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DASAB Minutes 09/17/2019September 17,2019 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COLLIER COUNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD Naples, Florida, September 17, 2019 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Domestic Animal Services Advisory Board in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION at Domestic Animal Services Training Room, Davis Blvd., Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Daniel Rheaume VICE CHAIRMAN: Jim Rich SECRETARY: Sarah Baeckler-Davis Mary Baker Marjorie Bloom Dr. Michael Gordon Cpl. James A. Spartz ALSO PRESENT: Darcy Andrade, Director, DAS Steve Carnell, Department Head, Public Services Department Kyra Lynch, Shelter Operations Manager, DAS Danielle Somerville, Animal Services Program Coordinator, DAS Kellie Carroll, Administrative Assistant, DAS L Call to Order Chairman Daniel Rheaume called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Attendance A quorum was established. III. Approval of Agenda 1 September 17 ,2019 Daniel Rheaume mode a motion to approve the agendo, there was o second and the motion passed 7-0. IV. Approval of Minutes Marjorie Bloom made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2019 meeting, there was a second and the motion passed 7-0. V. Director's Report Darcy Andrade provided statistics from the last vaccine clinic. Ms. Andrade announced that Domestic Animal Services was awarded a $24,000 grant for spay'neuter surgeries that should cover 100 female dogs, 75 male dogs and 200 community cats. Ms. Andrade also reported on the success of the Bite Prevention public meeting that was held in July by the Field Operations Manager. New Business A. Retail Sale of Dogs and Cats Dan Rheaume stated that he had spoken with Michele from Hallandale and that there is favorable case law in Florida to help prevent sales of puppies from puppy mills. He stated that it is a public health issue because of diseases that are brought in and that there is currently only one store that sells puppies in Collier County. He also stated that there is a Board of County Commissioners meeting on September 24,2019 andthat Michele stated that she would attend and give a presentation. Jim Rich read the relevant ordinance section on breeder permits and advised that he contacted Florida Puppies Online and asked where their animals come from. He stated that Petland started in 1967 and promotes spaying and neutering pets but sells unaltered animals. Mr. Rich stated that he would support a county ordinance that bans the sale of puppies and kittens unless they are from a shelter or rescue group. Darcy Andrade discussed proposed language for an ordinance and stated that the language has been pulled from existing language in other counties in Florida. She also stated that Florida Puppies online has a storefront but is only by appointment. VI. 2 Ms. Andrade advised the Board that a temporary marketing position has been approved. Mr. Rheaume asked if there was a way to track perforrnance of this position and was advised by Ms. Andrade that it can be tracked through social media metrics, vaccine clinic attendance and adoption rates. Mr. Rheaume also stated that he sits on the state legislative committee and would be able to provide updates on animal issues. September l7 ,2019 Sarah Baeckler-Davis confirmed that and stated that she was in favor of preventing retail sales. Kyra Lynch advised that the language provides for a six-month period for current businesses to close. Sarah Baeckler-Davis made a motion to send the proposed language to the Board of County Commissioners, there wqs o second and the motion passed 7-0. Public Speakers Tom Kepp asked if the proposed language would stop online sales through Craig's List and other sites and Darcy Andrade read the pertinent part of the language. Mr. Kepp also asked if it outlines enforcement and was advised bv Ms. Andrade that it follows the current enforcement policy. Mary Lundberg discussed puppy mills and stated that Naples is being used to sell puppies throughout the country and that consumers are not getting what they purchased. Patricia Holley stated that Petland has already leased space in Naples and is due to open in 60 to 90 days. Ms. Holley recounted an anecdote about someone who purchased a dog with numerous health concems and discussed the finance and leasing of dogs. Dan Rheaume stated that it is possible that the incident she described may rise to the level of consumer fraud with the Attorney General's Office. Chuck Danielian presented a packet of information to the Board showing complaints from Florida residents and Humane Society of the United States investigations into Petland. Kelly Hyland distributed a pet store bill of facts and stated that the issue isn't with Petland, it is with any pet store. Ms. Hyland asked what could be done to prevent the store from opening. Dan Rheaume stated that DAS goes to many public events and maybe DAS could have a weekly adoption event. Marjorie Bloom advised that maybe Haverty's would sponsor something. Ms. Hyland asked Steve Carnell what could be done to prevent the store from opening and Mr. Carnell advised that there is nothing on the record that would prevent a store from opening. Sarah Baeckler-Davis stated that the Advisory Board agrees with the ban and the Board of County Commissioners is aware of the issue. She advised that people should be contacting their commissioners. Dan Rheaume remarked that if pet stores are banned, it could open the county up to lawsuits. He advised that everyone is on the same team, but this idea mus0074be pitched to the people that can decide on this. J September 17 ,2019 Heidi Liebwein said the Jim Rich brought up spay and neuter and stated that this would put an increased risk on DAS because pet store animals are more likely to develop behavior issues and be brought to a shelter. Dan Rheaume stated that the new marketing position for DAS would promote Adopt, Don't Shop. Susie Mehas stated that she likes the ordinance language and she seconded Tom Kepp's comments about online sales. She also asked Dr. Gordon about reaching out to local veterinarians. Dan Rheaume made a motion to close the public comments on this topic, there wqs a second and the motion passed 7-0. VII. Old Business A. Citation Fee Collection Kevin Noell, from the County Attorney's Office described the process used for citations and stated that when a violation/citation is issued and not contested, it is sent to collections. He stated that the new Animal Control Ordinance states that it should be sent to the Special Magistrate. He advised that there are costs to DAS to record orders and liens against property and many violators lease, rather than own or are homesteaded. In order to collect, the Board of County Commissioners would have to vote to foreclose on the property. Dan Rheaume asked if the property owner could be held accountable for renters and was advised by Mr. Noell that they cannot because these violations are not against the property. Mr. Rheaume stated that it seems like a law with no teeth. Mr. Noell advised that there is always about 10% of the population who do whatever they want to do, but we still must be good stewards of the county tax dollars and not spend the DAS budget on this when it could be better spent in different ways. Mr. Noell advised that possible a letter sent from the County Attorney's Office stating that you have xx number of days to pay after the Special Magistrate hearing would be helpful. Public Speakers Tom Kepp discussed a previous case and asked why the failure to pay can't be put against someone's vehicle registration because time spent by the Animal Control Officers is being wasted going to these problem locations. He also discussed Habitat for Humanity and how mortgages in that community require people to follow all the rules and laws. Chuck Danielian asked why wages can't be garnished and was advised that it is costprohibitive. Kelly Hytand asked if citations can't be collected, is that also true for businesses? 4 September 17 ,2019 Susie Mehas stated that a lien can be placed on homestead properties. She also stated that whatever changed that allowed DAS to take the dogs in the case mentioned by Mr. Kepp should be done all the time. Jim Rich made a motion to close the public comments on this topic, there wos o second and the motion passed 7-0. Kevin Noell advised that he will research attaching the unpaid fines to vehicle registration and advised that the county can't take property without due process B. Shelter Update Darcy Andrade advised the Board that DAS is taking a different route on the new facility than what had been planned. Because there are so many permitting issues on the current property, the county is looking to build a new facility at a new location. Jim Rich made a motion to support a new DASfacility at a new location, there was a second and the motion passed 7-0. VIII. Advisory Board Member Comments Daniel Rheaume stated that he brought in a little dog to DAS and was very impressed because within minutes, the dog was receiving medication. Marjorie Bloom stated that she was very excited that DAS would be getting a new facility. She also stated that social media impact is amazing. Dr. Gordon said that he appreciates everyone who attended the meeting to voice their opinion. Daniel Rheaume made a motion to adjourn, there wos a second and the motion passed 7-0. The next regularly scheduled Advisory Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, November l9r20l9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Domestic Animal Training Room, Davis Blvd., Naples, Florida. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was concluded at 7:35 p.m. COLLIER COUNTY DOMESTIC VICES (C( - 4t+^$- 5 These minutes approved by Board/Committee on amended September 17,2019 as presented _ or as 6 t/