Notes from the February 11, 2013 KCSPCA Board Meeting

 Three of us attended this meeting:  Julie Wilson, Doug Beatty and Patricia Foltz.  The notes were taken by Doug Beatty (bold) and Patricia Foltz (regular), and are NOT the official minutes of the Board.  Group or individual comments are in parents and italics.

Meeting called to order at 6:58 pm.

 Alex Moore said he and Kevin are concentrating on the Animal Control Contracts that will renew this summer.  They want to identify problems like the fact that the contracts don’t begin and end on the same dates.  He then said that the New Castle County and Sussex County contracts both renew on 7/1 (not sure why that isn’t considered the “same dates”).  He will ask the State of Delaware to take back Animal Control statewide as one contract and then have each county pay their share to the State.  He further stated that by doing this resources could be pulled if emergencies occurred in a county.  ACOs would already be in a county doing other services and could be diverted to the emergency.  Alex said he would ask that the organization awarded the contract be told three months in advance of the contract start date so that there would be time to organize the start-up process and have employees, etc. in place.  This suggestion will be given to the Animal Task Force at their next meeting.  Alex reports that the Task Force Report will be sent to the Governor on March 31^st.  Elestine Cooper thought that the Governor would sign the report (like a law) and the recommendations would be enacted.

(There are several questions concerning this discussion.  First, last year the board discussed moving the Kent County start-date to January 1, to be in line with NCC and Sussex.  Second, Sussex has a year contract that started 01/01/13, and NCC is in the last year of a 3 year contract that goes through calendar year 2013.  Not sure what they are talking about.  Given when budgets are done by the State and counties, we are not sure how a government entity can give 3-months notice of start date.  And last, the AWTF recommendations that go to the Governor are not binding; if he thinks anything is a good idea, it must then be transformed into legislation and pass through the General Assembly.)  Alex also indicated an interest in getting on the agenda for the KCLC meeting at the end of February.

Alex reports that he has asked that the Department of Agriculture take over this statewide contract to manage.  “Having it under a bureaucracy is better than having it under politicians.  They need to take politics out of it.”  He then went into detail about how Levy Court Commissioners had every right to represent their constituents and that it is their job to do so.   Alex said, “When DNREC had it (the contract), it was better funded and there were less problems.”

(This would appear to indicate that the KCSPCA is talking to Secretary Ed Kee outside the forum of the Animal Welfare Task Force about issues the Task Force is addressing.  And Secretary Kee has not attended the last 2 AWTF meetings.  We don’t think it’s within Secretary Kee’s authority to “take over” a hypothetical statewide contract.  Mr. Moore’s comments regarding KC Levy Court – he has changed his tune, because in the past he and the others have been highly critical of the commissioners for listening to constituents.  And that’s motive behind wanting a state agency to take over animal control – because they are a bureaucracy and don’t have to listen to constituents? 

Changing the Name of the Organization - The possible names were not announced, but Board members were given a list and asked to vote on their choice.  Alex said, “It is to disassociate our name with other organizations so people will know who we are.”  Steve Schwartz said, “We need to get Kent County out of the name because the new name will be a fundraising vehicle.”  Frank Newton said, “At this time we should not change the name until a decision is made about animal control and the contracts.” 

Previous minutes unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report - 33 1/3% of year has passed – income slightly ahead at 38%; expenses at 33.4 % and he reported that “donations are significantly low” – no percentage was given.  Treasure’s Report unanimously approved.

Fundraising Committee - Planned Events – Walk/Run with Tri Sports 4/21 (this is the old Scamper for Paws and Claws…they have tried unsuccessfully to reach the Hansens  and someone called “P Foltz” who were involved in the past (this struck me as very funny, since I was sitting right there - This is the event I coordinated for two years with Deb Hansen in memory of her husband.  Patty Foltz).

    
Other events:

Furry Tales – in the future

            Bethany Beach event – in the future

Sheraton Event – Dinner/Auction– usually takes place every other year in

       November…they want to move it to Halloween.

Publicity Committee - Bette Mae reports that they are successfully promoting the Vaccination Clinic in the newspapers.  Next Committee Meeting March 14^th, 6 pm.

Planning Committee - Can’t report – not ready.  Next Committee Meeting March 14^th at 7:15.

Steve Schwartz says it is necessary for Board members to attend the Animal Welfare Task Force monthly meetings (there are only two left - a little late – don’t you think?).  He stated, “We need to win over the Task Force.  Our point of view needs to be given so the ATF will take us very seriously.”  When asked when the next meeting would take place he reported he didn’t know.  He said, “We need to reach a consensus and get our point across.”  The Board agreed to meet on Tuesday, February 19^th at 7 pm to discuss this. It was stressed by Alex Moore that this would be a private meeting (this is a possible FOIA violation).

Elestine said she spoke to Dave Lawson and he wants to see the Contract back with the Dept. of Ag.  Alex said, “Sec. Kee is familiar with all the issues concerning animal control in the State.”

(The contract was with DNREC, not Ag, and Dave Lawson has not only refused to answer constituents on this issue, he lied in open public debate, saying he was working with one of our group regarding the complaints against the KCSPCA.)

Executive Director’s Report

Kevin Usilton passed out pictures of animal cruelty cases that have been handled by KCSPCA.  He then bashed the Attorney General’s office saying, “The AG has not supported KCSPCA in many of these cases so that we have not been able to (follow due process).  KCSPCA received no money for cruelty cases.  KU, “This shows a lack of awareness of the AG’s office.”  Elestine said, “We’ve never had cooperation with the AG’s office.  They treat us like a nuisance.”  KU said that Senator Blevins told him that the AG’s office needs to provide a prosecutor just to deal with these cases.  Rosemary Richardson said that previous AG Jane Brady had a Task Force to deal with Animal Cruelty.

(This was discussed at one of the AWTF meetings; Prof. Smith (Animal Law, Widener) described a voluntary program where the Attorney General’s office and judges were educated regarding animal cruelty issues.  It was suggested that a Deputy Attorney General could be assigned to cruelty cases on a regular basis for continuity.  There was also a question as to if there would be enough work to dedicate an AG to this, or not.  It was also noted a one of the meetings that former AG Jane Brady had held regular meetings with the animal welfare community to discuss issues.)

One case outlined by Usilton was an occurrence of a good samaritan trying to deliver two found dogs to a shelter, the samaritan ended up leaving the dogs in a fenced area at said shelter and they escaped. One dog reportedly died the other sustained an injury.  Usilton wanted cruelty charges against the samaritan.

Educating the Front Desk Personnel - How to handle irate customers?  It has been suggested that training is necessary.  One Board member has suggested using training done at KGH on dealing with irate customers.  This training will be done using the KGH materials.  Alex said, “Customer Service is something that KCSPCA is VERY concerned about.  Now that our personnel is more unchanging, it is time for the training to be done.”

ACOs recently received training at DESPCA (not sure he said DESPCA - PF) in dealing with irate customers.  He said several shelters were offered the training and that Safe Haven did not participate.

(not really sure why they singled out Safe Haven – we believe that SH personnel were trained by Best Friends just 6 months ago…..)

Petsmart Contract up for renewal - Alex and KU need to negotiate a new 3 year contract with Petsmart for the Adoption Center.  Kevin and Alex feel it isn’t worth it to continue.  Discussion followed with Board members not agreeing with KU.

Petsmart gave a grant of $100,000 to KCSPCA over two years (not sure per year or total?).  In 2012, 700 dogs were adopted from the facility with the employee cost of $89,000.  (2 employees with volunteers)  The net cost is $27,000/yr. (less adoption fees paid subtracted from $89K)

Alex said, “It’s a very draining process for the Executive Director.”  KU complained that Petsmart Corporate Division calls him to complain when KCSPCA employees don’t have the adoption center open on time and he doesn’t have time to hear their continual complaints.  KU also reports that there have been complaints from those adopting that the dogs are not housebroken.  This is due to the fact that the dogs use a “potty room” instead of being allowed to relieve themselves outside.  Board member Karen pointed out that it’s “his job” to deal with the complaints and sometimes “you have to shovel the shit.”  KU further expressed concern that the “KCSPCA may not have enough dogs to supply Petsmart.”

(KCSPCA has the dog control contract from 2 counties – and last year, when they had 3 counties, noted on their FB page that they had more dogs than any other shelter.  Now they don’t have enough to bring dogs to PetSmart?)
Steve Schwartz was asked to review the existing contract with PetSmart.  Karen and other Board members were insistent that the KCSPCA continue its contract to adopt animals through Petsmart, but the length of the renewal contract (3 years) could be discussed further.

The contract with Petsmart expires March 4, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15.