DuPage County Animal Services Committee met June 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chairman Brian J. Krajewski at 7:31 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: DeSart, Eckhoff, Garcia, Krajewski, Rutledge (remote), Tornatore (remote)
ABSENT: None
A quorum was present in the room.
Member Krajewski stated there was a request to allow remote participation from Members Rutledge and Tornatore. Chairman Krajewski read Section 7(a) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Member DeSart made a motion to allow Members Rutledge and Tornatore to attend the meeting remotely. Seconded by Member Garcia. All in favor. None opposed.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI
No Chairman’s Remarks.
5. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - May 17, 2022 7:30 AM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Grant Eckhoff, District 4 SECONDER: Dawn DeSart, Vice Chair AYES: Tornatore, DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Krajewski, Eckhoff, Rutledge |
A. 2022-58 Recommendation for the approval of a contract with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc, to provide canine and feline specialty pet food for Animal Services for the period June 22, 2022 through June 21, 2023, for a contract total amount not to exceed $19,000.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paula Deacon Garcia, District 2 SECONDER: Dawn DeSart, Vice Chair AYES: Tornatore, DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Krajewski, Eckhoff, Rutledge |
Laura provided the following Administrative Update:
Animal Services celebrated volunteers and fosters with a volunteer appreciation event at the DuPage Historical Museum. This provided an opportunity to recognize volunteers for their dedication and contributions and represented a change in venue which was very well received. Volunteers are very excited about the new building plans.
Staff are saying goodbye to Senior Animal Control Office Anthony at the end of this week after sixteen years of service. Officer Anthony has done so much for Animal Services and trained up so many officers over the years. We wish her the best.
There are many new faces around the shelter due to the recent wave of hiring. New personnel have been added in the front office, the kennel, and a new part time Vet Tech have all started this month.
There are just under 200 animals in our care. Slightly more are in foster homes than in the shelter. Live Release Rate is currently approximately 87%. Staff are still facing many of the same challenges with placing large dogs and dogs with behavior issues. There are more than 30 rabbits currently in care with continued requests to take in more.
The popular in-person Pet First Aid and CPR classes are being re-launched this month. Dispatcher training will be offered beginning in August to train DuComm and ACDC dispatchers on what questions to ask when handling animal-related calls and to provide training on what support Animal Services provides.
Chairman Krajewski mentioned that the Animal Control Officer positions are an area of high turnover and traditionally present hiring challenges. The biggest strain is after-hours on-call staffing which is the reason why four ACOs positions exist. He inquired whether any of the existing staff can be cross-trained to provide on-call after hours support. Laura shared that much of the responsibility of an ACO involves administrative processing of bite reports, having conversations with pet owners whose pets have bitten, and ensuring rabies compliance. They also investigate complaints of cruelty and neglect. After-hours, ACOs will respond to calls involving stray dogs, sick/injured domestic animals, and public safety calls. Chairman Krajewski suggested continuing to work with the Sheriff to provide some after-hours support on animal related calls. Laura agreed and stated she would be working with the Sheriff and dispatchers to limit after-hours calls to emergencies only during this time of severe ACO short-staffing. Chairman Krajewski and Member Rutledge asked whether it is necessary to re-evaluate the position’s salary range to better attract and retain good talent. Laura stated that salary adjustments made late last year should allow enough flexibility to post and attract good talent. If the response to the current posting is not ideal, then she will reassess.
8. OLD BUSINESS
Member DeSart inquired about any interruption to operations that the shelter renovation project might create. Laura shared that interruption should be limited during Phase 1 of the build. Phase 2 will require reaching out to other local shelters and fosters for assistance with moving animals out of the building as much of the dog housing and surgical facilities will be unusable during Phase 2. We are hoping to make as much use of the specialty veterinary vehicle as possible and will reach out to local clinics as needed to schedule surgeries.
9. NEW BUSINESS
No New Business.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:44am.
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