HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ANSAB_02.16.2006Minutes of the Meeting of the
Animal Shelter Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Animal Shelter Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , February 16,
2006.
Members Present:
Shawn Gunnin, Chair, Patty Eason, Dawn Hitt-Wilken, Ken Finn, Debbie Frase
Members Absent:
Erica Haley
Staff Present:
Jackie Carey
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair, Shawn Gunnin.
1. Citizen comments – none.
2. January 2006 minutes – Motion by Patty Eason to accept the minutes as presented. Second, Ken
Finn. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Report from Shelter Director – Finn referred to the monthly statistics for December. He pointed to the
euthanasia rate of 33% year-to-date as being higher than at the same time last year and said it was a
trend to watch. Staff would like to boost the traffic through the new Shelter, possibly by posting a sign at
the Georgetown PetsMart. He received approval to park the Shelter’s trailer in the Simon parking lot at
Wolf Ranch during outreach adoption events at PetsMart.
4. Discussion and possible action about long and short-term goals for the Animal Shelter --
Guests Christie Sponsel and Michelle Parada, two of the City's Human Resources Generalists, facilitated
an exercise in developing long and short-term goals for Animal Services. In draft form , the goals
formulated by the Board are to:
·Increase the adoption rate of cats and dogs at the shelter by 10% within one year.
·Decrease euthanasia of adoptable pets (cats and dogs) by 10% at the shelter within one year.
·Improve the quality and quantity of training for the staff and volunteers of Animal Services by end
of FY 05/06.
·Establish and maintain standards of care (as defined by minimum Humane Industry Standards) in
order to provide a high quality of life for animals maintained at the shelter.
·Create and promote community awareness of the Animal Shelter by advertising in publications
such as The Reporter, City website, and participating in educational programs (supported by intern) on a
monthly/quarterly basis.
·Participate in Spay/Neuter programs and research the possibility of performing sterilizations at the
Shelter.
·Research the possibility of a crematory (location, cost).
·Ensure that no human is infected with rabies within the City of Georgetown.
·Increase the number of licensed cats and dogs by 100% through community education by end of
FY 06/07.
Michelle Parada will prepare a document outlining the goals and send them to the Board members to
review at the next meeting. The Board plans to discuss several goals at the next few meetings, developing
objectives and steps to accompany each goal.
5. Discussion and possible action on approval of revisions of Animal Services Standard Operating
Procedures – Board members asked few questions. Frase pointed out several areas that needed
clarification. Eason moved that the revised SOPs be accepted with two changes. Gunnin seconded, and
the motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion and possible action on establishing a Consent Agenda section to the agendas for
Animal Shelter Advisory Board meetings – Finn proposed that the Board establish a consent agenda
section for its meetings to facilitate the passing of numerous upcoming revised Standard Operating
Procedures. The idea is not to eliminate discussion about the SOPs but to allow the Board to pass them
quickly when possible and focus on other things. Eason suggested that the SOPs were not burdensome
and had not taken much discussion earlier in this meeting. She therefore recommended that the Board
not establish a consent agenda. The Board agreed to revisit the idea of a consent agenda in the future if it
became necessary.
7. Discussion and possible action about the frequency of meetings – Hitt-Wilken suggested the
Board consider whether it wants to continue meeting monthly or to meet less frequently. She wondered
how often the other City boards meet. Eason said that all but one of the City boards meet monthly, and
she thinks the Animal Shelter Advisory Board agendas have been substantive enough to warrant monthly
meetings. Gunnin said that she thought the Board would accomplish less if it met less often; for instance,
the current goal-setting exercise would take longer. The Board decided not to reduce the frequency of
meetings at present, knowing that it can do so in the future if agendas become less substantive.
8. Discussion and possible action about the next educational column for the newspaper – The
Board discussed topics and authors for the recently initiated monthly columns in the Williamson Sun.
Gunnin agreed to submit the next column, on the topics of city ordinances related to animals, specifically
the licensing of pets.
Finn moved to adjourn, Eason seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.