Animal Services Advisory Committee

Regular Meeting City of Hendersonville Animal Services Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes | May 20, 2021 – 5:30 p.m. ZOOM MEETING HPD Police Assembly Room | 160 6th Ave. E. | Hendersonville NC 28792 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Caroline Gunther, Chair. Member’s present were Caroline Gunther, Chair; Angela Prodrick, Vice Chair; Alexa Arnold; Jean Greeson and Sarah Hoffman. City Staff present were City Manager John Connet; Captain Rich Olsen; and Melissa Justus, Secretary. Committee members Dr. Pat Gallaghan and Connie Stewart were absent. Committee member Barbara Burke resigned on April 26, 2021. Joy Edwards joined the meeting at 5:41 pm. 2. Approval of Agenda Vice Chair Angela Prodrick moved to approve the agenda. Jean Greeson seconded the motion. A unanimous vote of the Committee followed. Motion carried. 3. Approval of Minutes for April 15, 2021 Meeting Committee member Jean Greeson made the motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2021 meeting. Vice Chair Angela Prodrick seconded. A unanimous vote of the Committee followed. 4. Public Comment There were no public comments. 5. New Business • Survey results from Animal Survey [1] City Manager John Connet shared the results of the recent Animal Survey that was completed by 165 respondents from April 20 – May 7th with a total 73% of the completion by City of Hendersonville residents. Dogs are the #1 owned animal, followed by one dog and one cat. Majority of animals are kept inside. Biggest priority of respondents was the neglect or abuse of animals when considering the general animal population and affordable vet care being the top concern as a pet owner. Mr. Connet suggested a strategy to develop public education materials such as brochures that can be physically handed out that gives suggestions and resources for pet owners and tells what abuse vs. non abuse is and the current laws. Chairman Caroline Gunther and Vice Chair Angela Prodrick suggested updates to the COH website about animal issues and to have lots of information in the FAQ’s such as Spay & Neuter information. She stated licensing pets would be a way to make sure that everyone received information that is important and can help off set costs for education materials and possibly a dog park. 6. Civil Penalties City Manager John Connet said that a list of Civil Penalties will be put together by HPD staff and presented to and reviewed by the committee and those suggestions can be taken to the City Council in hopes of more compliance by pet owners. 7. Discussion of educational materials by BRHS City Manager John Connet suggested Partnering with the City of Hendersonville, Henderson County, Blue Ridge Humane Society and Animal Shelter to come up with education materials. Committee will need to proof the materials and add items or information. City Manager John Connet asked if the committee could research information regarding pet licensure within other North Carolina cities and share that information in the future. 8. Animals at Special Events Committee Members discussed animals at special events in the City of Hendersonville. City Manager John Connet asked that the committee come up with specific language and symbols that needs to be in the brochure or the application for a Special Event organizer to go by for allowing/not allowing animals at special events. Chair Caroline Gunther asked if City Attorney Angie Beeker could possibly look at the Special Event Ordinance and interpret and relay the intent of said Ordinance. [2] 9. New Business for the June 17, 2021 Meeting • Suggest language for Special Events • Ideas for Civil Penalties • Continued discussion of Educational Pieces 10. Other Business Upon consensus of the committee members the July meeting will be canceled. The June, August and September meetings will be held in the HPD Roll Call room. Sarah Hoffman will be absent for the June meeting. The terms of committee members Barbara Burke, Constance Stewart and Alexa Arnold end in June. City Council will approve new members at the June 3rd council meeting. 11. Adjourn There being no further business Vice Chair Angela Prodrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. [3]