HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-16 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD
AUGUST 16, 2007
ITEM 1 — CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board was called to order by Leon Hogg at
11:03 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.
Clyde Cullum
Staff Support: Loretta Getchell, Ron Young, Larry James, J. T. Ackerman & Cynthia
Daniel
Visitor: Suzanne Ribyn
ITEM 2 - REVIEW AND APPROVE MINUTES FROM MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2007
Leon Hogg asked if there were any questions regarding the minutes of April 19, 2007.
Dr. Maas made a motion to approve the Minutes of April 19, 2007. Clyde Cullum
seconded the motion. Motion approved.
ITEM 3 — REPORT ON DOG DAZE 2007
Registered 140 dogs and vaccinated 350 dogs. 750 people attended.
Dr. Maas stated her costs this year were almost $2000 more than last year. Next year
she would like to know her costs before we publish the prices. She will find out her
costs in February or March before event advertisements are published. This year there
were 50-60 more dogs and they were a different type from last year. The dogs this year
took more time and people to handle which slowed her and her staff down. She
requested that next year the published hours be 8 am to noon instead of 9 am to 1 pm.
Clyde suggested holding the event at the new Public Works facility next year. Would
not need to rent tents and there would be more shade for those in attendance.
ITEM 4 — MANDATORY REGISTRATION ORDINANCE
Loretta Getchell reported that she and the city manager have reviewed the proposed
ordinance. She stated that as a standard rule the council prefers the actual fees be in
the fee ordinance section instead of other areas of the ordinance book and
recommended that the fee part be removed and refer to fee ordinance. She and the city
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August 16, 2007
manager have some concerns and need more time to explore ability to implement it and
what the cost would be. City doesn't have the software needed. Concerns about the
initial registration, annual follow ups and how to handle reminder notices. Questions
about the terms for registration, ways to enforce it, what would the penalty be, how to
keep track of tags. Would like to check with other cities and Euless' city manager and
council members.
Leon said implementation would be by general attrition.
Dr. Maas said the ordinance was patterned after Colleyville's ordinance.
Dr. Maas mentioned that having animals registered helps dogs at large to be returned to
their homes faster.
Dr. Maas suggested that bi-annual registration might work better than annual. She
does not think the city should have to be responsible for reminding pet owners to renew
registrations.
Clyde recognized visitor, Suzanne Ribyn who lives in Euless and asked her opinion of
registering dogs.
Leon asked that ordinance approval not be delayed anymore than have to.
ITEM 5 — CUSTOMER SERVICE REPORT
Ron commented that animal bites remained the same as same quarter last year,
adoptions are down, animals picked up have increased and euthanasias are up.
Dr. Maas commented about that the city has grown as more houses are being built and
more people consider pets as disposable and not responsible pet owners. Clyde said
there are more feral cats.
ITEM 6 — SCHEDULE MEETINGS FOR 2008
Board will set the agenda dates for next year at the next meeting on October 25tH
ITEM 7 — REPORT ON VETERINARY SERVICE PROVIDERS
Larry and Clyde reported that Harwood Oaks is providing good service and shelter has
not received any complaints about them.
ITEM 8 — BOARD MEMBERS OR CITIZENS REQUESTS OF ITEMS OF INTEREST
TO BE ADDRESSED BY STAFF AND/OR PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
New part-time kennel tech, Jodan Shelton, was introduced.
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August 16, 2007
Ron asked if Board members are willing to serve another year. Appointments for year
2008 will be made prior to November and will start in January.
Visitor, Suzanne Ribyn, asked the Board if there is a way the city can help curb pet
owners from allowing their pets to use the bathroom in other people's yards. Asked if
the city has any suggestions that would help homeowners to make people with pets
aware that they need to pick up after their pets and would also make them pick up after
their pet. She asked if putting up signs and providing baggies in residential
neighborhoods would help. Dr. Maas agreed it's a problem but commented that it's
hard to do if you don't see animal in the act of doing it.
Loretta suggested putting reminders in the Euless Today magazine, in water bills as
stuffers, and on the city's cabletv channel.
Dr. Maas suggested making people aware that it will ultimately affect them when it goes
in the public storm drains and will end up in public waterways which will affect drinking
water.
Suzanne asked if the city could blitz individual neighborhoods to let them know their
neighbors are watching them.
Clyde suggested putting up signs and baggies on street signs in neighborhoods for a
30-60 or 90 day time frame. Loretta said that baggies are being stolen from parks
which has increased the city's parks costs.
Ron said that citizens can file a citizen's report with the Police Dept and can take their
neighbor to court if they witness the violation.
Larry offered to attend Crime Watch meetings and National Night out meetings to speak
to residents.
Loretta will talk to Betsy Boyett about opportunities to educate residents.
Ron asked that the Board focus the rest of this year and the coming year on the Shelter
operating properly by making inspections of Shelter.
Clyde commented that he would like the part-time kennel tech position to be a full-time
position and stated that there is a real need and that it has been hard to keep part-time
people. Loretta said there is a standard process to follow to evaluate the need.
Ron and Loretta commented that the shelter's future expansion is at the end of the
Master Five Year Plan or later.
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August 16, 2007
ITEM 9 -ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 A.M.
APPROVED:
AO
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Leo Hogg ■
ATTEST:
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Cy 1 hia Daniel
Administrative Assistant