Loading...
DASAB Minutes 05/21/2025MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COLLIER COLTNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVI SORY BOARD Naples, Florida May 21'1,2025 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 p.m. for a MEETING at Growth Management Community Development Department Room 609/610 2800 N. Horseshoe DR. Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Allen Schantzen Michele Antonia Kelly Hyland Susan Mehas Jonathan Foerster Meredith Mclean Alexandra Casanova Any persons in need of the verbatim record of tlte meeting muy request a copy of the audio recording from Domeslic Animol Services. Recording was muted until 27 :09. Board is still muted. 27'.09 Board unmutes their microphone. I. II. ilt. IV, Call to order- Meeting was mute Roll Call- Establish a Quorum- Meeting was muted Pledge of Allegiance- Meeting was muted. Approval of agenda- meeting was muted. V. Public comments- Items not addressed on this agenda DAS Volunleer- Paltie Touleigh- " There aren't enough staff, there aren't enough volunteers" I would like to know what the county is doing for advertising, searching, looking for employees and volunteers" "would like to see a campaign to get people in and see people stay" "people want to come in and volunteer and there is no orientation until June or July" Mr. Schantzen- Made notes, in the minutes will address at a later date. VI Pubtic comment on Agenda items in sequence No additional public comments. VI-Approval of minutes A. April 16th,2025 Minutes approved- Johnathan Foerster approved. There was also a second VIIl-Staff Report A. Leadership Report- Meredith McClean Ms. McCleon- . New program manager started this week . FinaI stages of hiring process for the Foster Care coordinator . Reviewing candidates for the Vo[unteer Coordinator . New Customer service speciatist started . Recently hire Veterinarian is increasing their on site hours. Current Shelter numbers: 310 animals. Intake for April 661 animals. 504 cats, 142 dogs, 15 other animals. 628 live outcomes. 184 adoptions. 96 cats and 82 dogs. We transferred out 234 animals out. 215 Cats and 15 dogs. 213 went to HSN. We currently have 203 animals in Foster. Code enforcement- 308 cases opened, 204 closed and 43 citations issued. We have a Public/private partnership with the Jacksonville Human Society and HSN- we are a chosen shelter. They have stated we are the best partnership in the State ofFlorida. April2025 numbers- YOY 4/2024 Dogs- o Save rate 95.52Yo tp 7% YOY from 88.98% . Dog intake is down, but pa(ly due to closed building. o 54%o increase in adoptions from 412024. r We had a decrease in non-live outcomes. Decreased by 48%YOY. o From January -April the save rate for dogs is 95.1%o. Cats: o Save rate 98.55o/o which is up 3.55% YOY from 95Yo. o We did take in 42oZ more cats. . Live outcomes have increased 867o. t l35o/o increase YOY in cat adoption. Transfers to other shelters were up 42%o. o 112025-412025 Save rate is 96% which is up from 91%. Ovcrall lilesaving rate is 9670. B. Facilities Update o Building 4 is on schedule to be completed by 6130/2025. o Building 3 anticipated for demolition 7ll5/2025. e Campus utility identification-Utility shut offs-Has been completed. . Remaining buildings- Discussion on and with Director's input will come up at a later date. IX. Old Business A. HSN and DAS Comprehensive Shelter Study Discussion on comprehensive shelter study r The comprehensive shelter study was done to identifu and develop strategies for managing animal populations and increasing the quality of services provided by DAS. . Money was allocated to the management study that included a staffing element that included up to 75K o Remaining money is in the partnership with HSN for animal care including Medical and surgeries . Includes embedded Staff member from HSN to mentor staff. r There is a draft study that will be published, similar to Maddie's report, talking about best practices to the housing, cleaning and veterinary care for the animals o All suggestions are being implemented now. Discussion continued on the option of expanding the boord or staying within the limits of the ordinance. X. New business A. County Attomey and County Manager Presentation. Slide presentation with summary of meeting notes from 12/18/24, 2/26/25, 3/19/25 ASAB meetings. B. Discussion of efficacy of DAS Board and discussion of dissolving board Discussion continued aboul expanding the responsibilities of the board. Making it publicly noliced to allow people to porticipate as an action item to the agenda. . Board has been discussing items/issues that are not within the purview of the ordinance. o No recommendations have been made to the County commissioners office from this board in more than 17 years . Ifyou want to expand board responsibilities a request needs to be made to the Board of county commissioners for approval . Discussion on dissolving the board or working on items as stated in the ordinance. Slide presented- Options going forward. Read through 3 options on slide. City Manager- Amy Patterson Amy asked to review the slides again Section 2-1121for Functions, powers and dulies. Ms. Patterson - clarified what DAS needs assistance with that the board is allowed to work on per their ordinance. . Make recommendations on things for the public. Providing classes and special events, put the positive forward face on DAS and to bring people to DAS. They still think we are the kill shelter of the 90's. o Public outreach, campaigns lor topics on microchips, spay/neuteq vaccines, first time pet owner. o Facility- We can use input on improving the facility. When we kick offinto the next phase ofwhat to do with the remaining buildings, your input will be super valuable. A. Frequent retum-to-Owner Protocol . Discussed increase in fine for 1'r, 2nd and 3'd offenses. . Discussed spay/neuter on first out o Discussed what is withing the purview ofthe board in regard to repeat return . The board requested fine amounts per offense also if they could look at increasing the amount ofthe fines. r Ms. Mclean- working on a report to show repeat retum offenders. Public speakcr- Heidi Leroy- Neu'Agenda items Ms. Leroy- "You agreed that under new business you would request additional powers and duties so that you can get into the ordinances." Mr. Schantzen - "that was a discussion about where we might put it." Ms. Antonia - "He said to put it under new business" Ms. Leroy- "So we are in new business I want to make sure if we can address it before we get off new business." Mr. Schantzen "lt's an agenda item." No further public commenls. Discussion continued aboul repeot, relurned pet.t Discussion took place on local meetings that are available XI. Advisory Board Member Comments Ms. Mehas suggested making a flyer to distribute to local High Schools and Colleges for students to volunteer. Ms. Hyland- Requested update on billboard idea. Nothing from the sheriff's office yet. Ms. Hyland- Requested update on adding walkie talkie's or radio for communication for volunteers employees. Confirmed radios have been added to the shelter. Ms. Hyland- Requested update on the flooring the volunteers had concems with. Facilities will be modifring the application and additives. Ms. Hyland- Requested update on policies and procedures manual. Still in progress. XII Next Meeting A. Wednesday June I9th, 2025 XIII. Additional Resource Materials A. Code Enforcement hearing dates Ms. Hyland-Requested contact person to find out who is doing inspections for breeders and pet stores. Suggested to call Code Enforcement lor this information. B. Community Task for Meeting Dates Alan referenced material in their packets that had information on the dates. Did not discuss in meeting. C. Executive Summary Hobby Breeder Ordinance Executive Summary for the ordinance has passed Discussion took place on recent board member leaving. Mr. Foerster J' I will unfortunately be submilting my resignation from the board for professional reosons. I ltave been appointed to another board that is part of the inrlustry I work in. I appreciate the passion of everyone who has been in this room. " Discu,ssion took place on a small fundraiser for sheller that happened in the past Mr. Foerster- moved to end the meeting XIV Adjoum There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was concluded at 8:04pm Collier County Domestic Animal Se ces Allen Schantzen- Chair These minutes RunLr:* 2-l ,ry" r as amended were approved by the Committee/ Cha 2C;S (check one) as presented-tl -J