ASAB minutes 031517 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(A) Public Art Project: Bob Marotto and Molly Mullin met with the Orange County Arts Commission and the sculptor, Mark Elliot, to discuss the site plan and the timetable to install before the Open House. The Arts Commission would like to schedule an unveiling on the Thursday before the Open House. (B) Update of the Pets of the Homeless Task Force: Judy Miller made a report of the recent meeting. Nineteen community partners met with Bob Marroto, Judy Miller, and Corey Root. Participants explored what people think about homelessness and limited shelter- housing with pets, particularly for people with no finances. The groups focused on advocacy and saw opportunities to train potentially, recent, or otherwise homeless on how to look for housing where pets are allowed. The group wishes to be sensitive to the interests of property owners also. They set goals to assess the number of homeless that may have pets; to develop sensitive questioning when a homeless person surrenders a pet; to further define the problem; to better recognize the disability rights in NC (i.e. service animals). Other discussion included social problems such as finding shelter with a pet should not be an obstacle for someone escaping domestic violence. It is important to note that wherever the homeless and the pets are sheltered together, there will need to be experience and social exposure between people and the animals in the shelter, vice versa. The deliverables include mapping resources that are available for the public and advocates. Next meeting is March 31St (C) Update of free roaming cat discussions: Bob Marotto reported that they continue to meet with the IAR. Time is needed really to invest in the discussions to move forward with handling free roaming cat issues. New Business: (A) Animal Services Updates: a. Bob Marotto visited the pet crematorium associated with Piedmont Veterinary Clinic. There may be a possibility to partner with the crematorium as a better way to handle the disposal of deceased animals. b. Staffing: Andi Morgan reported that the seasonal Animal Care Tech and Lead Veterinary Tech positions have been filled. A new ACO was hired and has started. There is a second Animal Care Tech vacancy for which they are in the 2nd- interview process. The application period for the Communications Specialist has closed, and Andi Morgan is screening applicants. The Veterinary Care Intern position will be posted soon. The Animal Care Supervisor has resigned effective March 24. That position also will be posted. c. Hearing Panel Pool: A training video was created to orient new members of the Hearing Panel Pool. All current members that have not been oriented will be required to view the video training. https: / /www.youtube.com /watch ?v= 6gH8gAR7CrY d. Carrboro: Carrboro elected to maintain their Animal Control Board for appeals. Training materials, tools, and guidance were offered to Carrboro Police Chief and Town Attorney for training their AC Board on appeals. In an effort to not discourage backyard farming, Carrboro's animal ordinance was revised to allow foul and bunnies without the minimum square footage limit, up to a maximum of twenty individual animals. e. Events: There is an adoption special through March 18th for St. Patrick's Day. A rabies clinic will be held for the public on March 16th at Hillsborough Farmers Market. Spay and neuter promotions which supported Spay Day U.S.A. was successful with 32 animals. f. Budget: By the end of March, Orange County Animal Services administration should know if the suggested fee changes and budget requests will make into the County Manager's budget 2017 -2018. During functional unit meetings with other county departments, OCAS is required to prioritize and to justify any new expenses for the Manager's recommendations. This includes the up -front costs of starting the project to microchip each adopted animal, even with the nominal increase in the adoption fee (already in the ASAB approved 2017 -2018 fee schedule changes). Bob Marotto estimates a loss of $18500 in the first year of the microchip program. The Friends of Orange County have pledged of a $2000 to offset the costs of the initial microchips. Information Items (made available): (A) Monthly Sheltering Statistical Reports, February 2017 (B) Monthly Field Service Statistical Report, February 2017