Animal Shelter Advisory Committee

Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 9, 2020 at 6 p.m. Virtual Meeting via ZOOM I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Jeff Jorgensen at 6:12 PM. II. ROLL CALL In attendance: Dr. Jeff Jorgensen, Gail Sharp, Briana Brecher, Steven Heath, Dale Nave, and Jonathan Coco. Members not in attendance: John Trinidad. Quorum present. III. 30 MINUTE CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD Each speaker signed up prior to the noon deadline day before meeting, will be called in order of sign-up, and will be allowed three minutes to speak about items posted or not on the agenda Shari Boyett reviewed the no kill initiative and spoke of what all is needed in order to reach our goal. More training for staff and volunteers is needed. Also, more promotion of the animal shelter in the community. Many people do not understand that the animal shelter provides service to all of Hays county. Jennifer Hayes welcomed Sophia Proler and enjoys her flexibility in working with volunteers’ schedules. Discussed how impressed she was with the ease and efficiency of uploading photos to PetPoint. Now photos can be uploaded the same day she takes them. Unhappy about the recent reduction in hours. Would like more communication with volunteers regarding Shelter Manager vacancy. Lastly, would rather see names versus numbers on animal ID’s in PetPoint. Kelly Arthur spoke on behalf of Hays County Lost & Found. Mentioned the efforts of the shelter in encouraging finders foster to rehome program was helpful. However, would like to see more communication to finders on receiving vaccinations for those animals. IV. MINUTES: Consider approval, by motion, of the October 14, 2020 meeting minutes. MOTION made by Gail Sharp to approve October 14, 2020 minutes as written. Seconded by Jonathan Coco. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. V. PRESENTATIONS A) None VI. ITEMS FOR ACTION/DISCUSSION A) Discuss and consider action to provide Council with recommendation for updating Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Code of Ordinances, Sec. 2.367 Powers and Duties. Board reviewed the Comparison Chart of Advisory Boards matrix presented during the October 2019 board meeting and committee focused on 4 purpose area topics: 1. Compliance with TXHSC 823 2. 13 Policies and budget priorities 3. Identify approaches to engage and facilitate communication within animal welfare community 4. Capital improvements & maintenance requirements for facility Gail Sharp and Steven Heath will work together to create a new Powers and Duties mission statement utilizing those four topics to present to the committee for final review.  B) PALs spay/neuter program update by Lauren Martin Presentation provided by Lauren Martin to include highlights of 581 total animals spayed/neutered in conjunction with San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter for 2020. Would love to see program start back up again as Emancipet has a three-month backlog for surgeries due to COVID-19 pandemic and community has no other option for low cost spay/neuter services. DerryAnn mentioned program was on hold because of Shelter Manager vacancy and budget restrictions. Dale Nave said it was a great program and hopes to see it continue. VII. REPORTS A) Staff Report: Pawsitive Outcomes Implementation Plan Update DerryAnn informed the Committee that the shelter continues to focus will be on year one initiatives. Presentations to the public regarding TNR will begin in January. The volunteer program has started back up again with Sophia Proler on board. Our rescue network is continuing to grow. B) Staff Report: Quarterly Reporting Christie Banduch reviewed fiscal year 2020 data that was extracted from ShelterTrack. Our year end indicated we had 3,499 live intakes (cats and dogs) and 3,214 live outcomes. C) Staff Report: Donations Reporting (heartworm treatment, general, other) Melinda Perez provided update on ASPCA grant funds. Approximately $2,500 was put towards medical care through Forget-Me-Not program. An additional almost $1,800 was spent on Forget-Me-Not supplies such as collars, leashes and cat food and litter. PAL’s was paid out $4,330 for the October 2020 spay/neuter clinics. Lastly, $3,500 was put towards a purchase order for Animal Care Center spay/neuter services. D) Staff Report: General Shelter Updates Christie Banduch spoke about Sophia Proler, our new Program Coordinator, and how she is rocking in the foster program. Our kennel counts are fairly low with our isolation room nearly empty because most have been sent out to foster or rescue. The adoption process had some adjustments made to it and the shelter has temporarily reset to only adopt out ready animals. The volunteer orientations have slowly started back up as people is comfortable attending. We have 46 adoptions so far in December towards the 120 goal, with adoptions specials at $20 for the holidays. Shelter hours have temporarily been reduced due to staffing. However, late adoptions can be accommodated by appointment only. Steven Heath informed the committee that the most recent DSHS inspection was available and has been posted on the city website. New dryers arriving next week and washers in January. The repainting of the kennels was also in progress, funded by the Capital Outlay funds. Animal Protection ended the 2020 fiscal year with 7,750 calls answered, 169 bite cases in 2019 and 167 bite cases in 2020. E) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (motions to place an item on an agenda for a regular committee meeting) Discuss and consider items for future agendas. 1. Discuss what is currently in place for community cat TNR program. 2. Review Powers and Duties outcomes from Gail Sharp and Steven Heath Next year’s meeting schedule was reviewed and committee agreed to three meetings with one evening and two daytime sessions to be held in February, June and October. Melinda Perez will send committee suggested schedule following the criteria for final approval. F) QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH PRESS AND PUBLIC  Cristen Andrews requested clarification on the purpose of the Advisory Committee. She also discussed the SNR/TNR program as it pertains to objective #1 in the Pawsitive Outcomes Implementation Plan and wanted an update on the specific progress being made in this area. G) ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Jonathan Coco to adjourn. Seconded by Briana Brecher. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 PM. Notice of Assistance at the Public Meetings: The City of San Marcos is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Individuals who require auxiliary aids and services for this meeting should contact the City of San Marcos ADA Coordinator at 512-393-8000 (voice) or call Texas Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 7-1-1. Requests can also be faxed to 855-461-6674 or sent by e-mail to ADArequest@sanmarcostx.gov. For more information on the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, please contact Melinda Perez at 512-805-2696.