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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes July 25, 2012 Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes, 7-25-12 Attendees (members): Linda Finnegan, B. B. Langham, Jerry Maccario, Julie Tillery, Lorna Barrett, Jennifer White, Aimee Murphy AAS Staff: Sharon Broady, Priscilla Crisler, Edward Jefferson, Diane Downs Guests: Mary Baker, Wayne Stearley Absent: Debbie Prince The advisory board meeting began at 5:35pm. Ms. Tillery asked that the minutes not be read out loud but be accepted, with B. B. Langham in agreement. Ms. Broady then requested that all members and guests read them silently. Therefore, the minutes from the last meeting were read silently by the members and approved as written. Ms. Broady discussed water bill inserts. She contacted the utilities department and was directed to Accudata; they quoted a price of $5,220.00 for 60,000 full page color inserts, with ordinances placed on the inserts. She also asked for a price on 1/3 page inserts (both color and black and white) but has not received a quote on these documents as of yet. Ms. Barrett stated that she knew an employee at another printing company that would possibly volunteer their services to print the inserts. Further discussion included talking to other printing companies, as everyone agreed that this quoted price was expensive. Ms. Broady also discussed Ms. Barrett’s previous assertion that the advisory board had nopurpose. She read some excerpts from the title 4 ordinance that stated the advisory board purpose (i.e. the deeming of dangerous dogs, public education, board recommendations to the commissioners). There was no further discussion of this topic. Ms. Barrett again discussed trapping and releasing of cats (“TNR”). She stated that this practice has worked well in some cities (i.e. Madison, Georgia). Ms. Crisler refuted this information, stating that many shelters do not or will not take these cats and that people continue to complain about stray cats in their yards, on their cars, killing birds, etc. Ms. Finnegan further discussed an episode she encountered with her students while on a class picnic at Lock and Dam; while eating lunch, a colony of cats came out to hopefully get food from them. B. B.Langham stated that the county health department would not allow this practice. Ms. Broady stated that in her research of this practice although people went to the colonies and dumped food to the animals, the areas were not really monitored and other cats were dropped off. After other pros and cons of this practice were discussed by the members, Ms. Broady again reiterated that this practice is a conflict of interest with current ordinance and that Animal Control cannot be on board with feral cat colonies. Licensing and Mandatory spay/neutering was next discussed. It was stated that Fulton County uses this procedure. Ms. Crisler and Mr. Maccario stated that this procedure was attempted previously and after the meetings the groups needed police escorts from the venues due to the anger from the attendees. They also stated that maybe this would be a better time to approach the subject again. This would result in stiffer fines for unlicensed breeders. Several members questioned whether this practice would punish the reputable breeders. It was stated that there would be some exceptions made (i.e. dogs that are entered in Conformation Dog Shows have to be intact). It was decided that this subject would be researched and discussed at the next meeting. “Handling Animals during disasters” booklet was discussed. 4 extra copies of this manual are needed for new members. There is a disaster plan in place. Ms. Crisler stated that volunteers would be needed to assist with manning the stations. She also asked that each board member assist with finding volunteers. It was also stated that training of the volunteers from both FEMA and GEMA would be needed as well. Ms. Finnegan asked who the contact person for emergency management is. Ms. Broady stated that this person is Sharon Bennett, at (706) 821- 1155. She also stated that she would contact the appropriate agencies about disaster training and dates. Ms. Crisler also stated that donations of crates, food, and other animal supplies would be needed. Also discussed were facilities for housing animals during disasters. Ms. Broady stated that Animal Control and the Exchange Club Fairgrounds has been designated as facilities for animal housing. She also stated that a video of the area would be shown at the next meeting. Also discussed was research into dog friendly hotels in the area and the Hippodrome for livestock, should extra facilities be needed. Columbia County residents serving on the Advisory Board was next discussed. There are several people from Columbia County that have completed talent bank forms requesting to serve on the committee. It was stated by Ms. Broady that appointments to the board had to be residents of Richmond County, as these individuals are selected by the commissioner from their district. Ms. Murphy then asked if this also applied to volunteers assisting at the shelter. Ms. Broady stated volunteers serving the shelter could live in either Richmond or Columbia County. B. B. Langham stated that the board needed to elect officers, now that the board has enough members for a quorum, as per the bylaws. The floor was then opened for nominations. B. B. Langham then nominated the following officers: President/Chairman--B. B. Langham; Vice President/ Vice Chairman—Julie Tillery; Secretary— Lorna Barrett, with Diane Downs as note taker. Ms. Broady then asked if there were any more nominations. None were offered. She then asked twice if everyone in agreement with the officers chosen. B. B. Langham then motioned that the nominations be accepted. Mr. Maccario seconded the motion. A motion was then made by Mr. Langham to change the meetings to every 2 months. This was opposed by Julie Tillery and Lorna Barrett; both motioned to keep the meetings quarterly but add meetings to the calendar as needed. This motion was accepted by all members. The next meetings will be held as follows: August 22, 2012, to discuss disaster planning and Licensing and Mandatory Spay/Neuter. The next general meeting will be held on October 24. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm.