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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 09/18/2014 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY MEETING Nueces County Public Health District Conference Room,2626 Holly The Minutes for September 18,2014 Revised Members Present: Dr. Barbara Whitlock, Cheryl Martinez,Janet Strawn,Mark Phillips, Laina Schonefeld Members Absent: Harold Bennett,Megan Winn City Staff: Commander John Houston,Danni Alcantara,Edward Cruz,Barbara Sandoval, Jaydra Villagran,Joseph Brice, Steven Bly Guests: Tami Romero,Angela Powell,Diane Zimmer, Steven Pituch, Chester Davis 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Dr. Barbara Whitlock at 12:32pm. 2. Discussion and Approval of Minutes from August 21,2014 Dr. Barbara Whitlock states that number 3 needs to be July not August and needs to be completely removed. She also states that we had passed the LRCA ordinance and it needs to be added to the minutes. Janet Strawn wants to change"states"into"stated"for past tense. Janet Strawn also states on number 8 change"he gets"to "will get"and add"funds"to Yd to last line. Cheryl Martinez motions to approve,Janet Strawn seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 3. Discussion and Approval of Absences from August 21,2014 Dr. Barbara Whitlock states Harold Bennett was absent due to work related issues as well as Megan Winn. 4. Discussion of Current Texas Department of State Health Services Region 11 Zoonosis Report No report available. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states that the report is provided by the state and has nothing to do with the advisory committee or the city.No further questions or discussions. 5. Discussion of Texas Parks and Wildlife report Dr. Barbara Whitlock states there were 3 bats(heads for lab), 61 opossums,4 raccoons, and 1 rat(head for lab.) 6. Discussion of the Current Shelter Report Danni Alcantara states from the Shelter Report that there was a drop in adoptions in August compared to last year due to the push of the Rachel Ray Challenge last year. Danni also states there was a big increase in fosters and rescues this year compared to last year. Edward Cruz states from the Violation Summary that the violation numbers went down due to Commander John Houston requesting the Control Officers educate the public first when going out to calls. Danni states from the Bite Case Report that bite case reports can be done online and we may see an increase with bite case reports. Edward states from the Calls for Service Report now that we have more staff we are able to get more calls done. Dr. Barbara Whitlock noted in 2013 average calls 57 to 2014 average calls 86.No further questions or discussions. 7. Discussion of the Current and Previous Clinic Report Dr. Barbara Whitlock reviewed the Clinic Report.No further questions or discussions. 8. Discussion of the Status of Rachael Ray Grant Funds Commander John Houston states that the RFQ went out 2 weeks ago and he has a meeting with purchasing tomorrow to discuss what they have received and decide what contracts will be issued and would work. Animal Control and City Legal are working on the voucher system to be up and running, selecting the proper voucher that will be used to keep track of the money, and also seeking to employ two veterinarians at Animal Control under a professional services contract to help and assist Dr. Melissa Draper when she is not in.Animal Control will do some of the Rachel Ray spaying and neutering after getting the vet contract resolved and that the vet will come on scheduled days. The response from the vets in the public to the RFQ will be analyzed tomorrow and a decision will be made on whether its 1,2, or 3 vets that we can use.No further questions or further discussion. 9. Discussion,and possible approval of By-laws Dr. Barbara Whitlock states the name should be City of Corpus Christi Animal Care Advisory Committee. Article 5 part B says"Responsibility of Commission Members"it should say"Committee Members". "Control"should be changed to"Care". Dr. Barbara Whitlock asks the committee if they have any changes on the By-Laws. Cheryl Martinez questions the Absences. In the packet it says to let Barbara Sandoval know but in the By-Laws it says let Dr. Barbara Whitlock know. Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated under Responsibility of Committee Members number 3 members claiming interest in matters under consideration B would like to clarify what Personal Financial Interest means. Joseph Brice states it means any sort of gain of money or property from members. Dr. Barbara Whitlock motions to approve By-Laws, Cheryl Martinez and Janet Strawn second,none oppose and none abstain. 10. Discussion,and reviews of Volunteer Programs Cheryl Martinez motions to table till next meeting. Janet Strawn seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 11. Discussion,review,and possible approval of City Ordinance Creating Chapter 6,Sections 27,29, 32,54,103,104,&127 of same. Cheryl states on the fee schedule"per cent"should be changed to"percent."It should be one word instead of two words. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states in the By-Laws we just past that one of our task is to help recommend fees,is there anything in the new ordinance where this committee has any input into the fee schedule. Joseph Brice states this doesn't eliminate the advisory committee's ability to advise on the fees,it does restrict how fees can be adjusted. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states on page 2 wearing of tag under Section 3 questions about cats whom usually go outside have break away collars and the cats that are outside usually break away from their tags. Is there anything practical that can be done to give people with cats some kind of leeway?Edward Cruz states basically if the cat doesn't have tags you have to have to provide copies of the paperwork. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states on page 6(G) dispositions of animals Section 17-4 an animal that is in the city facility, and if abandon or not picked up can the animal be sold to a research facility. Commander John Houston states anything that belongs to the City can be purchased but it is not our practice. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states on Traps underlined part only humane live capture traps may be used in city limits, does humane live capture consider"Leg Traps"because it not considered humane?Does the wording clarify that in the new ordinance?Cheryl Martinez comments to discuss that for next month. Edward Cruz states they can define"Humane". Commander John Houston states he will get with Joseph Brice to add definitions and add no leg trap to the ordinance. Dr. Barbara Whitlock states where"Animal Care Services"says should be changed to"Animal Care Services Manager". Dr. Barbara Whitlock noted page 9 (E)could be taken out of ordinance and(F)change last 12 months to current Rabies Vaccination. Cheryl Martinez motions to approve with changes as noted, Laina Schonfeld seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 12. Discussion,review and possible approval of City Ordinance Amending Chapter 2,Section 115 of the Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances to modify the name of the Animal Control Advisory Committee and to modify the ex officio members; Creating Chapter 2,Section 117 of the CC Code of ordinances to designate the Animal Care Advisory Committee as the Animal Shelter Committee. Dr. Barbara Whitlock reviews ordinance. Cheryl Martinez motions to approve,Mark Phillips seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 13. Discussion of Feral Cats Cheryl Martinez motions to table till next meeting. Janet Strawn seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 14. Discussion of previous items voted since December,2013 including items voted on that has not Zone to Council. Cheryl Martinez motions to table till next meeting. Janet Strawn seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain. 15. Public Comments No public comments 16. Identify items to be placed on next agenda Zoonosis Report,Texas Parks and Wildlife Report, Current Shelter Report, Clinic Report,Rachel Ray Grant Funds,Volunteer Programs, and Discussion of previous items voted previous of December,2013 such as Tethering ordinance, Feral Cat ordinance, Leg Trap ordinance, Changes in fees for unaltered pets, and Pet Data information. 17. Adjournment Cheryl Martinez moves to Adjourn at 1:24 pm,Laina Schonefeld seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain.