November 29, 2019 Schertz Animal Care MinutesSCHERZ ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2019 6:OOPM
The Animal Care Advisory Committee of the City of Schertz, Texas held a regular
meeting on November 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex
Council Chambers Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz,
Texas. The following members were present:
Committee Members Present:
Ginger Dispain, Animal Shelter Manager
Brooke Knowlton, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Allison Heyward, City Council Liaison
Marc Bane, Assistant Chief of Police, Chair
Members not present:
Lisa Connolly, Homes for Pets
Michelle Helgren, Under Savannah's Wings
Staff Present:
Steve Solitto, Sergeant
Brian James, Assistant City Manager
Charles Kelm, Assistant City Manager
Mark Browne, City Manager
CALL TO ORDER AT 6:00 pm by Chair Asst. Chief of Police Marc Bane
ROLL CALL
HEARING OF RESIDENTS- No residents present.
1. Minutes: Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the
regular meeting of August 7, 2019.
A motion was made by Allyson Heyward to approve the minutes of August 7,
2019. Sgt. Steve Solitto seconded the motion. Motion passed. Vote was
unanimous.
2. General Shelter Update: Assistant Chief Bane provided a power point presentation
on the shelters current population, animal dispositions, staffing, significant customer
interactions and other issues.
11/20/19 Minutes, Schertz Animal Care Advisory Committee
a. Population count on November 20, 2019 was 157 animals
• 39 —Dogs
• 118 — Cats
b. FY 2019/20 Occupancy- Animal Services Intake
• Dogs A
• Cats -82
• Wildlife -19
c. Animal Disposition- Euthanasia, Live release rate this fiscal year YTD is 98.4%
• Dogs -1, Aggressive -Human
• Dogs -1, Vet Recommended
• Dogs -1, Medical Condition
• We do not euthanize for space
d. Animal Disposition- Euthanasia by Month
• October 2
• November 1
e. Staffing
• Part-Time Kennel Tech vacancy
• One applicant in process
f. Large Intakes
• November 19, 2019, Animal Services took in 10 dogs, which was based
on a citizen complaint.
g. Community Complaints
• Wildlife in yards
• Dead animals in roadway
• Animal welfare
• Stray cats
• Snakes at Civic Center
• Dog Bites
• Dogs at large
h. Equipment
• The cat kennel quotes have come back. Purchasing has been contacted and
funding is ready to be discussed. Cost of this project is $29,844.00
i. Media
• The shelter continues to utilize social media and the shelters website to
advertise animals new to the shelter.
• The shelter continues to utilize social media to advertise our community
adoption events and search for animal fosters.
11/20/19 Minutes, Schertz Animal Care Advisory Committee
• The shelter utilizes "Petfinder" for all adoptable animals at the shelter.
J. Randolph MOA
• Upon reviewing the MOA revision provided by JBSA - Randolph, there
were come corrections and revisions made. On September 24, 2019, the
revised document was sent back to JBSA - Randolph for their final review.
k. Facility Issues
• The current HVAC system continues to struggle. Portable AC units are
still in place to help cool the building.
• The heat is working well.
• The city owned trailer being utilized as a "Cat Quarantine" is working out
very well.
3. Cat Room Project Update: ASO Lagunas provided an overview of the cat room
project and explained that they have installed cat hammocks that seem to be working
out very well. They have received the boxing and shelving for the cat room and looking
to get that installed next week.
4. Adoption Trailer Update: Mgr. Dispain let the committee know the trailer has been
purchased, is being built at this time and has an expected delivery date of January 1,
2020.
5. Microchip Ordinance Presentation: Sgt. Steve Solitto spoke about the ordinance
that will be going to City Council that will require mandatory chipping of dogs /cate
that reside in the City of Schertz. Several larger cities already require this such as
Dallas /Ft. Worth and San Antonio. Collars come off, tags get lost and microchips are
always there. Ninety percent of animals that are returned to owner are because of
microchips.
6. Update on Foster Program: Manager G. Dispain went over the foster program at
the shelter as they have been advertising for fosters and now have ten new fosters
since we have started advertising. There are currently four animals in foster care right
now.
7. ACO Truck Purchase Update: Sgt. Steve Solitto gave an update on the truck as it
has already been purchased and expected to be delivered to the city next week. The
truck is an exact clone of the one that was bought last year.
8. Adoption Events Update: Mgr. Ginger Dispain gave an update on adoption events.
During September and October there were ten adoption events and as a direct result
there was 22 adoptions. With the holiday season, the opportunity for adoption events
has slowed down and they are still looking for other opportunities to get out and try
to get the animals more visible.
11/20/19 Minutes, Schertz Animal Care Advisory Committee
9. Announcements by the Assistant City Manager: There were no announcements
from the Assistant City Manager.
10. Announcements by Assistant Chief of Police: There were no announcements from
Assistant Chief M. Bane.
11. Announcements by Committee Members:
12. Requests by Committee Members that items be placed on a future Animal
Care Advisory Committee Agenda:
• Council Member Allyson Heyward stated that Michelle Womack would
like to do some social media posting.
City Manager Mark Browne stated that he would do a presentation at the
next meeting regarding the HVAC System.
13. Adjournment: Asst. Chief M. Bane adjourned the meeting at 6:14pm
Charles Kelm
Assistant City Manager
ATTEST:
Jacki Marbach,
Administrative Assistant
11/20/19 Minutes, Schertz Animal Care Advisory Committee