Animal Services Advisory Committee

Regular Meeting City of Hendersonville Animal Services Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes | June 17, 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 5:32 p.m. by Caroline Gunther, Chair. Member’s present were Caroline Gunther, Chair; Angela Prodrick, Vice Chair and Jean Greeson. City Staff present were City Manager John Connet; Chief Blair Myhand and Melissa Justus, Secretary. Committee members Sarah Hoffman and Dr. Pat Gallaghan were absent. Henderson County Animal Services Vice President Joy Edwards, new committee members Robin Grainger, Katie Weibel and James Lyon attended the meeting. 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 May 20, 2021 Meeting Meeting minutes were approved as amended. Vice Chair Angela Prodrick made the motion to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2021 meeting. Jean Greeson seconded the motion and a unanimous vote of the Committee followed. 4. Public Comment There were no public comments. 5. New Business • Survey results from Animal Survey 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. [1] 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 Co-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 Animal Services and Blue Ridge Humane Society 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 clean up the wording of said Ordinance. 9. New Business for the June 17, 2021 Meeting [2]  • Suggest language for Special Events • Ideas for Civil Penalties • Continued discussion of Educational Pieces 10. Other Business Chair Caroline Gunther announced the July 17th meeting will be canceled due to?? 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 6:44 p.m. [3]