Animal Welfare Committee

Approved: August 27, 2020 Animal Welfare Committee Meeting July 23, 2020 Via Teleconferencing through GoToMeeting 7:30pm Term Exp Members Present Absent Staff Bob Ryan (a. 7:45pm) 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 X 03/26/2023 Kathy Rodeffer X 2/28/2021 Patti Stange (a. 7:40pm) X 3/31/2020 Dave Turley X 3/26/2023 Kennis Termini X Also present: Kelly Osborn, resident; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7:33pm by Ms. Bellamy, Co-Chair. 1. The agenda was amended and reviewed, and a motion was made by Ms. Bellamy to approve the agenda as written. Ms. Butler seconded the motion. Motion carries 7-0-0. 2. June 25, 2020 minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Ms. Rodeffer to accept the minutes as presented. Ms. Ealley seconded the motion. Motion carries 7-0-0. 3. AWC Report from Mr. Ryan: a. There have been three individuals identified as potential candidates for the ACO position. Mr. Ryan and the City’s HR director have virtually met with the three candidates. There will be face to face interviews scheduled for the candidates to meet with Mr. Ryan, the City’s HR director, Ms. Rodeffer and Ms. Bellamy. Mr. Ryan is still hopeful to have an ACO in place by August. b. AWC Donation Account – $10,741.39. No monies have been spent. c. The County Code and City Code changes will be reviewed at the Mayor and Council worksession on September 1, 2020. Members of the committee should be present for any questions or comments by Mayor and Council. Following the worksession, there will be a public hearing on the code changes/revisions. d. One more opportunity was given to committee members to comment on the questions proposed by Mr. Ryan and the responses that were received by four committee members and sent to Mr. Ryan. i. Is there a chance of having 2 part-time ACO instead of 1 full-time? Probably not as the City has already budgeted for 1 full-time person and that is the way the job description was written and presented to the candidates. The committee was reminded that there is money in the budget to have paid caretaker assistance when the ACO and/or volunteers are not available. ii. How long is the probationary period? 6 months iii. Will there be flexible hours? Yes, discussion has taken place during the initial interviews that there should be more evening hours after residents are home from work. The ACO will also have hours to cover special events: Farmer’s Market, rabies/microchip clinics, Maryland Day, etc.  iv. Social media access for the new ACO? Mr. Ryan will discuss with the City Manager and the Communications Coordinator. He understands the important of the ACO having lost and found animals posted as immediate as possible for potential owner return. 4. Ms. Stange update on Petco: She has spoken to Chris, store manager. He is aware that interviews are being conducted for a new ACO and will be anxious to start the cat adoption program again once the new person is hired. 5. Municipal Scene Articles a. August –Ticks and Lyme Disease – Patti Stange b. Emergency Plans for Pets during crises – Suzie Bellamy 6. Mr. Ryan will follow up with the City Attorney on the $1,000 for the Greenbelt CART and the MOU. The committee has asked for a committed date from the City Attorney for this to be approved and completed. 7. The next virtual meeting will be on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 7:30pm. Ms. Bellamy made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Booth. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.