Orange County NC Website
~~ <br />Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting <br />Approved Minutes <br />March 19, 2008 <br />Page 3 <br />• A motion was made by Jean Ausitn and seconded by Kris Bergstrand to remove "a timely <br />manner" and replace with "no later than the end of the following gzzarter" in item 16 ofpage S. <br />VOTE: Unanimous <br />One item that has not been resolvedyet is with the requirement for general liability insurance. A survey <br />was done with the five rescue groups, all of which indicated that it would not inhibit them to work with <br />the Orange County Animal Shelter. A question was then raised whether smaller rescue groups wozzld be <br />impeded by the requirement. Research is currently being done to get a general cost of what the insurance <br />would be and that information will be broztght back to the board for fizrther discussion. <br />Foster Program Report Jess Allison reported that a meeting was held on January 31, 2008, and it was <br />decided to provide the activity reports to the Animal Services Advisory Board committee on a six-month <br />basis rather than one-month basis. Staff and committee members discz~ssed the growth of the program <br />and identified areas that require improvements to the Foster Program forms. There were edits made in <br />enclosure A of the guidelines and home visit checklist, interview and application that were shown in the <br />handout provided to the board members. Bob Marotto reported that there is a limited ability to invest in <br />the foster program but that the program can be maintained. The discussion with staff indicated that to try <br />and grow the program would exceed our hzzman resources and we should take the time that we do have <br />available and invest it in the relationships with placement partners and rescue groups and to work <br />towards building bridges with the community. A motion was made by Jean Ausitn and seconded by Kris <br />Bergstrand to adopt and accept the amendments in both Foster Home Policy and Procedures of <br />Enclosures A c~ C. VOTE: Unanimous <br />Ms. Allison gave an overview of the Janzzary and February 2008 statistical summaries. It was pointed out <br />that February adoptions were lower than January and it appears that March's will also below. This is a <br />concern and there was a brief discussion that mentioned factors such as the price of gas and economy. <br />New Business Bob Marotto reported that the appearance of the current Animal Shelter and <br />access to it would change as a result of a remediation project being conducted by UNC. He <br />stressed that it would be very important to keep the public informed that the Animal Shelter was <br />continuing to operate on its normal schedule, and asked that the ASAB help to communicate to <br />members of the public is open and operating with normal hours of business. <br />2008-2009 Btcdget Update Bob Marotto reported that he has been asked to prepare a <br />continuation budget, which amounts to approximately a $1.6 million dollar operating budget for <br />the fiscal year. He further noted that Animal Services has requested five new full time positions <br />(some of which are conversions of temporary funds). He also noted that a significant concern is <br />the compliance of animal control vehicles with the "transportation standards" set out in the <br />Animal Welfare Act of the State of North Carolina. (which indicates that compartment <br />temperature must be between SO and 85 degrees). Thus fleet renewal with compliant boxes is an <br />important objective for Animal Services in the County's budget process. <br />