Animal Services Advisory Committee

Regular Meeting City of Hendersonville Animal Services Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes | February 18, 2021 – 5:30 p.m. HPD Police Assembly Room | 160 6th Ave. E. | Hendersonville NC 28792 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chair Caroline Gunther. Member’s present were Caroline Gunther, Chair; Angela Prodrick, Vice Chair; Alexa Arnold; Barbara Burke; Jean Greeson; Sarah Hoffman. City Staff present were John Connet, City Manager; Angela Reece, City Clerk; Rich Olsen, Captain of Patrol Services; Chief of Police Blair Myhand and Melissa Justus, Secretary. Members absent were Connie Stewart and Dr. Pat Galligan. Alexa Arnold left the meeting at 6:59 p.m. 2. Adoption of 01-21-2021 Meeting Minutes Vice Chair Angela Prodrick moved to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2021 meeting. A unanimous vote of the Committee followed. 3. Discussion of SWOT Analysis Committee suggested having a liaison type position to serve as a buffer between initial call and enforcement. John Connet agreed data gathering regarding calls for service regarding animal complaints would be beneficial and having a non-sworn person to initiate contact regarding animal complaints. He also agreed having an educational approach on spay/neuter would be optimal as he was unsure if any city or county had statutory authority to require it. Committee member Barbara Burke stated she supported the educational component of the spay and neuter program. One goal is to make sure PD has good information on spay/neuter to hand out and the possibility of sending it out on City Water Bill. John Connet stated if this was a recommendation of the Committee to City Council then it was possible to do this. John Connet asked Committee Members Arnold, Hoffman, Greeson and Burke if they had any hot button issues to add. Committee Member Burke stated that there is a need to have more [1] clear guidelines of what the requirements are that the owner has to meet. She feels it is too vague and that officers cannot really enforce anything. John Connet agreed and said this will need work from an advocacy level because animals are treated as property statewide. We have to be able to prove cruelty to animals (this is the standard as it relates to getting into court). And it has to be intentional. He said further discussion with the City Attorney will be needed to determine the standard. Committee Member Arnold added the Leash Law topic. The committee noted that the leash law needs review of what types of control are acceptable. Captain Olsen said approaching compliance from a civil penalty side has some benefits. Burden of proof is lower in Civil case versus criminal case and could have more positive outcomes. Discussed recommending adding civil penalties into ordinances based on severity and type of offense. Chief Myhand stated he supports having a non-sworn Animal Services Compliance Officer and encouraged the Committee to focus on the civil penalty side and education as well as looking at the City and surrounding area ordinances for consistency. Review of items for discussion at future meetings: • Animals at Special Events • Feral Cats and how to address the situation • Education 4. Discussion of Changes to Charter & Rules of Procedure Melissa Justus, Secretary, presented final adopted charter to Committee which was adopted by City Council at their February 4, 2021 meeting. 5. Discussion points for March 18, 2021 Meeting • Board to develop 5 survey questions each. • Gather data from HPD about the nature of animal related calls to dispatch. • Blue Ridge Humane Society to consider development of educational materials. 6. Adjourn There being no further business Committee Member Jean Greeson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. [2]