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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-27 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD APRIL 27, 2006 ITEM 1 — CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board was called to order by Leon Hogg at 11:06 A.M. at the City of Euless Animal Control Shelter, 1517 Westpark Way, Euless, Texas 76040. The following members were in attendance: Leon Hogg Gayla Maas, D.V.M. Michelle Benton Clyde Cullum Staff Support: Ron Young, Larry James, Chris Barker, Cynthia Daniel ITEM 2 - REVIEW AND APPROVE MINUTES FROM MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2006 Leon Hogg asked if there were any questions regarding the minutes of February 23, 2006. Leon Hogg entertained a motion for approval of the Minutes of February 23, 2006. Dr. Maas made the motion and Clyde Cullum seconded the motion. Motion approved ITEM 3 — DISCUSSION ITEMS: a. Discuss Mandatory Registration of Animals Chris distributed copies of an online survey of local municipalities in area and what they do. Some cities require registration and some don't. Some cities feel like they can't mandate registration. Chris explained that the City of Fort Worth enforces their registration ordinance if an animal is picked up. If the animal picked up at large is not registered, the owner is charged a higher fee when the owner picks up the animal from the shelter. Chris said the staff would recommend a voluntary registration to start with. Enforcement would probably be like Fort Worth's. Staff looks at it as a service to citizens which would help in getting animals back to their owners. ASAB Meeting Minutes April 27, 2006 Page 2 The Board discussed whether registration should be mandatory or not. Dr. Maas asked that it be strongly suggested that citizens register their animals if it is not mandatory. Leon would prefer that registration be mandatory because of the large amount of animals in Euless (6,000-10,000). Staff to prepare a draft registration ordinance for Board to review at next meeting and then will have City attorney review it. The Board discussed whether or not to charge a registration fee and how much, and ways to publicize registration (such as in the water bills and the city's website). The Board discussed whether or not the City could mandate altering an animal. Agreed City could not mandate having animals altered but City could charge a higher impoundment fee for unaltered animals. The shelter now charges $20 for the first impoundment of an animal if it is spayed or neutered and $35 if animal has not been altered. Leon said would not need to make a change to fee structure, just registering animal. Anyone adopting an animal from the shelter would have to register the animal before it leaves the shelter and if an animal is picked up by Animal Control, the owner would have to register the animal if it is not already registered. Board recommended not charging a registration fee if the animal is spayed or neutered and charge a $5 registration fee if the animal is not spayed or neutered. Board recommended that the $5 registration fee be put in the Injured Animal Fund. Dr. Maas said the City used to charge a $1 registration fee to pay for tag and staff time filling out form but the City had some people complaining. Chris said we would need to allow a grace period for registering animals if we start requiring mandatory registration. Also discussed issuing a warning to comply with registration if Animal Control receives a complaint. Clyde said if Fort Worth receives barking dog complaint and the animal is not registered, they will require animal to be registered. ASAB Meeting Minutes April 27, 2006 Page 3 Michelle explained Colleyville's procedure. She checks to see if an animal is registered when she receives a complaint. She gives dog owner seven (7) days to comply with city ordinance by registering animal or owner is issued a citation. Owner is given a copy of city ordinance. Dispatch is notified as to how she cleared it. Ron said the next fee ordinance changes would be in August which would be before Board's next meeting so will have to wait until first fee ordinance change next year. b. Discuss Park Department's Proposed Dog Park at Bear Creek Park Ron said that Ray McDonald of Parks Department may be proposing a dog park at Bear Creek Park in next year's budget. Considering a location that would put the dog park in the floodplain with a 4 ft. fence around it. The Engineering and Public Works Dept. would not want a fence put in the floodplain. Dr. Maas and Michelle gave reasons for not being in favor of dog parks in general. They don't think they are safe. There is an increased risk of bites and dog fights, an increase in the chance of dogs catching a disease such as parvo, people fighting, and owners not picking up waste. Ron asked what issues a park creates for Animal Control. Shelter may receive more calls regarding dog bites. May cause more overtime for officers. Larry said there are four (4) dog parks in Tarrant County. Dr. Maas said Grand Prairie is getting one. Leon said Board can make a recommendation to council or to Park Board. Leon entertained a motion to make a recommendation not to recommend a dog park. Dr. Maas made the recommendation and Clyde seconded it. Motion carried. Recommending to City Council or Park Board that we don't do a dog park for the following reasons: Increased risk of dog bites and dog fights, an increase in the chance of dogs catching a disease such as parvo, people fighting, and owners not picking up after their dogs. Leon entertained the motion to recommend that council not do a dog park. Dr. Maas made the motion and Clyde seconded it. Leon ask that the reasons for not recommending a dog park be put under recommendation. ASAB Meeting Minutes April 27, 2006 Page 4 c. Discuss Recent Animal Bites and Animal Control Procedures Discussed incident on Whitener east of Main Street where a lady received serious dog bite when she stuck her face in the dog's face she was petting. Dog didn't growl or attack her but jumped up when she stopped petting it. Don't know if it's teeth just caught her or if it bit her. Dog was restrained when incident happened. Animal Control addressed the incident and followed proper procedures. The dog was released to the owners who voluntarily had it put down. Board members agreed that no changes are needed to the city's aggressive dog ordinance. d. Discuss Safety Measures for Personnel, Vehicles and Property Discussed Animal Control Officer Richard Boatright's shoulder injury that occurred while trying to pick up a large dog. Shelter will start sending two officers to pick up large dogs. Anticipate Richard being out for at least 3 weeks and then will be on light duty. Discussed vehicle and gate incident at shelter. Inhouse repairs made. Leon asked the status of Opticom purchase for shelter vehicles. Clyde said Public Work's has two and will let the shelter use one of them. Ron said to order one more for the shelter. They cost approximately $750 each. e. Discuss Formal Agreement with "All Paws Go To Heaven" There is no formal agreement with All Paws. City's In-House Auditor pointed out the need for written agreement since there is a significant amount of money being paid them. Clyde will get 3 quotes and prepare purchase order request. and will get a formal agreement from them. Leon entertained a motion to do a formal agreement with All Paws Go To Heaven, Dr. Maas made the motion and Michelle seconded it. f. Discuss Dog Daze Planning Leon asked if bleachers had been obtained yet. Chris will ask Parks Director, Ray McDonald, if shelter can borrow some bleachers from the Dr. Pepper Star ASAB Meeting Minutes April 27, 2006 Page 5 Center. Decided not to use "Take A Number" system. There is a misprint in the Euless Today magazine for the day of the event. The date of May 6th is incorrect, it should be May 13th. The street will be blocked off and will coordinate with the Fire Dept. g. Discuss Animal Shelter Participation in Healthy New Euless Program It was suggested that the shelter could encourage people to walk their dogs as a way to participate in the Healthy New You program. Shelter can use the city's website and cable tv channel as a means to promote people walking their dogs. ITEM 4 - CUSTOMER SERVICE REPORT Larry distributed the Customer Service Report. Larry commended the Trinity High School GAP girls. They come into the shelter once a month and pick out animals they raise money for spaying/neutering. Since they started in the year 2004, they are responsible for getting about 40 animals adopted out that they raised the money for and about 25 animals adopted out by showing on their website and by word of mouth that they the girls didn't pay the fees for. It was noted that two problem dogs are gone. Owners relinquished them to shelter because impoundment fines were too high. The dogs were adopted out of Euless. Clyde distributed copy of Certificate from Texas Dept. of State Health Services that Animal Control Officers received for attending Local Rabies Control Authority Class. Noted that wildlife calls are down, dogs picked up are down but cats are on the increase on the Customer Service Report. Noted that the city's population is growing which increases the number animals in Euless. Dr. Maas commented that this is another reason to get another full-time person. ITEM 5 - BOARD MEMBERS OR CITIZENS REQUESTS OF ITEMS OF INTEREST TO BE ADDRESSED BY STAFF AND/OR PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Dr. Maas requested getting a full-time tech or another officer. Shelter no longer has a part-time tech and short a full-time officer while one is out with an injury. Clyde said overtime will be up this month. ASAB Meeting Minutes April 27, 2006 Page 6 Staff will prepare a draft ordinance for registration for Board to review at next ASAB meeting. Ron will talk to Administration about converting part-time kennel tech position to a full-time officer. Clyde said a new commercial grade freezer will cost about $1400. The cost is not enough to consider it a capital request so will try to purchase in this year's budget. Board's formal position statement on proposed dog park will be "Nay". Staff will prepare draft for Leon's signature. Noted that Public Works' new facility land site is being cleared. ITEM 6 -ADJOURN Leon asked if there was other business to be considered by the Board. There being none, Leon entertained the motion to adjourn, Dr. Maas made the motion and Clyde seconded it. The vote was unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 P.M. APPROVED: Leon Hogg / ATTEST: By: a Cy this Daniel Administrative Assistant