March 20, 2018 ASAC MinutesMINUTES
ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
March 20, 2018
A Regular Meeting was held by the Animal Care Advisory Committee of the City of Schertz,
Texas, on March 20, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers
Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 4, Schertz, Texas. The following members
present:
City Council Liaison, Dr. Angelina Kiser Debbie Hernandez, Chair
Brooke Knowlton, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Dudley Wait, Executive Director
Lisa Connolly, President, Schertz Humane Society Jackie Gaines, Executive Assistant
Staff Present:
Executive Director Brian James
Call to Order
Dudley Wait called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. Introductions were made.
Hearing of Residents
No residents present to speak.
Discussion and /or Action Items
1. Minutes — Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular
meeting of June 29, 2017.
Dr. Kiser made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 29, 2017 meeting. A second was
made by Lisa Connolly. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Discussion on City Ordinance regarding makeup of Animal Care Advisory Committee.
Mr. Wait stated that the ordinance was updated in 2015 and the specific section that addresses the
committee is very limited in the number of members mandated to be on the committee. Mr. Wait
added that this committee is different than the other boards and commissions in the fact that the
other commissions and memberships are selected and approved by the City Council. This
committee was directed by City Council to have the City Manager select members.
In 2016, the committee asked to have Michele Helgren as a member, but a letter was never written
to the City Manager asking to increase the members in order to improve a quorum for the
meetings.
Mr. James is currently working on a project for all committees and commissions to have
consistency with their by -laws. The by -laws will include a quorum, meetings, minutes and the
make -up of members and how the committee will function.
Dudley stated that this committee needs to update the ordinance, specifically the adoption process.
The ordinance is not at pace of how we are operating the shelter. About six years ago, the animal
control shelter was trying to minimize the euthanasia for space of animals by creating a space large
enough to have an adoption center. This has converted us to be able to work with different rescue
organizations to get animals fostered and adopted out. Our shelter has a relationship with a group
out of Canada that is accepting Chihuahuas because of their popularity. Our ordinance is not up to
date with our adoption process. We are striving to be like the City of San Antonio and have a no-
kill facility.
Dr. Kiser asked to bring on additional members before updating the ordinance so that the new
members can have input in crafting the revised ordinance. The committee discussed having a total
of seven members.
Lisa Connelly made a motion to add Michele Helgren. Dr. Kiser seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Reports/Updates/Discussion and /or Action Items
3. Community Concerns
a) Coyotes
The calls coming in for coyote sighting have gone down. Traps were set with catching three
coyotes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife will treat and release back into the wild.
4. Animal Adoption Center Building Update
Mr. Wait stated that we moved into the new facility in December and then the following year,
discovered we had high humidity and then mold. We attacked the mold situation swiftly then met
with the designers and builders. The refrigerant lines are not insulated, the duct work was not
insulated. The I VAC system is not keeping up with summer heat. We also discovered that the
core of the building, where the staff office, was not under positive pressure. This means that when
you open an outside door, the hot outside air comes into the building. This causes more work on
the unit to get the heat out and the humidity down. Issues of the air handlers were found as well.
With the builder, architect and engineers still on board, the city did not feel that we were getting
anywhere and had our attorney write a letter notifying them of a claim against them and listed the
issues and needed solutions on getting these repaired. At that same time, our engineer was able to
get in contact with the company that manufactures the air conditioner units and had them come out
to evaluate the units. As a result of no one believing they have made an error, the city has retained
service of an independent third -party engineer. We have spot coolers inside the building to keep
the humidity down and the cool air up. The members had no additional questions.
5. Trap, Neuter, Release Program Update
Ms. Hernandez stated that there are four colonies requested to sign up. Our ordinance states they
must complete a feral cat colonies class to be in compliance. The committee suggested setting up
a class in Schertz for the mandatory class to make it more convenient for our residents and
neighbors to take a one -day course and be in compliance. Rabies cases are a concern.
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6. Animal Services Staffmg Update
Mr. Wait announced with the exception of a manager, the department is at full staff. The animal
services manager interview process is in the final stages with three strong candidates.
7. Animal Services Activity Report
Ms. Hernandez reported on the activities for the quarter of October 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
that included the intake of strays, owner surrenders, transfers, returns, seized and born in custody.
The report also included outcome of the facility with adoptions, return to owner, transfers and
euthanasia. The adoption center will attend adoption events.
Requests and Announcements
8. Announcements by the Executive Director
No announcements were given.
9. Requests by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda
None at this time.
10. Announcements by Committee Members
The Adoption trailer will be taken to the Movin' on Main event that will take place April 9, 2018.
Ms. Hernandez is working with Tractor Supply to hold an adoption event.
Adjournment
Dudley Wait adjourned the meeting at 2:04 pm.
Dudley Wait, Exec ive irect
ATTEST:
Jaclie Gaines, Executive Assistant
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