Minutes 02-10-2026 - Work Session

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4 He said they worked with the Public Education Talking Points campaign to ensure the public is knowledgeable about Animal Services. He said they held three dangerous dog hearings. He said they assisted with fundraising efforts for Animal Services. He said in 2025-26, there are no vacancies. Deborah Hill, also of the Animal Services Advisory Board, said they will continue supporting the dangerous dog hearing panel if needed in 2026. She said they want to update the orientation video and frequently asked questions list. She said they want to support veterinarian efforts for unhoused residents with pets. She said they plan to hold two employee appreciation events. She said they will work on the Pat Sanford grant and the Volunteer of the Year award. She said they would like to have a youth delegate on the board and build a dog training program at the facility. Commissioner Bedford asked if it is common for volunteers to take animals home during winter weather events. Deborah Hill said that has occurred in other instances of bad weather so that animals are taken care of if staff cannot get to the facility. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what happens during a dangerous dog hearing. Deborah Hill said the panel determines if the dog meets the definition of a dangerous dog. She said that a determination does not involve euthanasia. She said the owner must meet certain requirements for 18 months. Allan Pollak reiterated that dogs are not euthanized if they meet the dangerous dog definition. He said there are precautions put into place to reduce the likelihood of someone getting hurt by the dog. Chair Hamilton thanked Animal Services for the work they did during the winter weather events to ensure that people in the shelter could stay with their animals. Rhian Carreker-Ford of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) said they've built stronger community ties with Mildred Council Mama Dips Community Dinner and the Pauli Murray Awards. He said they are planning the next community dinner and awards ceremony. He said that through their community conversation series, they are trying to facilitate and bridge the gap between organizations offering services and consumers of those services. He said the Pauli Murray Awards is scheduled for May 2026. He noted the project for adding historical markers to Blackwood Farm Park. He said they are beginning a youth engagement initiative. He said that youth have a desire to participate, but there isn't a way for younger people to engage in the same way as older residents. He said they plan to create a youth engagement program for creating solutions to community problems. He said the HRC has heard community concerns about safety and affordability. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the HRC receives fair housing complaints. Paul Slack, Chief Civil Rights and Civic Life Officer, said they are receiving fair housing complaints. He said they've received 22 over the last four months. He said that some are currently in the investigation phase. Matthew Ferguson of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board said they completed a report on HOME funds since the federal program began. He said they restarted community meetings. He said they met with developers to discuss challenges building affordable housing and how they can work together to increase supply. He said in 2026, they will have more meetings with developers and another community meeting. He said they want to analyze how the county spent bond funds on housing in the last 20 years. He said they want to collaborate with other advisory boards and departments., including zoning. He said tariffs will prevent rehabilitation funds from stretching as far as they'd hoped. He said that if housing is a priority for the county, the Housing Department will need more funding. Commissioner McKee asked for the upcoming dates for the developer and community meetings.