Animal Response Team Advisory Committee

Hampton Animal Control Advisory Committee -Lawson Conference Room- Meeting Minutes – September 16, 2021 Voting Members Present: Sharon Bilyj, Linda Davis, Katherine Omo, Elizabeth Peabody, Victoria Wineland, Tiffany Young Ex-Officio Members Present: Steven Bond, Angie Taylor Staff Present: Annette Oakley (City Manager’s Office), Olivia Wiggins (City Attorney’s Office) Guest Present: Melanie Paul, Debbie North Call to Order & Welcome Chair Young welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. She asked members and guest to introduce themselves. Ms. Wiggins stated she is passing around a contact list for members to review and make any updates on their current contact information. Review Agenda & Approval of Minutes Chair Young stated the draft minutes from July 15, 2021, were distributed for review in advance of the meeting and asked if there were any changes. There being none, she called for a motion to approve. ACTION: Victoria Wineland made a motion to approve the minutes as written and Elizabeth Peabody seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. City Manager’s Report Mr. Bond reported the City has started the Community Plan process, which consists of the Strategic Plan (focus on Hampton’s major issues in the next three to seven years) and the Comprehensive Plan (focus on the future of Hampton in 20+ years from now). He referenced work that the Planning Commission does on the various City projects, and the importance of getting input from the community. Mr. Bond stated the plan breaks down to mainly City Council’s seven strategic goals, but they want to see if there are other goals we should be looking at as well. Ms. Wineland inquired if a citizen has a concern, for example regarding a traffic area, who is the best point of contact? Mr. Bond responded, she could contact him directly, but in general, he recommended calling the 311 Call Center, as calls will route to the correct department. Ms. Wiggins also referred members to the City’s user-friendly app, where they can input information/concerns/request. Animal Control Report Angie Taylor reported there are currently three new officers, of which two are in training. She stated she plans to have all three attend the Virginia Beach Animal Control Association Training Academy, which is a three week training before they go on the road. There are currently two vacancies; one is going through the process (background check, polygraph, fitness test, etc.). She stated Animal Control is doing well right now with training of laws, etc. 1 Ms. Taylor also mentioned a hot topic this month are foxes in the Northampton area. There are two, from a family of five, which Animal Control has tried to catch but have been unsuccessful. She stated the foxes are losing their fur and have lost weight. There have been many calls from people who have seen the foxes. Ms. Taylor reported calls have gone down since Covid. Ms. Bilyj inquired with the current staffing situations, what is the impact on staff and scheduling. Ms. Taylor stated yes, officers are on-call. Some calls increase in the evening as Hampton Police have been short-staffed when officers are in training. The hours will increase later. Ms. Bilyj inquired about wildlife, in particular foxes, and if the City captures them, what happens. Ms. Taylor responded they are euthanized, unless a veterinarian can treat them for free, or rehabber is willing to take it. She also mentioned the Department of Wildlife can answer questions regarding wildlife issues. Ms. Peabody referenced a previous conversation regarding cross training of Police and Animal Control and if there has been any development. Ms. Taylor stated they have to go through the basic Animal Control Academy and at this time, the Police do not have resources to go through the Animal Control training, in addition to their Police training. Ms. Wiggins stated she has talked to one officer to see if he could serve as both, but has not yet discussed with Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor stated Animal Control has a lot of support from the Canine Unit for various services. Ms. Wiggins stated the City is working with Newport News on an agreement for mutual aid/partnerships. Ms. Bilyj inquired about citizens doing private fundraisers to raise material and supplies for the Animal Response Team to help offset costs. Mr. Bond stated there are benevolent organizations who can start a 5013c; it would have to be private and donations approved by City Manager and City Council. Chair Young mentioned Friends of PRAS and if there have been discussions of them helping with TNR. Ms. Wiggins stated the City can legally pay for spay/neuter, but cannot be involved with picking up or releasing the animals. She stated this is a topic of discussion often, and is a work in progress. She and Ms. Taylor are working on a draft RFP regarding TNR services, where citizens would bring in the animals and the City would arrange a veterinarian for spay/neuter. Ms. Wiggins stated she has included a provision that allows other jurisdictions to piggy-back on it and would be responsible for paying their own fees. Ms. Taylor stated we are also discussing making feral cat ordinances as the same with Hampton and Newport News. Current Issues/Trends No Report Old Business Animal Control Code Amendments: Ms. Wiggins referred to the draft animal amendment and stated they are working on this in concert with the zoning/code enforcement, and what they are proposing to take out of the animal code would be moved over into the zoning code, assuming City Council adopts the language. She, Ms. Taylor and Mr. Bond have a meeting next week to discuss further. The item would need to go to the Planning Commission and then would go before City Council. She stated when the item is on the Council agenda, she will have Ms. Oakley notify the committee in case anyone would like to be in attendance. Bylaws Amendment: Ms. Wiggins referred to the draft bylaws and stated some of the items the committee approves, will also need to be approved by City Council, for example the previous requirements of an SPCA Board member. She also had proposed eliminating the Secretary position, as the Clerk does most secretarial duties. The 2 committee agreed to keep the position in the bylaws. Ms. Wiggins asked if there were any questions/comments. In regards to the animal amendment, Chair Young inquired about certain things being grandfathered in, such as owning ducks. Ms. Wiggins stated it is basically contingent on discussions with the City Manager and if it’s passed as currently drafted. She stated most issues are regarding multiple animals. Mr. Bond stated it would need to be a conversation with the zoning attorney because a lot of the zoning amendments are forward- looking, so changing a zoning law would create legal, non-conforming situations around the City. He would need to get more clarification to the specific question. Ms. Wiggins stated the thinking is, Animal Control’s focus is animal welfare; hence the direction she wants to keep the statute focused on -- animals being well cared for. She hopes to have more information at the next meeting. ACTION: Chair Young called for a motion on the bylaw amendments, with keeping the Secretary position. Sharon Bilyj made the motion and Victoria Wineland seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. Ms. Wiggins also mentioned, in regards to the section on attendance, until the draft is finalized, if anyone cannot attend a meeting, to please notify the Chair, as well as Ms. Oakley, via an email. New Business No Report Public Comment Melanie Paul inquired about the TNR reports; the old report showed dogs, cats and wildlife picked up and the locations. She stated the report was on the website, but now the reports are lumped together. She inquired why cats being picked-up dead-on-arrival is no longer on the report. Ms. Taylor stated the reports are monthly and if a yearly report, it would be huge. Ms. Paul stated she would like the 12 monthly reports. She also mentioned an article regarding feral cat colonies. She is in favor of TNR, but shared concerns about community cats needing food, killing wildlife and being in the elements. She feels more should be done to help the cats. Ms. Peabody stated TNR is important and helps the community, but it should not stop there, as their care should continue on and that more resources should be provided in the community as well. Ms. Paul stated we should think about the cats in the community with no homes; that we need to do more for the animals. She is concerned that feral cats kill her birds. Chair Young stated TNR also helps those who love birds and wildlife, as many cats in the colonies are cared for and fed and therefore not searching for food. Closed Session Chair Young 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 Sharon Bilyj and seconded by Victoria Wineland. A vote was taken and motion passes. The doors were closed. Certify Closed Session Chair Young 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. 3 ACTION: A motion was made by Sharon Bilyj and seconded by Elizabeth Peabody. A vote was taken and motion passes. Other Business No Report Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Young adjourned the meeting. 4