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Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 08/21/2008® MINUTES THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) August 21, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Gibson, DVM ■ Members Marty Maxwell, Animal Welfare Organization Rep. ■ Penny Miller, Citizen -At -Large ■ Rick Wright, Animal Reclaim Center Operator ■ Susan Morris, Chairman /LRCA/Zoonosis Administrator ■ Lou Franklin, Director of Public Health ■ Staff Diane Syrus, recording secretary ■ Staff Michael Smith, Councilor- District 1 ■ Council Liaison Three guests from Ms. Fannie's Feline Friends ■ Special Interest ABSENT: None: ■ ® 1. CALL TO ORDER Susan Morris, L.R.C.A., Chairman presided. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF May MINUTES The minutes from the ASAC Meeting on May 29, 2008, were distributed and reviewed. Ms. Miller made the motion to accept these minutes, with a second by Mrs. Maxwell. Motion carried. III. OLD BUSINESS None: IV. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of Feral Cat Ordinance to be taken to Board of Health tomorrow. Mrs. Morris distributed the current proposed ordinance with minor changes. She stated the City Council asked the Health District to come up with a Feral Cat Ordinance and during that process; we met with our City Prosecuting Attorney. She drafted this ordinance which has resulted in major changes in the ordinance which will affect the way we do business in the future, if passed. Mrs. Morris clarified ordinance definitions for the committee. Mrs. Franklin explained our micro - chipping requirement resulted from her completion of a thorough Texas survey of cities with feral cat ordinances and one of largest complaints voiced was how difficult was cat identification. These cities reported if originally they had not required micro - chipping of the colony and if the cat is repetitively picked -up, then the cat has to be removed and considered at large. Additionally, Mrs. Morris explained what "vaccinated" means, and we cannot be less stringent than the state law. She explained that the only way to track vaccinated feral animals is by micro - chipping. Discussion followed. Mrs. Morris asked members to continue through the ordinance, and reiterated that we cannot be less stringent than the state law per our City Attorney. Mrs. Morris stated that city registration will not be required for foster care nor feral cat colonies saving $7 /per animal. Animal Shelter Advisory Committee August 21, 2008 page 1 In addition, our appeal processes will now go through our municipal court and judge. Mrs. Franklin 1191 explained our permit inspection process and the wording of our ordinance which protects neighborhoods and aids the humane society. Guest, Ms. Russell asked about animal limits in foster homes which do not include puppies and kittens. Mrs. Morris explained that questions will be addressed at the end of reading this ordinance. She explained her view as a public health regulator and enforcement guidelines are from our city attorney. Ms. Russell commented that paperwork takes time away from caring for these animals. Mrs. Franklin stated unfortunately, we are a government entity and there is always paperwork involved. Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Morris explained that we have to abide by the state laws like the rabies state law as per our city attorney. Mr. Wright explained that this is only for the benefit of the animals. Discussion followed on other cities that circumvent state law, and the identification of positive skunks in Wichita County. Dr. Gibson explained there are two sides to be treated fairly by the law. Committee members urged guests to contact their state legislators with their suggestions. Discussion followed on Texas State laws and muni- codes. Ms. Russell said they want a central organized effort. Mrs. Morris explained her position as L.R.C.A. for Wichita Falls and we have to regulate. Mrs. Morris & Mrs. Franklin both stated as the enforcement authority; we cannot abdicate our authority. Mrs. Morris stated that this is a public meeting, but also a committee, and she would like to continue and finish this meeting with our members and guests are welcome. Mrs. Morris continued explaining the ordinance. Mrs. Morris explained our fees are to cover the extra work, mileage for our officers, and paperwork. She asked for comments from committee members? Councilor Smith had several questions; regarding tattooing, the state rabies vaccine law, city provided and humane traps requiring a $25 deposit, updated trapping equipment, and our newly ® budgeted sedation gun. Councilor Smith added he knows Mrs. Morris does everything possible to save animal lives. Discussion followed regarding a fee for a single backyard colony versus an organization fee. Mrs. Morris will ask our City Attorney about an organization fee, but it cannot be unfunded because of our paperwork involved. Mr. Smith asked about the required five neighbor's permission and what if these neighbors later changed their minds. Mrs. Morris said that we have to rely on honesty and people always move. Mrs. Franklin explained the property owner makes the determining decision. Ms. Russell asked what if four neighbors approve it, but not the fifth. Mrs. Franklin said then no, you cannot have a colony there. Committee members advised guests to move the colony. Ms. Russell recommended against this. Mrs. Morris explained we have to be fair to all citizens and they have the right to say no; building a fence could be an option Mr. Smith suggested he has a fence like this and it is not expensive. Dr. Gibson suggested talking to other neighbors nearby and moving one house over. Discussion followed on the newness of feral cat colonies and that Dr. Gibson has some feral cat colony caregivers as clients. Mrs. Franklin asked Dr. Gibson if she thinks that from her perspective of this ordinance, how your clients would feel about this ordinance. Dr. Gibson said most people don't consider themselves a caregiver and would feel the ordinance does not pertain to them. Mr. Smith commented that education is the key here and this group can do workshops. Mrs. Morris stated the Health District does education outreach and a speaker's bureau. We participate in and provide health fairs. She stated education could be dual- function and we have community partners who want to assist, like the humane society. Mrs. Morris has officers visiting the schools and the Boy's & Girl's Clubs to provide education. We have started to sponsor education through the American Humane Society and Vernon College. Thus, education is big on our list and it is something that we do. Dr. Gibson said she receives complaints from citizens who move into new neighborhoods, and are being terrorized by feral cats. Mrs. Morris asked the committee as a whole, to either make a Animal Shelter Advisory Committee August 21, 2008 page 2 0 recommendation to take this Feral Cat Ordinance to the Board of Health to support, or to not support, and we need a committee vote. Mrs. Morris asked for a recommendation either way. Mr. Wright recommended sending it, and Mrs. Morris asked for a second, Ms. Miller seconded it. Mrs. Morris asked for all those in favor, all ayes except Dr. Gibson, whom abstained because she has not heard all their side. Dr. Gibson said she thinks this is a good ordinance, but she has not heard all the reasons why they do not want it. Mrs. Morris said thus tomorrow; it will be presented to Board of Health and then Lou will ask for their recommendation one way or another. Mrs. Franklin said that we have worked on this ordinance this long and she would rather have time to give options, to recommend or to table it and to get it where it needs to be. She said we have actually talked about it once before and they tabled it then. Discussion followed on the ordinance process. Ms. Russell asked about ear - tipping for identification of rabies vaccinations. Mrs. Morris said that scanners are over $300 each and are not available in our trucks but at the Humane Society. Ms. Russell asked about photos for identification and Mrs. Morris and Mr. Wright said that we take pictures now but there are too many cats that look alike for positive identification. Ms. Russell said she feeds 30 different stops a day (80 -100 cats) and there is no way that if you enforce this ordinance now; that within 60 days she (Ms. Russell) can catch and micro -chip these cats. Mrs. Morris said that she understands and this is why we set a limit so people do not get over extended. Dr. Gibson asked what time limit is involved. Mrs. Franklin explained that you do not have to apply for permits all at the same time. Discussion followed on effective dates. Mrs. Franklin stated we will look into an organization fee. V. ADJOURN Mrs. Morris asked to adjourn the meeting since committee members need to return to work and set the next meeting date. Mrs. Morris asked for another meeting in one month. Members discussed the last Thursday of September, which would be September 251' and we need a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wright made the motion; Dr. Gibson seconded it, motion carried to adjourn at 1:19 p.m. and all were in favor. Susan B. Morris, Chairman Zoonosis Administrator /L.R.C.A. Diane Sy us, ZobAosis & OSSF, Sr. Admin. Clerk j- _-_;o Date RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICEI + rn0 u Date `` 0 By Ime _ 91a Animal Shelter Advisory Committee August 21, 2008 page 3