Animal Response Team Advisory Committee

Hampton Animal Control Advisory Committee -Lawson Conference Room- Meeting Minutes – January 16, 2020 Voting Members Present: Andy Anderson, Gordy Brightbill, Shelly Keller, Tiffany Young, Victoria Wineland Ex-Officio Members Present: Steven Bond (Assistant City Manager), Angela Taylor (Animal Control Manager) Staff Present: Annette Oakley (City Manager’s Office), Olivia Wiggins (City Attorney’s Office) Call to Order & Welcome Vice Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:30. He welcomed new member Victoria Wineland and asked everyone for introductions. Review Agenda & Approval of Minutes Vice Chairman Anderson stated the draft minutes from November 14, 2019, were distributed for review in advance of the meeting and asked if there were any changes. There being none, he called for a motion to approve. ACTION: Shelly Keller made a motion to approve the minutes as written and Gordie Brightbill seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. City Manager’s Report Steven Bond reported the following items:  The first Budget Review Committee meeting was held this week, but it’s too early to predict revenues.  The City’s 1610 Luncheon was held yesterday, which recognizes employee’s years of services. He mentioned the following recognitions; Annette Oakley for 25 years, Mary Bunting for 30 years, and Donna Hodges, who has recently retired with 30 years for service and expressed congratulations for their special recognition. Mr. Bond also mentioned Ms. Oakley is filling in as Ms. Bunting’s assistant. Animal Control Report Angela Taylor gave a brief update, highlighting the following items:  Animal Control is working on rebranding Animal Control and changing their name to Hampton Animal Response Team (HART) and changing their logo. She mentioned the change did not happen in December as before mentioned, but they are meeting with Marketing next week and hope to have the change coincide with Valentine’s Day in February.  Staffing update - three people have been interviewed and two are in the process of being hired. Animal Control hopes to have all positions filled.  Bethel High School has an academy of law and public safety for students. Animal Control was asked to join the academy to train young people on what to look out for regarding animal issues (cruelty, 1  identification, animal behaviors, etc.). She stated this is somewhat of a recruitment tool to get young people involved. They are also checking to see if the participants can become certified after taking the course. Ms. Keller expressed her excitement that Bethel started this great program. Steve Bond stated they found it to be an effective tool for young people to get certifications and have a career path. Current Issues/Trends No Report Old Business Vice Chairman Anderson stated in January 2019, the committee hosted an educational forum and he recommends the committee start thinking about future events. He called for discussion and some of the following feedback was given: • Good event • Not advertised well • More cat presentations • Need speakers for the event and to get started soon • Put feelers out about speakers • Need more time to spend at booths • Review of Hampton code requirements • Some suggested participants: health related, animal emergency, service dogs, wildlife, community cats After further discussion, Mr. Bond suggested, in moving forward, a subcommittee be created and if Mr. Anderson would like to be involved, he can serve as a citizen on the subcommittee. There was a consensus for the following to serve on the sub-committee for the educational forum (Paws, Claws and Tails): • Victoria Wineland • Tiffany Young • Andy Anderson There was also discussion about a webpage for the event and Mr. Bond stated he will check with Marketing. Vice Chairman Anderson stated he will send the forum notes and information to Ms. Oakley for distribution. New Business Bylaws: Ms. Wiggins stated she will review the bylaws again and put on a future agenda. She stated she will also propose additions to dogs running at large. She needs to discuss with Hampton Police Division and Animal Control, and will then discuss with the committee. Trap, Neuter & Release (TNR): Ms. Wiggins stated the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter received a 5013C, which opens up TNR options. Public Comment No one from the public were in attendance. 2 Closed Session Vice Chairman Anderson entertained a motion to convene a closed meeting pursuant to the exemption from open meetings allowed by Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, to discuss recommendations for appointments to the Animal Control Advisory Committee. ACTION: A motion was made by Shelly Keller and seconded by Gordie Brightbill. A vote was taken and motion passes. The doors were closed. Certify Closed Session Vice Chairman Anderson entertained a motion to certify that, to the best of each member’s knowledge: (1) Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under Virginia law were discussed, and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by the Animal Control Advisory Committee. ACTION: A motion was made by Shelly Keller and seconded by Gordie Brightbill. A vote was taken and motion passes. Election of Officers Ms. Wiggins explained the election process. After some discussion, the following motions were made: Gordie Brightbill was nominated to serve as Chairman - Victoria Wineland made a motion and Shelly Keller seconded. A vote was taken and Gordie Brightbill was elected to serve as Chairman. Tiffany Young was nominated to serve as Vice Chairman - Victoria Wineland made a motion and Shelly Keller seconded. A vote was taken and Tiffany Young was elected to serve as Vice Chairman. Shelly Keller was nominated to serve as Secretary - Gordie Brightbill made a motion and Tiffany Young seconded. A vote was taken and Shelly Keller was elected to serve as Secretary. Next Meeting There was a consensus to hold the next meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment There being no further business, Vice Chairman Anderson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. ACTION: A motion was made by Shelly Keller and seconded by Gordie Brightbill to adjourn. 3