HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-029-10CIBTlll~°'COIl REPORT
CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: September 27, 2010 Resolution#: ~i ~~ '~~'/~ By-law#: N/A
Report#: CLD-029-10 File#:
Subject: DISCONTINUATION OF ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
THAT Report CLD-029-f0 be received;
2. THAT the Resolution of the 2006-2010 Clarington Animal Advisory Committee,
recommending that the Committee be disbanded be received;
3. THAT Resolution GPA-402-96, establishing an Animal Advisory Committee be
rescinded;
4. THAT staff continue to seek input from members of the public and industry
experts when contemplating major policy changes, innovative initiatives or
significant service level changes through appropriate means; and.
THAT the members of the 2006-2010 Clarington Animal Advisory Committee be
advised of Council's decision and thanked for their accomplishments throughout
their term on this Committee.
Submitted by
by:
PLB/kb
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379
REPORT NO.: CLD-029-10 PAGE 2
BACKGROUND
The Clarington Animal Advisory Committee was established in 1996 through the
adoption of Resolution GPA-402-96 which reads as follows:
"THAT Report CD-37-06 be received;
THAT Council approve the establishment of an Animal Control Advisory
Committee as reflected in the body of Report CD-37-96 subject to review by
Council after nine months;
THAT meetings be held during business hours;
THAT Staff be directed to take all actions necessary for the implementation of
this Committee; and
THAT all interested parties be advised of Council's decision.
At that time, Terms of Reference were established with the mission of the Committee to
be:
"to promote and ensure excellence and professionalism in
animal care and control through continuing education,
effective networking, mutual support and the enhancement
of the profession to provide quality, cost effective services to
our citizens and care to the animals in our Municipality'.
At the time the Committee was established Animal Services, consisting of three full-time
officers and one part-time officer had only recently transferred to the Municipal Clerk's
Department.
Input was acknowledged from a select group of residents expressing an interest in
working with Animal Services to assist in establishing policies and ensuring suitable
training opportunities were implemented, and Council resolved to establish the Advisory
Committee. Report CD-37-96 (Attachment 1 to this Report), details the Terms of
Reference adopted by Council.
The Animal Advisory Committee has traditionally consisted of members of our
community who either have a personal interest in animals or who are professionals
within the animal-related industry as well as a personal interest in animal welfare. The
Committee has assisted in reviewing policy initiatives and promoting Clarington Animal
Services.
Since 1996, the Animal Services Division has evolved significantly in their structure,
service level standards and, most importantly, in the role they play in our community.
Currently Animal Services is comprised of four full-time officers, one part-time officer
REPORT NO.: CLD-029-10 PAGE 3
and apart-time clerical support staff who provide excellent professional and
knowledgeable services to our community. Collectively our staff represents
approximately 100 years ofanimal-related experience. All officers are members of the
Association of Animal Administrators of Ontario and are all mandated to attend on-going
training opportunities to remain skilled, educated and current within the industry. To
ensure the Shelter policies remain current and relevant, staff also participate in a
Region-wide Animal Services working group where trends, challenges, opportunities
and service improvements are shared, discussed and acted on. Customer service is a
priority across our organization and all of our Animal Services staff remain current with
our customer service standards. As well, and perhaps, most importantly, health and
safety is an integral part of our day-to-day activities at the Shelter. Our Officers must
work in an unpredictable environment ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-
workers, the community as a whole and the animals. To support our commitment to
health and safety, our officers receive regular training, regularly review internal
procedures and protocols, and subscribe to and reference various industry publications.
Over the past few years, Animal Services has undertaken a number of research
initiatives in response to community requests, industry trends and community/animal
safety issues, such as: restricted dog legislation, kennel licensing, leash-free parks,
and urban chicken farming, to name a few. Throughout the review process, staff not
only sought feedback from the Animal Advisory Committee, but they also sought
feedback from other external agencies, industry professionals both within and outside of
our community and key stakeholders within our community. This approach to data
collection and stakeholder input proved to be very valuable and relevant.
Summary
While the input of the Animal Advisory Committee has been welcome and much
appreciated, the benefit of community input through this forum has diminished over
time. There is no question that there was a desire from the community to help shape
the role of the Clarington Animal Services. However, over the past number of years, the
frequency of meetings of the Animal Advisory committee has diminished largely due to
the implementation of policies and operating procedures, which are being actively
followed. The future of this Advisory Committee was discussed at the most recent
meeting of the Committee and it was unanimous that the Committee recommend to
Council that it be disbanded. (See Attachment 2.)
It is staff's recommendation, therefore, that Council disband the Clarington Animal
Advisory Committee and endorse the concept of seeking input from members of the
public and industry experts when contemplating major policy changes, innovative
initiatives or significant service level changes through less formal, ad hoc, and
appropriate means.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 -Report CD-037-96
Attachment 2 -Clarington Animal Advisory Committee Minutes -September 13110
ATTAC{NJIENT ir~_i0
REPORT;C LO-aa -io
THE
DN: ANIMAL4D.COM.
REPORT
Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee
Date: Tuesday, July 2, 1996
Report #: ~ File #:
n ~ ,/~ N
File # `-$~J,~~~•~~,,,~
Res.#[~r~r .1~~-gfo
By-Law #
Subject: REQUEST FROM CITIZENS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANIMAL
CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration
Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CD-37-96 be received;
2. THAT direction be provided under Option "A" or Option "B" as outlined below:
Option "A": That the establishment of an Animal Control Advisory
Committee as reflected in the body of Report
CD-37-96 be approved subject to review by Council after one
year; and
THAT Staff be directed to take all actions necessary for the
implementation of this Committee; and
OR
Option "B": THAT the request for the establishment of an Animal Control
Advisory Committee be denied; and
3. THAT all interested parties be advised of Council's decision.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 On November 13, 1995, Council unanimously approved the following resolution:
"THAT the delegations of Kerry Meydam, Linda Gasser and Trudie Reid, be
acknowledged; and
Tk-IAT their comments be referred to the Clerk's Department for consideration and
evaluation and preparation of a report to be submitted to the General Purpose
..oE ~®, ~.~.E ~ 6 01
Report CD-37-96 - 2 - July 2; 1996
and Administration Committee, including a possible terms of reference for an
Animal Control Advisory Committee."
1.2 The Animal Control Services Division transferred to the Clerk's Department on
December 4, 1995 and Staff have been acquainting themselves on the multi-
faceted responsibilities of the Animal Control Services Division.
1.3 The following actions have been taken by Staff:
• A letter was sent on February 16, 1996 seeking input from interested
parties. (See Attachment #1).
• During the month of March, several Municipalities were contacted to
determine the existence, if any, of an Ahimal Control Advisory Committee
in these Municipalities.
• Two meetings were held: one on April 11, 1996 and one on May 1, 1996
with the following persons in attendance:
- Linda Gasser
- Kerry Meydam
- Trudie Reid
- Liz White/Anne Livingston, Animal Alliance of Canada
- Laurie Davis, Durham Animal Adoption
- Sr. Animal Control Officer
- Deputy Clerk
• On April 25, 1996 Staff visited three Animal Shelters located in Oshawa,
Whitby and Port Perry to observe their operations and discuss their
..policies.
602
Report CD-37-96 - 3 -
July 2, 1996
2. OPTION "A" -
APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST FOR AN ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
It was emphasized by the participants of the meeting who requested the
establishment of an Animal Control Advisory Committee that the purpose of their
request is to "support and act as a resource to the Staff of the Animal Control
Services Division for the efficient and compassionate care of the animals".
2.1 MISSION STATEMENT
It was generally agreed that the following mission statement best reflects the
intent of the participants of the meeting:
"To promote and ensure excellence and professionalism in animal care and
control through continuing education, effective networking, mutual support and
the enhancement of the profession to provide quality, cost effective services to
our citizens and care to the animals in our municipality."
2.2 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
It was the general consensus that the number of persons on the committee
should be kept at ten or less and the following representation was suggested:
• three community representatives;
• one veterinarian;
• one representative from Durham Animal Adoption;
• one representative from the Canadian Association of Zoological Parks and
Aquariums;
• Sr. Animal Control Officer or alternate;
• Deputy Clerk or alternate; and
• one Council Member.
_ 603
Report CD-37-96 - 4 - July 2, 1996
Since Staff of the Animal Control Services Division work closely with the Fire
Department, Police Department, Oshawa District Humane Society and Health
Department, copies of Agendas and Minutes would be forwarded to these
agencies and they would be given the opportunity to attend meetings if they
wanted to discuss a specific issue.
2.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE
Members of the Animal Control Advisory Committee would support and assist the
Animal Control Division with the following:
• the promotion of various animal care programs;
• ,public education relating to animal ownership;
• more publicity/visibility of the Clarington animal shelter;
• "target specific" fundraising: i.e., for the purchase of a special piece of
equipment, etc.;
• assist the Animal Control Officers with upgrading/expanding their
qualifications by researching availability of animal related education
programs;
• review by-laws, policies and procedures -make recommendations and
provide support;
• initiation and promotion of financial donations to the animal shelter for
which the Municipality will issue tax exempt receipts;
• help to promote animal education in elementary schools;
• seniors sometimes have to give up their pet because of a short-term crisis;
members of the committee would assist these seniors by feeding and
walking their pet during this crisis;
• visit nursing homes with a pet;
• promote animal care programs;
• provide fundraising dollars to improve the animal shelter relating to
isolation of communicable diseases;
• write a regular newspaper column pertaining to pet awareness.
- 604
Report CD-37-96 - 5 - July 2, 1996
2.4 METHOD OF APPOINTMENT
Members of the Committee would be appointed by Council for a one year term.
2.5 REPORTING MECHANISMS
• Meetings would be held monthly, in the evening.
• Minutes of each meeting would be placed on the Council Agenda for
Council's information.
• Periodical status reports would be prepared for the information of Council.
• Members of the Committee would make recommendations to Staff who
would then report to and seek Council's direction on the issues.
2.6 NAME OF COMMITTEE
The following names were suggested:
- Clarington Animal Control Community Advisory Committee (CACCAC)
- Clarington Animal Services Support Committee (CASSC)
- .Partners of Animal Services (PAS)
-OR-
The official launch of the committee would be publicized by having a "Name the
Committee" contest.
2.7 It was reiterated that it is not the intention of the Committee to interfere with or
circumvent the activities of Staff or to create another level of bureaucracy. The
above activities would all be co-ordinated through Staff and with the prior
approval of Council. The processes described would be totally funded from the
fundraising efforts of the. Committee and at NO cost to the Municipality. The
establishment of an Animal Advisory Committee in the Municipality of Clarington
is viewed by the participants of the meeting as a pilot project in Ontario; an
opportunity for the Municipality of Clarington to provide leadership in this field and
"shine" in this endeavour.
605
Report CD-37-96 - 6 - July 2,.1996
3. OPTION "B" -
DENIAL OF THE REQUEST FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANIMAL
CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Animal Shelter of the Municipality of Clarington is manned by three
full-time and one part-time animal control officers. The experience of these
officers represents approximately 44 years of animal related experience in the
following capacity:
Animal Health Technician;
- Veterinary Assistant;
- Veterinary and Emergency Clinic;
- Oshawa Humane Society;
- Zoo employee; and
- Animal Control Officer.
On March 27, 1996 Staff contacted James H. Bandow, General Manager, City of
Toronto Department of Public Health, who advised that he is not aware of the
existence of an Animal Control Advisory Committee in Ontario. However, he
noted that such Committees exist in Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina.
Subsequently we contacted Animal Control Staff of the City of Winnipeg to
request input regarding their Animal Advisory Committee. The Animal Control
Officer who has been employed in this field for 30 years, suggested that the
Municipality of Clarington should "stay away" from such a Committee and
described the City of Winnipeg's Committee as "brutal". He stated that various
organizations are represented on the Committee and that 50% of persons
attending the meeting bring their own personal agendas to the table. He advised
that the Committees which are located in Calgary and Regina have been
disbanded because they were "ineffective" and "didn't work".
606
Report CD-37-96 - 7 - July 2, 1996
Upon review of the possible formation of an Animal Control Advisory Committee,
the following concerns come to mind:
• The residents of the Municipality may view the formation of an Animal Control
Advisory Committee as a deficiency of the operation as it now stands.
• The establishment of the Animal Control Advisory Committee may create another
level of bureaucracy.
• The creation of this Committee may increase and over burden Staff's workload.
• The Committee initiated projects may result in added costs to the Municipality.
• Committee Members may interfere with the administration of Animal Control
Services.
• If this committee is established, its members may bring their own personal
agendas to the meeting.
• Members of the Committee may lack focus and commitment.
• The activities of the Committee could increase the financial liability of the
Municipality.
• Who, in the end, will be accountable for the actions of the Committee should an
animal related disaster occur?
4: CONCLUSION
Staff have attempted to present a clear picture of the merits and disadvantages
of the establishment of an Animal Control Advisory Committee. All interested
parties have been given an opportunity to review the contents of the report and
to appear before Members of the Committee as a delegation. It is therefore
recommended:
THAT Report CD-37-96 be received;
THAT direction be provided under Option "A" or Option "B" as outlined below:
607
Report CD-37-96 - 8 - July 2, 1996
Option "A": THAT the establishment of an Animal Control Advisory
Committee as reflected in the body of Report
CD-37-96 be approved subject to review by Council after one
year; and
THAT Staff be directed to take all actions necessary for the
implementation of this Committee.
OR
Option "B": THAT the request for the establishment of an Animal Control
Advisory Committee be denied.
Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by,
~ti~~~~
W. H. Stockwell
Chief Administrative Officer
MPK*PLB*Ib
Attachments
Interested parties to be advised of Council's decision.
- L. Gasser,
- K. Meydam, _
_ _ _ -
- T. Reid.-- - _ _ -
- Laurie Davis, Durham Animal Adoption, _ _-
-- - -
-Liz White/Anne Livingston, Animal Alliance of Canada,
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite .101, Toronto, M4M 2G3
- Sheila Elkington, Senior Animal Control Services Officer
608
Attachment #1
MUNICIPALITY OF
~~arington
ONTARIO
February 16, 1996
RE: PREPARATION OF REPORT PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
On November 13, 1995, the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
enacted a resolution which requested the Clerk's Department to prepare a report pertaining
to consideration and evaluation of an Animal Control Advisory Committee.
Pursuant to the passage of this resolution, on December 4, 1995, the Animal Control
Services Division transferred to the Clerk's Department. Since then, we have been very
busy getting acquainted with ourAnimal Control Officers and their responsibilities regarding
the pets which are under our care. I have just. begun to do research regarding the above-
referenced Animal Control Advisory Committee.
I would be very grateful if you, as an interested party, could provide me with written
comments regarding the possible formation of this committee. Your input could address the
following criteria:
- Name of the committee
- Composition of the committee
- Mission Statement/Goals
- Mandate
- Recommendations for joint/co-operative efforts
- Reporting mechanisms
- Suggestions for improvements
- Any other ideas you may want to share with us.
If you could forward this documentation to me by March 8, 1996, we will review the
material thoroughly prior to our scheduling a meeting of all interested parties and Staff some
time in early April. Please indicate your telephone number on your correspondence so that
we can save time and invite you to the meeting by telephone.
I think you will agree that this is a very important matter and therefore we feel that we
should not "rush into" making recommendations pertaining to this committee. If you have
any questions, please call me. I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your input.
Yours very truly,
Marie P. Knight, .0., CMM
Deputy Clerk
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
63 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE •ONTARIO L1C 3A6 (90s) 623-3379 FA% 623-4169
609
NEC~CLEO V~aEN
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AttacLment #2
~~.~
ANIMAL
ALLIAnf CE
of caua ~A
Anirnai
Prolectioa
througtr
Education &
dduocac'v
Maxie Knight
Municipality of Clarington
Fax 905-623-4169
May 2, 1996
Dear Marie;
Thank you for having me at your meeting about the
animal control committee yesterday. It was a
pleasure to meet you anti everyone else, and the
meeting was very intere:stinq. If the committee idea
is approved by council, I hope its members are as
enthusiastic, co-operative and supportive as th.e
group yesterday wasl
In response to your request to find out about
similar community/anima:l control committees in
Ontario, I phoned Jim Bandow. As you know, he is
the head of animal control in Toronto and the
president of the Association of Shelter
Administrators of Ontario. He told me he was
unaware of any such committee in Ontario, but said
that there was one in Winnipeg he had already told
you about.
I told him a bit about what we hope this committee
will do and why. He thought that ten people was
perhaps too many; he fEalt a committee of 6-8 people
would be a more manageable size. He also thought
that the size of the committee was less important
than the balance of it. It is very important not to
let it be taken over by special interest groups or
individuals with their own hidden agendas. Firm
rules should be established to preclude these
dangers. Diversity is i:o be encouraged.
Jim is someone we at Animal Alliance respect very
much. We often ask him for information or advice.
I hope his comments are of some use to you.
.~.~~~
22lBroadviewAve. Thanks again for the neat meeting! I look for~~~ard
SuitellJf,Toronto to hearing what happens next with this most
Onlario,Canada encouraging initiative.
M4M ZG3
(416) 4629541 For t e animals, _
Facsimile LEA - . ~/
(416) 462964 i v~'~
Anne Livingston
Dizector
® - b1Q
m; UU..
Attachment 2 to
Report CLD-029-10
The following is an excerpt of the September 15, 2010 Clarington Animal Advisory
Committee minutes:
Moved by Rhonda Johnson, seconded by Helen Koseck
THAT the Animal Advisory Committee be deemed to have fulfilled its goals
and outlived its need;
THAT the Committee recommend to Council to disband the Clarington Animal
Advisory Committee; and
THAT the Clerk's Department and Animal Services Division continue to seek
input from members of the public, and industry experts, through a less formal,
adhoc process on an "as needed" basis when major issues arise which may
require public or industry input.
CARRIED