Animal Welfare Committee

Approved: 072320 Animal Welfare Committee Meeting June 25, 2020 Via Teleconferencing through GoToMeeting 7:30pm Term Exp Members Present Absent Staff Bob Ryan X 2/28/2021 Taimi Anderson X 4/30/2021 Suzie Bellamy X 11/30/2022 Marci Booth X 06/30/2020 Stephanie Butler X 10/31/2023 Lisa Ealley X 10/31/2023 Christine Nagle (a. 7:45pm) X 03/26/2023 Kathy Rodeffer X 2/28/2021 Patti Stange X 3/31/2020 Dave Turley X 3/26/2023 Kennis Termini X 04/09/2023 Bram Turner X Also present: Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm by Ms. Bellamy, Co-Chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and a motion was made by Ms. Termini to accept it. Ms. Stange seconded the motion. Motion carries 6-0-0. 2. February 27, 2020 minutes were reviewed, and even though voting took place online, with the City Clerk’s approval, the committee reaffirmed the approval. A motion was made by Ms. Bellamy to accept the minutes as presented. Ms. Termini seconded the motion. Motion carries 7-0-0. 3. AWC Report from Mr. Ryan: a. The Animal Control Officer position is vacant. There have been about three dozen applications received. There will be video interviews conducted over the next two weeks. Mr. Ryan sent a list of questions, via email, to committee members concerning the ACO position and would appreciate feedback. There was an in-depth discussion concerning work schedules and coverage of shelter. Mr. Ryan would appreciate having the co-chairs do a second interview once the final candidates are determined. He would like to have the position filled by August 1. In the interim, Prince Georges County Animal Control is fielding calls throughout College Park. b. AWC Donation Account – $10,741.39. c. The shelter has been renovated thanks to the Department of Public Works. There is a new HVAC in the shelter. All repair work costs were covered in FY2020. There will not be any need for funds in the FY2021 budget for the AWC. Any necessary repairs will be funded through DPW. d. Committee terms have been extended until August 15, 2020. Committee members should be receiving a notice on your new term sometime in July. There are currently four open spots for the Animal Welfare Committee. If you know of residents, especially those in Districts 2,3, and 4, who are interested, please have them apply through the City Clerk’s office. The question was asked about how many meetings a member can miss before they are no longer a committee member. Ms. Allen responded that once a committee member misses three consecutive meetings, the City Clerk’s office should be notified. The City Clerk’s office will reach out to the member  and if there is a valid reason, the member may continue on the committee. The question was asked concerning Ms. Anderson’s membership. The co-chairs explained that Ms. Anderson has been ill, but had been in communication with the co-chairs. The co-chairs spoke to the City Clerk’s office and her membership will stay active. The majority of the committee members agreed that her past performance and dedication to the committee is very important. Mr. Turner sent an email to the co-chairs indicating that he would need to withdraw from the committee. His work schedule is very erratic and is not allowing him to fully participate as needed. Ms. Allen asked for a copy of his email to be forwarded to her. e. Mr. Ryan also sent an email asking questions about the mission of the Committee and other potential projects and services that the ACO and the Committee should be working on. Ms. Rodeffer asked the committee to send responses to Ms. Bellamy and her to consolidate one response to Mr. Ryan. 4. Ms. Stange reported that the Petco Adoption program continues to be successful. The last cat, Lady, at Petco, prior to the closures due to Covid-19, had been adopted. Neptune Love had been adopted in January, but returned on June 1. Ms. Stange reported that he has been re-adopted as of June 22. Petco Management at Beltsville is aware that Ms. Cooper has left College Park and is looking forward to working with the new ACO when he/she is hired. Until a new ACO is hired, there cannot be any cats at Petco. 5. Municipal Scene Articles a. July – Deers/Fawns – Kathy Rodeffer b. August –Ticks and Lyme Disease – Patti Stange 6. The committee feels strongly about continuing to have a Rabies/Microchip clinic. Once a new ACO is hired, the committee can work with the ACO on finding a vet and scheduling the clinic. 7. The Board discussed the revisions of Animal Control code to be submitted to the Mayor and Council. A motion was made by Ms. Bellamy to send the committee’s recommendations to Mayor and Council through Mr. Ryan. Ms. Stange seconded. Motion carries 7-0-0. 8. There is approximately $2900 left for TNR at Spay Now. 9. The next virtual meeting will be on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 7:30pm. Ms. Bellamy made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Mr. Turley. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.