Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 02/19/2009 l Wdoat cam aw"C416 City offorouss Christi CHRISTI MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS RECEIVED- ANIMAL I Nueces County Public i JAN 2 7 2010 Education II Minutes The for r 1 9th, 2009 MY SECRETARfLQFFICE Mernbem Present: Dr.Bill Watson,Sharon Massad.Barbara Beynon,Samantha Person,Dr.John Buckley,and Bill Schroeder Members sent: None Staff Present: Kelli Copeland Staff Absent: none Guests: none I. Call to Order Dr.Watson,Chairman Dr.Watson called the meeting to order at 12:30. 2. Approval of Minutes for Januaa 1t^,200 Mr.Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes,Dr.Buckley 2rw the motion all were in favor moflon passed. . Amr—ox—a—lof Absences for JanuaM 1991,2008 Dr.Watson noted that Ms,Massad was absent from the meeting but since she is not present today we cannot do the approval of the absence. . Co Renorts Zoonosis Rego rt The Zoonosis Report was attached for viewing, Dr.Buckley informed the committee the report was in reference to 1 bat. There is an item in reference to oral rabies vaccination program which will oDnirol rabi es in taxes and coyotes. Ms. Beynon added that it looks like they did one In January of 2009. Mr.Schroeder wanted to verify the information he was reading;here it states that if a cat has eaten the inoculation bait it should be monitored is that correct and how good would that affect them. Dr.Watson replied that it wouldn't. Ms.Copeland also added that with the coyotes would probably not come in contact with humans but there more worried about the dog with it being in their saliva. Dr.Watson they usually are more worded when it comes to being able to test the saliva. Dr. Buckley asked if it is from an alive or killed virus. Dr.Watson replied that he believes it is a killed virus but not positive. Ms, Copeland felt that the concern for the dogs is that the people that would come in contact with the coyote are very rare that a person would actually come in contact with the saliva. Ms.Copeland also wanted to point out that in 2DO7 there were 18 bats and in 2 there were 6. Here we have increased the number of testing so that is very good, We test almost everything we come in contact with and when I first arrived they didn't do that. Mr. Schroeder asked how many we may do in a month or the average. Ms. Copeland replied that the numbers of what is tested have increased but it's not that we've increased on how many we come across, Dr. Buckley added that the Gi might have more to do with the fact that the bail is wrapped with plastic as opposed the way it was done. Ms.Copeland replied that it had been a few years since she had done a bait drop but didn't remember having any plastic on the ones that we did.We use to take them out of the boxes and put them on the conveyor and drop them out.They were square pellets. Dr.Buckley added that the vaccine sachet if it has ruptured and someone has with the liquid the person should wash the area with soap and water.Dr.Buckley also added that it looks like it hit the central Texas area and border. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting February 19'*,2009 1, Shelter Ruff# Ms.Copeland informed the committee that we have been discussing with and the ACM Margie Rose the position of the Cruelty Investigator, It has been decided that the City at this point is not going to fund such position however we have Jessica unoz a volunteer willing to do it on a voluntary basis and is hoping that eventually it will become a paid position.Ms.Copeland did add that in a conversation with her today that she did not know if that was going to happen and don't take it based upon the fact that you think it will. Ms.Munoz is a farrier by trade.Ms.Copeland added that she had contacted PD and they are illin to train her an investigations however at this point I'm waiting fora response from s.Rose because this position will not be like the other volunteers. The others walk dogs,clean kennels;a lot of other volunteers in the City do a lot of things that would not be walking around with some type of authority. It has to be someone ho has been an investigator,who has me training and that will work in close connection with Animal Control and the Police Department and have to have someone they report to. We will forward but slowly. Mr.Schroeder asked how many hours week will this person be doing. Ms.Copeland replied that we would be able to keep them busy as much as she wanted but it's going to be at least 10 hours a week and it shouldn't be a problem. This is a position that I could see would rap someone up and put in mom then that. Ms.Copeland also added that she spoke with a Mr.McClintock from the SPCA from Houston;he wasn't there when I worked in the ConmetHouston area so he hadn't instructed any of the classes that I s i . He had been an investigator with the Texas Rangers and when he retired volunteered his services it the SPCA. I'm hoping that not only will PD do the training °l Jessica but that she will be able to do some with the officer.McClintock that way she would be able to learn first hand. The classes would probably cost but we would find a way to make that work. Ms.Copeland added that my main concern Is that she gets in with someone who has experience. Ms.Copeland expressed how excited that the volunteer Is not just standing in the wings.She has come to me several times in the week to find out what the status is on starting, She is excited use it will bring revenue in an I'm excited use I believe it will bring good PR for the City. We were inundated it Its and emalls from all aver the wodd from the Shep case.That incident brought peoples attention locally and i believe that e will also get us as much attention,good attenfion from is as we got bad attention. .Copeland reported to the committee that on March 1,2009 Clear Channel has invited us to be involved at the Texas State Aquarium for an event that they are hosting,We will be doing adoptions,possible low cost vaccinations. r.Noble will be doing a presentation at this event also.Clear Channel has been great to us with the PSA's on the radio;Heidi Humerick has been gat to us. Ms.Copeland added that we will possibly have more news next month that will be good publicity that we might be receiving. Ms. Copeland added that she already wanted to say something but was asked to wall.In the view of the public,that City Council might take that into consideration. Ms.Copeland pointed out that we are working on the budget and wanted to inform that there is a freeze on hiring;that does not affect us with the positions filled that were already vacant and those are e same 4 officer positions.We will gel those positions filled but will not be getting any additional staff. There will probably be cuts within the City and at this time I'm not sum how that will affect us. Ms.Copeland added that she had told City Council last year that if they didn't give us additional staffing she wasn't sure long we could continue with the service that we viing. Ms.Copeland added that she fell we will be fortunate if they don't cut me.This will be a challenge when we go for the budget.I'm going to have my staff show up that day,last year they let me speak and hope they Will do so again this year. I am going to have staff,we will be keeping the office open with minimally and everyone will show up,I am also going to ask volunteers,also ask you as the committee for ACS to show up. Ms.Copeland added that she is also going to ask the City to show up,I'm not sure if that will get us any more but it might at least keep us from losing too much. Ms.Copeland added that she hadn't heard this from anyone that counts but have heard at we are going to submit our budget and they are going to come back and say they're gang to come back and say this is all you're getting. If they do this they are free and clear because they are not saying cut your positions.But if I only have$10.00 and have$20.00 of employees to pay and lights to pay you know what has to ga. Ms.Copeland expressed her concern as far as the services in a City,but also concerned because these are peoples lives. I'm at the point of accepting stimulus packages,create jobs,and take away jobs. Ms.Copeland asked that come the time for budget everyone here will join us at City Council.In the past we went from to calls. We have increased services and response to the citizens. The staff is pushed to their limits. Ms.Beynon asked about the vacancies. Ms.Copeland replied that it's not that they haven't been filled. We had Mr.Piper came in thinking it was going to be like Animal Cops and was here a week and decided to leave already.Mr.Monreal was hired and Mr.Guerrero left to another position within the City. Ms.Copeland added that with r.Guerrero leaving it was a chance to move forward. s.Copeland added that is one of the challenges;you ant to see them improve themselves and take classes. When they do they see other job opportunities that pay more and ACS pays well. Mr.Guerrero left more use he has 2 sons at home and he wants to see them. He can't come back knowing that being short staffed he would be on ll. There are issues. Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the weekly staff meeting which as a breakfast meeting.In this meeting was Ms. Os e's last day;she had been on light duty for 6 months and once you have been on limited duty for 6 months you either have to be well enough to go back to full duty or you on a 90 day unpaid leave until the City tries to place you in another position. Ms. Osborne was not hurt on the job.Her injury was in her personal life,but it gat so debilitating that she couldn't perform her job,we did not have a position for her. She had been doing our bite cases and that position needs to be able to go out in the field. We were Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting February 19'",2009 having other staff do that on her behalf.Mr.Trevino will be taking over that position which will put us down 5 positions. Ms, Copeland added that she just got word this morning one young man working here is in forced to resign and so that is one more position. We are hoping to get these positions filled quickly. Ms.Rose attended our meeting and did a presentation.The City is ving on With a new vision,mission and core values. We will be promoting that. The vision is a City of choice where we make it happen. The mission is to provide exceptional service to enhance the quality of live. The core values are urt y,respecL pride,innovation,quality,teamwork,resource,responsibility and stewardship, Ms,Copeland added that she had an offer to Mr.Jaime Luna to over and give a presentation on integrity and professionalism. Ms.Copeland also added that she had heard some things that she was not pleased with. There were some people that had slipped in their language. .Copeland stated that she is a believer what comes from inside comes outside. Both of the presentations together went very well. The staff been asked to be a part of the vision and be a part of the team. To know what the values are and know why the City wants to make them a parl of there day to day work ethics. Everyone should be respectful and professional and carry yourself with pride and integrity. We are xcit about it. Ms.Copeland expressed her apologies use she was upset about losing Mr.Monreal which is what I was handling fa ing into the meeUng. He is a good young man and he will be missed. Ms.Copeland pointes out that Ms,Taube had printed the statis6cs statistics for 2008 and 2009 for comparison. Dr.Buckley asked if we were including the amounts from the trap alter rdease program. Ms.Copeland replied that there is an area on here for TAR.The statistics for incoming animals for Jan 2008 was 703 and for Jan 2009 was . There are a few reasons that the numbers are n mainly staff being down and more tickets are ` written,Ms.Copeland added that she believes in holding the pot owner responsible,so if we can meet with the owner in the field and write the citations they are likely to keep the animal nfi . The outgoing animals are 9152 for Jan 2008 and for Jan.2009 were 760. The numbers are going to be higher then incoming because it includes the animals from e previous month that have not yet been euthanized. The rescue and adoptions are at 7 in 2008 and but not sure by it's showing up like that. Ms.Copeland asked when the porns were here. Ms.Taube replied that it was Dec 07—Jan 0 . Ms.Copeland replied that would be the reason for high percentage then. Ms.Copeland did add that the adoption rate has not moved much but the reason why is we have healthier animals going out and not being returned like before. This helps the numbers stabilize and also hope now that we have Mr.Nobile and Dr.House we will be able to increase that. Ms,Copeland added that ACOI Man Ray has been assigned In charge of the adoptions;to keep animals in the program.We were having a problem with it;Ms.Casas wasn't able to maintain her duties here and keep the program full,Mr. Ray Is doing a great job;there was one weekend where we had 11 adoptions,This is what we are shooting for are 10-15 adoptions on Saturdays. Ms.Beynon asked if we took them to Petsmart. Ms.Copeland replied no it's ;we do not have the staff to take them to Petsmart.That would be a wonderful thing to do. Ms.Beynon pointed out that the numbers for incoming in 2008 the numbers for drop off and the field staff.The drop off went up and field went down. Ms.Copeland replied that the reason is the staff, we are asking more people to bring the animals in if they are able. Then the people in the field to dogs who have owners are writing citations. This Is the best way to address the situation. If we can get someone to bring the animal in it saves the officer time. Ms. Beynon asked if people use to call and ask to come get it. Ms.Copeland replied yes but that is still out it's done,but we do try to encourage them to bring the animal in. This morning we had our staff meeting and during that time we had someone show up and normally we would break the meeting for e to go out and take care of it but with this one I asked the gentlemen to come back In%hr and he a more then happy to.Most people are nice if you let them know what is going on. Dr.Buckley asked what the incoming under others, Ms.Copeland replied a lemur,1 pig,and hamsters. Ms.Copeland added that the lemur was taken to Primarily Primates. Dr.Buckley asked what kind of lemur it was. Ms.Copeland replied it was n i1, The lemur was defanged and altered it was one of the friendliest ones she had seen. Ms,Beynon asked if the calls for service are those we respond to or the calls coming In. Ms.Copeland replied that when you see calls,these are from when peoMe call in to the call center and they say we have a problem and need assistance.We will send an officer out. Ms.Copeland relteraled that when someone calls the call center the activity is created. This is something the officer responds to. Ms.Beynon replied that in seeing the calls for Jan 2008 where 2,474 and in Jan 2009 were 1 A89.are these the number of calls coming in because you are short staffed or that's the number of calls you are ndin to. If this is the request for calls then the calls are down. Ms.Copeland added at the citizens are reoogndng there is an issue with staffing and when they call In we encourage them to bring the animal in and they are doing that then the number goes down because we are not having to create a call for the officer to go out. This would also be the same for the animals picked up and the increase of the animals brought in. We try to be creative when we talk to the citizens. Ms,Beynon asked if the calls for service when someone calls in is it a ding when they need animal control or a ding when e officer responds. Ms.Copeland pointed out the call for service that comes from the chameleon software. When you call in to the 1l center a call taker enters the information and that is an activity for call and each of these activities counted. This is a call for service in Jan 2009 we had 1,889 calls for service and we had to respond for 1,889 calls for service. In some s we are able to get the people to bring the animal in as opposed to the officer going out to pick up the animal so that call is not generated. s. Beynon pointed out the numbers for bite cases were up significantly and added those are lot of work. Ms.Copeland Dr.Walson inquired when Mr,Reynolds position would filled. Ms.Copeland asked to be sent an email to remind her so she V411 request from Ms.Riley the io's they have for the position.Dr.Buckley asked if Ms.Olsson had applied.Ms.Copeland replied as far as she knew she had not but added that she would have been a great asset. Animal Control Advisory Committee Ueeling February 10,2009 Ms.Copeland asked if everyone had seen the item on the lost dog and it was impounded. n the officer brought it in and failed to close the garage door and the dog panicked and the dog was able to escape. We had to remind the officers closing the doors when they are unloading.There is a reason we do that because of the possibility of the dog getting out. Wit h the door closed it would be able to be recaptured and the officer did receive a letter in his file for that. But what the news didn't bother reporting that this was the third animal of the owner that was impounded in the past 2 month&They were putting up their fence because it was getting expensive to not have a fence.Ms.Copeland did add that we were sorry that we lost the dog whether what they are doing they should or not it is their pet. They are attached to that pet and were very sorry,The only thing that the media put out is that we They didn't show us saying that it was the 31d animal of theirs in 3 months to be impounded. As sorry as we ere is a solution and that solution is for them to be responsible in confining their peL Then it shows on a video that there other pets were running loose at the time still that had already been impounded. It's not that we didn't mess up we did and the officer was dealt with and their pets cannot be allowed to run loose. Mr.Schroeder asked what area of town are they from. Ms,Copeland replied the Annaville area,we did catch the dog the following ing and it was Mr.Davila and he felt terrible about it.Ms.Copeland that she had told Laura With Channel 6 if they could get the little gid on the air. Ms.Copeland added that the owner had not charge t did receive citations. M&Copeland added that the daughter was with the mom when they picked up the dog and said to say thank you for taking care of your puppy. Ms,Copeland pointed out again that when the time comes to go to City Council hoped that everyone in the committee is e to attend in support of the department. Ms.Copeland pointed out again that when the time comes to go to City Council hoped that everyone in the committee is able to attend in support of our department.Mr.Schroeder asked when the meeting would take place. Ms.Copeland replied in June,our fiscal year nuns different then other cities that I've been in, Beynon inquired out of curiosity the comment that the officers were writing more citations;I know citations potentially can take while to go to municipal court. There are statistics in a year end report that you got from last year and wanted to know if it is possible to get a monthly report on a amount for the citations. Ms.Copeland replied yes that can be done,Mr.Ncde would able to that but right now there are other items that have precedence.It Is a good question and we can do that, Ms.Beynon asked what the typical violations. s.Copeland replied the most common are failure to restrain,failure to register and failure to vaccinatc Ms,Copeland reiterated from the last meeting that we have revised the citation.It is not official yet but we are going over the final revisions and it needs to be presented to Judge Tamez who is over Municipal Court. There are a few changes that have been made;we have asked to be able to include animal information, The ones that we have previously used did not include that so we would have to put in on the back of the citation. If you don't have that animal information s in the sex,color and breed then when you go to court you have the exact information so this would alleviate any possibility of the citation being thrown out. Them is also going to be room to add any additional charge if we need to. Also all of the officer's penmanship is not the t;if they just scribble and the courts try to decipher it and they want these entered it can be an issue. The biggest thing that we have done is we are getting it translated into Spanish. The City doesn't feel like its responsibility to provide Spanish translations for other documentation and that is understood. However with us dealing with the public and the largest portion of the public is Hispanic and many of the are senior citizens.It will be the elder that will have more p lems reading English. Ms.Copeland added that she felt it would be disrespectful to our elderly population to not accommodate them. We are finally able to do this.Ms.Copeland added that she felt it was only fair that they be able to read this Information in their own language. Dr.Buckley asked if the officers carded their own cameras when they site an animal loose in the field. s.Copeland replied we do have digital cameras but no they don't.They would then have to keep files which I great but getting to keep their records in order is difficult. One of the problems when I first arrived is the file system was iso aniz s.Copeland added that it's been 2 years trying to get files organized. Teaching this to the officers in the field to utilize a file cabinet;I have even told them in a meeting how it was suppose to be kept.I walked in their and opened it up,couldn't figure where all the gnats were coming from and there was some dog food in their and left. That's what it was being used for,I have to pick and choose my b &Copeland added that when she still has all the files from being in the field,I have always been that way. The staff is beginning to see the importance of the record keeping and the files. Ms.Copeland added that I don't want you to think they haven't improved they have. We have had classes on how they should s a ,talk and it is improving. Mr.Trevino keeps his files well. IN response to the digital pictures, most of them are still lacking in that area. They would not be able to keep up with them. Ms.Copeland added that with the big cases I make them take the pictures and they are No on my computer and are filed away on t computer. Dr.Buckley asked how long it was going to be Issued for the trucks. Ms.Copeland replied that there are 2 lap tops that we are receiving. Also there is one additional one that I requested but don't think we will get;MIS is paying for the ones we are °vin .We can thank Mr. Nobile in helping getting this done. We are hoping that they will be delivered by the next meeting. Dr.Buckley asked if there is something where the citation could automatically be printed out rather then hand written. Ms.Copeland replied t there is so much that having the lap tops in the vehicle are going to do. Mr.Nobile is working on a program that will Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting February 19',2009 allow the rabies and vaccinations so we can send out the licensing. We have been staying behind:just recently the Call Center has been helping us.Ms.Copeland added that this will all them to create kennel cards In the field and memos. Ms.Beynon inquired what the fee was for citations. Ms.Copeland replied that the minimum for failure to restrain is$200-250 but that can be negotiated to$60-90. Ms,Copeland informed the committee of the charges on citagons when she was in Montgomery County.Ms.Copeland added that the judges here do very well on the citations;we just need to write them. Ms.Beynon asked if you were finding success at getting convictions or decisions in the cifies favor.Are you finding the dogs of failure to restrain is dropping,does its like we are having any kind of impact on that side yet. Ms.Copeland replied that we are seeing a difference of those that have received a citation,instead of gelling repeated calls on those addresses. Ms.Copeland also added that it Will be a longer to solution,it won't be overnight.It's a matter of this happening enough to the individuals to where they talk about it with friends and family and letting them know you don't want your dog running at large. FUght now if I fell a neighbor you don't want your dog running at large Animal Control might pick it up is the standard response. Some of those decide they will take their chances.In a couple of years after they have received there citations they will be saying you don't running at large,you Will receive a citation and will have to pay$200.00. That is when they will decide to keep their dog up and tell the family to put the lock on the gate. Dr.Buckley talked about dogs that are owned unrestrained from Braesvalley, Ms,Copeland mentioned Mc Ardle and to calls we have had complaints even 34 years before I came to the City. There is only one man that does the complaints on them. He had called me back about 6 months ago and asked why can't we handle this or I will go to the City. Ms.Copeland replied to him that we have gone by and left notice after notice and the dogs are sifting in their yard when we get there. But use they are not out of the yard the officer doesn't want to pick them up,no one is home or they don't want to answer the door. Ms.Copeland also added that she went out to the location to see what happened.The dogs were out ands the residents come home and phoned an offi cer to come out and write them a ticket. The officers'response was I know these dogs they don't do anything,you don't see them out of their yard. It is also a matter of educating the officer,continually.This is your job period.Ms.Copeland added that she understands the sentiment,there are a lot of problems and the only person that complains is the one gentleman. He told me why he complained Is use his dog bit their kid a few years ago bemuse his dog was running the neighborhood and he had to get rid of his dog. He is the only one. The point is the dogs are In violation.The offi cers need to do what they need to do;sometimes it Is hard for them and hard for them to say there is a difference. Clinic Rgort Ms.Copeland pointed out to the committee there was 102 surgeries for the month of January 2009 5. Public Comments No public comments were made. 6. 14MfibLitems to be placed on the next agenda Dr.Watson informed the committee of the request for the zoning of The Caftery next month for Ms.Persons. Ms.Copeland informed the committee that if Ms.Persons could do a presentation on The Caltery.We have spoken with Legal and with the board that the board is not to be concerned with shelter but concern with all the shelters within in the City and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding all of the When Ms.Persons'makes the presentation if there is to be any kind of vote of course Ms. Persons would not be able to vote herself. Ms.Beynon asked what this was in reference to. Ms.Copeland replied that Ms.Persons asked to make a presentation regarding The Caftery to this forum and to make a recommendation for the and to City Council for zoning. 7. Adjournmen Dr.Buckley made a motion to adjourn,Mr.Schroeder 2nd the motion all were in favor motion passed. 1:27 pm Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting Februat),10,2009