REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, January 13, 2025, 6 p.m. Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101 301 West 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Laura Hoke, Mayor CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on December 9, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Receive feedback from members of the public regarding the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Christi Vitela, Office of the City Clerk at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 9, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on December 9, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Luis Herrera, D6 Lotta Smagula, D1 Larry Tucker, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Whitney Holt, D5 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Sarah Huddleston, D9 Commissioners Absent: Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Deborah Ro – TNR in the community Laura Nesmith – TNR in the community Wendy Weiss - TNR in the community Jacobi Alvarez – TNR in the community Rochelle Vickery – TNR in the community 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 14, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of October 14, 2024, was approved on Commissioner Tucker’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Nemer, and Nilson were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. The presentation was made by Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager, Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager, Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager, Financial Services Department, and Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant. None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Dulzaides’ motion, Commissioner Tucker’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Nemer, and Nilson were absent. The minutes were approved at the XX, meeting on Commissioner XX’s motion, Commissioner XX’s second on a X-X vote. 2
HUMANE CARE Measures: Strategies: CITY OF AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICE STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-2030 DRAFT 01.08.2025 Vision: The vision of the Animal Services Office (ASO) is to provide services and resources that allow people and animals to thrive in the city of Austin. Description: Meet animals’ physical and emotional needs and ensure a high quality of life for animals in shelter and foster care by providing enrichment, behavioral support, and well- maintained facilities. Goal: Increase enrichment, socialization, and behavioral services • # of times out of kennel per day per dogs (2 times for large dogs, 3 times for small dogs) • % of animals with daily in-kennel enrichment • # of staff training hours in animal behavior • Expand capacity to provide enrichment and socialization services for all animals through adequate staff, volunteers, funding, and partnerships • Offer staff training and educational opportunities in animal behavior • Enhance support for fosters through training and resources Goal: Improve campus facilities and physical spaces Measures: • Average amount of time between issue identification and entry of work order into Building Services system • Additional location analysis completed within 12 months of strategic plan implementation Strategies: • • In partnership with the Building Services Department, identify opportunities to enhance proactive maintenance and optimize facility operations Identify priority facility upgrades and develop a timeline to enhance animal and staff spaces for optimal care and safety • Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations) ASO Strategic Plan 2025-2030 Final Draft, 01.08.2025 Subject to further review and revision by the Animal Advisory Commission, City Management, and Austin City Council page 1 Goal: Enhance shelter cleanliness and sanitation • Pass yearly state health inspection • Quarterly kennel cleanliness audit Measures: Strategies: Measures: Strategies: • Establish and implement a sanitation protocol for facilities and kennels aligned with best practices, including routine checks to maintain a high standard of cleanliness Goal: Develop responsible pathways for all eligible animals emphasizing those with behavioral needs • % of at-risk animals who have a behavioral training plan • % of behavioral animals placed with partners and rescues • % of adult animals in ASO care beyond 30 days who are plead for foster or rescue placement • % of behavioral animals in ASO who are plead for foster placement • Total number of cats and dogs over 30 days • …
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION January 13, 2025, 6 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 W. 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Laura Hoke, Mayor AGENDA ADDENDUM CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL STAFF BRIEFING 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff briefing on the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Christi Vitela, Office of the City Clerk at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
Strategic Planning Update to Animal Advisory Commission Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager January 13, 2025 Strategic Planning Team & Working Group PLANNING TEAM • Responsible for coordination of the strategic planning process, including managing timelines, selecting Working Group members, and plan refinement. Included representatives from ASO staff, Animal Advisory Commission, City Manager’s Office, and Travis County WORKING GROUP • Responsible for using feedback and information gathered from stakeholders, along with their expertise in animal welfare, to collaboratively develop the strategic plan during a series of workshops facilitated by the external consultant • Included Planning Team, a community advocate and representatives from: 2 o ASO staff o ASO volunteers o Animal Advisory Commission o Austin Humane Society o Austin Lost and Found o Austin Pets Alive o City Manager’s Office o Classic Canines o Emancipet o TRAPRS Trapping, Rescue and Pet Recovery Service o Travis County 2 Strategic Planning Process Overview Purpose: To map out the strategic planning process. External consultant Dr. Larry Schooler hired Planning Team and Working Group members identified STRATEGIC PLAN PREPARATION Apr to Jun 2024 PHASE 1: ASSESSMENT Jun to Aug 2024 PHASE 2: STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT Aug 2024 to Jan 2025 PHASE 3: STRATEGIC PLAN FINALIZATION Jan to Mar 2025 Purpose: To understand ASO's current state and gather feedback from stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, partners, and the community to ensure the strategic plan is responsive to the needs, priorities, and aspirations of stakeholders. Purpose: To create a strategic plan that addresses audit findings, fulfills ASO’s mission, and effectively balances stakeholder needs and aspirations while building trust among Working Group members. Purpose: To share, finalize, and adopt the strategic plan. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Conducted a community survey with 2,041 participants Held four listening sessions with 40 ASO volunteers Held nine listening sessions with 94 ASO staff members Interviewed 10 ASO leadership team members Interviewed 11 community partners Reviewed prior audits, reports, and surveys Benchmarked similar animal welfare organizations Compiled two comprehensive reports of survey and listening session findings Held five initial workshops with the Working Group Shared draft focus areas and goals with stakeholders Held staff town hall to gather feedback on draft framework Conducted community survey to gather feedback on draft framework Feedback shared with …
