St. Mary's County, MD Animal Control Advisory Board for St. Mary's County, 3 Mar 2021

Previous Meeting Next Meeting

⏯

youtube image

►

From YouTube: 3/3/21 Animal Control Advisory Board for St. Mary's County

Description

No description was provided for this meeting.
If this is YOUR meeting, an easy way to fix this is to add a description to your video, wherever mtngs.io found it (probably YouTube).

A

Evening and welcome to the march 3rd 2021 meeting of the animal control advisory board.

A

We'll begin with roll call, and I see that on our remote we have joy, wilson, susan morris and cesar.

A

And at the table we have melissa.

A

Rita dave and myself, so we do have a quorum. Our first order of business is to approve.

A

The minutes you've had an opportunity to review the minutes, so I'll need a motion.

B

I move that we approve the minutes of the january 6 2021 meeting as presented one second, okay,.

A

It's been moved and seconded, dr lankford is the second all those in favor, please say: aye aye, aye,.

A

Aye, okay,.

A

All right uh unanimous, thank you and we're going to make a slight change in our agenda. We're due to.

A

Scheduling we're going to ask mr walker to come up with his associates to do the shelter update.

C

Good evening, good evening, good evening,.

D

Good evening good evening, mr dietrich good evening drew.

D

Are you good, oh okay? uh Well, we've had actually a pretty productive three months and january.

D

Yep and I'm going to turn it over to drew kelly for the details, but uh had some good news on our.

D

Permit from mde the schedule and so forth and uh pretty happy uh had good interactions with.

D

The contractor uh reviewed, uh you know, walk through the plans with them uh uh coming along.

D

Very nicely- and I guess I'll just turn it over to mr kelly for the details. Thank you, john.

E

um So february was really busy for us here at dpw um we uh received on the 10th of february the 95.

E

Drawing submission from the contractor, um which we turned around with comments and um revision.

E

Requests uh for what will end up being our final building permit submission later this month,.

E

And then later in the month, we both submitted and then ended up actually getting approval for.

E

The tier 2 um review analysis from mde um that timeline was a little bit faster than we were.

E

Projecting anticipating from from the experience of the airport um but uh one of their requirements,.

E

uh Is that we put some additional county property into forest conservation um and the way that.

E

We're doing that involves the recording of a flat that is adjacent to the animal shelter parcel. So.

E

There still is a little bit of lag time, we're not quite ready to rock and roll out the door.

E

But probably within the next 30 to 45 days, we will be requesting the contractor mobilize and.

E

Get started on site with the construction. That sounds wonderful and thank you for.

A

Sending the letter of commitment that was very helpful for us too yeah. I actually.

E

um I didn't make it out with that package, but I have additional copies if anybody wanted just the.

E

Approval from mde, I brought a couple copies to pass around if anybody wanted.

E

It's it basically says: go ahead, okay, um but if anybody would like it I'd be happy to share that.

E

um I can pass it around in just a second here, um so um the steps moving forward are.

E

uh Hopefully, for a groundbreaking in april, um whether that's the beginning or end of april.

E

Don't really have a good grasp on at the moment, but we'll definitely let you know when we kind of.

E

Set a date and get with public information office to plan their virtual ground, breaking as they.

E

Are currently doing, the building construction is probably going to be starting in july.

E

After we have all the site, prep work done and that will align up with uh the issuance of our.

E

Building permit that we'll be submitting for later this month, and we do believe.

E

We're still on track for an early summer of 2022 opening for the facility at this time.

D

Right, and so the project excuse me, will include everything that we previously showed the board.

D

On the concept plan, along with the sidewalk along fdr, yes, boulevard, adding that.

D

Some lighting- I guess, comes along with that. Moving some lighting moving some lighting and.

D

So we're, I think, we're in pretty good shape, okay and uh to get the building to turn over.

D

To mr walker and his staff to operate okay, you have a question: the property.

F

That has to be held in conservation. Will that impact the future expansion potential at all.

E

Initially, my answer would have been yes.

E

But we felt that that was going to encroach too much on future expansion, so we actually moved it.

E

Beyond the property line, and it's actually on the landfill site.

E

And it is overlaying some existing wetlands, so it would have been very difficult to develop.

E

What we put in conservation, we tried to you know, limit that impact to the site. Initially, we.

E

Wanted to put it on there because it would have just made the process go faster, but.

E

For that exact reason, we pushed it over onto the landfill site, so so you've met all the.

B

Md mde is saying: you've met all requirements, then, because of the wetlands you know coming.

B

Down that you've, because you're also then taking another area to put in to conservation.

B

Right, yes, ma'am, okay and it says 0.78, so that's the only amount that you need to do.

E

No uh points I'm assuming you're referencing. The letter that was sent out 0.78 acres was the only.

E

Amount of land that we were able to identify in st mary's county that could have been reforested.

E

Okay, when we took that to mde, we said hey, you know you're telling us we need to reforest 4.4 acres.

E

Right and all we have is 0.78, so when we kind of made that case to them, they said okay, um how about.

E

You go with the two to one for conservation and that's how we got to the eight point.

E

Nine three, I think, is what we had on there: yeah yeah 8.94, sorry.

E

It was a long document right, so how many acres are we impacting by actually clearing and then.

D

How many acres are going into conservation, then uh 4.47? So roughly four and a half acres are.

E

Being cleared and then we're going to be putting in just shy of nine acres um into conservation.

E

Okay is that you say that's back behind there toward the landfill that woodland in there.

E

Yes, sir, if you were to look on like a like the gis map, um there's uh kind of a valley.

E

That runs behind the building and then it it sweeps up um towards like.

E

I'm sorry to be kind of using words to describe this, but towards the service road that goes.

E

Back to where you dump your stuff at the landfill where the metal piles are and stuff, and it's it's.

E

Really that low spot in there that would be very challenging to develop um ever in the future. um So.

E

Knowing that we decided that that was the best place to put in conservation.

E

It does preserve both the landfill or not the animal shelter site and then there's.

E

Actually, another parcel- it's not really related to this, but um is across the street um from fdr.

E

Past the low-lying uh wetlands that are right behind the navy, housing.

E

Both of those were preserved during this for some future development. At some point in time, okay,.

A

Okay, other questions at the table. How about online do we have any questions.

A

No ma'am, okay. I think we all appreciate the long-term thinking, um because we definitely have.

A

Future plans, as you know, so I you know thank you and thank you for all of the work that went into.

A

Providing that additional material to the state, if there are no other questions, then we thank.

A

You very much okay. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you for adjusting the agenda.

A

Could I could I just presume upon you to stay absolutely for maybe five more minutes, because.

A

I'll move now the standing committee item up and even though we have some information.

A

We understand that force for subcommittees to meet. We have to follow these same rules.

A

That we follow for an open meeting correct, but I think we may have had some questions.

A

About how we could go about having either a subcommittee meeting and we're thinking, maybe.

A

Late spring, even summer, or if it if it would be better to turn it into a special meeting,.

A

So I'm going to ask dr langford to just ask the questions that he had about that.

G

Well, we feel that, in light of the fact that we're online to get groundbreaking.

G

The public education subcommittee is going to be very important, ramping up.

G

And so we're thinking that it would be useful if we could have a meeting melissa myself, pat.

G

And joy on that subcommittee- maybe uh late spring early summer, so we kind of like to get that.

G

And so we, as pat said, we have some questions about how to do that. um I know back before kova with.

G

Rita um and and I and some of the others with the shelter we met down at the library uh but.

G

We'd, like maybe your input as to, I think that when we were doing the library, I think some.

C

Things changed and things were brought forth, so they now have to be done very similar to this.

C

So they have to be done very similar to this, so obviously this room might be a good way to.

C

To do it, but let me do some exploration. uh We now have zoom in so many locations. We have.

C

Web accessibility locations, so maybe you know maybe that's something that could be done in my.

C

Building in our room, but let me do some expiration. Okay, if you guys have thoughts or whatever reach.

C

Right out to me and I'll work on that, but let me work with the county attorney's office again. It's.

C

We have to go through the same process as this with open meetings. Act she's got to do through.

C

All of the same uh work, um by the way that is one of the bills, that's in annapolis, to change.

C

So that we would not have to be astringent on that, uh we'll see if that passes or not, but that.

C

Is one of the efforts that's going on with the open meetings act? So let me work on getting a.

C

Bit more on how we can do that again, our our room, our emergency operations center. It's been closed.

C

Down but let me find out where we are on county access to buildings. I do think because of this.

C

Room being available that one should be, but let me verify that, but we have again a very good audio.

C

Visual system that we could do it that way there, certainly this, but this room is used a lot so.

C

Getting on the agenda sometimes is difficult, but let me uh let me work on that, so I made a.

C

Note of this you make a note okay right, because I was thinking you would still have to advertise.

B

Like okay and then those people would be given a number like call in, or would it be that they could.

B

Watch it or we wouldn't be they can't they can't get into discussions yet, but they can watch um one.

C

Thing I always offer, and you can tell people this- that as they're watching text, you text you and.

C

Then you ask the question: for them: it's effective, it works very well, and I think that there's.

C

Nothing wrong with doing that. It certainly is not in violation, but that's an effective way to get.

C

It done and it will work, so I think that that's a good thing to remember again, if you'll just.

C

Make some notes and we'll follow up on how we can do that? I think there's some other rooms. We could.

C

Do this, but we need to make sure plus there's technology to record as you're doing zoom so.

C

Let me see how we can get it done. Okay, great! Well, yeah! I know you need to get it done. I know you. I.

C

Know you need to get working on it, and I would agree with that and I think we're going to get.

C

Closer as we get the next january, we're going to get on a real, fast track, so we'll see how it goes.

C

So we appreciate that and that that is one of the subcommittees that really now needs to.

A

Move um so thank you, yeah, what's which one is? What are you working on? The subcommittee like.

G

Education to kind of that's a big one, some of the animal rescue groups start to get them kind.

G

Of collaborating with us so that by the time it opens we everybody's sort of working together.

G

And uh so some of our members have some contacts with them, but it takes time to.

G

Get those relationships, so would you say context what what what context do you think individuals.

G

In the rescue, different rescue organizations and just start reaching out to them a little bit more.

G

Formally well, I might have some thoughts for you too positive thoughts that might help you so, okay.

C

It really might because, because not only you know, you're talking about public education, but you.

C

Really need to begin to put out you know almost public safety announcements, media announcements.

C

On that, so I might be able to help you with some ideas on that and some resources. So again, public.

C

Education is critical anyway to everything we do, but you know going going and taking.

C

The step of opening a shelter people need to know what's going to be available, what they can. What.

C

They can't do and do so, but let me let me think about some ideas on that, so I've got some other.

C

Ideas that might help you, oh okay. Well, thankfully, dr lankford has agreed to chair that committee and.

A

Joy and melissa have agreed to participate, and we appreciate that I might reach out to you directly.

C

And I'll give you some thoughts and see what you think and then we can go forward. If you want to.

C

So um rita will continue to chair the animal shelter subcommittee good um that changes.

A

Focus now right once we get the construction started, so our our budget request is in it's for.

C

The shelter manager to start in january remember it's a request at this time.

C

Until the commissioners approve or deny we have um 13 approved, I think it was and we.

C

Have what we consider 12 and a half employees? These are what were in the study that was done.

C

Again, as we know, the only one that's not in there that was identified was.

C

The veterinarian and then the only other one we've held on for now is we didn't put in the one that.

C

Is a transport person because the animal shelter I mean, I'm sorry, the animal control can assist us.

C

And then again, as we move forward, we'll begin to assess very quickly the needs of that we should.

C

Know by june 1st that these are approved, so what we did on the budget is and again it's.

C

It's in the budget request, so it's it's up on board docs. If you want to take a look.

C

So the shelter manager we are trying to have them start in january, and we would begin before that.

C

Time frame preparing that and then what we did is depending on when the shelter is completed, we are.

C

Figuring it on june of next year, so we figured on one-twelfth of the budget. We would start paying.

C

Those other employees in june and then all of the rest year, the next budget year, would be the.

C

First, full year of shelter, employees and again there may be more once we get up and running.

C

I suspect we will, but this gives us a good start to to go into that so and that's something you.

C

Need to be working on giving us input on what you think so, and that kind of leads me to we.

A

Originally had four subcommittees, and so we have chairs one continuing a new chair for two of them.

A

One of the subcommittees is, is ordinances and I'm just going to suggest that we hold off on that one.

A

Possibly, even until we get the shelter manager, that's a good idea. I really think that's a great.

C

Idea, I think that person has to be agreed involved in that and hopefully has experience in it. Yes,.

A

Yes, so I think that's a great idea and then the um bylaws subcommittee, I think we would be able.

A

To handle that as an entire board, we haven't had really too many changes. We know that in the spring.

A

We're going to put forward a an updated resolution on numbers members number of members, so that would.

A

Go, but that is something that should be handled by the entire board. We can handle that okay, good, so.

A

I just wanted to also mention that part of what we've tried to do is to consider that we will. We.

A

Have two vacancies right now and we know that it is a spring function for diane gleissner to.

A

Put forward names of members for any vacancies on any of the commissioner's boards and commissions.

A

So we feel like we need to get those vacancies filled to have enough members to you know, be.

A

Able to conduct some of the subcommittee work, and we also understand that any interested people can.

A

Apply online at this time, starting with the county's main website.

A

That would be saint mary's md.com and it and it will lead you to the application procedure so.

A

That will keep us. I think we will be very busy with what we have right now.

A

And that, I think, is some of the longer term things and anything.

A

Else that comes up that we need to handle. I think we handle as a board in its entirety.

A

Are there any other questions for mr walker.

G

uh When do you anticipate your search for the manager and interviews has had to be about so.

C

If july 1st it's approved right, we will begin to start to formulate that right away.

C

I could anticipate maybe september starting to actually do the search. We can't begin to really.

C

Do the interviews and what we could do, maybe some, but we can't really begin to employment.

C

For that person until of course, january 1st, if, if that's what's approved, so I think we'll begin.

C

Right after that, so, and and certainly the board member one of you needs to be involved in that.

C

And we'll see how that goes, um and what I'll do is I'll kind of give you some ideas, as we get closer.

C

On what search processor is and- and uh it's going to be pretty intensive on how we do it.

C

It's going to be very selective, going to be going to be very focused on what we want.

C

And they're going to have to demonstrate some things that that they can do.

C

And uh and I've shared a little bit with it with the chairman on some of the things, but.

C

Again, it can't be some quick process, it's got to be something that really meets our needs.

C

And they're going to have to demonstrate that so that's good we're going to take our time. We're.

C

Going to make sure we do it right and let's get the right person the first time. So I think that's.

G

Crucial a strong leader, absolutely it is going to be so because of the public interaction and they.

C

Got a big job because they're going to be writing policies they're going to be building they'll, we.

C

Have to have that that right person, so so, let's do it together. Okay, we're happy to help with that.

C

All right all right! Thank you, mr walker. All right, I need to step out so. Okay I'll have a good time.

C

Thank you. um Our next item is the annual report and we are scheduled to approve that tonight.

A

You've had a copy of the annual report. Thank you for board members who submitted.

A

Input and found a few things there that needed to be corrected, but also some substantive, substantive.

A

Work, the only thing that we needed to change came after the report had already gone out. It's.

A

Very tiny and marianne has already taken care of it, and it is the cover has the correct year. It is.

A

The 2020 annual report, if you then turn to page one at the top of the page where the title is.

A

It actually says the 2019 and marianne has now changed that on the official record to 2020.

A

Are there any other things that needed to be corrected or changed in that report?.

A

Okay, then I'll ask for a motion to approve.

F

I'll move to approve the 2020 annual report for the advisory board as presented. Thank you. Do we.

A

Have a second I second, it okay, dr lankford, is the second. It's been moved and approved all those in.

A

Favor to approve the 2020 annual report, please say: aye aye, aye, aye, aye, okay, looking for joy and susan.

B

A

I thank you very much. We have a unanimous approval so that now goes on the record.

A

We also have an opportunity if any of the board members at this time.

A

Would like to make any comments and I'm looking to.

A

See if we have any board members who are interested in making any comments tonight.

A

In that case, I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. I move to adjourn the meeting.

B

A second melissa has seconded uh the motion, all those in favor all right.