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DASAC Minutes 03/19/2013 2013 Domestic Animal Services Advisory Committee Minutes March 19 , 2013 March 19,2013 NOTES FROM THE MEETING OF COLLIER COUNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMM D TEE S Naples, Florida, March 19, 2013 APR 1 9 2013 LET IT BE REMEMBERED,that the Collier County Domestic Animal ServicesBY: 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: Marcia Breithaupt VICE CHAIRMAN: Marjorie Bloom Sergeant David Estes (excused) District' Cindy Harrold (excused) District ; Dan Martin (excused) District 3 Michael Simonik District 4 ---- District 6 ALSO PRESENT: Amanda Townsend, Director, DAS Dr. Melissa Shyan-Norwalt, Shelter Operations Mgr. Dan Christenbury, Public Relations Coordinator Darcy Andrade, Animal Control Supervisor, DAS Kathlene Drew, Volunteer Coordinator, DAS Misc.Corres: Date: Item t: Copies to: March 19, 2013 Call to Order Chairman Marcia Breithaupt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. II. Attendance-Establish a Quorum Attendance was taken and a quorum was not present. Discussion of Agenda items followed, for informational purposes only.No actions were taken. III. Approval of Agenda NO ACTION TAKEN. IV. Approval of Minutes of January 15,2013 and February 19,2013 NO ACTION TAKEN. V. Old Business A. Directors Report Amanda Townsend introduced the new Animal Control Supervisor,Darcy Andrade,and spoke about her impressive background and credentials. Amanda stated she and Dr. Melissa Shyan-Norwalt had been working to bring about some innovative changes in the facility,creating more storage room and a larger,more workable, cat adoption area. Amanda Townsend then spoke about: a. Budget Season, informing the Domestic Animal Services Advisory Board the FY 2014 Budget, at this point,reflected no change. For the first time in five years there will be no reduction in the DAS budget. She had been asked to prepare for a one to two percent increase, IF funds become available once property tax projections and millage rates are set(July 23)by the BCC. DAS budget will go to the Office of Budget Management by April 19 and reviewed by the County Manager and Public Services Division on May 23`d. She was open to public input on usage for the small increase; if and when it becomes available. BCC Budget Workshops will be held June 20 and 21,at which time the public along with DAS will have the opportunity to encourage the BCC to grant the expanded services (Sunday hours and other items.) b. Sunday hours, stating the possibility, should funds (1%to 2%increase) become available and public support was communicated to the BCC for the expanded full service. The attending public and DAS favored Sunday hours. She will keep the public informed of the progress on this item. c. Volunteer Program, announcing the ongoing dialogue with volunteer groups on improving volunteer issues was proving to be beneficial to everyone. Vice Chairman Marjorie Bloom,also a volunteer,agreed to be a liaison between the volunteers and Advisory Board. 2 March 19, 2013 Marjorie had met with Volunteer PattyTeulet on some of the volunteer problems. She looked to the volunteers being part of the solution not part of the problem. She cited a volunteer,Annie,an exemplary model as a volunteer;who, having mastered the clicker with the dogs,had offered to give clicker classes to other volunteers. Amanda Townsend responded Annie would be recognized by DAS for her contribution to the volunteer program. d. Anonymous Complaint Policy, informing the DASAB and those present, Mike Sheffield, of the County Manager's office was asked to articulate the anonymous complaint policy in writing for the BCC Agenda. Amanda was able to review and add to the document that complaints regarding animal neglect and/or abuse could be anonymous, with creditable evidence. The policy was accepted with that condition included. Periodically,the BCC will review results. Dr.Melissa Shyan-Norwalt announced: • The adoption of 4 chickens, 16 cats, 51 dogs and I horse • A year-old filly looking for a home with experienced horseperson • The first Lecture Series talk was well attended, videotaped by Dan Christenbury and may be viewed on the DAS website. Her next lecture will be May 28 at 6:30 p.m. • Positive changes in animal behavior due to the re-arrangements in the kennels and the installation of the privacy panels. She had conducted pre and post studies which showed decreases in all areas of kennel noises (barking,whining, pacing and agitation) Darcy Andrade announced the Animal Control department will soon be at full staff and able to catch up on calls. Animal Cruelty Investigation School,Level 2 will be hosted by DAS next week. Level 3 will be in Lee County in November, affording the newest ACO's full certification. Amanda Townsend gave a brief explanation of the curriculum, copies of which were requested by Tom Kepp. Amanda will send them to him. Dan Christenbury reported the website updating was just about completed. E-mail marketing services mentioned last month was going through the approval channels and awaiting permission to go forward. The insta-gram account approval was granted,with a link at instagram.com/collierdas(like twitter but for photos only.) It can be used on mobile phones and desktops to access photos of DAS animals,activities and adoption stories. He elaborated on the Lecture Series Speakers: March 26-Lecture by Megan Sorbara on TNR:a Solution that Works April 23-Lecture by Veronica McCullion on Closing the Circle: End of Life Care. He encouraged everyone to make use of the updated website. Amanda Townsend mentioned creating a Repository of Pet Information- everything you need to know about pet retention and training. She requested content for what people would like to see on the repository. 3 March 19,2013 Kathlene Drew announced Volunteer Orientation would be held April 13. She spoke about the bi-monthly Volunteer Forum that had been instituted. She was open to new ideas and other programs. Michael Simonik stated the forum was a good way to address problems and exchange ideas. B. Animal Control Ordinance Amanda Townsend reported on corrections made under the direction given as a result of the BCC's Workshop. The changes were projected, in red,on the overhead screen, for all to follow .She sought the opinion of the DASAB on: • the correction in the definition of commercial versus non-commercial breeders to note the exception for service dogs that meet the proper care of animal standards. The request came from PAWS representative, Jeannie Bates, a member of Assistance Dogs International,who spoke about her small, but growing, organization;a human and animal related organization. (This would allow for annual, rather than quarterly, inspections;while still being subject to the Standards of Care provisions.) • Abuse and Neglect section-rewording-an animal left unattended in vehicles with an internal temperatures of 80 degrees shall be freed; removal is compulsory and there is an objective criterion. • Dangerous Dog definition section—clarifying the wording of what was already there. • Non abuse and neglect cases-defining criteria for Officer discretion. • Further advance citations within financial bounds --details to be discussed with Asst. County Attorney Colleen Greene tomorrow • State statutes and case law will control in abuse and neglect cases. The DASAB were in agreement the clarifications were supportive to their revised proposals. Revisions will be reviewed by the BCC at their April 9 meeting. VI. New Business- NONE VII. Public Comment Michele Antonia spoke about her visit to the Immokalee shelter to bring blankets and towels. She noted there were no windows and rain was blowing in. She asked if some sort of protection could be provided. Amanda Townsend responded her concern was also for slips, trips and falls. She and Dr. Melissa will go there to see if some type of awning could be put up for protection from the elements that would still allow for free air flow. Stephen Wright had spoken with Amanda regarding the Sunday hours. Amanda thanked him for his continued interest and efforts in working with her on this issue. Tom Kepp welcomed Darcy Andrade to DAS. He stated he and others had given her their phone numbers to be a contact for those who needed help with compliance 4 March 19, 2013 issues when they could not afford fees; yet,were sincerely trying to properly care for their animals. Patty Teulet talked about the Volunteer issues and problems discussed at a productive meeting with Amanda Townsend, Dr. Melissa and Kathy Drew. Phyllis Estes had concerns the Standards of Care would be connected to the Ordinance and not looked at separately by the BCC. She stated they were impossible(to comply with);vague(neglect),complicated, or too specific(daily washing of walls). She also stated a need for a kinder and friendlier DAS; citing the Notice to Comply's early payment,expiration dates and effective dates seemed to punish those doing the right thing. She suggested a 3-year license. Amanda Townsend responded; 1. The Standards of care was a stand alone document(ordinance or resolution- (to be determined by the BCC)that enumerates the Standards of Care that would need to be adhered to by animal organizations and breeders. The Ordinance would go to the BCC for a reading on April 9 and a second reading,after publicly being advertised,on April 23rd There may then be a couple of more months of dialogue. 2. Notice to comply was a reminder. State Law, not the County,dictates a 45 day advance notice. An early purchase will be good for a year from purchase. The date of expiration is on the Notice. She will revisit the timing; but,due to the volume of licenses involved,doubted an effective change could be made. Kelly Hyland noted the Standards of Care document pertained only to breeders and/or animal related organizations; not to the general public. Amanda Townsend added the Ordinance was to apply to everyone. Amanda informed everyone that on April 4 the whole agenda packet would be on the County website to let the public know exactly what will be discussed. VIII. Advisory Board Member Comments - NONE Next Advisory Board Meeting is scheduled for April 16,2013. There being no further discussion,the meeting ended at 7:44 PM. COLLIER COUNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES JJJfru- M4 airman,Marcia Breithaupt These notes approved by Board/Committee on �t ` ! II IVpresented iffit or as amended 5