Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 06/19/2014 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY MEETING Nueces County Public Health District Conference Room,2626 Holly The Minutes for June 19,2014 Members Present: Dr. Barbara Whitlock, Cheryl Martinez,Harold Bennett,Janet Strawn,Mark Phillips, Megan Winn,Liana Schonefeld City Staff: Heather Hedrick,Joseph Brice, Commander Green,Danni Alcantara,Edward Cruz, Dr. Melissa Draper,Kellie Duncan,Barbara Sandoval Guests: Kelly Livingston,Polly Harris, Sara Kuris-Morgan,Belinda Chambers, Stephanie Orona,Veronica Lankford, Christina Davis,Jarvis Amaya, &Karen Cowan. 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Dr. Barbara Whitlock at 12:30pm. 2. Discussion and Approval of Minutes from May 15,2014 Cheryl Martinez made a motion to approve the amendment for item 2, Pt line,the following name"Cheryl Martinez be changed to Janet Strawn".Amendment for item 12,4d'paragraph,2nd line,the following statement "they are allowed to be on that 24 hours a day or on it for 3 hours"amended to"they are not allowed to be tethered 24 hours a day".Amendment for item 13,paragraph 3, Pt and 2nd line,name correction in two locations from Barbara to Veronica. Janet Strawn seconds, all prove,none oppose and none abstain. 3. Discussion and Approval of Absences from May 15,2014 Absences as follows Megan Winn: had to work; Liana Schonefeld: had to work, Cheryl made a motion to approve,Harold Bennett seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 4. Discussion of Current Texas Department of State Health Services Region 11 Zoonosis Report No report available. Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that Laura Robertson had been brought back temporarily to help out with the report. 5. Discussion of Texas Parks and Wildlife report Edward Cruz reported 82 captured possums,released 77. 6. Discussion of the Current Shelter Report Danni Alcantara reported the number of dogs euthanized had increased from previous year and the number of cats had decreased drastically from the previous year. Danni Alcantara reported the number of rescues was decreased by 1 from the previous year and the number of cats has increased from 33 to 47 from year previous year. Danni Alcantara reported adoptions were up 13 in number from the last year for dogs and cats were about the same as previous year. Cheryl Martinez questions last month's calls regarding follow up and educate. Cheryl Martinez stated there were 15 calls on April 8d'that are still tied up. Edward Cruz stated that he has 7 officers and with the number of bite cases and being short staffed that they only handle priority calls right now. He also stated that he does have 4 new hires in training and his goal is to get those officers trained and out in the field to catch up on calls and address more calls when they come in. Megan Winn questioned what determines a follow up citation. Edward Cruz stated it depends on the public to report and each call is handled individually. Megan Winn inquired as to whether there are any forms the public can hand out to educate. Edward Cruz handed out forms to the board. Cheryl Martinez state they have information they pass out on block walks. Cheryl Martinez requested a copy of the affidavit that the public could gill out be brought to the next board meeting. Edward Cruz stated that he will provide a copy for the next board meeting. Dr. Barbara Whitlock asked if there were any questions regarding the call for service.No questions or discussion. 7. Discussion of the Current and Previous Clinic Report Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated the clinic report is up to date.No further questions or discussion. 8. Discussion of the Status of Rachael Ray Grant Funds Danni Alcantara noted that the cat house is coming in pieces and still waiting for the complete order to come. Dr. Melissa Draper stated we were granted an extension for Rachel Ray Grant. She is working on the details of the project with Danni Alcantara. 9. Discussion,review and possible recommendation for a billboard concerning animal cruelty Cheryl Martinez stated that there is 1 billboard created with PAAC, The Gulf Cost Humane Society&Cattery logos and the cities call center number(826-CITY). The costs for the billboard were privately funding and are located in the targeted areas. 10. Discussion,review and possible approval of By-laws Dr. Barbara Whitlock asked that this subject be tabled until July. Cheryl Martinez made a motion to approve, Harold Bennett seconds,none oppose, and none abstain. 11. Discussion and possible recommendation for tethering ordinance Member of the board review the tethering ordinance. Mark Phillips inquired the best way to educate the public. Cheryl Martinez stated block walks. Edward Cruz stated social media and media. Mark Phillips inquired as to how we educate the public about trolleys. Edward stated he covers the details regarding range and hands out flyers. Danni Alcantara added we also educate the public where they can fix tethering. Veronica Lankford inquired about when an officer responds to a call about as dog that is chained improperly and gets to location but cannot see the animal and the owner does not answer the door. What does the officer do?Edward Cruz stated the officer can utilize surrounding neighbor's property or obtain a search warrant. Polly Harris inquired if Animal Control Officers go back to check on the education after a call. Edward Cruz stated it depends on the situation whether a follow-up call is made. Different aspects are taken into consideration for each call such as conditions of location and animal. Veronica Lankford inquired what determines and officer to close a case. Edward Cruz stated the cases are closed when the officer leaves. Follow ups call as previously stated are considered on a case by case basis. Karen Cowan inquired as to whether we can go to Wal-Mart and purchase$14 tethering systems and hand them out to the public. Edward Cruz stated officers can't sell items from their trucks. Varies members of the board asked Joseph Brice if the tether were donated could we give them to the public and Joseph Brice stated that there might be issues as far as gifting but he will check into it. Cheryl Martinez moves to approve tethering ordinance,Harold Bennett seconds, all approve,none oppose, and none abstain. 12. Discussion of Volunteer Programs Dr. Barbara Whitlock asked what issues volunteers can help with Dr. Melissa Draper stated she needs to put together a plan to come up with a cruelty task force. Dr. Melissa Draper also stated she would like to look into bringing in different organizations for the training of the volunteers. Heather Hedrick stated the training of volunteers needed to be routed to the VIPS program due to time and budget issues ACS faces at the present time. Commander Green explains the VIPS program and stated the importance of training the volunteers as well as the importance of structure for all parties involved. Commander Green is also in agreement with Heather Hedrick regarding the time and budget issues. Dr. Barbara Whitlock agrees as well that volunteers would need specific training if they are to represent the city. Dr. Mellissa Draper stated that other cities have task forces that are made up of different departments. Mark Phillips stated that we need to identify other cities with similar programs. Dr. Barbara Whitlock asked Janet Strawn to look into gathering information to see what programs other cities have to offer. Janet Strawn stated she will get information. 13. Public Comments Stephanie Orona asked Commander Green would it be a good step for people to go though the VIPS program. Commander Green stated volunteers would have to go through VIPS in order to become volunteers if we open the task force program. Commander Green stated the VIPS program is not as intense as the Alumni program that can issue tickets. The training for VIPS is a process the police department uses to verify volunteers and their hours. Christina Davis asked about Petey, a dog who passed several months ago. She wanted details regarding the closure of the incident. Christina Davis asked the board to look into this incident and the closure. Commander Green stated the process of the investigation. Dr. Barbara Whitlock asked the board whether they wanted to look into this specific issue,the board declined to add it to the agenda and stated that the subject did not fall into the realm of what the board was designed to do. 14. Identify items to be placed on next agenda Zoonosis Report,Texas Parks&Wildlife Report, Current Shelter Report, Clinic Report, status of Rachel Ray funds,the bylaws, affidavit process for any ordinance concerning animal cruelty,update on tethering, and volunteer programs in other cities. 15. Adjournment Cheryl Martinez motions to adjourn at 1:19. Harold Bennett seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain.