Agenda - 02-11-2020 Item 5 - Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool - Appointment Discussion

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9 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA ANIMAL SERVICES 1601 Eubanks Road http://orangecountync.gov/departments/animalservices phone: (919)942-7387 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 fax: (919)918-2393 February 5, 2020 To: Donna Baker, Clerk, Board of County Commissioners and Thom Freeman, Assistant Deputy Clerk, Board of County Commissioners From: Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director Re: Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool Observations As suggested in the recommendation itself for Casey Ferrell, there is an unmistakable need for individuals who become hearing panel chairs to have adequate orientation, exposure and training. There is strong agreement among staff and the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) that this should be viewed as not only a necessary but an indispensable step to ensure the continuing success of the appeal process. The appeal process created by the Unified Animal Ordinance (UAO) is a quasi-judicial process. There are standards of evidence; and there are written procedures requiring witnesses to be sworn in, examined and cross-examined. It is also critical that panel members and most especially the panel chair are thoroughly familiar with "the elements" of law in the sections of the ordinance that are subject to appeal. It is the three ASAB appointees who are responsible for convening and chairing hearings. As they very much are the leaders the ASAB and staff concur that that it is best that Mr. Ferrell be appointed to the Hearing Panel Pool prior to the beginning of his term. Simply put, adequate orientation and training of each new chair is essential to the continued success of the appeal process that the Board of County Commissioners established through the UAO. cc: Amanda Schwoerke, J.D, Chair, Animal Services Advisory Board Bryan Stuart, Ph.D., Vice Chair, Animal Services Advisory Board