HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-27-11 Animal Services advisory board meeting minutes
Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Deputy Administrator Bill Shanahan, Advisory Board Members Linda
Finnegan and B. B. Langham; Expired Advisory Board Member: Jerry Maccario and AAS
Staff: Sharon S. Broady, Priscilla Crisler, Edward Jefferson, and Diane Downs
Absent: Julie Tillery, Gene Workman
The Advisory Board Meeting began at 5:30 on July 27, 2011. Deputy Administrator Bill
Shanahan was introduced to the group. The minutes from the last meeting were read
and approved.
Mrs. Broady stated that in a recent Commission meeting the Commissioners
implemented a policy requiring all boards to submit meeting minutes to the Clerk of
Commission. Beginning with this meeting, Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting
minutes will be forwarded to the Clerk of Commission.
Mr. Langham stated that he has been talking to the Commissioners and Ms. Lena
Bonner about new members for the advisory board. He also stated that citizens have
completed talent bank forms (it is not known if any of these people put the animal
control advisory board on their forms) and that these forms are kept for one year. He
further stated that inactive members could be voted off the committee. It was also
mentioned that 7 members are needed for a quorum. Mr. Shanahan stated that if we
cannot get a quorum ask the commissioners for guidance.
Mrs. Broady stated that the Grand Jury toured the building last month and gave the
facility a good report. She also stated that Commissioner Guilfoyle also came out and
toured the building as well, giving the facility another favorable report.
Also discussed were recent shelter events. Mrs. Broady stated that the shelter began
micro chipping our adoptable animals on 7-3-11; and that it has been met with
approval. At the recent Pet Adopt-a-thon held in April, twenty (20) animals were
adopted.
Board Member B. B. Langham discussed his visit to the shelter on 5-27-11; he rode with
Officer Jones and observed how complaints were handled in the field. He was very
complimentary of the officers and the shelter in general. Mr. Langham also discussed
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some issues with Mrs. Broady prior to leaving the shelter. It was further mentioned that
materials from the old shelter could be salvaged and recycled for use; as this area is
needed for overflow.
Asbestos survey and demolition of the old shelter building was discussed. Mrs. Broady
stated that she has only received 2 quotes; 3 are needed. She further stated that one
company wants abatement prior to giving a quote. The long range plans for the site of
the old shelter are installation of a crematorium and constructing a structure to handle
overcrowding and space for disaster relief.
The Handling Animals during Disasters tabletop exercise held on 6-27-11 was discussed
(the class was originally scheduled for 6-15-11; therefore Ms. Finnegan and Mr.
Maccario were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts). The primary location for
holding animals will be the Exchange Club Fairgrounds, with Animal Services as the
overflow location. Also discussed were contacting local veterinarians and pet friendly
hotels in the area for their partnership in the event of a disaster. In the event of a
natural disaster the shelter would have to have staff on duty 24 hours, in contrast to our
current system. AAS staff would be responsible for directing volunteers and a volunteer
manual is also needed.
For animals received from coastal areas and housed at the fairgrounds, feeding,
watering, exercising and cleaning of the animals will be the owner’s responsibility, with
AAS staff as back up. AAS will also be responsible for medical services that are needed
for the animals in our care at this time, with accurate documentation for
reimbursement.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) offered to send a representative to
assist with training AAS staff and volunteers in Handling Animals during Disasters. The
necessity of good documentation during emergencies was stressed, in order to receive
compensation from FEMA; to include keeping up with all events (i.e. photographs of
animals and owners, animals becoming sick or dying; and costs involved).
The AAS website update was next discussed. Outdated information was removed, some
information was updated and bite case information was added to the website; updating
the website continues.
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Advertising was the next topic discussed. Mrs. Broady stated that she had spoken to
Tim Kiser at Comcast about advertising. He stated that we can make a commercial for
$300.00 (production time) and that it could be time specific or not. It was also
mentioned that partnering with Comcast for commercials would be no cost. Mr.
Maccario said that he felt he could get money for a commercial donated through AARF,
he also asked if these commercials would be broadcast on Animal Planet; the answer
was yes. She also stated that she had spoken to Utilities Director Tom Wiedmeier about
inserting animal related information with the water bill; this would cost $500.00 for
printing and inserting. Other possible information to be used as an insert was informing
the public of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month (October). The suggestion was made
to check and see if donation money could be used. Billboard space is available on Old
Savannah Road. The cost is $700.00 for one month and $1100.00 for printing and
changing the board. The committee members felt that the billboards should target
certain areas of town and that information on rabies/rabies shots should be a featured
topic. Newspaper advertising was also discussed. Other topics for public service
announcements suggested were spay/neuter statistics and defining responsible pet
ownership. Mrs. Broady also stated that WJBF again contacted her for an interview,
and information regarding heat related tips for pets; she sent them the information
requested.
Mr. Shanahan stated that he had talked to the finance department about donated
money. They told him that it could be used for some of our endeavors. It was also
stated by Priscilla Crisler that Angela McGruder has a standing donation with/for the
shelter and will possibly be coming back to the Advisory Board.
Mr. Langham mentioned that the Commissioners want a 5 minute presentation as to
what AAS does at a future commission meeting. We will assist Mrs. Broady to prepare
for this event.
The upcoming budget was also discussed. Mr. Shanahan suggested asking for the items
that were needed to run the shelter in an efficient manner.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45. The next meeting will be held on October 27, 2011.
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