Animal Shelter Advisory Committee

Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 23, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. San Marcos Activity Center – Multipurpose Room 501 E Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas 78666 I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Gail Sharp at 12:06 PM. II. ROLL CALL In attendance: Gail Sharp, Briana Brecher, Steven Heath, Dale Nave, and John Trinidad arrived at 12:15 PM. Quorum present. III. 30 MINUTE CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD: Sharri Boyett – spoke about some positive and encouraging changes IV. MINUTES: Consider approval, by motion, of the June 27, 2019 meeting minutes MOTION made by Steven Heath to approve June 27, 2019 minutes as written. Seconded by Briana Brecher. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. V. PRESENTATIONS A) Received a presentation by Alley Cat Allies representative Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, and Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, City of Austin, regarding Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR), by request of the Advisory Committee. To accomplish their 34 point no-kill action plan, Austin had to revise their ordinance to allow TNR. They now partner with Austin Humane Society for TNR surgeries. They spay/neuter, vaccinate, ear tip, and microchip. Mr. Bland stated that the TNR program does work and has seen the results first hand. Getting leadership and community support is needed, as well as establishing guidelines. It’s an essential part of the “no kill” equation. Mr. Garza conveyed the requirements for a cat to be in the program, such as weight and health status. They must not have a viable form of ID (tag or chip) or and no known history of living primarily indoors. TNR programs are run by volunteers - the backbone to the TNR success rate. Some areas had 400 cats and dwindled down to 15 cats. Community Cat Volunteer components include training, collaboration, mentorship, shared resources, neighborhood outreach, and volunteer leads. B) Received a presentation by DerryAnn Krupinsky, Interim Director of Neighborhood Enhancement, regarding the Advisory Committee duties and comparison to others, by request of the Advisory Committee. Handouts were provided to the Board, including a chart of other shelters’ Boards and Committees showing varied duties and parameters. DerryAnn’s packet also included  samples of minutes and ordinances. The San Marcos Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meets the minimum Chapter 823 requirements. VI. ITEMS FOR ACTION/DISCUSSION A) Discuss and consider action to provide City Council with recommendation for updating Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Code of Ordinances, Sec. 2.367 Powers and Duties. MOTION was made by Steven Heath to discuss the information presented today at the next meeting and seconded by Briana Brecher. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. B) Discuss and set 2020 meeting dates in accordance with Animal Shelter Advisory Committee bylaws. State law and City ordinance requires a meeting of the Board 3 times per year. Options were provided with possible meeting dates. MOTION was made by Steven Heath to move forward with Option 1 and seconded by John Trevino. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. VII. REPORTS A) Staff Report: Pawsitive Outcomes Implementation Plan Update: In December 2018, City Council directed staff to develop an implementation plan to reach and sustain a 90% or higher live outcome rate. The plan was presented to Council in June 2019. In September, all government partners (including elected officials) were invited to hear presentations by Alley Cat Allies, Fort Bend County Animal Services, and Texas Parks and Wildlife to receive education and different perspectives prior to conducting public hearings. In the meantime, staff have been provided with a Year 0 / Core Services plan of action for FY20. B) Staff Report: Quarterly Reporting Handouts distributed to the committee reflect live outcome rates as follows: 87% in July, 85% in August, and 88% in September. C) Staff Report: Donations Reporting A process is in place to better track incoming donations and utilization of funds. We partnered with PALS to sterilize 243 owned cats with $15,840 donated funds. VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS This item was added as an opportunity to discuss and consider items for future agendas beginning with the February 5th meeting. This is where we will include a shelter update. A future opportunity will be available to post agenda topics. Moving forward, standing items will include Pawsitive Outcomes Implementation Plan, Quarterly Reports and Donations Reporting. IX. QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH PRESS AND PUBLIC Public Speaker - Awesome numbers for our live outcomes. Disappointed that with the Board has chosen the minimum number of meetings required for 2020; we have so much going on that, she hopes the Board will reconsider. Requests that regular meetings be moved to the evening so that more public can attend.  Sharri – notes that some memberships are expiring in February 2020 including Dale Nave, Dr. Jorgensen, John Trinidad, and Briana Brecher. Mobile mini was discussed in TNR presentation; would like elaboration. Speaker (Jason Garza): mobile mini unit – used to place trapped cats in with air conditioning right next to Emancipet location. Staff/volunteers go by on a daily basis and relocate/transfer the cats to where they need to go. Public hearing about TNR/SNR – when will that be carried out? DerryAnn – public hearings were discussed by the elected officials as an idea, but not necessarily a guarantee.. DerryAnn is expecting presentation requests by the governing bodies. Tracy Shield – Regarding the Alley Cats, TX park and wildlife presentations. TX Parks and Wildlife takes the stance that a community cat is usually a single cat that doesn’t join in to a community, and tends to be sick and not well. Question asked of the TNR presenters: What did you find with the large colony you worked with? Don Bland – in the community that they dealt with there were a few ill cats but most were healthy. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Briana Brecher to adjourn. Seconded by Dale Nave. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried to adjourn meeting at 1:01 PM.