Item 5: Annual Internal Review Report 2024-2025 — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 __ Austin Animal Advisory Commission__ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per City Code Section 2-1-102) is: Advise the city council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters), city code, and council objectives. Advise council and Travis County Commissioners Court on animal welfare policies and on budget priorities identified by the Commission and the community, except on issues related to the administration of the Animal Services Division. Promote collaboration between the City and interested parties relating to animal welfare in the city. Identify proactive, creative approaches to engage and facilitate communication within animal welfare community, and foster and assist the development of animal welfare programs in the community. Promote collaboration between the City and private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting activities relating to animal welfare in the City. The commission may study, advise, and report on policy recommendations it deems effective to promote animal welfare outcomes consistent with City goals and objectives as outlined by City Council and the City Manager. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Reference all reports, recommendations, letters or resolutions presented to the City Council on mission-specific issues. If some of the elements of the mission statement were not acted on by the board in the past year, the report should explain why no action was taken.) Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # In FY 2024, the Austin Animal Advisory Commission: • Held monthly public meetings other than a planned lack of meeting in November 2024 and the May 2025 meeting being cancelled due to lack of quorum • Received public comment on animal issues • Provided a public forum for monthly reports on Animal Services and operations at the Austin Animal Center • Received quarterly briefings from Austin Pets Alive • Received briefings from City staff regarding the Animal Services Office Strategic Planning Process • Received feedback and conducted discussion regarding the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 • Received briefings from City staff regarding the implementation of Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 • Received briefings and presentations from City staff regarding: Bond Election Advisory Task Force; Overview of 2026 ASO budget requests; Hot weather protocols at AAC; ASO’s three-year public relations plan The Commission created the following Working Groups to study and possibly recommend action on the following issues: • Working Group on Community Cat Processing – Concluded with passage of recommendation in 7/2025 • Working Group on Long Distance Adoption – Dissolved • Working Group on Marketing for Good Fix Spay/Neuter Clinics – Concluded with passage of recommendation in 8/2025 • Working Group on Targets for AAS Strategic Plan 2025-2030 – Ongoing Commission passed the following recommendations: • Recommendation 20240708-005: Allowing of companion animals into designated City of Austin Cooling Centers • Recommendation 20241014-007: Banning Glue Traps at City of Austin Facilities • Recommendation 20250210-005: Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 Overall the commission supported significantly improved, robust dialogue in addition to recommendations on animal welfare policies. The commission under performed on the duties to advise on budget priorities and compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. (If any of the board’s actions were outside the scope of the mission statement, the report should explain the non-compliance issues.) The actions taken by the Animal Advisory Commission throughout the year comply with our mission statement and support the stated goals of this Commission. Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. (Make sure the goals and objectives fall within the mission statement of the board/commission.) • Create a strategic plan working group as requested by Juany/ASO (Commissioner Ferguson added an agenda item regarding this working group that was approved by the Commission in 7/2025) • Debate and develop meaningful input on the budget • Debate and develop meaningful input on the bond package (AAS should be included) • Develop a list of short term goals • Increase community cat vouchers (currently $250 but with the change to include local veterinarians, $250 is not enough) Improve advice regarding compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters) •