Agenda 10-19-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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2 1 members in order to have an authentic analysis of what is going on and what will best help the 2 community. 3 Commissioner Greene asked if this delay would affect schedule with the tax office. 4 Bonnie Hammersley said it would only affect the timeline by 5 days. She said if staff is 5 able to bring a comprehensive presentation, from which the Board can make a decision, the 6 program can start being advertised and put into place on October 6. 7 8 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to 9 postpone Item 6-a until the October 5, 2021 Business Meeting. 10 11 Roll call ensued 12 13 VOTE: Unanimous 14 15 Chair Price invited the County Manager to introduce a new department director. 16 Bonnie Hammersley introduced Dr. Sandra Strong, the new Animal Services Director. 17 She said she is a certified animal welfare scientist and veterinarian, and is well-qualified for the 18 position. She said Dr. Strong came on board on June 21, and has already been working for 19 quite some time and things are going well. She invited Dr. Strong to speak to the Board. 20 Dr. Sandra Strong, Animal Services Director, said she is a North Carolina native and 21 went to veterinary school at NC State, but did a public health certificate in leadership at UNC, 22 and so appreciates the Orange County community. She said she has done a lot of clinical 23 veterinary work for many years, but started working with animal services with the city of San 24 Antonio. She said she did contract consulting work looking at shelter operations at UC Davis. 25 She said she served as chief veterinarian in Wake County for 8 years, and worked with Bob 26 Morotto, the previous Orange County Animal Services Director. She said she is excited and 27 grateful for the opportunity to work for Orange County and serve the citizens. She said her 28 philosophy is if we can support people, both employees and the community, then the animals 29 will have good welfare because humans and animals are closely tied, and have been for 30 thousands of years. She said she is excited about science coming out about the human-animal 31 bond, noting that oxytocin is released in humans when animals are around and health is 32 improved by these interactions. She said more science is showing that pets can combat 33 depression and loneliness. She said animal services has an opportunity to lead with some of 34 that knowledge. She said there are also some challenges due to local ordinances, and there is 35 always controversy. She said her job is to continue on right path, continue to be innovative and 36 determine how to support people and animals. She said she is willing to meet with all, and 37 welcomed the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to visit the shelter any time. 38 Chair Price welcomed Dr. Strong and welcomed comments from Commissioners. 39 Commissioner Bedford welcomed Dr. Strong and said she especially enjoys the 40 Facebook posts that the Animal Services Department does. She noted for the public that there 41 are no adoption fees right now. 42 Commissioner Fowler welcomed Dr. Strong and said she looks forward to working with 43 her. 44 45 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge. 46 47 Public Charge: 48 The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks those attending 49 this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward each other, county 50 staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or the public fail to 51 observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum. Should it become