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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2013.09.10 - 36747BILL DWYER Chairperson MIKE BOSNIC Vice Chairperson HELAINE ZACK Minority Vice Chairperson September 10, 2013 Chairperson Dwyer called the meeting of the Public Services Committee to order at 11:3 0 a.m., in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Dwyer, Mike Bosnic, Helaine Zack, Shelley Taub, Michael Spisz, Gary McGillivray COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: None OTHERS PRESENT : FISCAL SERVICES Lynn Sonkiss, Chief Katie West, Grant Coordinator HEALTH DEPARTMENT Kathy Forzley, Manager Carrie Hribar, Planning Supervisor HUMAN RESOURCES Clare Flaisch, Analyst Sara Kohn, Analyst Frank Russell, Analyst PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE Emily McIntyre, Victim Rights Supervisor PUBLIC SERVICES Mark Newman, Director ANIMAL CONTROL Bob Gatt, Manager Joanie Toole, Administration Supervisor MSU EXTENSION Marie Ruemenapp, District Coordinator SHERIFF’S OFFICE Mike McCabe, Undersheriff Dale Cunningham, Business Manager HUMANE SOCIETY OF MIDLAND Neil Wackerle, President Beth Wellman, Shelter Director HURON CLINTON METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY Paul Muelle, Natural Resources Chief MICHIGAN PET FUND ALLIANCE Jeanne Towar, Secretary MICHIGAN STATE POLICE Mike Shaw, Public Information Officer OAKLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY Doris Applebaum, Board Member OAKLAND PET ADVOCATES Carrie McGowan, Board Trustee Vickie Krigner PAWS FOR LIFE RESCUE Courtney Protz-Sanders, Executive Director OTHERS Arlene Ball BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Marcia Gershenson, Commissioner Chris Ward, Analyst Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director Tracy Stolzenfeld, Committee Coordinator OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858-1572 PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Shelley Taub Michael Spisz Gary McGillivray PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 2 September 10, 2013 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Spisz moved approval of the minutes of August 20, 2013, as printed. Supported by McGillivray. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Vickie Krigner made an announcement about National Suicide Prevention Week and that Common Ground will host an open house for that on Friday, September 13, 2013. AGENDA The September 10, 2013 a genda was amended to add Item 7, MR #13057 – Board of Commissioners – Transparency Policy for the Oakland County Pet Ad option Center and Animal Control. Taub moved approval of the amended agenda. Supported by McGillivray. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . AGENDA ITEMS 1. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTRACT AMENDMENT #1 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN THE CHARTER OF TOWNSHIP OF BRANDON 2013-2015 The Sheriff’s Office is requesting approval of an amendment to the Brandon Township contract for law enforcement services. The proposal is to leave a Patrol Investigator, School Liaison position vacant June 26 through August 19, 2013. The position will be deleted effective June 27, 2014 . Taub moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Spisz. Taub moved to amend the 4th Whereas after (School Liaison) insert “GF/GP position #4030619-11066” and insert at the Now Therefore Be It Resolved paragraph after (School Liaison) “GF/GP Deputy II position #4030619 -11066.” Supported by Spisz. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote . Main Motion as amended carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – ADDITION OF K-9 DOG The Sheriff’s Office is requesting authorization to enlist Brig in the K -9 unit while retiring Maverick. Deputy Craig Pesko, who is Brig’s owner, is willing to enter into an agreement with the County to transfer ownership during Brig’s service for $1 .00 and will be able to buy Brig back for the same amount at the time Brig‘s service is no longer needed or he retires. In the past this arrangement has been done in this type of situation. After retirement the older dogs are taken to the handler’s home where they live with the family. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 3 September 10, 2013 Zack moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Spisz. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 3. SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND CIRCUIT COURT – 2013 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM – ACCEPTANCE The Sheriff’s Office and Circuit Court are seeking approval of the grant acceptance for JAG from the Department of Justice. The total amount is $129,600. Projects are planned to benefit the Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court and the City of Pontiac. Pontiac’s portion of $95,450 will be used to help fight violent crimes in Pontiac. Bosnic moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by McGillivray. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 4. PROSECUTING ATTORNEY – FISCAL YEAR 2014 VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAM – VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) GRANT ACCEPTANCE The Prosecuting Attorney is requesting approval of the VOCA grant acceptance from the Michigan Department of Community Health. This is the 14th year of grant acceptance. The grant will help partially fund one ex isting Victim Advocate position and the County will contribute to partially fund the fringe benefits for this position. Spisz moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Taub. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 5. PROSECUTING ATTORNEY – FISCAL YEAR 2014 VICTIM RIGHTS GRANT ACCEPTANCE The Prosecuting Attorney is requesting approval of the Vi ctim Rights grant acceptance. This is the 22nd year of grant acceptance. This grant will help partially reimburse the County for three full-time Victim Advocates and one Office Assistant II. A victim rights fund was established in 1989 to pay for victim rights services. No grant match is required by the County. McGillivray moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Bosnic. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 6. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT/MSU EXTENSION – ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR ONE 4 -H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR POSITION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SERVICES The Public Services Department and MSU Extension are requesti ng authorization to approve a service contract for a 4-H Youth Development Coordinator and also education programming services. This position would report to MSU to help streamline the operation . This proposal is on a trial basis where MSU will contract services and report back quarterly on the ir progress. A decision will be made after a year whether to continue the arrangement. This is a revenue neutral change. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Spisz. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 4 September 10, 2013 Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 7. MR #13057 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – TRANSPARENCY POLICY FOR THE OAKLAND COUNTY PET ADOPTION CENTER AND ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER Draft amendments to Miscellaneous Resolution #13057 were distributed by Mr. Ward, along with the report, Analysis of Issues Raised in Resolutions 13057, 13058, 13059 . The resolution revisions are shown below. Spisz moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Taub. Live release rates are shown for adoptable animals, indicated by the numbers for adoptions, transfers and returns for treatable animals only and the number of euthanizations are included. MR #13057 Version A includes both rates for treatable and untreatable, unhealthy animals and Version B includes only the rates for treatable animals . Version A was recommended due to the transparency issue. Bosnic moved to report to amend the resolution as follows: MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #13057 BY: Commissioners Helaine Zack, District #18; Dave Woodward, District #19 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – TRANSPARENCYTRANSPARANCY POLICY FOR THE OAKLAND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AND PET ADOPTION CENTER To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS it is the goal of the Oakland Pet Adoption Center and the policy of the Oakland County Boa rd of Commissioners to provide an open admission no kill shelter for the homeless cats and dogs in Oakland County and as a service to Oakland County residents; and WHEREAS the policy of Oakland County is to provide full accountability and transparency in a ll aspects of sheltering; and WHEREAS annual reports are mandated and are currently provided by the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, voluntary monthlyhowever more frequent reports can assistto keep the public and decision makers in the measurement and development in policies created locally informed; and WHEREAS the Companion Animal Re-Homing Evaluation Standards (CARES) is a detailed evaluation tool that Shelter staff with Veterinary assistance use to examine and determine the best course of action for each individual animal received by the Shelter; and WHEREAS it is important to publicly demonstrate the progress made toward the no kill goal by statistics that indicate: WHEREAS the CARES tool includes three categories: • Healthy • Treatable/Manageable • Untreatable/Unhealthy; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center has adopted policies to actively pursue treatment and rehabilitation for appropriate animals by offering these animals to non-profits that have medical/treatment facilities the County lacks , through transfers and adoptions at no cost, and WHEREAS individuals who work with and advocate for animal welfare causes use terms such as “no kill” and “adoption guarantee” should further understand that Oakland County’s interpretation of those terms is limited to animals in the Health and Treatable/Manageable categories . • the reduction in shelter intake • the increase in the number of animals returned to owner, • the increase in the number of animals being adopted and • the reduction in euthanasia. Formatted: Font: Bold Formatted: Font: Bold PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 5 September 10, 2013 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests that a regular monthly report accounting for both separate and combined numbers of dogs an d cats be posted on the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center’s website including, but not limited to: • Starting Population • Return to Owner • Adopted • Transferred to other shelters • Euthanized a. Healthy b. Treatable/Manageable c. Untreatable/Unhealthy • Animals received within the month a. Owner Give Up b. Owner Request for Euthanasia c. Strays d. Contract • Ending Population BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, requests that the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center posts both a separate and combined rate for dogs and cats to be calculated for a “Live Release Rate for Adoptable Animals”. This rate shall be a measurement of animals in the adoptable and treatable/manageable categories:on the their home page by the 15th of each month the percentage of animals adopted, transferred and returned comparable to the total number of animals in that category released during that time period . The Board of Commissioners further requests that an additional rate be posted to be calculat ed for a “Release Outcome Rate including Unhealthy/Untreatable Animals”. This release outcome rate shall be a measurement of animals in all categories: the percentage of animals adopted, transferred and returned comparable to the total number of animals in all categories released during that time period. following information for the prior month, each previous month and year to date totals beginning January 1, 2013: • Total number of intake of cats and total number of dogs • Total number and rate of cats and dogs returned to owner • Total number and rate of cats and dogs adopted by animal rescue organizations • Total number and rate of cats and dogs adopted to the general public • Total number and rate of cats and dogs euthanized. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Oakland County Executive, the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center.,. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution . DAVE WOODWARD, HELAINE ZACK, NANCY QUARLES, MARCIA GERSHENSON, JANET JACKSON, GARY MCGILLIVRAY, MATTIE HATCHETT Supported by Spisz. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote . Questions were addressed to Mr. Newman and he responded that the CARES model document that is being used to categorize between healthy and treatable versus unhealthy and untreatable is still in draft status. Bosnic moved to report to amend the resolution to add Commissioners Dwyer, Bosnic, Taub, Weipert, Spisz and Gershenson as sponsors in the BY line to the resolution. BY: Commissioners Helaine Zack, District #18; Dave Woodward, District #19; Bill Dwyer, District, #14; Mike Bosnic, District #16; Shelley Goodman Taub, District #12; Phil Weipert, District #8; Michael Spisz, District #3; Marcia Gershenson, District #13. Formatted: Font: Bold Formatted: Normal, No bullets or numbering Formatted: Font: Bold PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 6 September 10, 2013 Supported by Spisz. Motion carried unanimously on the amendment, with the secondary amendment on a roll call vote. Commissioner Zack recommended that the resolution be amended where it mentions Transferred to other shelters to include language for rescues, as there is a difference between the two. Taub moved to report to amend the Now Therefore Be It Resolved Paragraph to insert “and/or rescues” after the word shelters. • Transferred to other shelters and/or rescues Supported by McGillivray. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Main Motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 8. EXPERT TESTIMONY ON ISSUES RELATED TO POLICIES AT THE OAKLAND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER/PET ADOPTION Chairperson Dwyer made an opening statement and welcomed the speakers who will present first and then time was allowed for public comment. Beth Wellman, Shelter Director, and Neil Wackerle, President of the Humane Society of Midland Co unty spoke first. Shelter statistics at the Humane Society of Midland County show a 95 percent placement rate and the goal is 100 percent. Background information on the shelter was provided that in 2010 before Midland County closed Animal Control, it was re-opened under the Humane Society. T he shelter is a non-profit, 501(c)(3). Today the animal save rates are 99 percent for dogs and 97 percent for cats. The shelter has received their second award for Most Outstanding Shelter in Michigan. The feral cat placement rate is 97 percent. The feral and stray cats are sent to barn homes, not to individual homes, as they are not pets. Midland County has a population of 80,000 residents and is approximately 600 square miles. The shelter receives animals only from Midland County. Midland County still employs one animal control officer and the police departments assist in picking up stray animals. When an animal is dropped off at the shelter, they get vaccinated and placed into a kennel , then made ready for adoption. The capacity issues are offset by discounted or dropped adoption fees and adoption events. Once capacity is reached, the shelter works harder and does not euthanize due to lack of space. Ms. Wellman could only think of reaching capacity number s twice in the past nine months. The shelter advertises online on their website and through social media. The Humane Society runs the shelter via contract with Midland County. Out of the cats received per year, 100 to 200 of those would be considered feral or barn cats. The most aggressive cat is the house cat, like if the owners move and bring their cat into the shelter. It is a terror situation where the cat is more dangerous than the feral live -trapped cats. The feral cats are frightened of people. The feral cats will back into a corner and given time, the cat comes around. Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programs work because cats re -populate quickly and if 90 percent of a large colony is fixed, the re -population will be reduced. Fixing cats haphazardly will not present PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 7 September 10, 2013 much progress. The Georgetown University example was given where the stray cats were euthanized, but it never caught up to affect the cat population there. Midland County shelter does not currently practice TNR. The cats brought in will be neutered and sent to a barn, not returned to their origin. However, the no-kill movement has been pushing TNR . A discussion was held regarding Midland County’s policy on only taking in animals from their county and how taking in animals outside that area could have legal issues . For example, if a stray is purebred and then fixed, the owner could possibly file a lawsuit. The shelter does go to surrounding shelters to take in dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized , approximately 100 dogs per year, not cats. The rescues only take approximately 50 cats and 20 dogs from the Midland shelter because of the high placement rate and the fact that the animals are not in danger . The rescues pull from other shelters, such as Gladwin or the Bay Co unty area. Midland County shelter has one full-time director and four part-time employees. Last year 21,000 hours were logged from volunteers at the shelter, which is the equivalent of ten full -time people. Meetings, adoption fairs and events are not counted in those logged -in hours. The shelter has 34 dog kennels and 70 cat kennels and most times more than one animal occupies a kennel. This past summer the shelter had 120 cats and kittens, which was high. The public feels comfortable coming to th e Midland shelter and knows the animals they take there are safe. Any dog breed with large litters is more difficult to find placement. Pitbulls are often hard to place because of their stigma. Doberman and German Sheph erd breeds have been considered in the past as being dogs that would attack , including wolf hybrids. The reality about pitbulls is that the traits that make them a fighting dog are also what make them a good family dog. Pitbull is a slang term and is not a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Some dogs are misidentified as a pitbull, but are actually a mixture of other breeds. Each dog that comes into the shelter is evaluated and placed based on their own accord. The shelter has no behavioral standards to test the dogs. An example was given of the food or toy - possessive animal that would be placed in a home where there are no small children. Current dog owners who want to adopt a dog from the shelter must bring in their dog to the shelter to meet the potential adopted dog. Approximately eight dogs had to be put down this year because of an unhealthy or untreatable condition. The shelter’s statistics do delineate when an owner br ings in a dog to be euthanized. Midland County offers euthanasia for $17. At that rate shelters do not make a profit. The law mandates a stray animal be held for seven full business days before placing a dog up for adoption. The shelter has no time limit on a n animal’s length of stay , as long as they are not a danger to the public. Only a handful of animals have stayed at the shelter for more than three to four months. An average stay for an animal is eight to t welve days. The veterinarian charge for medical services to the shelter is at cost. It is not unheard of to spend more than $500 for animal treatment. The shelter tries not to let money be an issue for an animal to be euthanized. Most illnesses do not cost much and antibiotics are about $20. Mr. Wackerle attributed the shelter turning into a no-kill shelter in such a short period to a mindset of no animal euthanasia. The TNR numbers were not known offhand, but statistics are to be provided to the Committee. TNR is done by a rescue group. The key is to locate the area where the feral cat intake is greatest and target efforts there. The shelter deals with feral cat situations by working with the public. A PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 8 September 10, 2013 person may come to the shelter with a large number of cats looking for help. The shelter assists them by neutering and releasing the cats back to the person who brought th em in; usually that situation is with the help of a volunteer member. Mobile units currently exist that trap, neuter and return cats on site, but the shelter does not do this type of on -site TNR. Paul Muelle, Chief of Natural Resources for Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority (Metroparks), addressed the ecological aspect of the stray and feral cat situation. When it comes to cats, it is a worldwide issue, not just local. Cats are natural predators that seek out native birds and small mammals as prey, even well-taken care of and fed cats . It is their nature to be a predator and this has been related to the decline of certain species. Several studies have been conducted and information is available that the ecological balance is bein g affected. Mr. Muelle cautioned against artificially elevating the population of any species and upsetting the ecological balance. Toxoplasmosis is a threat to pregnant women when they change the cat litter . Cats are carriers of this disease. Rabies has been a problem south of Michigan and Ohio sees more rabies cases. Public Comment on this issue came from Courtney Protz -Sanders, Paws for Life Rescue, who spoke in favor of TNR. The next comment was from Vickie Krigner of Wixom who inquired about another opportunity to speak on behalf of animals , which is the Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for September 19, 2013. MR #13057 will be addressed to the entire board at that time . The last public comment was from Jeanne Towar of Bloomfield Township, who is a board member of Michigan Pet Fund Alliance. Ms. Towar spoke about a document received from Mr. Newman. Mr. Ward stated the document was not finished and is not for the public’s review at this time. Commissioner McGillivray made a comparison between the Oakland County shelter and Midland County shelter. Midland County shelter is run by the Humane Society as opposed to Oakland County being county run. Midland has 80,000 people compared to the more than 1.2 million population in Oakland County. No one wants animals to be killed. COMMUNICATIONS OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT The Study Group on Gun Violence me eting followed the Public Services meeting. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. _____________________________________ ___________________________________ Tracy Stolzenfeld Jim VerPloeg Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.