance. Ms. Hundley added that the absence rule is such that a member cannot miss more than 25%of the regularly scheduled meetings and special meetings do not count. It is generally that the absence has to be excused at the next regular meeting of the committee. It is not necessary to excuse the absence, but the absence can be noted and excused at the next scheduled meeting and if the absence is not excused at the next meeting then it would be considered unexcused. Mr. Reynolds inquires if you can have more than 25 % excused absences or 25% it does not matter, Ms. Hundley replied it doesn't matterr Mr. Reynolds also adds if it means an immediate removal. Ms. Hundley replied that it effects an immediate removal but absences do not necessarily mean reappointment from the council. . Zoonosis Report The zoonosis report for August was attached for viewing. Dr. Buckley pointed out the tables on rabies. 4. Staff Report Mr. Ronald Sepulveda introduced himself as Acting Program Manager and that he has been with Parks and Recreation for 20 years. Mr. Sepulveda added that the Adoptions for August were 56 and September 45. This is a 3%increase from last year. The total intake for the month was 579 for August and 502'for September. Mr, Reynolds inquired how it compared to Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of September 18`",2006 1 +IJ I! last year. Mr. Sepulveda replied the totals are down from last year and that in his opinion the numbers are down due to lower staff. Mr. Luna announced he had received a fax from the Department of State Health Services that the City of El Paso is having an outbreak of Parvo and have stopped there adoptions at this time until the outbreak is under control. The transfers had also been suspended to their Humane Society. Mr. Luna added that our local media had contacted him on whether he had seen an increase. Mr. Luna added that he personally had not and that he felt the reason for the outbreak was the rain where it can spread the virus from yard to yard and that we are watching for any signs as such and educated the public on our weekly Channel 10 spot. Dr. Watson inquired to the staffing situation. Mr. Sepulveda replied that one ACO2 Field Staff will be starting next week and there are 3 more positions looking at being filled. Mr. Luna also announced that we have anew AC01 Kennel Staff. 5. New Business Dr. Watson asks Ms. Rose to address the status of the Program Manager. Ms. Rose pointed out that there were 4 final candidates that were interviewed and a panel that included 3 members of the Advisory Committee; the City appreciated their participation. The process went well and we have a candidate that will be selected from this group, currently we are gathering additional information from the candidates. Ms. Rose added that within the next few weeks we will be making an offer for the position. Public Citizens presentation of material considering Animal Care Services-and personnel Dr. Watson presented documentations from a group of concemed citizens conceming the lack of operation of the Animal Care Services. Dr. Watson added that this is being presented to the board to see if they would like to open this for discussion. Dr. Watson added that he had not read everything yet but was upset by what he had read so far and that he felt it is more of an internal problem. Dr. Watson pointed out that he wanted to present this to the public. Ms. Hundley replied it is the chairman's choice to be public. Dr. Watson added that everything in the documents were public which means there is no concealed information. If the board would like to act on this for discussion we can have copies made for each of the members and go into more detail at the next meeting. Ms. Hundley added that you can take a recess to copy the documents to distribute at this meeting. Mr. Reynolds inquired if a motion for recess could be made so it could be looked at. Ms. Hundley replied with the chairman's permission. Dr.Watson granted permission. Mr. Reynolds made a motion to recess. Ms. Keyes 2^d the motion and all were in favor, motion passed. Dr.Watson added that due to the length of time to make copies we can come out of recess to attend to other items on the agenda. Mr. Reynolds made a motion to come out of recess. Ms. Keyes'2^d the motion and all were in favor, motion passed. G. Old Business Possible formation of sub-committee to investigate placing Animal Care Services under supervision other than Public Health Dr. Watson reminded the committee the possibility of placing Animal Care Services would be beneficial under another department other than the Health Department. In other municipalities of our size the two most common places for ACS is the Police Department and Public Health. Animal Care at one time was under the Police Department then was transferred to Public Health. Dr.Watson also added that he would like to see a sub-committee formed and to meet with Ms. Rose. Ms. Rose replied that this would be best that way guidelines are met by the City. Dr. Watson added the board recommendations would be presented to Mr. Noe, Dr. Watson felt that with a new Program Director coming in it would be good to have this in place. Ms. Keyes' added that she had researched and found information thru the Census Bureau Records which were 15 cities of a population of 250 to 350k in the United States. Of these cities 5 were directly under the Police Department,the Police Department supervised Animal Control enforcement actions and Public Service Department; 4 cities were under the Health and Human Services or the Health Department; 2 under the Cities Environmental Services Department; 1 under Neighborhood Services. Ms. Keyes added that she would be interested in being on the sub- committee. Dr. Buckley added that one option would be having its own department in the City and directly under the City Manager as opposed to being a subset of another department. Dr. Watson added that there can be 3 members on the Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting ojSeptember 28`x.2006 2 committee without being in violation of the public law and that 60 days would be adequate time then we would have the new director to supply information to. Dr.Watson also added that it may not be fair to have public comment because they may not know what they want to say. Ms. Hundley replied that generally the public unless it's a hearing type matter, the public can comment as such but the committee does not have to respond. Dr. Buckley made a motion to form a sub-committee reporting and investigating administrative structure. Mr. Reynolds 2^d the motion and all were in favor,motion passed. 7. Public Comments Ms. Dunlap pointed out to the committee that as an Advisory Board they should go back and look at what theirr role is. The Advisory Board is to advise only and not to be involved in personnel issues. As of late the committee has a lot of studies it never completes. I've seen more numbers in the last 2 meetings than I've ever seen. Ms. Dunlap added that we have a wide spread problem with strays and as a committee it is important to help Animal Care Services and not to berate them.We have a crisis with parvo and distemper year round here and the only time it elevates is with a cold front and we just had one. The veterinarians do not report numbers to this committee or the Health Department. I would like to add that you need to look at your procedures and processes that help Animal Services and the situation. Ms. Thiem pointed out that she had received public information thru open records and wanted to provide the information to the committee in reference to what happened at ACS and felt it was important for the committee to read. The documentation included a part of the police report that resulted in the demise of the last director. It was also said in the community including the Lichtenstein Foundation was informed that Ms. Stunz was involved in criminal activities. Ms. Thiem added that along with receiving public information she had spoken with the investigator and you will see the code was for information only there were never criminal charges or accusations. At the bottom the page you will see, "Case closed district attorney's office refuse to prosecute." Ms. Thiem added she felt Ms. Stunz never did anything wrong. Included is a page in reference to; "The Truth about Lady'; this is all in public records and that she had the original letter about Lady. Ms. Thiem added that on the news it was televised they had a total of 460 animals adopted here last year and a Caller Times article dated August 2811 2005, had 630 adoptions. Ms. Thiem added that the original hostile work environment letter to the City was included and the first signature on it was Bobby Smith, who is up for the position of Director. The 2^d signature is Abigail Johnson who also applied for the position. The signatures on the letter included half the employees at ACS. Ms. Dunlap reminded the chairman of the 3 minute time frame for public comment and it should be enacted. Dr. Watson allowed Ms. Thiem to finish. Mr. Reynolds inquired if we are allowed to give the person speaking more time. Ms. Hundley replied that would be the call of the chairman and was not aware of the policy of 3 minute public comments as ever been adopted by the committee. It is the policy that the council holds, generally where a committee hasn't adopted a policy they follow councils' lead. Ms. Dunlap added that the committee enacted that. Ms. Hundley replied that she had no information on that matter. It is the call of the Chairman, if Chair allows finishing or continuing or cutting off it his call. Ms. Thiem added that she received a letter from the attorney general and it stated in reference to open records; "the request was received by the City on July 6t", 2006 however the City did not submit the requested information for our review until July 28th consequently we find that the City failed to comply with the procedural requirements of the section. It also stated that you have not submitted any arguments in support of withholding information." Ms. Theim added that she felt that when a person loses a position over a fabricated allegation of open records and the City does not comply that it is discerning. Dr. Watson added that he would call the meeting back into session; due to time the copies are not going to be ready. The action will be tabled until the next meeting. If there is anyone that would like to have a copy they can leave their name so the staff secretary can send you a copy. Dr. Watson added that with no other items on the agenda would like to call for adjournment. 8. Adiournment Mr. Reynolds made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Buckley 2"d the motion all were in favor. Motion passed at 1:18 pm. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of September 2e.2006 3