Strategic Planning Update to Animal Advisory Commission Stephanie Hayden-Howard | Assistant City Manager Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant August 12, 2024 What’s Happened so far STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS & LISTENING SESSIONS PUBLIC SURVEY (2000+ RESPONSES) CONVENING OF WORKING GROUP Assessment Phase Stakeholder Engagement • ASO Strategic Plan SpeakUp Page went live on July 17th survey • Includes process overview and community • Will be updated throughout process • Additional input opportunities will be posted on this page in the Fall • More than 13k views to date • Community Survey open until August 14th • Survey open from July 17th to August 14th • More than 2k participants to date Strategic Plan Updates Assessment Phase Stakeholder Engagement • ASO Leadership Interviews • Completed in July • 9 participants • ASO Staff Listening Sessions • Underway, Complete on August 15th • 90+ staff participants (attended/scheduled to attend) • ASO Volunteer Listening Sessions • Completed August 10th • 40 volunteer participants • External Stakeholder Interviews • External Stakeholder Listening Session • Planning underway • Reviewed previous stakeholder engagement outputs from the City Auditor and ASO Strategic Planning Updates 4 Working Group Participants • Animal Commission Members • Austin Lost and Found • Austin Pets Alive • Classic Canines • City of Austin Staff • Emancipet • Humane Society • Travis County • TRAPRS • Individual Community Advocates: • Pat Valles-Trelles • Shelly Leibham Strategic Planning Update 5 Working Group Meeting • Dr. Schooler facilitated first working group meeting on August 7th • All partners attended Strategic Planning Update 6 Working Group's Work So Far • Building relationships, mutual respect, and trust • Forming group agreements • Defining expectations and intentions • Understanding stakeholders • Identifying “the elephants in the room” Upcoming Meetings • Meeting #2: Thursday, Aug 29, 4pm-8pm (confirmed) • Potential topic: What are our overarching goals for Animal Services, and what assets can we leverage? • Meeting #3: Thursday, Sep 5, 3p-7pm (tentative) • Potential topic: How do we chart a course to the future state we want? What could we achieve in the short term? • Meeting #4: Tuesday, Sep 17, 12pm-4pm (tentative) • Potential topic: How do all of the pieces fit together? What should we prioritize? How will we know we are successful? Possible Framework #1 • Appreciative Inquiry Possible Framework #2 • Strategic Doing • Courtesy Strategic Doing Institute Next Steps • …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on August 12, 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 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Larry Tucker, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Luis Herrera, D6 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Whitney Holt, D5 Lotta Smagula, D1 Commissioners Absent: Amanda Bruce, D10 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Paige Nilson, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Tracey B – Foster/TNR Rochelle Vickery – Spay and Neuter Kristyn Williams – TNR/Rescue/Medical Vouchers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 1 Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on July 8, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of July 8, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Nemer’s motion, Vice Chair Linder’s second on a 7-0 vote. Chair Clinton and Commissioner Holt abstained. Commissioners Bruce, Dulzaides, and Nilson were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. 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. Commissioner Smagula requested that Animal Services staff provide additional information related to the July 2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster charts in the Austin Animal Center July 2024 Data Report. Vice Chair Linder requested that Animal Services staff provide information on the number of clinics accepting medical vouchers and the average wait times for intake of sick/injured and healthy animals. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager; Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager, Financial Services; Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant. Commissioner Holt recused herself from the discussion. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Huddleston’s motion, Commissioner Hoke’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Dulzaides, and Nilson were absent. The minutes were approved at the October 14, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Smagula’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Nilson abstained. Commissioner Dulzaides was absent. 2
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION July 8, 2024, 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 Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Amanda Bruce, D10 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 June 10, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding license agreement reports. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Approve a recommendation to Council on animals at City of Austin Cooling Centers. 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 Eric Anderson, Office of (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk at
1. ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on June 10, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Amanda Bruce, D10 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Sarah Huddleston, D9 Paige Nilson, D4 Lotta Smagula, D1 Larry Tucker, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Luis Herrera, D6 Whitney Holt, D5 Commissioners Absent: Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Samantha Haywood – AAC Stray Intake Rochelle Vickery – Trap-Neuter-Return Lyndsey Gauthier – Experience & Exposure Suggestion APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on May 13, 2024. 1 The minutes from the meeting of May 13, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Huddleston’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce and Dulzaides were off the dais. Commissioner Nemer was absent. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. The presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager, Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services, and Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A discussion item related to Animal Services strategic planning was requested by Chair Clinton and Vice Chair Linder. A staff briefing on animals/pets at cooling centers was requested by Commissioner Smagula and Vice Chair Linder. A recommendation to Council on animals at cooling centers was requested by Commissioners Smagula and Linder. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. was made by Vice Chair Linder, seconded by Commissioner Nilson, and accepted without objection. The minutes were approved at the XX, meeting on Commissioner XX’s motion, Commissioner XX’s second on a X-X vote. 2
Information is from October 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Information compiled via ASO Power BI dashboards. Difference of outcomes - intakes Outcome Year (fiscal) Intake Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Cats Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total Dog Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total RTO/RTO Adopt SNR (former SCRP) RTO/RTO Adopt 2024 4075 4291 8366 2024 4012 3854 7866 2024 -63 -437 -500 2024 2422 121 890 89 54 2 370 3948 2024 2647 590 678 66 20 2 4003
June 2024 AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT 1 Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for June was 96.65%. • A total of 1,117 animals were brought to the shelter which included 603 cats, 449 dogs, 45 wild animals, 9 guinea pigs, 3 rabbits, 2 chickens, 1 turkey, 1 snake and 1 tortoise. • A total of 740 animals were adopted (189 adult dogs, 144 puppies, 315 kittens, and 92 adult cats). • A total of 80 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On June 3, there were 1,343 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (682 onsite, 656 in foster, and 3 at a vet clinic and 1 at Austin Pets Alive!). • On July 1, there were 1,278 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (683 onsite, 592 in foster, and 1 at a vet clinic). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 51 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 37 fencing assistance applications and implanted 5 microchip(s). • Officers impounded 189 injured animals and delivered approximately 95 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 249 rabies exposure reports and submitted 42 specimens for rabies testing. We had 3 decomposed bats and 1 decomposed raccoon. • 63 total coyote related activities o 33 Wild Sick o 24 Sightings o 6 Encounters • Out of 63 coyote related reports, 30 reports fell within the reported behavior types. Behavior types include Sighting, Encounter, Incident, and Observation. “Observation” is defined as hearing coyotes howling and finding scat or footprints. o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 6/6 (100%) of encounters reported. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote being chased by a dog and then turned around and chased the dog back. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote with mange “approaching” caller and dog. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote following a caller, kids, and dog. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote growling and following caller and dog. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote following caller and dog. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote with mange interacting with dogs (no contact), growled, and showed teeth to dog. 2 o Incidents: No incidents were reported. • Out of 63 related activities, 33 fell within the reported behavior types (wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured). • There was 70% increase in reports from June 2023 to June 2024 • …
Strategic Planning Update to Animal Advisory Commission Stephanie Hayden-Howard | Assistant City Manager| July 8, 2024 The Assignment • City Auditor’s Report • Develop a Strategic Plan • Work with City Manager’s Office, Animal Services Office, Animal Advisory Commission, and key stakeholders to develop a strategic plan • Align with the City’s animal welfare priorities Strategic Planning Update 2 Planning Discussions • First planning meeting was held on June 25th • Attendees included city staff, two commissioner and Dr. Larry Schooler County capacity. • Whitney Holt will join the planning team in her Travis • The planning group will consist of city, county, two commissioners and Dr. Schooler. Strategic Planning Update 3 Assessment Phase • Dr. Schooler has begun key informant interviews • Currently he will interview several partners and stakeholders: • The planning team • City and County staff, Commissioners Clinton, Linder and Smagula • Leaders from Austin Pets Alive, Human Society and Emancipet • Community Members Pat Valls- Trelles • Former Officers Strategic Planning Update 4 Assessment Phase • Dr. Schooler will conduct external sessions • Audrey Muntz will conduct internal sessions • Online survey via SpeakUpAustin.org • Information from the Auditor’s Office • Including information shared in community engagement sessions • Recent community engagement by Animal Welfare partners Commission • Information from Sessions with the Animal Advisory Strategic Planning Update 5 Proposed Strategic Plan Working Group Participants • All Planning Members • Austin Lost and Found • Austin Pets Alive • Emancipet • Humane Society • Trappers • Individuals • Pat Valles-Trelles Strategic Planning Update 6 Strategic Plan Working Group Task • Review information from the assessment report • Produce the core components of the strategic plan • Earlier sessions will be used to build trust • Develop a shared vision for Animal Welfare • Discussion of the mission and vision including establishing goals Strategic Planning Updates 7 Strategic Plan • The plan will include all aspects from the assessment phase • Documenting the work of the working group • Input from the survey • Mission, Vision and Goals • Communicate the plan • Roles and Responsibilities for carrying out the goals • Metrics to measure progress after implementation Strategic Plan Updates 8 Next Steps • Continue with internal and external meetings key stakeholder meetings • Schedule the Working Group meetings • Community Engagement Discussions • Plan to attend commission meetings monthly for an update Strategic Planning …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number:20240708-005: Allowing of companion animals into designated City of Austin Cooling Centers WHEREAS, current city policy only allows service animals into City facilities, including the places used for Cooling Centers; and WHEREAS, any person with a companion animal would have to be aware to notify staff at a cooling center to contact Animal Services for a cooling truck; and WHEREAS, this would delay the person from being able to enter a cooling center while awaiting a response from Animal Services; and WHEREAS, Animal Services, only if available, will bring a cooling truck to the cooling center, where the companion animal can stay while their person is inside the cooling center; and WHEREAS, this would render that vehicle and the Animal Protection Officer unavailable to answer any calls for assistance while performing this function; and WHEREAS, if Animal Services does not have an available vehicle to send, the person and their companion animal would not be able to enter a cooling center for relief. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to designate a number of cooling centers located throughout the City of Austin that persons with companion animals may go to for relief during times of intense heat when cooling centers are activated. Date of Approval: Record of the Vote: Attest:
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number 20240708-005: Allowing of companion animals into designated City of Austin Cooling Centers WHEREAS, current city policy only allows service animals into City facilities, including the places used for Cooling Centers; and WHEREAS, any person with a companion animal would have to be aware to notify staff at a cooling center to contact Animal Services for a cooling truck; and WHEREAS, this would delay the person from being able to enter a cooling center while awaiting a response from Animal Services; and WHEREAS, Animal Services, only if available, will bring a cooling truck to the cooling center, where the companion animal can stay while their person is inside the cooling center; and WHEREAS, this would render that vehicle and the Animal Protection Officer unavailable to answer any calls for assistance while performing this function; and WHEREAS, if Animal Services does not have an available vehicle to send, the person and their companion animal would not be able to enter a cooling center for relief. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to designate a number of cooling centers located throughout the City of Austin that persons with companion animals may go to for relief during times of intense heat when cooling centers are activated. Date of Approval: July 8, 2024 Record of the vote: The recommendation was approved on Commissioner Smagula’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Holt, and Tucker were absent. Attest: _____________________________________________ Eric Anderson, Staff Liaison, Office of the City Clerk
1. ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 8, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Parliamentarian Nemer called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Luis Herrera, D6 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Paige Nilson, D4 Lotta Smagula, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Commissioners Absent: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Amanda Bruce, D10 Whitney Holt, D5 Larry Tucker, D7 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Spay and Neuter, Found Dogs Jeff Gjertson – Found Dogs, Shelter Intake APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on June 10, 2024. 1 The minutes from the meeting of June 10, 2024, were approved on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Smagula’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Holt, and Tucker were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 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. Commissioner Dulzaides requested that information on the number of animals microchipped this year be provided by Animal Services staff. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding license agreement reports. The presentation was made by Stephanie Bilbro, Austin Pets Alive! Director of Operations. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 5. Approve a recommendation to Council on animals at City of Austin Cooling Centers. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council on animals at City of Austin Cooling Centers was approved on Commissioner Smagula’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Holt, and Tucker were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. Parliamentarian Nemer adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the August 12, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Nemer’s motion, Vice Chair Linder’s second on a 7-0 vote. Chair Clinton and Commissioner Holt abstained. Commissioners Bruce, Dulzaides, and Nilson were absent. 2
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION June 10, 2024, 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 Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Amanda Bruce, D10 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 Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on May 13, 2024. 1. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. 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. (512) 974-2562 or Please contact Eric Anderson, Office of eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk at
