LATE ADOPTED -JUNE 10, 2003

Agenda Item No. 25

Introduced by Commissioner Schor:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO CREATE AN ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD

RESOLUTION #03-165

WHEREAS, the Animal Control Subcommittee of the Law Enforcement Committee has created recommendations for an Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, these recommendations are to address citizen concerns about the operations of the Ingham County Animals Shelter; and

WHEREAS, these recommendations will establish a citizen panel to work with the Ingham County Animal Control to better the shelter, improve conditions, adopt more animals, seek outside grant funding, increase outreach, work with volunteers, improve policies such as the spay/neuter policy and make other recommendations to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners creates the Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Advisory Board will report to the Law Enforcement Committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution will automatically expire (sunset) in six years (Dec. 31st, 2009) unless extended by the Board of Commissioners; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that persons serving on the Animal Care & Control Advisory Board would not be paid a salary or per diem; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the task and responsibilities of the Advisory Board are as follows:

• Take complaints about the shelter and operations and investigate them.

• Work with the public, rescue organizations, and Board of Commissioners to recommend ways that will make the shelter more efficient, user-friendly, and promote adoptions.

• Developing ways to promote adoption of animals at the shelter.

• Recommend and administer an Animal Shelter Fund, to be used to assist in operations of the fund (i.e. special food for animals, volunteer management and assistance, sensitivity training for staff, etc.). Contributors to this fund will come from private donations. Donations to the fund may be earmarked for specific purposes. Activity of this fund is to be reported to the Law Enforcement Committee.

• Coordinate efforts for charitable giving through the Animal Shelter Fund.

• Develop recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding the ICAC's mission, and services for which there is a need.

• Research and review successful programs which could serve as models for improvements in our county, and invite participation at its meetings of other persons with useful expertise and experience.

• Regularly review the operations of the ICAC and make suggestions to the Law Enforcement committee for changes as needed.

• To hear and review complaints from the public regarding animal care and control in Ingham County, and to report significant findings to the Law Enforcement committee.

• Continue efforts to increase and encourage participation by volunteers at the shelter.

• Recommend appropriate resolution language that no person shall be denied the opportunity to serve as a volunteer at the Ingham County Animal Shelter on the basis of his or her political views or on the basis of his or her membership in any organization. The First Amendment rights of volunteers to freedom of speech and freedom of association shall be respected. The resolution will also indicate that while the Board of Commissioners recognizes these individual rights, volunteers will not advocate against county policy when they are assisting at the animal shelter or doing county business.

• Review background of new hires to ensure that they have educational and/or work background in animal management, not just law enforcement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the membership of this Advisory Board will comprise of the following,

• 2 full-voting members of the Board of Commissioners, to be recommended to the Board for appointment by the Law Enforcement Committee. One Commissioner must be a member of the Law Enforcement Committee.

• 1 member affiliated with animal research (i.e. be veterinarian/animal medical care professional (from local practice or MSU) )

• 1 member nominated by a rescue organization affiliated with the shelter or the Capital Area Humane Society

• 1 shelter volunteer

• The ICAC director (or the director's designee)

• 1 member of the general public

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Andy Schor