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061820 Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting 6:00 pm, June 18, 2020 There was a meeting of the Randolph County Animal Services Board on Thursday, June 18, 2020, Meeting Room A, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, N.C. 1: Chairman Frye called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and the following members were in attendance: Darrell Frye, David Allen, Lisa Sparks, J.R. Beard, Cynthia Grantham, Jason Balder, Sgt. Lawrence Albright. 2: County Manager Hal Johnson reviewed with the Board the new organizational structure of the Department of Animal Services. Johnson said there were always many challenges when establishing a new Department. However, he was proud of the professionalism and dedication of the staff, and all that they had accomplished during the first year of operations. Johnson said he had appointed Heather Wood as Animal Services Operations Manager. In this role, Heather would be responsible for managing all activities at the shelter, including animal care, adoptions, volunteer program, and community outreach. She would also establish objectives and help develop policy for the Animal Services Department as a whole. Johnson said he had appointed Ashley Morris as Business Operations Manager. In this role, Ashley would be responsible for department budget, contracts, accounting, and administrative duties as may be required. She would also work with all areas to establish objectives and help develop policy for the Animal Services Department as a whole. Johnson said he had appointed Tammy Walker as Animal Control Manager/Field Operations Manager. In this role, Tammy is responsible for ensuring that field operations are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to animal control. She would also help establish department objectives and help develop policy decisions. Johnson said this management team reported directly to him as County Manager. Johnson recognized the critical roles of senior County staff in providing administrative liaisons between the Office of County Manager and the Animal Shelter. Johnson complimented the coordination provided by Cathryn Davis, County Risk Manager; Suzanne Dale, Deputy County Finance Officer; and Paxton Arthurs, County Engineer. Also in attendance and recognized for their responsibilities in the new Department of Animal Services were Heather Stewart, Animal Adoption Coordinator, and Jonathan Moody, Law Enforcement Liaison & Animal Control Officer. 3: Heather Wood, Operations Manager, invited each member of the Advisory Board to visit the Shelter for a special tour of the facility and improvements. Due to COVID, she asked that members please call and a quick appointment would be scheduled. Heather presented each Board member with a detailed booklet containing information on organization, finance, ordinances, COVID-19 procedures, animal statistics, outreach programs, adoption, and volunteer programs. Social media and Facebook has been enhanced. Heather said that much needed equipment had been purchased for the Shelter and she felt operations were in better condition. This new equipment was funded in the existing budget. An educational video was viewed by the Board as one example of enhanced outreach and educational programs. Also, Bruce, (a rescued adopted dog) who is now the Animal Services Department mascot, was introduced to the Board. Bruce individually met each member during the meeting as he journeyed around the tables. 4: Jonathan Moody, Animal Control Officer/Local Law Enforcement Liaison, addressed the Board concerning his role in the new Department. Jonathan said he would be meeting with all law enforcement agencies while coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office. Jonathan said he met today with Sheriff Seabolt and Major Watson, who is over the Patrol Division. Major Watson will be point of contact with the patrol officers. Jonathan said that because of his background as a Chatham County deputy and Liberty Police Officer, he felt there would be a stronger relationship with local law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office seemed pleased with the outreach and wants to maintain open lines of communication. J.R. Beard said it would be important to establish good understanding with 911 dispatchers moving forward. There were several questions from the audience concerning the expanded role of Animal Control. Pamela Vuncannon asked the numbers of Animal Control Officers. The County now has an Animal Control Manager (Tammy Walker) and 4 officers in 4 district/zones of operations. 5: Paxton Arthurs, County Engineer, provided the Board with a power point update on capital facility improvements planned for the Shelter. This included space for the Animal Control Officers, improved medical care room, and other physical improvements being made to the existing buildings. Construction is to begin by late July 2020. Pamela Vuncannon asked if additional space for animals was being considered in the renovations. Arthurs said that the current priority was adding space for Animal Control Officers and upgrading existing deficiencies in the animal facilities at the Shelter. Funding for these enhancements had been provided by the Board of County Commissioners during the current budget and will carry over into the new budget. 6: Public Comment: Citizens in attendance were given the opportunity to comment throughout the meeting. No citizens spoke during public comment. 7: Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.