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Home My WebLink About08/27/2013 ACAB Animal Control Advisory Board Meeting August 27, 2013 Called to order: 6:00 p.m. Members in attendance: Patricia Barrington, David Terre, Chris Plemons, Wendy Gunderson, Greg Darbro Members absent: None Others present: None Approval of minutes of August 27, 2013 meeting Minutes were reviewed by the board. Terre motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Gunderson seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the August meeting as presented. Citizen input None. Review proposed changes to ordinance related to dangerous dogs/animals Changes proposed to ordinance included adding the following to the definition of “Dangerous Animal” 3) Makes an attack on a domestic animal that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the attacking animal was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the animal from leaving the enclosure on its own, provided the victim animal is not at large at the time of the attack. 4) An animal that has been involved in two (2) or more separate bites, attacks or possible rabies exposure cases, regardless of the extent of the injury to the victim animal or person. All members agreed to proposed changes/additions to the definition of “Dangerous Animal”. Changes were also proposed to Chapter 5, section 5-18. Barrington recommended removal of section (a) (1) and (2), and moving (b) to the (a) section. Darbro recommended keeping (a) (1). Plemons agreed, as did Gunderson and Terre. Terre suggested keeping (a) (1) as a way to manage section 5-18 (b). All members agreed to recommend the removal of section 5-18 (a) (2). Barrington also suggested removal of section 5-20 in entirely as “Guard Dog” is not defined in the definition section of the ordinance. Darbro requested 5-20 be reviewed by the city’s legal team with their recommendation and feedback submitted to the board at a later date. Barrington and Plemons agreed and acknowledged the intent to research other city’s guard dog regulations/ordinances. Update on quarantine building project Plemons presented information to the board regarding the quarantine building project. He stated that approximately $50,000 of the original funds for the project was spent on geotech studies, engineering and architectural plans, leaving approximately $102,000 left for the actual building. He further stated that bids submitted were outside that budget adding the lower end of bids received were approximately $230,000. Terre suggested due to the size of the job, the contractors bidding were not submitting realistic bids. Plemons reported that the recent meeting with the Terry Gillman and his team ended with the funds remaining needed to build a structure. He added that ideas about a partially prefabricated, partially metal, climate controlled structure were being reviewed as a more cost effective option for the project. Plemons stated that Mr. Gillman was meeting with the city manager for direction on the project, including possible zoning restrictions/allowances. Terre said he would like to be included in the meeting. Terre stated he felt council would possibly recommend a zoning variance, as the area proposed for the structure in question is not in view of residences / major roadways. Terre added he would like to move forward with the metal building. Darbro expressed concern about the cleaning agents used in shelter setting being corrosive to metal and suggested a block lower half for the structure with a metal upper. Plemons stated he would relay recommendations. Review year to date shelter statistics and reports Darbro inquired as to why euthanasia rates are lower than previous reports. Barrington explained that efforts had been made to strengthen relationships with rescue organizations, a donation account for spay/neuter/vaccines had been set up which was being used to offset adoption costs for special events and promotions, that the shelter’s Facebook page was a very effective tool for networking shelter pets, bringing much interest to The Colony’s adoptable pets. She added that The Colony Animal Advocates’ volunteer organization has been working relentlessly to aid the shelter in placing pets that are generally hard to place. She stated the combination of these efforts has resulted in the lowest sustained euthanasia rates the shelter has seen. Terre and Gunderson agreed that these efforts and statistics were a big improvement and all involved in achieving the current adoption/rescue rates should be commended. Receive report of expenditures from donation accounts Barrington directed the board to the section of the board packet that outlined the donation and medical fund donation accounts. It was explained that special event items, food and supplies for special needs and exotic animals and promotional items were typically purchased from the donation fund. The medical donation fund was set up to be used specifically for medical procedures, vaccinations and medical treatment of shelter pets. All members reviewed the expenditure reports and had no questions. Discuss recent events: vaccination clinic and Fall Fest Barrington reported the Fall Festival and the October low cost vaccination clinic were successful. The clinic saw 116 animals and the festival raised funds that were put into the medical donation account. Board to provide direction for shelter goals/future agenda items None. Adjourned: 7:04 p.m. Prepared by: Patricia Barrington; Animal Services Division Manager/Board Chair Patricia Barrington The Colony Police Department Animal Services Division Manager/Animal Services Advisory Board Chair