DASAC Minutes 09/20/2016 September 20,2016
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COLLIER COUNTY
DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Naples, Florida, September 20, 2016
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Domestic Animal
Services Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:30 PM in REGULAR
SESSION at Domestic Animal Services Training Room, Davis Blvd., East
Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Vacant
VICE CHAIRMAN: James Seabasty
SECRETARY: Marjorie Bloom
James Rich
James Spartz
Mary Baker
Aimee Leteux
ALSO PRESENT: Darcy Andrade, Director, DAS
Kyra Lynch, Shelter Operations Manager, DAS
Dan Grossi, Animal Control Supervisor, DAS
Katie Sibert, Volunteer Coordinator, DAS
Kellie Carroll, Administrative Assistant, DAS
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September 20,2016
I. Call to Order
Vice Chair James Seabasty called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m.
I1. Attendance
A quorum was established.
Kellie Carroll presided over the projector displaying the Agenda packet.
III. Approval of Agenda
Darcy Andrade requested an addition to the agenda. The Humane Society position on
the Board has been vacated.
Marjorie Bloom made a motion to approve the agenda with changes. there was a
second and the motion carried 6-0.
IV. Approval of Minutes of the July 19,2016 Meeting
Jim Rich requested an addition to the minutes to reflect that Board members were asked
to take a tour of the shelter and bring their findings back to the Board for discussion.
Jim Rich made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 19th meeting with the addition.
there was a second and the motion carried 6-0.
V. Director's Report
Darcy Andrade advised the Board that the Feasibility Study has begun. The study will
evaluate the cost of retrofitting the facility to meet the Standards of Care. Ms.
Andrade hopes to have the results available for presentation to the Board at the January
meeting and advised that animal shelter design experts are participating in the study.
Dr. Robin Fox has resigned his position from the Advisory Board. Patrice Worcester
from the Humane Society Naples is present at the meeting and will speak later.
Ms. Andrade informed the Board that the 'Purricane' promotion will continue through
October and the Adopt-A-Shelter Dog promotion will run concurrently.
Darcy discussed public comments on agenda items and advised that speakers wishing
to comment on a specific agenda item must register prior to the item being called; she
then offered an opportunity for interested parties to register for items on the current
agenda.
Ms. Andrade informed the board about the passing of Karen Gomez. a long time DAS
employee who worked at the Immokalee location.
VI. Old Business
September 20,2016
A. Spay/Neuter
Darcy asked the Board if they had received the information she sent from Palm
Beach County about mandatory spay/neuter and asked if any of the members had
looked at other counties. Mandatory spay/neuter can result in an influx to shelters.
Ms.Andrade advised that she has reached out to other counties with mixed results.
Jim Rich asked if Immokalee has the biggest need and advised that the Humane
Society Naples offers free spay/neuter to lmmokalee residents who are willing to
travel. Darcy advised that more resources are needed and that she is researching
options for lmmokalee. She also advised that there needs to be low cost options in
place prior to an ordinance change.
Jim Seabasty stated that the County needs to agree to the funding. Marjorie
Bloom advised that it would be better to fund a storefront in Immokalee for low cost
spay/neuter than to fund a new facility in Immokalee.
Jim Rich asked Michele Antonia to speak. Michele advised that a shelter is needed
in Immokalee because there is a different perception of animals,a lack of
transportation and a transient community. Darcy Andrade explained that the
storefront would include a veterinary clinic, intake and vaccine clinics.
Aimee Leteux urged DAS to consider a spay shuttle/mobile veterinary clinic like the
one that is offered in Palm Beach County. She also inquired if DAS could list other
low cost spay/neuter providers on its webpage. Darcy Andrade advised that she
would reach out to providers to determine if they wanted to be listed.
Public Speakers:
Cheryl Kraus asked if small shelter dogs can be spayed/neutered prior to going in to
adoptions. Kyra Lynch advised that it is part of the shelter assessment and that she
currently adds surgeries to the daily surgery schedule,but animals that have already
been adopted and animals due to be returned to their owners are the first priority.
VII. New Business
A. Immokalee Drop Boxes
Jim Rich requested to hear public comment before making a recommendation. He
stated that in the past,there was a lot of support for drop boxes in order to prevent
abandonment.
Michele Antonia spoke in favor of the drop boxes.
Darcy Andrade advised that animals that have been left in the drop boxes have been
neglected. emaciated and in bad shape. There were 46 animals left in the boxes when
they were in Immokalee. She went on to explain that Animal Control Officers will pick
up strays in the field, the public just has to call. Darcy advised the board that all rescue
groups, including the Humane Society Naples. have had animals left at their facilities.
She also advised the Board that Spanish speaking officers work in the lmmokalee area.
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September 20,2016
Jim Rich stated that ultimately, it is DAS' decision and not something for the Board to
vote on.
B. DASAB Vacancy
PatriceWorcester was invited to speak. she is Ms. Worcester advised the Board that
the Operations Director at the Humane Society Naples and that she has been a resident
since 2007.
Jim Rich made a motion to recommend Patrice Worcester to the Board of County
Commissioners.for the vacant position on the Animal Services Advisory Board. there
was a second and the motion carried 6-0.
VIII. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
IX. Advisory Board Member Comments
Jim Seabasty discussed an email that was received by Brad Estes and asked the Board to
review the email, and if needed. add any topics to the next agenda.
Jim Rich stated that he was impressed with the tour of the shelter and the animals were
clean and well cared for. He advised that the main play yard is hazardous and needs to be
addressed.
Marjorie Bloom agreed that the front yard is a problem. She said that the air-
conditioning is great,but the feasibility study is important. She questioned if there is
even a need for the Animal Services Advisory Board.
Jim Seabasty agreed that there really isn't a need.
Ms. Bloom advised that she believes that Town Hall Meetings a couple of times each year
would be better.
Jim Rich stated that the Board is a good sounding board and a liaison for the public.
Mary Baker advised that the Board is not here to run the show, it is here as a sounding
board. She stated that she does see an advantage to having the Board to give feedback
and advice.
Jim Spartz stated that the tour was very educational and that DAS is using its space very
wisely. He also said that he was surprised by the cost of the temporary air conditioner.
Aimee Leteux asked if there is a tracking system for licensing. Darcy Andrade
explained the 15 day notice and Animal Control Officer follow-up based on Rabies
Certificates that are received. Ms. Leteux advised that many veterinarians are not happy
because they feel as though they are giving out information on their clients. Both Ms.
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September 20,2016
Andrade and Ms. Lynch advised that submitting rabies certificates is required by state
law.
Jim Seabasty stated that the facility is too small for everything that is being done at DAS
and that he believes that staff is doing a great job.
Marjorie Bloom stated that she would like to see DAS put out of business through
spay/neuter. She also stated that it might be more effective to have a"Friends of'group
rather than a Board.
Jim Rich stated that during his past Board experience, TNR and other legislation was
passed. Mr. Rich also advised that only eight states require microchips.
Jim Rich moved to adjourn. Motion received a second and was carried 6-0.
The next regularly scheduled Advisory Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, November
15, at 6:30 in the Domestic Animal Training Room,Davis Blvd.,Naples, Florida.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned
by the order of the Vice Chair at 7:39 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY DOME IC ANIMAL SERVICES
int fia' / / .--)?4,„
Vice Chair J es Seabasty
These minutes approved by Board/Committee on ,1/ . . l ., .. as presented / or as
amended .
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