Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugusta Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes July 24, 2014 Augusta Richmond County Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes 07/24/2013 Attendees: Members: B.B. Langham, Linda Finnegan, Jennifer Weaver- White, Willene Colvin, Debbie Prince, Aimee Murphy, Randy Wishard, Lorna Barrett Staff: Sharon Broady, Director Absent: Edward Jefferson, Priscilla Crisler, Julie Tillery Guest: Jerry Lyda, president of Veterans K9 Solutions The meeting was called to order at 5:35pm. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Mr. Jefferson and Ms. Crisler were absent because they were in a training class. Since they were not present, we voted unanimously to move discussion and training in Emergency Preparedness to our next regularly scheduled meeting, which will be held on September 25, 2013. A new member to our board was introduced, Ms. Willene Colvin, president of STARS animal rescue group. Her contact information is: 706-231-4399 and willene1wes@comcast.net. Mr. Lyda attended our meeting by invitation, after the article published in the Augusta Chronicle described a new program he is working on, that takes dogs out of shelters and rescues, and pairs them with veterans for companionship and help to deal with problems related to PTSD. He read us his mission statement and answered questions. As a team, and individually, we applauded his efforts and will work to help him find dogs that will benefit from the program. For more information: www.southernK9solutions.com The Commission approved (10-0) the new ordinance regarding animals and children left unattended in vehicles. Ms. Broady discussed the ordinance and procedures, as they relate to animals being in visible distress, outside temperatures being above 85 or below 35 degrees, call Animal Services, breaking a window will be the last resort, but if necessary the one to be broken will be the least expensive to replace (generally a rear passenger window), a Sheriff’s Deputy will be onsight, the incident will be video taped, the owner of the animal is responsible any vet bill, damages to their car and possibly face a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and/or up to $1,000.00 fine. We have printed flyers to help get the information out, but discussed updating it to say that IT IS THE LAW. We are awaiting approval from the Commission to produce a sign to place in public parking areas. We discussed grant writing, and that there is a class teaching grant stnd writing offered August 1 and 2 at a cost of $425.00. Ms. Colvin said she was interested in taking the class. Other avenues were discussed to write grants, at GRU, through Petsmart Charities and Petco, to get more funding for our shelter, to help with costs to improve the shelter, get more emergency supplies and help with spay/neuter costs. Family Fun Day Event plans and ideas were discussed, and a date will stth be decided between either September 21 or 28. The general public needs to be made aware of all the good things accomplished by our Animal Services Department. The event will be a child and dog friendly festival type event, with much information about various programs offered. We scheduled an extra meeting for Wed., August th 14 to put together more definite ideas and plans. Water Bill Insert will be created with the new ordinance in mind, regarding animals left unattended in cars, along with the address of the facility. More ideas about what should go on the insert are being discussed. Streeter Printing has agreed to print them again at a cost of $250.00, which will be covered by That’s What Friends Are For, Inc., non profit organization, and the cost of inserting them into the bills, $500.00, will be paid by Animal Services Dept. It was brought to my, Lorna Barrett, attention that Ms. Julie Tillery, a board member, contacted Ms. Broady to say that she no longer wanted to serve on our advisory board with Mr. Langham. We feel that this was a resignation, however, since she has missed four consecutive meetings, including today’s meeting, I made a motion that we vote to remove her from the board, so we could replace her with someone that is willing to attend. The motion was seconded by Jennifer White. The vote to remove her from the board, was unanimous, as follows: Lorna Barrett, Linda Finnegan, Willene Colvin, Debbie Prince, Aimee Murphy, Jennifer White, Randy Wishard B.B. Langham abstained. Since Ms. Tillery held the position of vice chair, a nomination process was held to decide on a replacement. Ms. Linda Finnegan accepted the nomination and was voted into the position, unanimously. th Plans for the September 25 meeting will include: Emergency Preparedness training for an hour or so Emergency Trailers and contents Licensing research Family Fun Day (how it went or last minute updates) Water Bill Insert Advertising $50.00 adoption fees that are an annual tradition from Thanksgiving through New Years Day, and $50.00 adoption fees for all seniors, active duty military and retirees. Debbie Price and Linda Finnegan said they will check with Petsmart about donations for emergency preparedness. Meeting Ended at 6:55 pm After the meeting, many members stayed for a short ‘brainstorming’ session and came up with some ideas for the Family Fun Day event: Get Petco to bring their mascot and donations Get Sticky Fingers and Chick Fillet to donate food Dogwood Park to do discount micro-chipping (already confirmed) Get jumping beans, face painting-research donation of these Funnel cakes, balloons Hot dogs-and buns will be donated through US Foods and Village Deli Coca Cola-see if they will donate soft drinks and water Popcorn and Pretzel wheel--Willene will research Costco possible donations Panera Bread Co—Willene will research donations Event photos will be taken by Jennifer White Get George Escola and any other news teams to cover event Must put basic ideas and plans together and create a letter on Animal Services letterhead to send to Mr. Russell for approval. Invite all Commissioners and their families August 14, 2013 5:30pm will be our next, specially scheduled meeting, to finalize ideas and plans for our Family Fun Day event.