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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 06/17/2010 FAUG RE C 0 9-2010 ity Corpus Cmsti MY SECRETARY'S 0FF1( 1 of u Chris MINUTES I CHRISTI ANIMAL I COMMITTEE Nueces County Public I District Education oll The Minutes 77th, Members Present: Dr.Watson,Samantha Person,Dr.Buckley, BIII Schroeder,Barbara Beynon and Helen Sterbach Members Absent, Cheryl Martinez Staff Present: Kelli Copeland and Cindy Ramos Staff Absent: none Guests: none 1. Call to Order: Dr.Watson called the meeting to order at 12:30. 2. Discuss Ion and possible Approval of iuts from y 201",2010 Dr.Watson made note that Ms.Copeland was present at the meeting for May. Mr.Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes, Dr. Buckley 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. 3. Discussion and possible Approval of Absences from y 20th.2010 Dr.Watson informed the committee that there were no absences for May. 4. Discussion of Monift-Reports A. Zoonosis ReRort Dr.Watson informed the committee that the Zoonosis report was attached for viewing. Dr. Buckley pointed out the report was primarily bats. Dr.Watson asked Ms. Copeland if ACS did most of the rabies shipping. Ms.Copeland replied yes we ship anything. B. Shelter Report Ms.Copeland wanted to point out to the committee that Mr.Hacker has resigned as the Interim Director for the Health Department.He is being replaced by Aurora Parlamas who currently works with the Engineering Department. Ms.Copeland added that she has already met her she is ready and willing to learn about Animal Control. Ms.Copeland also added that she has already helped out making things happen.Ms.Copeland informed the committee that at this time we are short staffed and not just able to get positions filled because of memos. Copeland informed a committee that a former o r Jamie errer who works for Neighborhood Services was a very good officer. He let our officers o that if we were able to make it happen he would be willing to be on call for the weekends. Our staff is running 2417. With the help of Ms.Parlamas and die Ortega from eibor Services we have been able to make that happen.The weekend of June 27m is hen he will s rt helping being on call which we greatly appreciate,, Ms.Copeland added that we have had 3 memo's trying to get the 3 positions filled,Ms. Shasta Young,Israel Trevino and Phillip onrl. Ms. Copeland added that between a ails and phone calls to track these down was difficult.. s.. Copeland added that she walked thru and n a in a budget office and personally took them to each person all the way to Ms, Rose and she now has them.At this time everyone has signed off on them so we have 1 position posted at this time,because it is the same position we are going to post one at a ti e.The City Manager had put out a memo that slabrig that no position could be posted less than 2 weeks however they made a concession with us with the help of Ms.Parlamas they would allow us to run the first one for 1 week so we ld get started on a interviews. Then we will run the 2nd one will run for 2 weeks and the last one for weeks;which would be 5 weeks of posting for the jobs.Hopefully in first round we will find all 3 officers and if not we will keep going. Ms.Copeland wanted to point out that the cers are exhausted.The numbers were down in the dispatch box to around 100 and now they are back up around 400.They can only do so much and I have told them,the call center and PD that no one Is to make them feel overwhelmed and will do what they can do. The Call Center and PD have been good about making sure that the calls they are sending them out on are emergencies. ie Perryman is working on the Bite Cases now,he is out due to an injury which was not work related. Matthew Ray is out on has new baby in a home and should be back soon, Over the next 2 weeks we should be start building the staff back up again. Ms.Beynon asked how many officers are working right now. Ms.Copeland replied which are officers Leal,Davila and Zapata Ms.Copeland added that 1 officer was let go because of issues vWth drinking,Israel Trevino left he had trained to be a police officer,passed basic certification and .Shasta Young she is one that filed the grievances against me nd found all but 1 unfounded she decided to quit.Ms.Copeland added that as good as an officer she was I have to say was a relief because every day there was a complaint. She was the best investigative officer we had and that hurt us,Animal Control does go in ase and happens we are going thru a tough time and a City sat on the memos since March, Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the numbers for the shelter report.The total for incoming animals was 1,20 .There were 41 returns to owners,36 adoptionsirescues 0 bite cases. Ms.Copeland informed e committee that the officers were writing more tickets although there are still a lot of strays picked up. We have a baby raccoon here,Jan Amsden has been the one to take them recently.Ms.Martinez added that she would take them but she was going to be out of town. Ms.Copeland noted that she knows we haven't picked up that many Wild animals and a need to remember that we are using temporary employees.The training for the temps goes very quickly they are not always as and as someone that we hire thru the city. A lot of t might be missed application of chameleon. Ms.Copeland noted that you will see we are down on a and neuters; r.House was out a bit. We did have Dr.Whitlock come in and assist us for a few days but not all when he out,it helped with the adoption program and getting the vaccines and altered to keep the adoption II. .Copeland informed the committee that the Career Development Class has again this year has chosen us again,before they did the agility course in a back. This time they have chosen to it s an adoption kennel 12 x 12 with bench inside then people who want to interact with an animal before adopting ill be able to do so. Ms.Copeland informed e committee about the fees for the shelter. If you didn't see the presentation to City Council in regards to fees raised;the presentation went very well and hen it came to the ordinance about the fees they had a question about the rice on the dead animal pick up.They felt like$1.00 wasn't enough and e us go back to the table and let them know the exact cost and breakdown the cost including the gas,cost of employee,transport to there and back. What the Council came u with and there will be a 2nd reading which will be on June 22nd, You will want to inform the veterinarians and let them know for e first 3 and for each one thereafter, Ms.Beynon asked if this would be in the same visit. Ms. Copeland replied yes the same visit.We worked it out and it came out to right under for the City to ake a hip. Dr.Watson noted that the more often we call the less it would be.Ms.Copeland replied that it was something is yes we probably will receive more calls. Ms.Copeland added that City Council has suggested i and this is probably what I will be doing and there will be 1 or 2 days we will pick up for the businesses as a priority. We will start out like this for a few on to see how it works,if it is overwhelming for the staff then we will adjust. Dr. Watson added that for him he can call one time and have 3 and call again and have 3 that G e. Ms.Copeland replied that she would have preferred for every 3 animals,it would have been simpler. Ms.Beynon asked if this was the only fee that they talked about. Ms.Copeland replied yes it was the only fee talked about, I was hoping it would go without any discussion but it didn't. Ms.Copeland added that she was pleased with their reaction to the presentation and they asked a lot of questions. Mr.Chesney however towards the end said that he ill be the negative one of the bunch;he didn't want us to walk away thinking that we were going to get anything.Mr.Chesney also added that they were going to everything we can so you don't lose anything else.We cannot give back what you have lost;we just don't have it to o. Ms.Copeland added that she was taking this as not losing clinic which was the biggest fear.This is not a threat but I had made everyone understand that if we were to lose the clinic I would have to leave because I cannot go back to what it was when I got here. This is what I wanted City Council to nersta , we have made a lot of progress and there is a lot more to ae. It doesn't make any since to stay if they put me back to square one and that's what taking the clinic away would be. The members from a Liechtenstein Foundation helped us,they went and met with the all of the council members and that they would be disappointed which is understandable because they have put a lot of money into this to get it open.Dr.Watson added that before Ms.Copeland came 1 met with a over the phone and they were asking us what it would take to help.Ms. Copeland ded that they have been very involved i Il since they understood that there was a possibility of the clinic being taken away from s. They came in and went over the budget with us,asked questions and very pleased about our response and as told at one point that they realized you could make us go thru the open records request.Ms.Copeland stated at she had checked with legal and was able to discuss this with you,even if that had been the case I would have walked the request thru.The foundation ut the money up and a lot into it and I feel they deserve the answers to the questions they were asking. eynon asked about the increase in license fees and some of the clinic services has that been approved yet. Ms.Copeland replied a 20 reading is the 22m of June,it will be approved and a are setting for it.Ms.Beynon asked if the first reading included everything.Ms.Copeland replied yes,and the only thing they commented about was the dead animal pick up. I thought if they had any it would have been elsewhere. They were upset they thought it would cost more than a dollar. Dr.Watson added that with a vets that sell the pet registrations was part of the reason in the ast that there was no charge for the dead animal pick up. Ms.Copeland replied ate will approach this when it pens;licensing is down right now severely and believes it is due to the economy. r.Watson added that he believes it is too hard because the envelopes have not been in supply for a while.Ms.Copeland asked if he called in for them,you need to call in to get them.Ms.Copeland asked Ms.Ramos asked why there is a reason because we have a cabinet full. Ms.Ramos replied that we are not sending any out until July 1s' because of the change in the fees and we are in a process of taking care of that. Ms.Beynon asked that the vets have to call for you to send them some. Ms. Ramos replied at when they run out they call u . Ms.Beynon commented t at her vet she was told the City is not providing them anymore.Ms.Ramos replied at there was misunderstanding that we were going to stop doing it when in fact we were out of envelopes and getfing them printed. Ms. eynon added that she overheard a staff at the vet's office tell a customer that the only way you can get a license online or at animal control.They also stated that they won't take them if you mail them in and this has been months have been ago. Dr. Watson added that the other thing with ilin g them in a of the clients have been fined for not having a license even though they have cashed their check because the City is far behind.Ms.Copeland replied that they are not,when I first arrived they were 6 months behind the first 1 %:years we struggled catching up and the Call Center helped out and at this time we are current and stay that way. C. Clinic Report Ms.Copeland informed a committee the numbers for spay and neuter was 94 for the month of May. 5. Discussion and possible recommendation for raising revenue for Animal Care Services Ms.Person pointed out to the committee that one of the Council man said that we needed to be responsible for raising money for Animal Control and suggested a golf tournament. Ms.Copeland interjected to say that the City is looking into a golf tournament r and Angela Rowe is putting it together and is going to get with us an it. Ms.Person pointed out that a golf tournament is very attentive,last year with cto r Fest we had 60 people helping and we only made$4k. Ms.Person also added that we presented this in 2008 and not sure why it wasn't done at that time. I have all the documentation when I did the research and contacted ASPCA because they are in Texas, I have list of questions and have the resolutions for it to be s i I . Ms. Person added that during the City Council meeting stated that the 3 areas most important in a City are Animal Control, Police Department and Fire Department. Ms,Person added that it may not gel passed if we ask for just Animal Control,if we want to bring in er departments ands lit the cost between the departments. If 100,000 gave 1 dollar every month,which would for each department,which would be enough for a staff position. .Copeland added that she is aware that Arlington does this and I did take it to the City anger when it was presented before and said he didn't think it would be feasible for us and I left it alone at that time. . Sterach wanted clarification about not being feasible.Ms.Copeland replied that is correct and I think he thought it would cost more money to have inserts printed up to put in there but what you are talking about is where they can check off that they wanted to pay towards each cause. Ms.Person replied t they added 1 in n if you chose not to then you would mark o.Ms.Copeland replied that we will put together a resolution,meet With Ms.Hundley and see what we can do to k it happen.The committee needs to decide if you want to support it so that we can say in a resolution that you do or not.Dr. Watson pointed out that right now is a bad time and the citizens might complain about another fee being added. Dr.Buckley added that an option in system would be better than too t out.Ms.Beynon added that the people would like to know what the money being spent is used for and what the taxes didn't cover. Mr.Schroeder a a that maybe it would be best for Ms. Copeland to meet with the head of and the Fire Department and let them know this is what we would like to o and then from ere. Ms.Copeland added then we ul r e fi hat exactly the money is being used for,the Parks Department would be good to add. Ms. Beynon asked about the dog parka couple of years ago. All the people were asking for the land to put it o ,they would be raising all the money and the City would buy,build and help to maintain it. There is no oney in a cities pocket to build the park on land they already have. The comments in the Caller Times were;why are we spending money on a dog park,a waste of tax payer money. Dr.Watson suggested cutting c swimming ool hours. It takes a lot of money to maintain the pools.Mr. Schroeder added maybe the Parks Department might be better then PD and Fire because people love their parks. Dr.Watson suggested if we leave the amount open then people Will give what they can. Ms.Copeland added that she would like designation amount and then other a out. Ms.Person added that was a question that was asked and there was no additional cost except at the time the person in finance to allocate the donations to the proper a ut. I also asked about computer programs and they replied t there was no special application. Mr.Schroeder asked about the Pet Taxi and nothings started yet .Copeland added that we have received 2 checks for it. Mr.Schroeder asked if we came up with an amount to get it up and running.Ms.Copeland replied that we needed a generator, microwave and air condition unit,estimate an unt of 1. r. Schroeder asked that what is not used could some of it go back to you.Ms.Copeland replied that she was hoping hat is left would be to buy the carriers needed,Mr,Schroeder asked how we were promoting this.Ms. Copeland replied t I know Ms. Martinez started working on it and was passing a flyer out at e park. Mr.Schroeder added that he also has 2 or 3 and wanted to know what to fill out. Ms.Copeland added that she had asked City Council about sponsor a kennel and didn't get one. Ms. Beynon asked what sponsor a kennel was. Ms.Copeland explained the process of the Adopt a Kennel for$75.00 and the name is put on who sponsored.Mr.Oscar Martinez has sponsored 2 of the kennels and has been great thru the budget process. 6. Discussion and osi l recommendation t board members for Animal Control Adyjia ! e Dr.Watson wanted to point out that he had spoken with the veterinarians about his replacement. Dr.Watson also added that he had left a message for the president of the association but has not cal!ed back,she is suppose to call the hospitals and one of the senior people will pick a junior staff and will have a name at the next meeting. Ms.Copeland replied that there is a possibility that the veterinarian that has been helping us out will be able to put in application,she worked for the Humane Society in io for many years and has worked for the Houston Zoo. Mr.Schroeder asked if she was asked about it. Ms.Copeland replied that she had spoken With her about it the last time she was here;there were some issues but that she was going to talk with her husband and get back with us. Ms.Copeland added that she does have years of experience.Dr.Watson asked if they have to be an active practicing veterinarian. Ms.Copeland replied that she didn't believe that the book species.Mr.Schroeder asked at when you retire you are still a veterinarian no matter what correct. Dr.Watson said that you can retire and lose your license if you haven't renewed your fee for it. Ms.Copeland added thought that a lot of the would retain their license and fees when they refire. Dr.Watson replied that they use to when it didn't cost,but some do not because of the price of the license fee and other costs. A discussion was held on the applicants for the position available for the committee. Ms.Person requested Heather Tamoski who was one of the final that we chose from last time,she is with Bruno's Bathhouse. Ms.Copeland replied that they are one who had the most information on the because the Caller Times had done an article on them. Mr.Schroeder made a motion to elect Heather Tarnoski as the new committee member,Ms. Ste ac 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. Mr.Schroeder asked who sends the request.Ms.Copeland replied that she could send but asked Dr.Watson if there is something you need to send them. Dr.Watson replied that he needs to verify information with the City Secretary office and also With the vet we should have that at one of the next 2 meetings.Ms.Copeland replied to take care of Dr.Buckley's position so he can be relieved. 7 Public Comments No public comments. 8. Identify items to be placed on next-iqqnda Dr.Buckley asked if he was needed at the next meeting. Ms.Copeland replied that she would look into and let him know either way. 9. Adlournmen Dr.Buckley made a motion to adjourn,Mr.Schroeder 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed.