Animal Services Advisory Board

Wichita Animal Services Advisory Board May 19, 2021 Meeting Minutes Board Members Attending – Stephanie Anne McCurdy, Elaine Stephen, Vanessa Christophersen, Ti’Juana Hardwell, Dr. Kelly Jones City Staff Attending – Captain Dan East, Lieutenant Santiago Hungria, Jennifer Magana Community Members Attending – 3 in person and approximately 108 viewed online. 1. Call to Order – Stephanie Anne McCurdy The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes Dr. Jones motioned to approve the March, 17th minutes as written, Ti”Juana seconded this motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the March 17th minutes as written. 3. Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) Presentation – Jennifer Magana Wichita city attorney Jennifer Magana gave a presentation on the Kansas Open Meetings Act. This presentation is given to all of the cities public advisory boards. The Kansas Open Meetings Act will be included with these minutes. Elaine asked for clarification about what city business meant. Jennifer explained that city business in the KOMA refers to any city business that falls under the purview of the board. It was also clarified that emails to discuss administrative matters, such as rescheduling a meeting, are exceptions to the serial communication portion of KOMA. Dr. Jones asked for clarification of serial communications. Jennifer explained that serial communication was not for a specific date but could occur over time, there is no time limit given. Stephanie asked for clarification on interactive emails. Jennifer explained that emails that become interactive and involve board members and city officials do fall under KOMA. Jennifer advised that this was an area to be cautious. 4. Staff Report Lieutenant Hungria presented the statistics for March and April. No one had questions about the stats presented. Elaine raised a question about euthanasia stats. Stephanie clarified that the stats just hadn’t been attached yet and that they would be attached soon. Created 6.15.2021 by Zachary Kester, Administrative Aide, Wichita Police Department 5. New Business The board had no new business to discuss. 6. Old Business Responsible Pet Owners Pamphlet – Elaine Stephen Elaine gave an update to the board on the Responsible Pet Owners Pamphlet that the education sub-committee has been discussing. The sub-committee has decided that they will focus on three educations areas: pet restraint and keeping cats indoors, microchipping and keeping microchip information up-to-date, and spaying and neutering pets. At the last meeting the sub-committee assigned out duties for the members to focus on. Richard will be working on getting the post master to include a line, on the change of address form, about updating your pets microchip with your new address. Mike is going to reach out to WSU to see if they would help with statistical collection and analysis to develop a better idea of where education efforts should be targeted. Once there is a better understanding of where and who the education should be targeted to then the means of education will be decided upon. Elaine is working with the cities communications department to see if the board can use the cities social media channels and platforms as a way to spread responsible pet owner education. Discussion of Owned Cats – Richard Ruth Richard was not in attendance, so Stephanie asked Dr. Jones if she had anything she would like to add to last month’s discussion. Dr. Jones said that she didn’t feel that a leash law was very realistic as most cats would not take to a leash easily and leashing cats could be dangerous for the cats. Dr. Jones agreed with Elaine that cats do need to be kept indoors. Stephanie would like to table this discussion until the education sub-committee has finished its research and developed a communication strategy they would like to discuss with the entire board. Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) – Stephanie Anne McCurdy Stephanie read through a letter from Ally Cat Allies, this letter will be included with these minutes. Stephanie asked for the board to either make a decision on TNR or to table the discussion until the education sub-committee has concluded its research. Dr. Jones made a motion to send a letter of support, from the Wichita Animal Services Advisory Board, for TNR and to remove any adverse ramifications for TNR organizations and allow them to continue their good work, to the Wichita City Council. This motion was seconded by Vanessa. Vanessa asked for clarification on if this motion would allow TNR organizations to be eligible for grants. Stephanie explained that this motion would be to send a letter of support to the Wichita City Council and it would be under their purview to make any modifications to the current city ordinances that currently disallow TNR organizations to legally operate in the city of Wichita. Stephanie opened up for public comment. Christy Fischer, from the Wichita Animal Action League, wanted to say that she supports the idea for the board to pass this along to the Created 6.15.2021 by Zachary Kester, Administrative Aide, Wichita Police Department  Wichita City Council and that TNR is seeing good results across the country. The motion was passed unanimously with five votes for and zero votes against. 7. Issues and Updates There were no issues or updates from the board. 8. Next Meeting The next meeting will be July 21st, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at the Kansas Humane Society. 9. Adjourn Stephanie motioned to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 4:38 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Zach Kester, Administrative Aide, Wichita Police Department. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jonathan TheoharisCan we turn volume up at all. Stephanie is good, lawyer not so much! Jonathan TheoharisIs Richard, Rick and Mike on remote. Jonathan TheoharisNothing will! Created 6.15.2021 by Zachary Kester, Administrative Aide, Wichita Police Department