[00:00:03]
TONIGHT IS THE JULY 10TH, 2023 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION.
UH, FIRST WE WILL, UH, SEE WHO, WHICH COMMISSIONERS ARE
[CALL TO ORDER]
PRESENT.WHY DON'T YOU START US OFF? COMMISSIONER, LENDER, PRESENT.
I'M RYAN CLINTON, PAIGE NELSON, LUIS HERRA.
WE THREE AND WE HAVE THREE, I THINK ONLINE.
UH, SO THE FIRST THING WE GO TO IS
[PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL]
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.WE HAVE 22 SPEAKER, 23 SPEAKERS.
UM, WE HAVE THREE MINUTES EACH TO SPEAK.
UH, I WOULD, UH, CAUTION EVERYONE THAT WE'RE ALL, UH, VOLUNTEERS AND, UH, WHILE WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO SAY, UH, WE ALL HAVE FAMILIES AND JOBS TO GO HOME TO, UH, 24 SPEAKERS.
SO IF YOU HAVE, UM, IF YOU HEAR THE THINGS THAT YOU WERE PLANNING TO SAY ALREADY SAID, PLEASE, UH, DON'T REPEAT THEM.
THE FIRST SPEAKER WILL DO THE REGISTER SPEAKERS, UH, VIA TELEPHONE FIRST.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ERIN COX.
I JUST, BECAUSE COMMISSIONER, UH, LONEY IS NEW, SHE MAY NOT REALIZE THAT IF HER CAMERA'S OFF, SHE'S CONSIDERED NOT ON THE DAIS.
I I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE JUST WANTED TO.
SO, UM, COMMISSIONER NELSON WANTS COMMISSIONER LONEY TO KNOW THAT, I'M SORRY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT'S JUST, IF I'M SPEAKING, THE CAMERA NEEDS BE ON.
AND CAME IN FROM WHERE I DON'T HAVE SERVICE TO BE HERE TONIGHT, SO IT'S JUST KIND OF AN AWKWARD
SO I WILL ABSOLUTELY JOIN, UH, WHENEVER I HAVE A BY CAMERA.
WHENEVER I HAVE, I'M READY TO SPEAK.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING YOU NEED TO BE ON CAMERA TO VOTE OR TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
UM, I WANTED TO VOICE MY SUPPORT, UM, FOR THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, WHICH WOULD BAN FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES FROM ALLOWING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS WITHOUT A C A PRESERVATION.
MY MYSELF, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS, HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN, UM, IN YOUR MEETINGS ABOUT THE NUMEROUS INVESTIGATIONS OF THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM RELATED TO ANIMAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE AND CONCERNS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD IMPACT OTHER BUSINESSES AS WELL.
AND CONSIDERING THIS ORDINANCE, I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE ASK YOURSELF, WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT THESE BUSINESSES HELD TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS? IT'S ACTUALLY CONSIDERED NATIONAL STANDARD FOR U S D A AND OSHA, AND IN REALITY, THESE STANDARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE BARE MINIMUM.
THEY INVOLVE REGULAR INSPECTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE BASED EVALUATIONS OF THESE BUSINESSES.
WHAT CAN POSSIBLY BE LEARNED OR GAINED FROM OBSERVING WILD ANIMALS WHO ARE UNNATURALLY, CONFINED, EXPLOITED, AND NEGLECTED TO THE POINT THAT THEY CLEARLY SUFFER PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS? THIS IS NOT THEIR NATURAL HABITAT.
IT'S NOT THEIR NATURAL BEHAVIOR.
IT'S THE EFFECT OF CONTINUED EXPLOITATION AND NEGLECT IF THESE BUSINESSES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO MEET THESE TYPES OF STANDARDS.
WHAT PROTECTION DO WE HAVE FOR THE ANIMALS AS WELL AS FOR PUBLIC VISITORS? IT'S AN INJUSTICE TO THESE ANIMALS WHO ARE FORCED INTO CONFINEMENT TO NOT ENFORCE THESE STANDARDS OF CARE THAT IS THE ABSOLUTE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO FOR THEM.
THEY'RE INNOCENT AND VULNERABLE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THEIR VOICE.
IF WE WANT AUSTIN TO BE CONSIDERED A PLACE OF COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY CARE, WE NEED TO PUT THOSE GOOD INTENTIONS INTO ACTION.
[00:05:01]
THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS A SMALL STEP TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THESE ANIMALS.IT'S TIME TO PUT THE RIGHTS AND WELLBEING OF THESE SENTIENT BEINGS, THESE BELOVED WILD ANIMALS ABOVE THE PROFITS OF THE BUSINESSES THAT EXPLOIT THEM.
IT'S THE LEAST WE CAN DO FOR THEM.
I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE MOVE THIS ORDINANCE FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL.
JULIE ZUCKER, PLEASE UNMUTE MS. ZUCKER.
HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES.
UM, MY NAME'S JULIE ZUCKER AND I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF A GROUP CALLED OFTEN ANIMALS PROTECTED.
AND I WANT TO ECHO A LOT OF THE SENTIMENTS THAT WE'VE HEARD BEFORE FROM THE LAST MEETING, AS WELL AS THE PERSON WHO JUST SPOKE.
UM, AND ON THE ORDINANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CONSEQUENCES, MORE TEETH TO IT, SO THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY REASON FOR THESE PEOPLE TO, TO STOP ABUSING ANIMALS.
UM, I SUPPORT AS MUCH AS CLOSING THE AQUARIUM.
AND, UM, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOU CONSIDERING, UH, HAVING STRONGER CONSEQUENCES.
AND I'LL KEEP IT TO THAT SINCE YOU ASKED US TO, TO KEEP IT QUICK.
LET'S, UH, TRY TO GO BACK TO HER, UH, MICHELLE SINT.
HI, MY NAME IS MICHELLE SIMMONS.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF CAPTIVE ANIMAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE PETA FOUNDATION.
I'M TESTIFYING TONIGHT ON THE PROPOSAL TO LIMIT PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS.
UM, PETA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT WAS PRESENTED DURING THE JUNE MEETING.
UM, WHILE IT'S CLEAR THAT THE COMMISSION IS DEEPLY CONSIDERING THIS ISSUE, AND FOR THAT, I THANK YOU.
THE AMENDED PROPOSAL HAS CREATED A NUMBER OF UNNECESSARY AND CONFUSING EXEMPTIONS THAT HAVE TURNED A CLEAR, STRAIGHTFORWARD PROHIBITION INTO WHAT I THINK WILL BE A COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE REGULATION.
UM, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT SPOKE ON THIS PROPOSAL AT THE JUNE MEETING SUPPORTED IT.
UM, AND THAT SUPPORT SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN LOST IN THE MIDST OF TRYING TO LIMIT THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE ONLY THING THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WOULD DUE IS PREVENT PUBLIC INTERACTION WITH WILD ANIMALS AT UNACCREDITED FOR-PROFIT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS. IT WOULD NOT IMPACT PRIVATE POSSESSION.
IT WOULD NOT PREVENT ANY BUSINESS FROM EXHIBITING WILD ANIMALS.
IT WOULD NOT PREVENT EXHIBITORS FROM BRINGING WILD ANIMALS TO SCHOOLS, AND IT WOULD NOT IMPACT BUSINESSES THAT ONLY EXHIBIT DOMESTICATED ANIMALS.
SO THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS ALREADY QUITE LIMITED, AND IT WOULD NOT AFFECT NONPROFIT FACILITIES OR PETTING ZOO, EXHIBITING ONLY DOMESTICATED ANIMALS, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE AND AQUARIUMS IN AUSTIN.
SO GIVEN THAT ALREADY LIMITED SCOPE, IT'S UNCLEAR WHY THE AMENDED PROPOSAL HAS WEAKENED THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC CONTACT AND CREATED NUMEROUS UNNECESSARY EXEMPTIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF FOR-PROFIT DUE OR AQUARIUM.
THE DEFINITION OF FOR-PROFIT DUE OR AQUARIUM SHOULD NOT INCLUDE ANY EXEMPTIONS BECAUSE IT IS ALREADY QUITE LIMITED.
AND ADDING A LONG LIST OF EXEMPTIONS WILL MAKE ENFORCEMENT HARDER.
THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC CONTACT NEEDS TO BE STRONG AND CLEAR SO THAT IT DOESN'T FORCE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE JUDGMENT CALLS ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF CONDUCT IS OR IS NOT ALLOWED.
THE DEFINITION IN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL INCLUDED FEEDING, ENTERING AN ANIMAL ENCLOSURE OR ALLOWING CLOSE PROXIMITY WITHOUT A PERMANENT PHYSICAL BARRIER.
THE UPDATED PROPOSAL HAS REMOVED THAT LANGUAGE, WHICH CREATES A
[00:10:01]
POSSIBLE LOOPHOLE WHERE EXHIBITORS COULD ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO ENTER AN ENCLOSURE WITH A RESTRAINED WILD ANIMAL TO FEED THEM, WHICH STILL POSES SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS.SO PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS, AND THOSE RISKS ARE AMPLIFIED AT UNACCREDITED FOR-PROFIT FACILITIES.
AND THAT IS WHY PETA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AT UNACCREDITED FOR-PROFIT FUSION AQUARIUM.
HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE, THAT PROHIBITION NEEDS TO BE CLEAR, STRAIGHTFORWARD, AND EASY TO ENFORCE, WHICH IS WHY PETER SUPPORTS THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL PRESENTED AT THE JUNE MEETING.
AT THOSE JS, UH, PLEASE UNMUTE PAT.
UH, TODAY I WROTE A LETTER TO THE COMMISSION THIS AFTERNOON.
IN FACT, AFTER READING YOUR UPDATES TO THE PROPOSAL, I FEEL COMPELLED TO VOICE MY OPINION ON THESE CHANGES.
I DO FIND THEM TO BE COMPLICATED WITH A NUMBER OF CONFUSING AND UNNECESSARY EXEMPTIONS.
THESE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE AND EASY FOR GREEDY, ABUSIVE ROADSIDE ZOOS TO FIND LOOPHOLES.
PUBLIC INTERACTIONS WITH WILD ANIMALS HAVE PROVEN TO BE DANGEROUS WITH BITES AND SCRATCHES.
NOT UNCOMMON, EVEN ZOONOTIC DISEASES CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO PEOPLE JUST THROUGH PETTING.
THE ANIMALS ARE STRESSED AND FRUSTRATED DUE TO LOUD NOISE, MISHANDLING, PRODDING, POKING, PETTING, ET CETERA.
MOST WILD ANIMALS AVOID CONTACT WITH HUMANS, BUT ARE FORCED TO INTERACT AT THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM AGAINST THEIR WILL.
THE U S D A HAS CITED AUSTIN AQUARIUM MORE THAN ONCE FOR NOT CONSULTING A VET FOR SEVERE ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, FAILURE TO HOUSE ANIMALS IN CLEAN ENCLOSURES, AND FOR THE LACK OF BARRIERS BETWEEN CUSTOMERS AND THE ANIMALS.
THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM IS ALL ABOUT PROFIT AND IS REMISS IN PROVIDING HUMANE CARE.
THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS AND THEIR SAFETY AND THAT OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE FIRST AND FOREMOST ON EVERYONE'S MIND.
AS AN OPTION RESIDENT, I'M INTERESTED IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD PRO PROPOSAL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ANIMAL CONTACT WITH FOR-PROFIT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS, SUCH AS THE AUSTIN ANIMAL AQUARIUM.
THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR SERIOUS ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL MATTER.
CAR, CARLA WAFFLES OR WAPLES CARLA.
UH, I GUESS FIRST THING I WANNA SAY IS APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE OUT.
I AM IN A PLACE WITH NOT GREAT SERVICE, BUT I AM CALLING IN TO SUPPORT THE REVISED ORDINANCE TO BAN PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO PREVENT HARM AT THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM.
I THINK THAT IF THERE'S ANYTHING WEAKER IN LANGUAGE OR ANYTHING THAT CARVES OUT MORE, IT WILL EFFECTIVELY AUTHORIZE THE AQUARIUM TO SKIRT AROUND POTENTIALLY UNCLEAR OR SWEEPING LANGUAGE.
IF IT'S WEAK ANY MORE, I WORRY THAT THE INTENT OF ITS ORDINANCE TO REDUCE HARM AT THE AQUARIUM WILL NOT BE ACTUALIZED LIVE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO SUPPORT THE CURRENT STRUCTURE AND LANGUAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS PUT INTO THIS ISSUE.
AND OF COURSE, I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE IF YOU, AS MEMBERS OF THIS COMMISSION VOTED TO SEND THIS ORDINANCE TO CITY COUNCIL SO IT CAN PASS THERE AND ACTUALLY BE PUT INTO EFFECT.
NOW, I FEEL THAT SOMETIMES THIS ISSUE OF THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM CAN FEEL SMALLER THAN IT REALLY IS.
BUT TO ME, IT'S CLEAR THAT IT'S NOT.
UM, I MEAN, AUSTIN RESIDENTS ARE BITTEN ONCE WEAK.
THE AQUARIUM CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 10 YEARS OLD ARE ATTACKED WITH THE AQUARIUM.
[00:15:01]
CITED THE AQUARIUM FOR VIOLATING THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT.DOZENS OF ANIMALS ARE FORCED TO LIVE IN CONDITIONS THAT THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN JUST FOR AN AQUARIUM PROFIT.
AND I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO Y'ALL ABOUT ALL OF THAT, BUT THIS ISN'T A SMALL ISSUE, AND IT HASN'T BEEN A SHORT LIVED ONE EITHER.
AND FOR THAT REASON, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ORDINANCE AND A LANGUAGE WITHIN THIS ORDINANCE IS THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO PREVENT ANY OF THIS HARM.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU SUPPORT IT AND SENT TO CITY HOSPITAL.
UH, CATHERINE CHAMBLEE, IS SHE ON MUTE? YEAH.
MS. CHANDLEY, YOU ARE MUTED AT THE MOMENT.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN, UH, HERE IN AUSTIN.
UH, THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE AUSTIN CENTER'S CLOSED INTAKE AND SOME CONTRIBUTORS TO THAT.
UH, I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION, AT LEAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA REGARDING MANAGEMENT AT AEC.
BUT TRUTHFULLY, WITHOUT ADDRESSING OVERRIDING ISSUES LIKE PUBLICITY, MARKET COMPETITION AND MARKETING, THE SHELTER WILL STRUGGLE REGARDLESS OF WHO'S IN CHARGE.
FOCUS NEEDS TO BE PLACED ON THESE AREAS AND NOT DIVIDED TO YET.
ANOTHER DIRECTOR SEARCH REGARDING PUBLICITY.
APA BASED DOWN IMMEDIATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION, DARLING APA IS PARTNERED WITH THE OFFICE, THE SOCCER TEAM, REPEATEDLY FEATURED IN K ONLINE AND ON TV, AS WELL AS THE MENT MEDIA AFFILIATION A'S NAME INTO THE PUBLIC CONVERSATION, WHICH RESULTS IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AS WELL AS INCREASED TRAFFIC FOR OFFICERS AND ADOPTERS.
AAC MEMO, RARELY IN THE NEWS UNIT TIMES FROM THE SHELTER.
D APA ALSO HAS AN OUTSIDE NUMBER OF ADVOCATES ON THE STEERING COMMISSION.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT OFTEN ANIMALS ARE NO LONGER APAS FOCUSED.
APA HAS SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED TO PULL LESS ANIMALS FROM AUSTIN AND MORE FROM OUTSIDE.
ADDING AT THIS POINT TO MORE TO A, A BUSINESS COMPETITOR INTO A PARTNERSHIP.
AP HAS DROPPED OFFER FROM REFERENCED AUSTIN ANIMALS FROM COMMISSION STATEMENT.
APA HAS ACCESS TO DIFFERENT, MORE HIGHLY ADAPTABLE SUPPLY PRODUCTS, AND THAT THEY CAN PICK AND CHOOSE ANIMALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE.
ANIMALS ARE BEING IMPORTED TO AUSTIN, MARKETED AND SOLD TO THE SAME SET OF ADOPTERS AND FOSTERS THAT AAC IS MARKETING TO, EXCEPT THE AAC, AS THE ONLY OPEN INTAKE SHELTER CANNOT TAKE CHOOSE ANIMALS.
THE FOCUS CHANGE AS AAC IS PREROGATIVE, BUT THEIR AFFILIATES SHOULD NOT HOLD POSITIONS ON A FEDERAL COMMISSION TO CONTROL THEIR COMPETITOR.
THE SAME GOES FROM MEDIA CAMPAIGNS.
SEE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE PUSHING FOR AAC TO ACQUIRE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENDORSEMENTS SINCE AAC AND NOT APA THAT MAINTAINS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CITY'S SHELTER PET.
THERE'S A CORRELATED ISSUE WITH MARKETING.
AAC IS THE SHELTER THAT TAKES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE VAST NUMBER IS DEADLY APAS OR CITY INTAKE SHELTER.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS IT LEAST TO CITIZENS INTENDING TO ASSIST OFFICER STRAYS SIGNING UP MISTAKENLY TO FOSTER ADOPTS AND VOLUNTEER AT APA.
THIS IS NOTHING FOR AACS ANIMALS.
I, MYSELF, ARE VOLUNTEERING FOR APA YEAR AGO, BELIEVING THEY WERE OFFICE SHELTER.
I BEGAN INCLUDING THE SHELTER NAME AND ADDRESS IN MY POST FOR FOSTERS AND ADOPTERS.
JUST TO CLARIFY, THERE'S A TOUGH TIME NATIONWIDE FOR MUNICIPAL SHELTERS, BUT YOU'LL KNOW A TOUGH JOB COULD BE MADE EASIER IF PROMOTION OF AAC AND IT GAMBLES FOR WANTS FOR THE CITY'S TOP PRIORITY.
HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? YES.
I'M A MEMBER OF AUSTIN ANIMALS PROTECTED.
I'M AN EDUCATOR IN AUSTIN AND A FORMER ZOOKEEPER WITH EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PRIMATES.
THE PROCESS FOR ZOOKEEPERS TO WORK WITH PRIMATES AT WELL-REGULATED FACILITIES IS NORMALLY VERY EXTENSIVE.
IT TAKES TIME FOR EXPERIENCED KEEPERS TO LEARN PROTOCOLS, FORM RELATIONSHIPS, AND READ PRIMATE BEHAVIOR.
IT IS ALWAYS ALARMING TO ME WHEN SUBPAR FACILITIES ALLOW CUSTOMERS CASUAL CONTACT WITH PRIMATES ENDANGERS ANIMALS.
AS A SCIENCE TEACHER, I SEE THE VALUE IN PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN LEARNING HANDS ON ABOUT NATURE, INCLUDING
[00:20:01]
HAVING APPROPRIATE INTERACTIONS WITH ANIMALS.HOWEVER, HAVING PEOPLE DIRECTLY INTERACTING WITH LEMURS AND CHU IS DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE AND THE ANIMALS FOR THE MULTIPLE REASONS ALREADY DISCUSSED.
WHILE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN OPINION ABOUT THE SUBJECT OF KEEPING ANIMALS IN ZOO AQUARIUMS, I THINK THE MAJORITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN COME TOGETHER WITH A STANCE THAT PRIMATES SHOULD NOT HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH CUSTOMERS.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM'S TRACK RECORD, THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM AND THEIR SISTER FACILITIES, INCLUDING SAN ANTONIO AQUARIUM, ARE KNOWN FOR A ATROCIOUS QUALITY OF CARE.
AND I'M ENCOURAGED THAT AUSTIN ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION IS TAKING A LOOK AT ONE ASPECT OF THE CRUELTY TAKING PLACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER OFF OF 180 3.
IT'S COMMENDABLE THAT THIS COMMISSION IS PROPOSING DRAWING A CLEAR LINE THAT IN AUSTIN, SUBSTANDARD FACILITIES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENDANGER CHILDREN AND ANIMALS FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE ON A RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO LIMIT PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AS SUSAN AQUARIUMS WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, THANK YOU CHAIR CLINTON AND ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR, UM, TAKING ON THE ISSUE OF THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM.
I APPRECIATE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN THIS ISSUE A LOT OF TIME AND THAT YOU HAD IT ON THE AGENDA LAST TIME.
YOU HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA AGAIN TODAY.
AND BECAUSE IT IS A VOTING ISSUE, I REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE THAT EARLY ON IN YOUR AGENDA AS I REQUESTED LAST TIME.
AND THANK YOU FOR MOVING IT UP.
LAST TIME, UM, I SUPPORT POSTING SOMETHING TO BE SENT TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM PREVENTING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS.
BUT I DID NOT SEE A POST AS OF FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY THAT SHOWED THE NEW VERSION.
SO I CANNOT SPEAK TO THE NEW VERSION.
I DID LIKE WHAT WAS PROPOSED LAST TIME.
I HEARD A VERY GOOD DISCUSSION WHERE I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA MAKE SOME CHANGES.
UM, AND I HOPE THE CHANGES ARE GOOD, BUT I HAVE NOT READ THEM, SO I CANNOT WEIGH IN ON THAT.
HOWEVER, UH, I DO BELIEVE THAT IF YOU SEND SOMETHING TO COUNCIL, IT'S IN PRETTY GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE THAT, UM, COUNSEL CAN TAKE IT UP AND THERE CAN BE MORE INPUT.
UM, I DO WANNA ALSO SPEAK TO THE
HOPEFULLY THAT, UM, THE ZILKER PARKS VISION PLAN NOT MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT SOME SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT REVIEW OF HOW IT WILL IMPACT WILDLIFE AND DOGS.
UM, HAVING VOICED MY POSITION ON THOSE TWO ISSUES THAT YOU'LL BE VOTING ON TODAY, I NEXT WANNA MOVE ON TO A REQUEST FOR NEXT MONTH, NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA, WHICH IS THAT I REQUEST THAT YOU RESTART THE, UH, SPAY UTER WORKING GROUP THAT YOU PUT, UH, CREATING YET ANOTHER SPAY WORKING GROUP ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE ISSUES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
AND THEN YOU VOTED ON ONE OR TWO OF THEM, BUT THERE ARE STILL FOUR OTHER SPAY NEUTER ISSUES OUT THERE THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD, UM, GET FURTHER REVIEW IF THERE IS INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE.
I ALSO WANNA BRING UP ANOTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS, UM, BILLS PASSED BY THIS CURRENT LEGISLATURE, UH, DURING THE REGULAR SESSION THAT ENDED ON MAY 31ST.
AND ALSO THE SESSION THAT I BELIEVE IS GOING TO HAVE ENDED THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT I BELIEVE WILL END BEFORE YOUR AUGUST MEETING.
SO, UM, I KNOW THAT, UM, COMMISSIONER WAS PART OF, UH, HS U S AND BE ANOTHER GROUP.
UH, WE NOW HAVE I THINK 14 MORE IN PERSON.
HI, YOU CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? OKAY, AWESOME.
UM, HI, MY NAME IS CAITLYN NAGAR.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ON THE ORDINANCE
[00:25:01]
REGARDING LIMITING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AT FOR-PROFIT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.PART OF THE PURPOSE OF THE AUSTIN ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION IS TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND OTHER PARTIES RELATING TO ANIMAL WELFARE.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS OF HIGH IMPORTANCE IN GETTING THE BALL ROLLING TOWARDS A MORE COMPASSIONATE FUTURE FOR ALL ANIMALS.
THE PRINCIPAL PLAYER IN THIS AS WELL AS THE REASON I AM HERE SPEAKING ON GETTING THIS ORDINANCE PROPOSED, IS THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM.
THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS THAT HAS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, PUT MONEY OVER THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS.
THESE ANIMALS ARE PRISONERS AND SUBJECTS OF CONSTANT AND UNDESIRED CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC.
THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM CLAIMS THAT THEIR BUSINESS MODEL IS BASED ON FAMILY, FUN, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
HOWEVER, WHAT WE ARE ALLOWING THIS ESTABLISHMENT TO TEACH IS THAT IT'S OKAY TO EXPLOIT AND KEEP PRISONER ANIMALS THAT DESERVE THE BASIC RIGHT OF FREEDOM IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS, BUT INSTEAD ARE LOOKED AT AS MERELY PROFIT AND NOT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY ARE ALLOWING THE PUBLIC TO INTERACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AND ESTABLISHMENTS, SUCH AS THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM, IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE VALUES THAT ARE CITY INSTILLS.
SO WHY WOULD WE WANT THOSE VALUES TO BE SEEN AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN COMPASSIONATE AND ASSURING AUSTIN ARAM HAS SHOWN US NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THEY'RE INCAPABLE OF HOLDING THOSE VALUES BY REFUSING VET CARE TO ANIMALS THAT WERE IN NEED OF VETERINARY ATTENTION.
BY ALLOWING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH THESE ANIMALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRESS, AND BY SIMPLY VIEWING THESE BEINGS AS ENTERTAINMENT IN A WAY TO FILL THEIR POCKETS, GETTING AN ORDINANCE PUT TOGETHER THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO TRY TO SKIRT AROUND THE RULES SET FORTH TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WILL ALLOW THESE ANIMALS SOME RELIEF, BUT ALSO SHOW THAT THE CITY CARES ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS WITHIN IT, AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND VISIT HERE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THIS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, AS IT IS OUR MORAL DUTY TO STAND UP FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND WHO CANNOT STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.
OR RAYMOND, I APOLOGIZE IF I GOT THAT WRONG.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
YOU ARE ALL GREATLY APPRECIATED AND YOUR EFFORTS TO TAKE THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY, DO NOT GO UNNOTICED.
I JUST WANTED YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT MY NAME IS PETE.
I AM AN AUSTIN RESIDENT, AND I AM HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR THE THIRD TIME, PASSIONATELY ADVOCATING FOR A CRUCIAL PROPOSAL, THE PROHIBITION OF PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS IN FOR-PROFIT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS. THIS BAN IS ESSENTIAL TO PROTECT BOTH ANIMAL WELFARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD PREVENT PUBLIC INTERACTION WITH WILD ANIMALS.
I THOUGHT WE WERE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, AND I WAS SLIGHTLY DUMBFOUNDED AND NOT PARTICULARLY PLEASED WHEN I SAW THE RECENTLY REVISED PROPOSAL.
UH, SO IN AN EFFORT TO NOT BE REPETITIVE, I WILL BE SHORT AND TO THE POINT.
THE REVISED PROPOSAL HAS BECOME NEEDLESSLY COMPLEX WITH UNNECESSARY EXEMPTIONS THAT UNDERMINE ENFORCEMENT AND PROVIDE LOOPHOLES FOR EXPLOITATION.
DEFINE A FOR-PROFIT ZOO OR AQUARIUM AS ANY ENTITY CHARGING A FEE TO EXHIBIT WILD ANIMALS TO THE PUBLIC.
EXCLUDING 5 0 1 C THREE ORGANIZATIONS.
PUBLIC CONTACT, INCLUDING FEEDING MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE BAND.
PUBLIC CONTACT, INCLUDING FEEDING MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE BAN.
WHILE ANIMALS DESERVE TO BE FREE FROM UNDUE STRESS, MISHANDLING AND IRREGULAR SLEEP PATTERNS INFLICTED UPON THEM DURING PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS.
ALLOWING THE PUBLIC TO FEED WILD ANIMALS IS NOTHING SHORT OF AN ENCOUNTER.
SUCH ENCOUNTERS POSE SIGNIFICANT RISK, AS WE ALL KNOW, INCLUDING INJURIES, INFECTIONS, ZOONOTIC, DISEASE, TRANSMISSION.
WE CANNOT IGNORE THE DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS WHERE ANIMALS HAVE BITTEN OR INJURED VISITORS HIGHLIGHTING THE DANGER TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE ANIMALS THEMSELVES.
THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM HAS BEEN CITED REPEATEDLY BY THE U S D A AND WITH ITS HISTORY OF VIOLATIONS, INJURIES, AND CRAMPED ENCLOSURES STANDS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE RISKS WE FACE.
IT IS TIME TO PRIORITIZE ANIMAL WELFARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY OVER PROFIT DRIVEN EXPLOITATION.
LET US APPROVE THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.
WITHOUT DELAY, AUSTIN MUST TAKE A FIRM STAND AGAINST THE MISTREATMENT OF WILD ANIMALS, AND BY, BY ENACTING THIS BAN, THIS BAN, WE DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL PRACTICES AND A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES THE WELLBEING OF ALL LIVING BEINGS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND YOUR SUPPORT.
PLEASE PUSH THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL, AND TOGETHER WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
[00:30:01]
UM, I'M SIGNED UP FOR THE GENERAL SESSION AS WELL AS FOR ZILKER PARK VISION PLAN.SO I'M GONNA DO MY, UH, QUICK GENERAL SESSION.
UH, MY NAME IS TANYA PAYNE AND I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR ZILKER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK LATER ON THE AGENDA ON BEHALF OF THE ZILKER VISION PLAN AND ANIMALS.
BUT, UH, Z NNA IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET PROJECT, AND WE NEVER WANNA MISS ANY CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT TAKING CARE OF ALL OUR INTERRELATED PRIORITIES WHEN WE GET A CHANCE TO BE TOGETHER.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH, UM, I PASSED OUT TO EVERYONE, IS A PROJECT OF EQUITY ACTION AND 40 OTHER GROUPS, INCLUDING SIERRA CLUB, GAVA EDUCATION, AUSTIN, AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, AND THE A C L U.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING ADDITIONAL BUDGET FUNDING FOR PARKS HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, EMS, WORKFORCE HOUSING AND TEACHERS.
RIGHT NOW, LESS THAN 10% OF THE CITY'S BUDGET GOES TO HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH SUSTAINABILITY OR AFFORDABILITY.
UH, THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION HAVE ALREADY SENT IN LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BUDGET.
PLEASE CONSIDER TAKING A LOOK AT THE BUDGET LIST WE'VE PUT TOGETHER, WHICH INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION FOR PARKS, AND SEE IF YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT THIS WORK.
I, I THINK NOW'S THE TIME TO SPEAK, IF YOU WILL.
UH, UH, THE, THE ONE FROM THE PLAN.
UM, AND THEN, UH, SO I'M HERE TO, UH, SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE ZILKER PARK VISION PLAN ON, UM, ON, UH, ANIMALS.
AND ALSO TO POINT OUT THAT, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION REPRESENTED IN THE PLAN AND, UH, MOST OF THAT CONS AND IT, UH, CONTI IT CONTAINS MOST OF THE MONEY SPENT ON THE PLAN.
AND I'VE ALSO PASSED THIS ALL OUT TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY, YOU CAN SEE IT, BUT WHAT WE HAVE IS BASED ON, UH, COMMUNITY INPUT.
WE HAVE A SERIES OF HIGH CONSENSUS ITEMS, WHICH ARE ALL GREAT FOR ANIMALS TOO,
AND THAT'S ACTUALLY ONLY 43 MILLION, WHEREAS YOU CAN SEE THE NO CONSENSUS ITEMS INCLUDE THREE PARKING GARAGES, ONE OF WHICH IS UNDERGROUND, VERY CLOSE TO THE SPRINGS, AND ANOTHER ONE, WHICH IS NEXT TO ELIZA SPRINGS.
AND IN THE SALAMANDER PROTECTED ZONE, A LAND BRIDGE, UM, A 5,000 PERSON AMPHITHEATER.
AND SO AS YOU LOOK THROUGH THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE ITEMS THAT ARE GOOD FOR ANIMALS AND GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CLIMATE.
AND TO, UM, RECOMMEND NOT PUTTING THAT AMOUNT OF CONCRETE IN THE PARK.
MY NAME IS GAIL RHODEY AND I REPRESENT REW ZILKER.
WE ARE A VOLUNTEER GROUP ADVOCATING FOR PRIORITIZING GREEN SPACES AND HABITAT IN THE PARK AND THAT SUPPORT NATURE-BASED AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
UH, WE HAVE A MAP, I THINK, THAT HAS BEEN HANDED OUT, UH, TO YOU, IF YOU WOULD LOOK AT THAT.
WE HAVE TWO SALAMANDER SPECIES IN ZILKER PARK THAT ARE LISTED UNDER THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, THE BARTON SPRINGS SALAMANDER, AND THE AUSTIN BLIND SALAMANDER.
THE MAP SHOWS THE PROXIMITY OF TWO OF THE THREE PARKING GARAGES AND THE LAND BRIDGE TO THE DESIGNATED HABITAT OF THESE TWO SPECIES.
WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE ZILKER VISION PLAN AS PROPOSED, ESPECIALLY THE LARGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
SO FAR, THE CITY HAS DONE NO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ON ANY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS, AND APPARENTLY HAS NOT EVEN SOUGHT AN INITIAL ANALYSIS BY THE CITY'S WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OR THE CITY'S ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION STAFF.
WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT COULD PREVENT THESE LARGE PROJECTS FROM BEING BUILT.
HOWEVER, IT MIGHT TAKE A LONG PROTRAC PROTRACTED FIGHT WHERE CITY TAX DOLLARS, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEER HOURS,
[00:35:01]
AND THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WOULD BE SPENT ON THIS EFFORT WHEN ALL OF THESE RESOURCES COULD BE DIRECTED TO THE MANY NEEDS OF ZILKER PARK AND TO OTHER CITY PARKS.FOR THIS REASON, WE ASK THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL THAT PARTS OF THE ZILKER VISION PLAN THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE HARMFUL TO THE SALAMANDERS AND OTHER WILDLIFE BE REMOVED FROM THE PLAN.
UM, IF I HAVE JUST ANOTHER MINUTE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND YOU OF SOME COMMENTS WE MADE LAST TIME ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT WILL BE, UH, FOR, UH, PEOPLE TAKING THEIR DOGS TO THE PARK IF THESE, UH, GARAGES ARE BUILT AND INSTEAD OF WHAT WE HAVE NOW, DOG WALKERS, I AM NOT ONE, BUT TELL US THAT PEOPLE WHO TAKE THEIR DOGS TO THE PARK TELL US THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION, EXCEPT FOR VERY HIGH USE DAYS, UM, TEND TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE PARK, AND PARK IN A PLACE CLOSE TO WHERE THEY WANT TO, UH, WALK OR, UM, TAKE THEIR DOGS.
THAT'S GONNA BE VERY DIFFICULT IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE INTO A PARKING GARAGE AND, AND NAVIGATE GETTING OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE AND GOING TO WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO.
SO IT'S NOT AN IMPROVEMENT FOR, UH, THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS DETAIL, AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
MS. RODDY, I APOLOGIZE FOR MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME.
DO YOU MIND TELLING US, UH, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED BY SURE.
DO YOU MIND TELLING US WHAT EXACTLY WE'RE LOOKING AT, LIKE WHERE, WHERE IT IS EXACTLY IN THE PARK? SO IT'S REALLY ENCOMPASSING ALMOST ALL OF THE PARK, THE PINK, THANK YOU.
THE, THE PINK AREAS, THE VERY SMALL PINK AREAS.
THE LARGER PINK AREA IS THE POOL AND THE SPRINGS AROUND THE POOL.
THE VERY TINY PINK AREA IS SUNKEN GARDENS.
IT'S ALSO CALLED ZENOBIA SPRINGS.
IT'S ONE OF THE FOUR SPRING SYSTEMS, UH, THAT FEED BARTON CREEK.
SO THE YELLOW PART SURROUNDING THE PINK, UH, INDICATE THE, THE HABITAT FOR THE BARTON SPRINGS SALAMANDER.
THAT'S TENDS TO BE BOTH SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE.
THE HATCHED AREA, WHICH COVERS A, I DON'T KNOW, A VERY SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE PARK, UH, THAT IS, THAT SHOWS THE, THE PROTECTED HABITAT, SUBSURFACE HABITAT FOR THE AUSTIN BLIND SALAMANDER.
SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE OVER THERE, IT'S ADJACENT TO, AND EVEN IN PART OF THE SUBSURFACE HABITAT.
SO, UH, JUST TO ORIENT YOU A LITTLE MORE, I MEAN, I THINK RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE IS BARTON CREEK, UH, AND JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THAT IS BARTON SPRINGS ROAD, THE GRAY LINE.
AND THEN, UH, TO THE TOP RIGHT, REALLY OFF THE MAP WOULD BE THE GRAY LAWN TO THE, DOES THAT HELP? YES, MOPAC SURE.
WILL BE TOWARDS THIS WAY, CORRECT? UH, NO MOPAC WILL BE OFF TO THE LEFT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MS. ROWDY? THANK YOU.
I CAME HERE TODAY TO DRESS THE LOOSE DOG SITUATION IN AUSTIN, BUT I WILL START BY SAYING I ALMOST DIDN'T COME HERE TODAY.
WHEN THE SHELTER DECIDED TO START EUTHANIZING MORE DOGS TO MAKE MORE SPACE, I THOUGHT I BETTER NOT MENTION THE DUMP NEGLECTED DOG SITUATION IN AUSTIN, BECAUSE MY DOING SO MIGHT ACTUALLY EXACERBATE THE EUTHANASIA BY JUSTIFYING THEM AS A MEANS TO REMEDY THE SUPPOSED PROBLEM OF TOO MANY DOGS.
INSTEAD, I WOULD SILENTLY CONTINUE TO TAKE MORE AND MORE DOGS OFF THE STREET INTO MY HOUSE, AND SILENTLY ALIGN MYSELF WITH THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS DOING THE SAME.
BUT THE ABSURDITY THAT A NO-KILL CITY WOULD BE LEAVING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOGS ON THE STREET TO DIE, WAS TOO GREAT FOR ME NOT TO COME HERE TODAY.
THE REASON I'M SITTING HERE IS BECAUSE BY CHOOSING TO CLOSE YOUR SHELTER DOORS FOR INTAKES, YOU CHOSE TO RELY ON YOUR COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND SANCTUARY WITHOUT ANY MEANS TO DO SO WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING SHELTER.
CURRENTLY, WE ARE THE ONES TAKING THE DOGS OFF THE STREET.
WE ARE THE ONES RETURNING THEM TO THEIR OWNERS IF WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THEM.
AND IF WE ARE NOT, WE ARE THE ONES HOUSING THEM.
WE ARE THE ONES FINANCING THEIR SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND WE ARE THE ONES FINDING THEM LOVING FOSTER HOMES AND LOVING HOMES.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE FORCED US INTO THESE ROYALS.
I'M HERE TO SAY, YOU NOW HAVE TO LISTEN AND RESPECT OUR IDEAS.
WE ALREADY CHOSE TO BE A NO-KILL CITY,
[00:40:01]
NOT AS A QUOTA, BUT AS AN IDEA THAT EVERY LIVING SOUL DESERVES THE CHANCE NOT ONLY TO SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE.AND IN CHOOSING TO TAKE ON THIS NOBLE CAUSE, IT BECAME OUR CIVIC AND OUR MORAL DUTY TO BE THE EXAMPLE OF WHY NO KILL WORKS, NOT THE EXAMPLE OF WHY IT DOES NOT, IF WE CHOOSE NOT TO FULFILL OUR COMMITMENT, NOT ONLY DO THESE DOGS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY SUFFER, IT'S ALL DOGS ALL OVER FOR GENERATIONS THAT SUFFER.
WHEN PROGRESSIVE CITIES DE DECIDE TO TURN THEIR BACK ON PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION, YOU LET THAT BEACON OF HOPE IGNITED BY THAT LEGISLATION EXPIRE IN A WORLD, IN A COUNTRY, AND IN A STATE THAT HAS CONTINUED TO TURN ITS BACK ON.
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, WE CHOSE TO STAND UP AND PUSH BACK.
WE ARE DOING THIS NOT BECAUSE IT IS EASY, BECAUSE WE CAN, AND WE MUST.
PROGRESSIVE CITIES MUST STICK TO THEIR PROGRESSIVE IDEALS, ESPECIALLY AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME.
AND YOU CAN'T HAVE LOOSE DUMP, DUMP ROAMING THE STREETS AND CALL YOURSELF NO KILL.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO SUGGEST THE COMMISSION CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO PROVIDE OUR CITY WITH A FUNCTIONING SHELTER WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF NO KILL.
AND I CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS ROOM TODAY BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT WE LOVE ANIMALS.
BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS, A, WE ARE ALREADY A NO KILL CITY.
AND B, WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS NOT WORKING.
IF CITIZENS ARE INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE DUMP DOGS WHERE THEY FOUND IT, THAT IS NOT NO KILL.
IF SOMEONE FINDS A LOST DOG AND HAS NOWHERE TO TAKE IT TO BE REUNITED WITH ITS FAMILY, THAT IS NOT NO KILL.
IF WE'RE YOUTH EUTHANIZING DOGS THAT VOLUNTEERS SAY CAN BE REHABILITATED AND HOMED, THAT IS NOT NO KILL.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S NO PROBLEM IN AUSTIN.
THEY CAN'T BE FIXED BY AND SOLVED BY AUSTIN.
THE CITY NOT ONLY HOUSES SOME OF THE MOST EMPATHETIC PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY, THE CITY IS ALSO HOME TO ONE OF THE LARGEST UNIVERSITIES.
THE CITY HAS SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD HERE, THE WEALTHIEST INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE EVER WALKED THE PLANET LIVE HERE, THE PUT ALL OF US TOGETHER, AND THERE'S NO PROBLEM TOO BIG.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK SOMEONE IN THE COMMISSION TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH A FUNCTIONING SHELTER WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF NO KILL.
NOT TO DEBATE WHAT'S POSSIBLE OR NOT POSSIBLE, OR TO ARGUE OVER, UM, WHAT IS WRONG OR WHO'S TO BLAME, BUT TO DECIDE WHAT IS NEEDED.
AND IF WE CAN COME UP WITH THOSE SOLUTIONS, WE HAVE NO LACK OF RESOURCES WE CAN TAP TO BRING THOSE SOLUTIONS TO FRUITION.
THE CITY NOT ONLY WANTS THIS TO HAPPEN, BUT IT CAN HAPPEN, AND WE CAN BE THE EXAMPLE IN THE BLUEPRINT FOR OTHER CITIES TO FOLLOW.
I'M HERE FOR THE SPADE AND NEUTER.
YOUR SHELTER, YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
I'M TIRED OF HEARING APA GO ON THE TV CHANNEL 24 SAYING THEY NEED $50,000 A DAY TO RUN THE SHELTER.
THEY ARE LIVING IN A FREE SHELTER.
THEY PAY THE ELECTRICITY BILL.
THEY DON'T PAY FOR THE SHELTER.
I'M PAYING FOR THE SHELTER FOR THE CITY.
YOU ARE PAYING FOR THE SHELTER FOR THE CITY.
AND I'M TIRED OF HEARING THEM SAY THAT.
THEN I HEARD THE OTHER DAY, THEY SAID, OH, WE HAVE SAVED 12,000 LIVES.
LET'S TAKE 2000 FROM THAT, THAT THEY PULLED FROM OUR SHELTER, 10,000.
YOU'RE NOT SAYING THEY'RE COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN, OUTTA COUNTY, OUT OF STATE, AND THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING OUR SHELTER.
AND THESE PEOPLE HERE MAY NOT NOT KNOW THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING OUR SHELTER TO HAVE PROBLEMS. OUR SH OUR ANIMALS BEING SHUT DOWN AT THAT SHELTER.
I SEE ANIMALS, ELROY IS JUST FULL OF THEM, DOGS BEING DUMPED, AND CATS BEING DUMPED.
AND IT'S, AND I'VE, I'VE SEEN DOGS ON THE COLORADO RIVER RIGHT NEAR WHERE I LIVE AT 9 73, AND I CALLED THE SHELTER OUR CITY SHELTER.
THEY WOULDN'T GO DO N DO ANYTHING, BUT THEY DID TELL ME OF SOME PEOPLE THAT WOULD GO PICK 'EM UP, AND THEY WENT AND GOT THE SIX LITTLE DOGS BECAUSE THE COYOTES WOULD'VE GOTTEN THEM.
BUT THIS, THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE, IS AUSTIN PETS ALIVE IS BRINGING IN ANIMALS, AND THEY, THEY
[00:45:01]
ARE ADOPTING THEM OUT, AND OUR ANIMALS ARE NOT BEING ADOPTED.THAT, THAT COME FROM OUR CITY.
OUR RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE, THEY GET PREGNANT DOGS AT, AT OUR SHELTER.
THEY DON'T GO PICK UP THE DOG UNTIL SHE HAS THE BABIES.
THEN THAT'S ONE MAMA DOG AND MAYBE FIVE P FIVE PUPPIES, OR EIGHT PUPPIES, OR SEVEN PUPPIES.
THEN THAT SAYS THEY GOT SIX OR SEVEN DOGS.
THAT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR CITY THAT THEY, THEN THEY SELL THE DOGS.
THEY SELL 'EM FOR TWO AND $300.
WE GIVE THEM AWAY AT OUR SHELTER, AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET, WE CAN'T EVEN GET PEOPLE TO COME THERE.
SO I'M, I'M WANTING US TO GET MORE SPADE AND NEUTER YOU.
YOU'VE HEARD ME CRY THAT OUT AND I DO IT.
I DID 10 CATS TODAY AND GOT THEM FIXED.
AND I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE, I'M 83 YEARS OLD.
I'M THE OLDEST TRAPPER YOU GOT IN THIS TOWN, AND I WORK HARD AT IT.
I DID OVER 34 CATS LAST MONTH, AND I HAD TWO THAT HAD TWO LITTER WHILE THEY WAS IN AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY.
AT LEAST THEY WENT INTO FOSTERS AND THE KITTENS ARE GONNA GET FOREVER HOMES, AND THE MAMAS ARE GONNA GO BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
DOROTHY LOPEZ BARNETT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
SERVING ON COMMITTEES IS HARD WORK.
UH, I AM DOROTHY LOPEZ BARNETT.
AND FOR DISCLOSURE, I'M A CONCESSIONARY IN ZILKER PARK, AND I'M HERE TO, UH, SPEAK AGAINST THE ZILKER VISION PLAN, UH, AS IT PERTAINS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ANIMALS.
UH, I I'VE HEARD ONE ESTIMATION THAT IT WILL BE A 50 YEAR BUILD OUT.
CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING IN TRYING TO LIVE IN THE PARK AS A WILD ANIMAL, AS THEY'RE DIGGING TUNNELS AND BUILDING GARAGES AND BUILDING AMPHITHEATERS AND CHANGING EVERYTHING AROUND? UM, I JUST WENT ON THE GOOGLED EFFECTS OF, UH, POLLUTION, NOISE POLLUTION ON ANIMALS ON THE INTERNET, DO IT SOMETIMES.
UH, THERE'S EVERYTHING FROM SCHOLARLY, UH, STUDIES TO, YOU KNOW, EXCUSE ME, MAGAZINE ARTICLES OUT THE AUDUBON SOCIETY, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.
AND HERE'S ONE LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION.
IT SAYS, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT LOUD NOISE CAN CAUSE CATERPILLARS HEART TO BEAT FASTER AND BLUEBIRD TO HAVE FEWER CHICKS.
NOISE POLLUTION MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ANIMALS TO USE SOUND FOR NAVIGATION, FINDING FOOD MATING, AND AVOIDING PREDATORS AFFECTING MANY OF ANIMALS' ABILITY TO SURVIVE.
AND SO IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO STOP THE VISION PLAN AND STOP THE NOISE POLLUTION THAT THEY'RE GONNA CAUSE IN ZILKER PARK, PLEASE DO THAT.
UH, IN, IN OUR PARK, UH, WHAT I DO BRING TO THE TABLE IS, UH, WE'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 1969, AND I BRING INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT'S IN THE CREEK AND THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE THERE.
UH, WE SEE THE TURTLES, WE SEE THE BLUE HERONS, WE SEE THE EGRETS, WE SEE, SEE THEM ALL ON THE CREEK EVERY DAY.
AND I'D LIKE TO READ YOU, I THINK I HAVE TIME TO DO THIS.
I'D LIKE TO READ YOU A LITTLE THING THAT, UH, WE USED TO HAVE A LADY THAT CAME AND, UH, UH, HER NAME WAS DOROTHY RECTOR.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IN THE ROOM REMEMBERS DOROTHY OR NOT.
UH, SHE USED TO COME TO THE PARK AND FEED THE BIRDS EVERY MORNING.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE DID WAS, UM, SHE'D HAVE A, A BIG LOUD WHISTLE, AND SHE WOULD START, SHE WOULD PARK IN THE LITTLE PARKING LOT THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING TO TAKE OUT AND CROSS THAT, UH, PECAN, UH, GROVE PICNIC AREA AND GO DOWN TO THE CREEK, THE, THERE, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE OUR, OUR BUSINESS.
AND SHE WOULD START BLOWING ON HER WHISTLE, AND THE BIRDS WOULD START COMING IN.
AND SHE BROUGHT WITH HER BIRD FOOD, FOOD FOR A WHILE.
UH, SHE WAS LEERY OF US BECAUSE WE WERE IN HER TERRITORY.
UH, SHE LIVED IN, IN HYDE PARK, BUT SHE DROVE EVERY DAY OVER THERE.
AND SHE WAS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS.
UH, WE DID EVENTUALLY WIN HER OVER, UH, BY SHOWING HER THAT WE TOO CARED ABOUT THE, THE WILDLIFE.
I JUST ASK THAT YOU, UH, KEEP DOROTHY IN YOUR MIND.
[00:50:01]
HOLD ON.UH, DANA HA HAGAR, THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TODAY.
UM, I'M GONNA TRY TO CUT THIS DOWN.
UH, PLEASE CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE, THE ZILKER VISION PLAN ON ALL THE OTHER SPECIES THAT EXIST IN AND USE THAT THE PARK.
THIS INCLUDES THE CAGE TO WILDLIFE AND THE NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER, THE WILDLIFE THAT CALLS ZILKER AND BARTON SPRINGS AND BARTON CREEK HOME, OR USE IT AS A THOROUGH AFFAIR, INCLUDING BIRDS AND INSECTS AND REPTILES, AND ANY OTHER SPECIES.
THE DOGS WHO DEPEND ON ZILKER IN THE ALII AREA, WHICH IS THE GREAT LAWN, AND OF COURSE, THE FEDERALLY PROTECTED SALAMANDERS.
NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES WERE COMMISSIONED BEFORE THE $600,000.
$600,000 WAS SPENT ON THE PLAN.
THE VISION PLANNERS PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE ACL AND TRAIL OF LIGHTS ALREADY DELETER IMPACT OTHER SPECIES FOR MONTHS FROM SET UP TO TAKE DOWN OF EACH EVENT THAT IS UNREASONABLE FOR A PUBLIC PARK.
AND THIS PLAN, IF IT GOES THROUGH WITH, WILL ONLY MAKE IT LESS ACCESSIBLE.
MY DOG, LUCY AND I, AND MANY OTHERS, USE THE GREAT LAWN A LOT.
WE ARE MEMBERS OF A DOG GROUP WHO USE THE PARK REGULARLY FOR MEETUPS.
THE GREAT LAWN IS THE ONLY SIZABLE OFF LEASH AREA, 46 ACRES IN AUSTIN FOR DOGS TO RUN AND RUN AND RUN AND FETCH AND SOCIALIZE.
DOGS REQUIRED AS ESPECIALLY LARGER BREEDS.
A DOG'S AVERAGE LI AVERAGE LIFESPAN IS 10 TO 13 YEARS.
IMAGINE THE YEARS THE GREAT LAWN WILL BE UNAVAILABLE DURING THE VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION.
BULLDOZING, CONCRETIZING, A DOG COULD BE DEAD BEFORE IT WOULD BE READY.
AND AFTERWARDS THE USABLE ACREAGE WILL BE REDUCED GREATLY.
I'VE TALKED TO MANY DOG PEOPLE AT THE GREAT LAWN, AND NOT A SINGLE ONE IS ON BOARD WITH LOSING ACCESS ANY MORE THAN WE ALREADY DO.
UM, THE GREAT LAWN CANNOT SUSTAIN INSECT HABITATS.
NOW WITH ALL THE EXPENSIVE REHAB AND REPLACING A SOD, EVERY D EVERY YEAR AFTER ACL, THE ANIMALS CAGED AT THE NATURE CENTER ARE ALREADY BOMBARDED BY LOUD NOISES AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT FROM ACL AND TRAIL OF LIGHTS, GENERATORS, MACHINERY, TRUCKS, LOUD MUSIC.
WHY SUBJECT THEM TO THIS AND EVEN MORE.
AND THIS AFFECTS ADOPTIONS OF DOGS IN THE SHELTERS TOO.
LET'S PUT THE BRAKES ON HIS BACKWARDS PLAN.
KEEP PRODUCING CONCRETE, AND BULLDOZERS DON'T BELONG IN GREEN SPACES.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PARK USING REWILDING AND PERMACULTURE.
THESE ARE HOW HUMANS HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED LAND BEFORE COLONIALISM AND IN THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
AND IT IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE.
ZUKI PARK CAN BE A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD ON HOW TO LIVE HARMONIOUSLY WITH OUR OTHER SPECIES PARTNERS.
IT COULD BE A FORERUNNER, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO ELEVATE OUR RESPECT FOR THOSE OTHER SPECIES.
WE ARE NOT AN ISLAND UNTO OURSELVES.
THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR ALL THE OTHER SPECIES.
UH, CHAIR, CAN I ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION? SURE, ABSOLUTELY.
UH, OF THE LAST SPEAKER, UH, YES.
UM, THE TIMELINE FOR ACTION FROM THIS COMMISSION TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
HOW, HOW SOON DOES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN? UM, CITY COUNCIL WON'T TAKE, UM, THIS PLAN INTO CONSIDERATION UNTIL AUGUST 31ST, SO YOU COULD HAVE TIME UNTIL YOUR NEXT MEETING IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE A WORKING GROUP.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ROBERT SINGLETON, AND I'M HERE ROBERT REPRESENTING A COUPLE OF GROUPS, EARTH FIRST AUSTIN, WHICH RECENTLY CAME OUT OF DORMANCY BECAUSE OF ISSUES LIKE THIS.
AND THE OTHER IS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED CODA CITIZENS ORGANIZED TO DEFEND AUSTIN.
WE HAD ABOUT 30 MEMBERS FOR A WHILE NOW.
WE, WE FOUND WE WERE UNWIELDY THEN.
SO NOW WE'RE DOWN TO TWO REMAINING MEMBERS.
SO WE'VE BECOME WIELDY, THANK YOU, IN PARTICULAR FOR GIVING US THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO SPEAK THAT THE PARKS COMMISSION GAVE US.
I, IT, IT JUST, IT ALLUDES ME WHEN IT WAS THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AS A WHOLE SEEMED TO BECOME SO AFRAID OF ITS CITIZENS AND PUBLIC INPUT.
THE THERE ALREADY TAUGHT, TALKING ABOUT CUTTING DOWN OUR TIME FOR PRESENTATIONS
[00:55:01]
AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.AND IF THAT HAPPENS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET A COMPLETE VIEW OF WHAT THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN THI THINK? IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM ALL THE CITIZENS.
UM, I'M ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF TURTLE, SQUIRRELS, BIRDS, AND, UH, AND OTHER ANIMALS THERE.
UM, I'VE BEEN TESTIFYING IN PUBLIC HEARINGS IN AUSTIN FOR THE BETTER PART OF THREE DECADES.
AND IT IS ONLY IN FAIRLY RECENT MEMORY THAT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN THIS HOSTILE ATTITUDE TOWARDS INPUT, UM, TO SPECIFICALLY TIE THIS TO, UM, TO ANIMAL ISSUES.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU FIRST ABOUT THE GORILLA IN THE ROOM THAT NO ONE'S TALKING ABOUT, AND THAT IS ACL.
AND ANYBODY WHO'S BEEN DOWN THERE THE WEEK AFTER A C L CAN TELL YOU, ACL HAS OUTGROWN ZILKER PARK.
AND EVERY SINGLE ELEMENT OF THIS PLAN, THIS VISION PLAN, UH, IS DRIVEN BY ACL, THE PARKING GARAGES, THE PERMANENT AMPHITHEATER, THE SKY BRIDGES, WHATEVER A SKY BRIDGE IS.
I THOUGHT ALL BRIDGES WERE IN THE SKY, BUT MAYBE I'M WRONG.
SO I WANNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME ALTERNATIVES BECAUSE, AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENTS OF STATE LAW ARE THAT THE COUNCIL ULTIMATELY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES TO THE VISION PLAN.
AND THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROVE SOME POINTS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH, UH, THAT THEY'VE MET THE CONDITIONS OF THE, UH, UH, PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE.
SO I WANNA TALK ABOUT SOME ALTERNATIVES TO A C L BEING IN ZILKER PARK, WE USED TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD CONCERT FACILITY THAT WOULD'VE MADE A GREAT HOME FOR ACL, BUT WE PAVED IT OVER.
SO WHAT I'M GONNA PROPOSE ARE A SERIES OF ALTERNATIVES USING JOINT USE, UH, OPPORTUNITIES TO CUT A DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE SOUTH PARK MEADOWS.
OKAY, UM, LET ME JUST SAY AGAIN, LET ME JUST CONCLUDE WITH SAYING THERE HAVE BEEN TWO KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR QUICK, EASY FIXES WHO TELL YOU THAT HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO LOAF, I CALL THEM HALF A LOAFERS.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE, IN THE, THIS PLAN IS A PLAN BY THE HALF A LOAFERS.
I'M, UM, A LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALIST AND FORMER SCIENCE TEACHER, AND I RUN AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TODAY, UH, CALLED SEED COALITION.
UM, I AM HERE AND GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR LISTENING ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR ZILKER PARK THAT WOULD INCREASE BIODIVERSITY.
UM, THE ZUCKER REW WILD PLAN IS ACTUALLY AN INCREDIBLE DOCUMENT.
I'VE BEEN READING THAT, UM, MORE THOROUGHLY LATELY.
AND IF YOU EVER LOOK AT IT, THE PHOTOS TELL THE STORY IN THIS PLAN.
SOME OF THIS HAS BEEN TRIED AND TESTED ALREADY, WHERE SOME AREAS HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED TO STOP MOWING AND LET NATURE COME IN.
THE WILDFLOWERS COME IN, THE HABITAT IMPROVES, YOU'LL SEE BUTTERFLIES AND, YOU KNOW, THE MINUTE YOU BRING IN ONE SPECIES MORE COME.
AND SO WE HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY, THIS PLAN, THE REW ZILKER PLAN IS MUCH PREFERABLE TO THIS, UM, ZILKER PLAN THAT'S BEING TOUTED, UM, BY THE CITY AND, UM, I GUESS BY THE CITY.
BUT, UM, UNDER CONSIDERATION, THE REWILD PLAN, BY CONTRAST, WOULD HAVE 25 ACRES THAT ARE FORESTED, UH, DENSE WOOD LAND IN EIGHT ACRES, OPEN WOODLAND IN 23 ACRES.
AND THAT'S AN AREA THAT'S REALLY INTRIGUING.
AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT PHOTOS, YOU'VE GOT AREAS THERE THAT HAVE TALL TREES, THEY'VE GOT SOME UNDERGROWTH, AND YOU'VE GOT PICNIC TABLES AND SHADE.
AND THIS IS PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE.
THIS INCREASES THE ABILITY FOR RECREATION, UM, FOR BIODIVERSITY, UM, AND JUST PHOTOGRAPHY AND JUST MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE HABITAT.
UM, THERE'S GREEN PARKING WOODLAND FOR THREE ACRES AND SAVANNAH WETLAND FOR ONE ACRE.
THIS WHOLE PLANT COULD SAVE THE CITY A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY.
IT COULD PREVENT A LOT OF POLLUTION
[01:00:01]
THAT GOES INTO MOWING AND, AND, UM, A LOT OF COST OF IRRIGATION.IT COULD BOOST SOIL HEALTH AND BIOLOGY.
AND THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE IN AUSTIN HAVE ASKED FOR.
UM, THEY WANT NATURE TRAILS, THEY WANT WATER FEATURES.
UM, THIS CAN BE DONE AND WE CAN STOP THE EROSION.
STILL, THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S AN OCCASIONAL THING OR TWO IN THE, IN THE ZUKI, UM, VISION PLAN THAT THAT HAS MERIT.
BUT ALL OF THE CONSTRUCTION JUST HAS TO GO.
AND IF YOU ENVISION WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOT THE KIND OF PARK THAT'S A NATURAL AREA.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIKE A DOWNTOWN CITY PAVED BLOCK KIND OF CONCEPT.
UM, I WAS ALREADY DISAPPOINTED BY WHAT HAPPENED WITH WATERLOO PARK.
IT WAS A NICE AREA WHERE YOU COULD SIT UNDER THE TREES AT ONE POINT IN TIME AND HAVE A SENSE OF GREEN AND SPACE.
AND NOW SO MUCH OF THAT HAS BEEN LOST.
AND NOW WE HAVE PATHWAYS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO JUST WALK DOWN INSTEAD OF A PLACE THAT YOU CAN STOP AND ENJOY.
SO, I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS ISSUE.
I LIKED WHAT TANYA AND GAIL HAD TO SAY, AND I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER ALL OF THAT AS WELL.
TERRY ADAMS. HI, MY NAME IS TERRY ADAMS. AND, UM, WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ZILKER VISION PLAN IN DECEMBER, UM, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I STARTED DOING WAS ACTUALLY READING THE PLAN.
AND, UM, ON PAGE 35, IT'S PAGE 54 OF THE ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT, BUT IT'S PAGE 35 OF THE VISION PLAN.
IT TALKS ABOUT CRIME AND LIGHTING, AND IT SAYS, ZUCKER PARK IS NOT A CRIME-FREE AREA.
THERE'S AN AVERAGE OF 383 CRIMES PER YEAR IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT IN 2019, THERE WERE 355 CRIMES OVERALL, BUT 322 OF THOSE OCCURRED IN OCTOBER, AND 309 OF THEM OCCURRED DURING ACL.
THEN THE SECOND SECTION SAYS LIGHTING IN THE PARK.
A BRIGHTER PARK DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN A SAFER PARK.
BASED ON RECENT STUDIES, HOWEVER, PARK USERS REPORT FEELING SAFER, LIGHTING IS CRITICAL TO IMPROVING THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY BY MAXIMIZING VISUAL AND PHYSICAL ACCESS TO SPACES.
AN OVERALL INCREASE IN LIGHTING FOR THE PARK IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY BY DAUNTING CRIME AND ENCOURAGING AFTER DARK COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, WHILE RESPECTING THE NA, THE NATURE EXPERIENCE AND PARK AESTHETIC, THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT'S PARK SECURITY LIGHTING PROJECT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO ZUCKER PARK TO INCREASE SAFETY AND SECURITY AT PARKS BY INSTALLING SOLAR POWERED L E D LIGHTING WITHOUT GRID SUPPORTED SUPPLIED POWER.
SO WHEN I READ THAT, I WAS IMMEDIATELY ALARMED BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE TREND IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIRD, I'M NOT A, YOU KNOW, BIOLOGIST, BUT IS DARK SKIES.
AND I WAS LIKE, WELL, THAT'S NOT GONNA BE GREAT.
THAT'S GONNA FOR THE, THIS PERCEPTION OF SAFETY, WE'RE GONNA BE DISRUPTING, UM, DEAD BIRD HABITATS.
AND THEN AS I CONTINUE TO READ ON IN THE VISION PLAN, I REALIZED THAT A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED WILL JUST INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DISRUPTION.
SO IN THIS, UM, SLIDE, WE SEE A 5,000 PERSON CAPACITY AMPHITHEATER.
SO THE VISION PLANNERS SAY THAT THE AMPHITHEATER WILL NOT BE USED FOR CONCERTS.
I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS A REASONABLE CONCLUSION TO COME TO.
I THINK IT REQUIRES THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF, OF REALITY.
SO THE NONPROFITS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH THE ZIR 3 51 GROUP THAT IS POISED TO BE THE NONPROFIT PARTNER OF ZILKER PARK, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN SCALING UP EVENTS.
UM, ZILKER PARK HAS BEEN ALL BUT ABANDONED BY OUR PARKS LEADERSHIP.
THEY ACTIVELY WANT TO HAND OVER DUTIES TO THIS NONPROFIT THAT WILL BE INCENTIVIZED TO MONETIZE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEY WANT BUILT.
UM, CHAIR, CAN I ASK ONE OTHER QUESTION? YES.
I, I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION FOR ANYONE ON AUDIENCE AS MUCH AS US, BUT IF SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE TONIGHT ARE NOT HERE AND WE DO CREATE A WORKING GROUP, UM, IS THERE A WAY TO ENSURE THAT THAT'S COMMUNICATED TO THEM? GIVEN THAT THE TIMELINE FOR ACTION IS QUITE SHORT? I THINK YOU JUST DID.
[01:05:01]
OKAY, COOL.SO WE WILL GO, UH, TO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF THE
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
MINUTES.UM, THE ITEM KNOWS, NUMBER ONE, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE, THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETINGS ON JUNE 12TH, 2023.
I NOTED TWO THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, UM, NOT, UH, ON THE FIR THE VERY FIRST ITEM BEFORE APPROVE THE MINUTES, UH, WAS THAT IT WAS PROPOSED TO MOVE THE AGENDA ITEMS. AND I VOTED AGAINST IT, NOT UNDERSTANDING THE MOTION, BUT I WANNA JUST WANTED TO BE HONEST THAT I VOTED AGAINST IT CUZ I MISUNDERSTOOD IT.
UH, WHICH IS THE VERY FIRST THING BEFORE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
AND, UH, COMMISSIONER HANSEN, UH, HASSEN WAS HERE, UM, BUT EXCLUDED.
SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO SAY WAS PRESENT, BUT EXCLUDED WITH RESPECT TO COMMISSIONER HASSEN, WHICH IS WITH AN S NOT AN N ON THE FRONT.
BUT WITH THOSE CHANGES, I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
ONE QUESTION THAT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE WHEN I WAS IN, IN, UH, I THINK WAS A MEETING IN AUGUST OF SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, I DIDN'T SEND MY, MY, MY LETTER AND JASON SAY, IF I DON'T RECEIVE THIS, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO, TO VOTE.
SO WE GOT, UM, CLARIFICATION FROM, UH, THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND YOU WERE INAPPROPRIATELY EXCLUDED, UM, AT THAT TIME.
SO THAT WHAT YOU HAVE TO EITHER TURN IN THE FORM OR SEND, UH, AN EMAIL SAYING THAT I AGREED AT THE TERMS OF THE FORM AND I DO NOT HAVE A CONFLICT.
AND THAT EMAIL CAN BE SENT BEFORE OR UPON YOUR PRESENCE.
AND SO YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO SEND AN EMAIL AT THAT TIME.
SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION? COMMISSIONER LINDER MOVES? UH, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I, SECOND.
SO DO WE HAVE, UH, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.
SO WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS NUMBER TWO, STAFF
[2. Overview of monthly reports provided by Animal Services Office staff]
BRIEFINGS, OVERVIEW OF MONTHLY REPORT PROVIDED BY THE ANIMAL SERVICE CENTER STAFF.JASON GARZA WITH ANIMAL AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER.
UH, MY PIECE IS PRETTY BRIEF BEFORE I'LL KICK IT OVER TO DON.
SO FOR THE LIVE OUTCOME RATE IN JUNE WAS 97%, WE HAD 1,067 ANIMALS THAT WERE IMPOUNDED TO THE SHELTER.
UH, TOTAL OF 550 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED.
UM, WE HAD 86 DOGS AND CATS THAT WERE RETURNED TO OWNERS EITHER THROUGH THE RETURN OWNER PROCESS OR THOSE THAT WERE RTO ADOPTED.
UM, APOS WERE ABLE TO RETURN 20 ANIMALS TO THEIR OWNERS IN THE FIELD.
UH, THEY WERE IMPOUNDED, THEY IMPOUNDED, EXCUSE ME, 185 INJURED ANIMALS AND DELIVERED 72 WILDLIFE ANIMALS TO, UH, OUR PARTNER AUSTIN WILDLIFE RESCUE.
UM, SO WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND KICK IT OVER TO DON ON FOR HIS INFORMATION.
UH, DON BLAND, I WOULD LIKE TO START SAYING THAT WE HAD A TOTAL OF 6,745 VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.
THAT INCLUDED FIVE NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS, INTRODUCING 114 NEW FOLKS AND 132 PEOPLE STARTED THEIR, UH, NEW SHIFTS.
WE SENT 398 ANIMALS TO FOSTER IN JUNE.
AND, UM, STAFFING WISE, WE CURRENTLY HAVE, UH, ON FULL-TIME STAFFING.
WE HAVE ONE POSITION THAT'S POSTED.
WE HAVE SEVEN THAT ARE IN PROCESS AND WE HAVE FIVE OR IN PROCESS IN TERMS OF BEING INTERVIEWED, HIRED AFTER THE POSTING.
AND WE HAVE SEVEN POSITIONS THAT, UH, JUST BECAME A FIVE POSITIONS THAT JUST BECAME AVAILABLE THAT ARE GETTING READY TO POST ON THE TEMPORARY SIDE.
WE HAVE ONE POSTED AND WE HAVE THREE IN PROCESS OF BEING HIRED AT THIS POINT.
UM, I DO WANT TO INVITE ALL OF Y'ALL TO COME OUT, UH, FRIDAY NIGHT AT SIX O'CLOCK AT, UH, WATERLOO DANCES WITH DOGS, UH, IS GOING TO BE PRESENTED AS WELL AS AFTERWARDS THEY'RE GOING TO BE SHOWING, UH, THE MOVIE BEST IN SHOW.
UH, SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT IT, IT'LL BE A FUN EVENING, UM, FOR EVERYONE.
AND WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER FOR BELINDA TO INTRODUCE WHO SHE HAS SETTING BESIDE HER.
[01:10:01]
I HAVE THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS.YOU WANNA TURN YOUR MICROPHONE ON? OKAY.
THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR YOU, FOR YOU.
WONDERFUL COMMISSIONERS, UH, YOU PROBABLY RECEIVED, I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM STEPHANIE HALL, THE EMAIL ON JULY, EARLY PART OF JULY ABOUT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD, JUST LIKE ALL OF US EMPLOYS EVERY 90 DAYS.
NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, PLEASE DIRECT THOSE TO THE, WHAT WE CALL THE, UH, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT.
YOU ALREADY HAVE A QUESTION, BUT WHEN DO WE NEED TO DO THAT? UH, BY THE END OF JULY, THEY WILL BE ASKING YOU TO, IT, IT'S NOT THAT DIFFICULT ONCE YOU GET IT DONE.
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I JUST WANT Y'ALL TO KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY THE CTM, OUR COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FOLKS THAT HANDLE ALL THOSE ISSUES.
YOU MIGHT HAVE, YOU MIGHT WANNA WRITE THIS NUMBER DOWN.
THEIR HELP DESK NUMBER IS 5 1 2 9 7 4 4 3 5 7.
SO THAT'S MY FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT.
UH, A REMINDER AGAIN, THAT, UH, MONDAY DEADLINE IS THE DEADLINE, THE MONDAY BEFORE THE, UM, COMMISSION MEETING IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE AGENDA ITEMS. WHEN THINGS COME LATER, WE RUN INTO ALL KINDS OF ISSUES.
SO PLEASE TRY TO GET EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE, UH, ET CETERA, BACK UP AND EVERYTHING.
THE MONEY BEFORE THESE, THE COMMISSION AGENDAS HAVE TO GO THROUGH NOT ONLY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, BUT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
AND THAT CAN SOMETIMES GET STALLED.
SO SOMETIMES, UH, THEY DISAGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND YES.
AND WE HAVE TO SIT BACK WHILE THEY FIGHT IT OUT.
I WOULD, I WOULD, UH, HAVING, HAVING BEEN GLUED TO MY EMAIL FOR A GOOD THREE HOURS ON FRIDAY HITTING, SAYING, APPROVED, UH, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I WOULD, UH, SUPPORT YOU AND REQUEST THAT, UH, I ITEMS BE SUBMITTED, UH, WITH PLENTY OF TIME FOR THAT PROCESS TO HAPPEN.
THEY KEPT TELLING ME TO WAIT FOR THE FINAL AGENDA, AND I DIDN'T.
HOW DO YOU, HOW DO YOU PRESUME WHEN THE FINAL, ANYWAY, UM, IN ADDITION TO, UH, THAT I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO LILLY ESPINOZA, UH, DON AND JAKE JASON, SORT OF BACK UP ONE ANOTHER.
I DON'T HAVE A BACKUP AT THE LIAISON, AND THAT'S PART OF ONE.
THE LIAISON IS ONE OF THE REQUIRED PEOPLE HERE IN PERSON FOR EVERY MEETING ALONG WITH THE CHAIR.
SO IN THE EVENT I'M NOT ABLE TO BE HERE, MS. LILY ESPINOZA HAS BEEN BRAVE ENOUGH TO COME FORWARD AND SAY SHE'LL BE THE, SHE'LL BE THE ONE.
SO I WANTED TO INTRODUCE LILY AS WELL.
AND THAT'S IT FOR MY THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
UH, IS THE, IS IT THE STAFF READY FOR COMMISSION QUESTIONS, IF ANY, OR, OR ARE YOU STILL PRESENTING? I'M DONE.
UH, COMMISSIONER HASSAN, I KNOW YOU HAD A QUESTION.
UH, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THIS DATE OF REPORT.
SO THERE IS NO INFORMATION FOR ANIMALS LOST, STOLEN, OR MISSING IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
DO YOU KNOW WHY THAT IS? UH, WE DON'T HAVE ANY LOSS STOLEN OR MISSING FOR, FOR JUNE OF, UH, OR YEAH, JUNE OF THIS, THESE LAST THREE YEARS, I AT LEAST HAVE BEEN OUTCOME AS LOST, MISSING OR STOLEN.
I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN THAT IN ANY DATA SET OVER THREE YEARS.
SO THAT YOU MAY WANNA LOOK INTO THAT.
UM, AND AM I READING THIS RIGHT, THAT AAC HAD THE LOWEST NUMBER OF INTAKES OF ANY JUNE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS? YES.
WE, UH, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, THIS WAS THE LOW, WE HAD THE LOWEST JUNE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR.
IT WAS ABOUT A LITTLE LESS THAN 200 PREVIOUS YEAR, BUT THAT WAS LIKE 250 JUST DOING MATH OFF MY HEAD.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ALSO HAD THE LOWEST NUMBER OF ADOPTIONS OF ANY JUNE INJURY YEARS, AND THE LOWEST NUMBER OF ANIMALS RETURNED, UH, OF ANY JUNE AND LAST THREE YEARS.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
AND THEN MY LAST QUESTION, ACTUALLY NO, I HAVE TWO MORE REALLY QUICK ONES.
ONE IS THAT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ANIMALS TRANSFERRED TO RESCUE PARTNERS YES.
WE SAW UPTICK FROM FIVE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
A BIG INCREASE FROM THE TWO 20 2021 AND AUSTIN PET LIFE TOOK 258.
ARE MEDICAL CASES THERE OF A TOTAL OF THREE 50? YEAH.
AND THEN THE VOLUNTEER HOURS, I'VE ACTUALLY NEVER SEEN 6,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS IN A MONTH AT ANY SHELTER.
AND I'M WONDERING HOW YOUR COUNTING THAT IS.
ARE THE VOLUNTEERS SIGNING IN AND SIGNING OUT? IS THAT, THAT IS TYPICALLY THEY WOULD SIGN IN AND SIGN OUT AND THAT WOULD BE HOW OURS ARE COUNTED.
BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU ALL ARE COUNTING THOSE.
THEY SIGN IN THROUGH OUR SOFTWARE.
AND, AND THAT'S JUST VOLUNTEERS? THAT'S VOLUNTEERS AND FOSTER CAREGIVERS, FOSTER HOURS AS WELL FO VOLUNTEERS, UH, THAT ARE ACTUALLY ON SITE.
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTOOD.
[01:15:01]
OKAY.I'M WONDERING IF MAYBE YOU'RE COUNTING 24 HOURS A DAY FOR FOSTERS, LIKE SOMETHING DOESN'T ADD UP WITH THOSE NUMBERS.
SO IT'D JUST BE GOOD TO KNOW MORE, UH, MAYBE NEXT MEETING.
AND WHEN THEY DO COUNT FOSTERS FOR TIME, THEY DON'T COUNT IT FOR 24 HOURS A DAY.
THEY ONLY GIVE THEM, UH, WAS IT TWO HOURS A DAY? YES, TWO HOURS A DAY.
WE CAN CHECK WITH STAFF AND VERIFY AND SEND THE MESSAGE OUT TO THE COMMISSIONER.
YEAH, I GUESS MAYBE JUST CHECK HOW IT'S CALCULATED, IF WE COULD GET HER, YOU KNOW, AN ANSWER ON HOW IT'S CALCULATED.
UH, COMMISSIONER DOZA, THANK YOU FOR, CAN YOU HEAR ME? THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THE STATS.
SO, UM, I KNOW OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, I HAVE ASKED ABOUT, UM, THE, THE COUNTING OR INVENTORY OF HOW YOU START THE MONTH, UH, AND THE MONTH, THE NUMBER OF PETS.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU PROVIDED THE DAILY OR YEAH.
AND, UM, I HAD MENTIONED BEFORE THAT IN ORDER FOR THAT TO MAKE SENSE, YOU NEED TO HAVE LIKE A MONTHLY SEE THE PATTERN.
AND I KNOW THAT, UM, THE COMMUNICATION WITH, UM, BETWEEN, UH, CITY MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER MACKENZIE KELLY, AND SHE WROTE A MEMO TO, TO THE AS ANIMAL SERVICES, AND YOU HAD A RESPONSE.
UM, SHE B PLANNED TO HER MEMO.
SO YOUR RESPONSE TO HER MEMO ON JUNE 26TH.
AND IT WAS REGARDING THE CONCERNS OF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ABOUT THE AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER.
IT WAS RELATED TO THE LARGE DOGS.
AND I, I READ THROUGH THIS AND THE LAST PAGE AND THE THE LAST PAGE, YOU, YOU GUYS PROVIDED A VERY NICE TABLE OF THE LARGE DOGS.
BASICALLY A TREND BY MONTH OF, FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S TAKE FISCAL YEAR, UH, 2022 OCTOBER, INTAKE OF LARGE ANIMALS WAS 421 STRAYS, 300 STRENGTHS AND SURRENDER 387 ADOPTION IN RETURN TO OWNERS 290 IN TRANSFER 38.
WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE NUMBERS, YOU CAN TELL HOW DO YOU END THE MONTH AND HOW DO YOU START THE NEXT MONTH.
SO I, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE THIS FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBER, AND WE ASKED FOR THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION TO REALLY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
YOU DID THAT? OR IS THAT ONE IN THIS, THE MEMO OF JUNE 26TH, THAT AS A RESPONSE OF THE CHIEF LAND TO, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY MCKENZIE.
AND WE JUST GET LITTLE BEATS AND PIECES.
THE REPORTING THAT YOU GIVE US ISH ONCE A MONTH IS LITTLE BEATS AND PIECES.
WELL, I MEAN, TO, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THIS WAS REQUESTED BY OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO INCLUDE AS PART OF THE MEMO.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAD TO PULL THE DATA AND, AND PULL IT TOGETHER FOR THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SO THAT WE CAN I, I I UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO THAT WAY SHE COULD, WE COULD PUT AS COMPREHENSIVE OF A RESPONSE IN THE MEMO THAT, TO, TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S QUESTIONS.
SO WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION AND WE DON'T GET IT.
IT, IT, THIS HELPS ME THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE THIS, UH, I MEAN, YES, THROUGH, THROUGH THE INFORMATION ON THE DASHBOARD, I CAN, I WE CAN PULL THE INFORMATION AND, AND, AND YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD BE ADDING JUST ANOTHER ROW TO THE TABLE THAT YOU PUT HERE ANOTHER ROW FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.
AND THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
LET US LET, LET'S LET HIM ANSWER AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK AND FORTH.
SO YEAH, LET'S LET HIM ANSWER.
SO WE'RE ADVISED WHEN, WHEN WE CAN'T CREATE ANY NEW REPORTS AT THE COMMISSION'S REQUEST.
UM, HOWEVER, SINCE WE, THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN FALLS WITHIN THE CITY MANAGERS AND THE PURVIEW, I, YOU KNOW, I, IF, IF
[01:20:01]
C M O ASKS FOR SOMETHING, THEN WE CAN PUT IT TOGETHER FOR THEM AND IF, IF THEY REQUEST THE DATA OR INFORMATION.SO YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD BY WHO, THAT YOU CANNOT CREATE REPORTS FOR THE COMMISSION? WELL, FOR ANY NEW REPORTS WE'VE BEEN ADVISED, I BELIEVE BY, BY CITY CLERKS, ANYTHING THAT'S NEW.
SO THAT WAS A BRAND, A NEW REPORT SO THAT WE CREATED FOR THE ASSISTANT, CAN YOU CONTINUE TO DO THIS? NOT FOR US.
THAT IS A MANUAL PROCESS, UH, THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO DO.
WHAT, WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS Y'ALL TO GET TOGETHER.
IF YOU WANNA PUT A WORKING GROUP OR WHATEVER, DETERMINE HOW YOU WANT THE REPORTS CHANGED BECAUSE WHAT WE WERE REQUIRED TO DO IS THE 16 REPORTS THAT THIS GROUP SENT TO THE COUNCIL, THOSE ARE THE REPORTS THAT THE IT DEPARTMENT WORKED FOR WELL OVER A YEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC TO GET THOSE PRODUCED.
AND IF SOMETHING WANTS TO BE CHANGED, IT'S GONNA HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, GO THROUGH THOSE CHANNELS.
SO IF Y'ALL WANNA PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER AND WE CAN TAKE TO THE IT DEPARTMENT AND SAY, HERE'S WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED ON A PERMANENT BASIS, CAN YOU ACCOMPLISH THIS? BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT CRYSTAL REPORTS IS NOT SUPPORTED.
SO EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE THROUGH THE POWER BI SYSTEM.
SO IF, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE LIST THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH, THEY'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO LOOK AT IT.
AND I'M HEARING YOU AND I HEAR YOU, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT IT'S STILL, IT'S THIS, IT'S THE SAME, UM, POSITION THAT YOU HAVE SAID BEFORE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF.
AND I DO NOT SEE AN IMPROVEMENT.
I REMEMBER THAT YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE GONNA BRING IT PEOPLE TO THE MOST RECENT, UM, MEETING.
I THINK THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN MAYBE LAST MEETING.
WE, SO I, I MEAN, WE, WE DON'T CONTROL THOSE PEOPLE.
WE DID ASK AND, UH, THEIR, THEIR SUPERIORS DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO COME.
I'M JUST GONNA SAY I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT BECAUSE I, I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK, CLEAR FEEDBACK, AND IT, IT, THERE SEEMS THAT THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY.
UM, FOR THE FIRST TIME READING THIS MEMO, I ALSO READ ABOUT WHAT IS THE 600 ROOM OR BLOCK OR WHATEVER IT IS.
I ALWAYS, I WOULD HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THAT BUILDING AND TO ME WAS A BLACK HOLE.
NOT UNTIL I READ THIS MEMO, I UNDERSTOOD WHAT IS THAT? AND IT'S, IT'S JUST DISHEARTENING.
WE, WE'LL DO WHATEVER CONTINUE TO DO, BUT WE, WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.
WE ALL LOVE ANIMALS AND WE NEED TO BRING SOLUTIONS.
I I JUST, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT THE ADOPTION RATE, THIS SHOWS THAT THE ADOPTIONS HAS GONE DOWN FOR THE LARGE DOGS, UH, STEEPLY.
UM, I THINK, AND I WON'T SAY MUCH MORE, BUT I, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK, HOW CAN WE DO MORE FOSTERING? BECAUSE WE'RE NOT DOING, FOSTERING THAT AND ANIMALS ENTER THE FOSTERING IS VERY MINIMAL.
YOU SHOW THOSE STATISTICS, BUT, SO WE NEED TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS AND YOU HEAR FROM THE, THE AUDIENCE, WE'RE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
UH, I JUST WANT TO ADD TO YOUR REPORT, THE 146 MICROCHIPS IMPLANTED ON JUNE 10 AT THE OIN ANIMAL CENTER.
UH, THE THREE HELP US, UH, MR. COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ CAME AND SAY HI.
AND LOOKS LIKE THE COMMUNITY NEED THE HELP FOR MORE MICROCHIPS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DO THAT KIND OF FENCE, DR.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO THINK A C FOR HOW YOU'VE, UH, REACHED OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
I RECENTLY STARTED FOLLOWING AAC ON INSTAGRAM AND IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB REACHING OUT AND FROM GOING TO THE SHELTER, IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE OUR COMMUNITY HAS RESPONDED.
AND SO I JUST WANNA THANK AUSTIN AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL FOR, FOR RESPONDING AND SUPPORTING OUR, UH, MUNICIPAL SHELTER THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE.
IT SEEMS LIKE THEY REALLY STEPPED UP.
UM, AND JUST ONE QUESTION, I THINK I HEARD YOU MENTIONED, UM, 398 ANIMALS INTO FOSTER IN JUNE THAT WAS
[01:25:01]
NEWLY INTO FOSTER IN JUNE, OR TO TOTAL, THAT WAS HOW MANY PERCENT TO FOSTER IN JUNE DURING THE MONTH.AND SO I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK IT IS TO COORDINATE THE CARE FOR OVER 400 ANIMALS IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S HOME.
AND I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF FOSTER COORDINATORS THAT YOU HAVE THAT HAVE TO DO THAT TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK.
UM, AND, AND I JUST COMMEND THEM FOR, FOR TAKING THAT ON, CUZ IT, IT'S, UH, A MONUMENTAL TASK.
UM, AND I JUST WANNA, UM, UM, MENTION THAT IT, LIKE, I, I SEE THAT YOU'RE, UM, PROVIDING THE REPORTS THEY'RE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA THAT WE GET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS WHAT EXACT, HOW, HOW EXACTLY INDIVIDUALS FEEL THAT'S FALLING SHORT AND GET A CLEAR ANSWER OF, OF, OF WHAT YOU WANT.
AND IT MAKES SENSE TO ME THAT WHEN, UH, THE, THE, UM, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TELLS YOU THAT YOU NEED TO CREATE A SPECIFIC TABLE THAT MR. GARZA TAKES HIS PERSONAL TIME, WELL, NOT HIS PERSONAL TIME TAKES HIS OFFICIAL, UM, WORK TIME TO WORK ON THAT SPECIFIC REQUEST.
AND IS IT, IS IT STILL THE CASE THAT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER DOESN'T HAVE THE IT PERSON THAT IT USED TO HAVE? THAT IS CORRECT.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED YOUR WE RELY ON AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED YOUR COMMISSION TO ADVOCATE FOR YOU GETTING YOUR IT PERSON BACK OR GETTING AN IT PERSON WHO CAN, WHO COULD WORK WITH THE DATA, UM, THOROUGHLY AND AND RAPIDLY.
I ALSO WANNA SAY WELCOME TO LILY.
UM, MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE, UM, HEAT THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING RECENTLY.
I THINK ANYONE WHO'S BEEN OUTSIDE, UM, COULD TELL YOU THAT IT'S, IT'S DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS, IT'S DANGEROUS FOR ANIMALS.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE ALSO IN A SPACE CRISIS, UM, AND THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DOGS THAT ARE BEING HOUSED ON THE CHALK PORT BECAUSE THERE'S NO ROOM FOR THEM.
IT'S, THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.
SO ALL THE ANIMALS ARE INSIDE THE FACILITY NOW OR ELSE IN, IN FOSTER.
IS THAT THE CASE? THAT IS, UH, WE, DUE TO THE HEAT, UH, PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO THAT.
CAUSE THEY FEEL WALK OUT AND FEEL IT'S IMPRESSIVE.
YOU KNOW, SPACE CRISIS, WE NEED HELP.
WE'RE GOT ANIMALS IN CAGES, THE TEMPERATURE'S FINE.
WE, OUR PLEAS WERE MET AND WE SENT, THAT'S WHY WE WERE ABLE TO SEND 398 ANIMALS INTO FOSTER.
THERE IS, THERE'S NO ANIMALS BEING HOUSED ON THE TRUCK PORT.
CORRECT? UH, YOU KNOW, I I KNOW YOU PROBABLY SAW THE EMAILS AND, UH, THE MEMOS, BUT, UH, OUR PORTA COOLERS THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR WEREN'T WORKING.
AND UNTIL THE NEW ONES GET IN, WE, WE JUST CAN'T DO IT.
AND SO THEY, THE PUBLIC RESPONDED AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ON THE TRUCK PORT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? I HAVE A QUESTION JUST TO FOLLOW UP.
UM, MR. GARZA, YOU HAD SAID THAT THE, WAS IT THE CLERK'S OFFICE WHO INDICATED THAT YOU GUYS SHOULD NOT CREATE REPORTS FOR US? IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S THE WAY I UNDERSTOOD IT.
SO I MAY BE TOTALLY MISSED THINGS, SO I WILL CLARIFY WITH THEM.
BUT I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD THAT FOR ANY ADDITIONAL REPORTS OR ANY NEW REPORTS THAT ANY COMMISSION WANTED, THEY COULDN'T DIRECT STAFF IN ORDER IN ORDER TO GET IT.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO CLARIFY IF IT WAS, UH, CUZ MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE COMMISSION CANNOT DIRECT PERIOD.
SO WE CANNOT DEMAND, WE CAN, WELL, WE COULD ASK, BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE IT.
IF YOU WANT TO PROVIDE IT, YOU COULD.
THE ONLY, THE ONLY TIMES YOU'RE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE WHAT WE ASK FOR ARE EITHER WHEN IT'S BY ORDINANCE OR WHEN WE ASK FOR IT THROUGH THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTION GOES THROUGH THAT.
THOSE ARE THE ONLY TIMES YOU'RE REQUIRED TO, BUT THAT YOU COULD VOLUNTARILY AT ANY TIME CHOOSE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU REQUESTED.
SO I WAS WONDERING IF THAT, THAT, UH, MANAGEMENT EDICT WAS SIMPLY SAYING, LOOK, YOU'RE, THEY'RE, YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO.
OR WAS IT YOU'RE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION IF REQUESTED? I GUESS I'D HAVE TO GET CLARIFICATION ON, ON WHAT SPECIFICALLY WHERE, WHERE GOING ON THERE.
LIKE IF, IF MAY AACS LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO, TO PROVIDE THIS REPORT, THEN, YOU KNOW, THAT FALLS WITHIN US TWO I OBVIOUSLY, OR, OR DON.
AND THEN WE COULD PROVIDE THAT.
BUT I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD IF IT WAS ANY NEW REPORT.
AND SO THIS REPORT DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL IT WAS SORT OF REQUESTED.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT OR?
[01:30:01]
YES, COMMISSIONER HAS, UM, YES, IN THE OPEN DATA PORTAL, I'M ABLE TO GO IN AND ACTUALLY JUST, I MEAN, IT KIND OF AUTO GENERATES REPORTS FOR YOU OVER LIKE 10 YEARS.AND IF I'M ABLE TO DO THAT, I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU NEED EITHER AN IT PERSON OR ANY SPECIALIZED SKILL SET.
I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ONE TO RUN THOSE REPORTS EACH MONTH STRAIGHT OUT OF THE OPEN DATA PORTAL.
IS THAT A POSSIBILITY OVER AT LEAST FOR, FOR, FOR THE INTAKE AND OUTCOME DATA? WELL, BY SPECIES AND BY INTAKE AND OUTCOME TYPE, I MEAN, I'M, YEAH, I MEAN, IF ANY, IF ANYBODY COULD, COULD DO IT.
IF THEY WANTED TO PULL THAT DATA.
I MEAN, I, WHEN I UTILIZED OR TO BUILD THAT REPORT, I, I UTILIZED OPEN DATA.
I UTILIZED POWER BI JUST TO, JUST TO PULL THAT INFORMATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE IN THE OPEN DATA PORTAL, YOU JUST LIKE CLICK A TIME RANGE AND A INTAKE TYPE AND OUTCOME TYPE.
AND SO YOU CAN PRINT THOSE REPORTS, BUT IT MAY BE A, UH, MIDDLE GROUND TO IF, I MEAN, YOU'RE ASKING WHAT WE WANT REPORTING ON, BUT I THINK IT'S THAT INTAKE AND OUTCOME DATA BY TYPE AND SPECIES AND IT'S ALREADY ALL THERE.
SO IT MAY BE AN EASY WAY TO REPORT ON THAT OVER TIME.
IT'S THE NOT HAVING THE TRENDS OVER TIME.
AND THEN THE CONFUSING FORMAT THAT MAKES IT REALLY HARD TO KNOW AS A COMMISSIONER WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
I MEAN, IF, IF, IF THAT WAS THE THING, THE ONLY THING WITH THE OPEN DATA PORTAL IS IT PROVIDES JUST THE RAW DATA.
SO I MEAN, WE WOULD HAVE A REPORT THAT'S JUST ALL THE RAW, BUT I DOES AAC REPORT ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN RAW DATA? WELL, NO, THE DATA IS ALREADY COM BUILT OUT IN POWER BI.
IT'S PULLING FROM THE SAME SOURCE.
SO IT'S JUST HAS THE, LIKE ANYTHING THAT'S ADOPTED, WE WILL, IT'LL PULL ALL THE, ALL THE OUTCOMES THAT ARE ADOPTED INTO THE ADOPTION SLIDE.
AND THEN ANYTHING THAT HAS, IT WAS ADOPTED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR PARAMETERS, IT'LL PULL THOSE ANIMALS OUT.
WHEREAS IF WE WERE JUST DOING THE OPEN, UH, EXCEL SPREADSHEET, IT WOULD, IT WOULD JUST PULL OUT ALL THE ANIMALS WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD.
IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THE WAY YOU'RE, BUT I'LL PLAY AROUND IT THIS WEEK AND JUST SEE WHAT I CAN DO.
I DO THINK FOR, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I THINK IT'S A FAIR REQUEST THAT, UH, WE HAVE A WORKING GROUP TO DECIDE IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING PROVIDED.
NOW, I SHOULD TALK BETTER IN THE MICROPHONE.
IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING PROVIDED NOW THAT THE GROUP WANTS, WE CAN COLLECTIVELY ASK FOR IT.
AND IF THE, IF THE STAFF HAS BEEN ORDERED NOT TO GIVE IT TO US, THEN THEY'VE STILL BEEN ORDERED NOT TO GIVE IT TO US, BUT AT LEAST IT WILL BE THE VOTE OF THE COMMISSION IF WE HAVE IT ON A WORKING GROUP.
LET'S MOVE TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS, UM, PRESENTATION.
[3. Presentation of the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! ]
YES.PRESENTATION OF THE MONTHLY REPORT BY AUSTIN PETZ ALIVE.
DISCUSSION ITEMS. AND I APOLOGIZE, I HAVE TO RUN TO GET SOME WATER CUZ I'M DYING UP HERE.
UM, COULD YOU TAKE OVER AS WE DON'T HAVE OUR VICE CHAIR OR OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN, DO YOU MIND TAKING OVER UNTIL I JUST GET BACK FROM DRINKING SOME WATER? I'D APPRECIATE IT.
NEIL HAY FROM AUSTIN PETZEL LIVE.
UM, JUST TO TALK ABOUT OUR MONTHLY REPORT, WHICH ALSO HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECAUSE THIS IS A QUARTERLY REPORT AS WELL.
SO WE'VE GOT SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE REPORT THIS MONTH ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE BEHAVIOR DOGS WHO'VE BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER TO AUSTIN PETS LIVE.
AND THEN THE OUTCOMES FOR ALL ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER TO AUSTIN PETS LIVE IN THE FISCAL YEAR TO DATE.
UM, OUR REPORT CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT OUR COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF OUR LICENSE AGREEMENT.
UM, OUR, OUR OWN AND AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER'S NUMBERS DON'T QUITE RECONCILE THIS PAST MONTH.
WE THINK WE TRANSFERRED, WE TOOK A SLIGHTLY HIGHER NUMBER THAN IT'S BEEN REPORTED.
UM, IT WAS A STRONG MONTH OF INTAKE REGARDLESS.
40% OF THE INTAKE WERE BOTTLE BABIES.
UM, 27% MEDICAL URGENT AND 20%, UM, PARVO PAN LUKE CASES.
UM, WE'VE WORKED WELL TOGETHER ON, UM, WORKED WELL TOGETHER WITH THE CENTER AND WITH AUSTIN HUMANE SITE OVER THE LAST MONTH ON POLICE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL FOSTER AND THE DOCTOR SUPPORT.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THE CENTER'S BENEFITED FROM THAT AS WELL.
UM, WE ADDED LAST MONTH THE, UM, DEAF AND CARE, UM, INFORMATION THAT'S THERE AGAIN THIS MONTH.
UM, YOU WILL SEE THAT, UM, THE DEATH AND CARE REPRESENTS ABOUT 3% OF OUR TOTAL ANIMALS IN CARE.
AGAIN, UM, THE MOST MATERIAL GROUP OF DEATHS AND CARE THIS LAST MONTH, UM, REMAIN
[01:35:01]
YOUNG AND PARTICULARLY YOUNG.UM, BOTTLE BABIES, PASSING KITTENS, UM, PASSING FROM FADING KITTEN SYNDROME.
UM, IN THE KIND OF MEDICAL OTHER CATEGORY, THERE'S NO SINGLE CAUSE THAT'S GREATER THAN THREE CASES.
UM, IN THE, UM, QUARTERLY REPORT INFORMATION THAT WE ADDED FOR THE BEHAVIOR DOGS, YOU'LL SEE THAT 52% OF THE DOGS THAT CAME ACROSS US ARE EITHER ADOPTED OR IN FOSTER.
AND FOR THE ANIMALS AS A WHOLE, SOME 77% OF ANIMALS THAT WERE TRANSFERRED TO US HAVE BEEN, UM, ADOPTED WITHIN THE CITY.
THAT'S KIND OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM IT.
ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DO.
COMMISSIONER ZAES, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING.
I LOOK AT YOUR NUMBERS HERE AND I SEE THAT, UM, AP A HAD A INTAKE OF 1,007 ANIMALS IN JUNE.
AND IT HAD MORE ANIMALS IN FOSTER 1,220.
HOW ARE YOU GUYS ABLE TO DO THAT? WHAT IS THE MAGIC THE FORMULA WE ASK? IT'S, I MEAN, THAT'S THE BIGGEST PART OF IT.
I MEAN, WE, WE OBVIOUSLY HEARD PEOPLE EARLIER TALKING ABOUT US, KIND OF, UM, CONSISTENTLY ASKING OUR COMMUNITY FOR HELP.
UM, WE DO, WE HAVE, UM, ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS HAVE LARGE FOSTER TEAMS. WE CONSIDER A CORE PART OF WHAT WE DO.
IT'S A WAY THAT MANY OF OUR ANIMALS DON'T HAVE TO TOUCH THE SHELTER SYSTEM.
THEY ARE POOLED, UM, TO MEET SPECIFIC FOSTER NEEDS.
SO WE TRY NOT TO TELL OUR FOSTERS WHICH ANIMALS THEY SHOULD BE TAKING.
WE TRY TO LET THEM DECIDE WHICH ANIMALS THEY WANT TO TAKE.
BUT A LARGE PART OF IT IS JUST CONSISTENTLY, CONSISTENTLY ASKING OUR COMMUNITY FOR HELP.
AND I, AND I, I KNOW THAT, UH, UH, FOSTERING IS A DIFFICULT THING BECAUSE PEOPLE, IT MUST BE VERY LABOR INTENSIVE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO ON VACATION OR SOMETHING CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE.
BUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS CONSISTENT RE REACHING OUT.
AND I, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU GUYS CAN COLLABORATE WITH THE AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER TO HELP THEM IN DEVELOPING THEIR PROGRAMING.
MAYBE THAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.
UM, I MEAN, CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE ON.
IT, IT IS LABOR INTENSIVE OR, YOU KNOW, OUR NEONATAL KITTEN TEAM HAS A FOSTER TEAM OF EIGHT PEOPLE.
OUR DOG IS ABOUT THE SAME SIZE, OUR CAT'S ABOUT THE SAME SIZE.
WE HAVE BIG TEAMS AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
UM, PEOPLE'S LIVES DO CHANGE AND YOU HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S, WE, WE TRY NOT TO SAY YOU'VE TAKEN THIS ANIMAL FROM US, IT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOW.
IT IS A CONSISTENT COLLABORATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO SAY, IF YOU'RE GOING ON HOLIDAY, LET'S TRY AND HELP YOU FIND A FOSTER SITTER.
IF YOU NEED TO BRING THE ANIMAL BACK TO US CUZ YOUR LIFE CHANGED, THEN YOU BRING THE ANIMAL BACK TO US.
IT, I'M NOT SITTING HERE SUGGESTING IT'S EASY.
NELSON, THANKS FOR COMING AGAIN.
I TRIED TO LISTEN TO YOU EVERY TIME YOU COME.
AND I BELIEVE YOU SAID, UM, PREVIOUSLY THAT, UM, ONE THING YOU DO IS YOU REACH OUT TO YOUR FOSTERS, YOU ASK THEM WHAT ANIMALS THEY WOULD LIKE TO FOSTER, AND THEN YOU GO OUT AND YOU BRING IN THOSE ANIMALS FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, FROM AUSTIN, FROM OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN.
YEAH, FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY.
FROM THE FAR REACHES OF TEXAS, FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, JUST IN TEXAS.
THERE, THERE'S VERY, VERY SMALL NUMBERS OF ANIMALS THAT COME IN FROM OUTSIDE TEXAS.
UM, TYPICALLY, UM, CATS WITH FEELING LEUKEMIA THAT ARE AT IMMEDIATE, UH, EUTHANASIA RISK, BUT IT'S NOT PRACTICAL FOR LARGE VOLUMES OF ANIMALS TO COME TO US FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE.
AND THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM WITH ITS OWN WITHOUT US MM-HMM.
BUT THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHERE OUT OF STATE ASK US FOR HELP AND HELP.
SO YOU'RE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO FOSTERS, ASK THEM WHAT ANIMALS THEY WANT TO FOSTER, AND THEN YOU LOOK ANYWHERE IN TEXAS FOR WHERE YOU WANNA FOR WHERE YOU COULD GET A MATCH.
IT TYPICALLY WORKS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
THE SHELTERS RESCUES COME TO US AND ASK US TO, TO ASK OUR FOSTERS IF THEY WILL HELP WITH THEIR ANIMALS.
AND IF YOU HAVE A FOSTER, THEN YOU AGREE TO BRING IT IN AND THEN YOU PLACE IT IN A FOSTER.
SO IT DOESN'T TOUCH OUR SHELTER.
DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS IF YOU WEREN'T ALLOWED TO CONTROL WHICH ANIMALS CAME INTO APA AND WHICH DID NOT?
[01:40:03]
DO I THINK WE'D BE AS SUCCESSFUL? I MEAN, I'VE ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE TO BACK UP.BUT YES, I WOULD SAY WE WOULD.
WELL THEN ANY FOSTERS YOU HAVE FOR LARGE DOGS THAT CAN'T SAFELY BE AROUND OTHER DOGS AND VERY FEW PEOPLE LET US KNOW.
I MEAN, WE, WE DO WE PLACE THOSE ANIMALS? HOW MANY, I MEAN, AS A, I COULDN'T TELL YOU OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD WHAT THAT TOTAL NUMBER IS.
DO YOU HAVE MORE FOSTERS THAN YOU HAVE DOGS THAT FIT THAT DESCRIPTION? I DID THE SAME THING WITH COMMISSIONER ZA, BUT IF YOU'LL LET HIM ANSWER BEFORE YOU ASK THE NEXT QUESTION THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
UM, I KIND OF FEEL IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LEADING QUESTION.
UM, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IF YOU SAY THAT THERE IS A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF THOSE FOSTERS WHO MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO YOU, YOU STOP ASKING.
YOU ASSUME THAT THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'VE ASKED SO FAR ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE THOSE TYPES OF ANIMAL.
WHEREAS IF YOU CONTINUE TO ASK YOUR POPULATION, IF YOU CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND THE TYPES OF SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE THOSE ANIMALS, YOU CONTINUE TO FIND NEW FOSTERS.
AND MANY, MANY OF OUR FOSTERS START OFF TAKING AS EASY TO FOSTER ANIMALS THEY CAN POSSIBLY TAKE.
AND THEY ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.
AND THE NEXT TIME THAT THEY FOSTER WITH US, THEY WANT TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THEY MAY LOOK TO TAKE MORE DIFFICULT ANIMALS, BUT AGAIN, IF WE DON'T ASK THEM, IF WE JUST ASSUME YOU TOOK A, YOU KNOW, UH, DOG THAT COULD BE WITH EVERY OTHER DOG, THAT CAN BE WITH EVERY OTHER HUMAN.
IF YOU DON'T ASK THEM THAT, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THAT THEY COULD TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
SO DO YOU HAVE MORE FOSTERS THAN YOU HAVE LARGE, DIFFICULT TO PLACE DOGS AT YOUR APA FACILITY? I, I DON'T, I'M HONESTLY NOT TRYING TO BE UNHELPFUL.
I GENUINELY CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
THERE ARE MORE DIFFICULT LARGE DOGS THAT AS YOU'RE DESCRIBING THERE.
I, I JUST WOULDN'T WANT TO LIMIT MYSELF TO SAYING THAT THERE'S NOT MORE FOSTERS OUT THERE.
I JUST WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
SO WHAT'S THE, WHAT'S THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT WE WANT TO PLACE? LET'S KEEP ASKING ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALRIGHT.
DISCUSSION ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PRESENTATION
[4. Presentation on Austin Animal Center Data and Reporting]
ON AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER DATA AND REPORTING.UM, WELL I THINK FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ONLINE, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE IT IF IT'S NOT SHARED BY YOU.
UM, I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF AND KEEP IN MIND THIS PRESENTATION IS NOW COMMISSIONER ZEDI IS WHAT, THREE MONTHS OLD.
UM, AND I HAVE WANTED TO, BUT NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE LAST TWO MEETINGS.
UM, BUT I THINK THE INFORMATION'S STILL RELEVANT AND WE REALLY DIDN'T WANNA REPORT ON ANY NEW DATA UNTIL WE GOT THROUGH THIS PIECE, CUZ SOME OF IT'S REALLY RELEVANT TO THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT REPORTING.
AND THEN YOU CAN MOVE THOSE SLIDES.
UH, COULD YOU MAKE IT A LITTLE BIGGER? IS IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THAT? I CAN BARELY SEE IT TOO.
I, I'M GONNA SKIP SOME OF THIS WRITING CUZ NO ONE READS MORE THAN EIGHT WORDS ON A SLIDE APPARENTLY.
SO, UM, WHEN COMMISSIONER ZEDI, FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN ANYTIME.
UM, AS I'M GONNA JUST MOVE THROUGH SOME OF THIS.
UM, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT OR HEARD THAT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS AT AAC ARE SIMILAR TO PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND THAT IS IN FACT NOT TRUE.
UM, THE PROBLEMS ARE VERY DISTINCT HERE, UH, IN MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED IN OTHER LARGE OBIT EMISSION SHELTERS, EVEN THOSE WITH HIGH LIFESAVING RATES OF 90% AND ABOVE.
UM, AND SO THE, WE ARE NOT FINDING THAT THERE IS
[01:45:01]
AN INCREASE IN OWNER SURRENDERS DUE TO, UH, HOUSING OR ECONOMIC REASONS.UM, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCREASE IN INTAKE.
IN FACT, THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE THAT HAPPENED IN 2020.
AND UNLIKE THE VAST MAJORITY OF OTHER OPEN EMISSION SHELTERS, UH, INTAKE HAS NOT REBOUNDED.
IT'S ALMOST AS LOW AS IT WAS IN 2020, WHICH IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL.
UM, WE ARE NOT SEEING INTAKES AND OUTCOMES, UM, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, UH, NEARLY AS SIGNIFICANTLY AS WE DO IN OTHER SHELTERS.
SO THE NATIONAL PROBLEM IS THAT INTAKES ARE OUTPACING OUTCOMES BY A LOT.
SO A LOT MORE COMING IN THAN ARE LEAVING.
AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE AT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER.
IN FACT, INTAKES AND OUTCOMES HAVE REMAINED FAIRLY CONSISTENT.
UM, AND WE ARE, WE HAVE MORE STAFFING THAN WE DID WHEN INTAKE WAS ABOUT DOUBLE, UH, WHAT IT WAS, WHAT IT HAS BEEN IN 2022.
SO, UM, OKAY, YOU CAN MOVE ON.
UH, SO HERE'S JUST SOME RAW NUMBER CHANGES.
SO THE WAY THAT WE CALCULATE NUMBERS HERE IN AUSTIN IS REALLY AWESOME, UM, BECAUSE WE CALCULATE NOSES AND NOSES OUT.
SO, UH, WHEN I ASK, UH, MR. MR. GARZA ABOUT, WE ONLY CALCULATE RAW NUMBERS, RIGHT? THAT WAS BECAUSE WE COUNT EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES IN ALIVE AND WE WANNA KNOW IF IT LEFT ALIVE.
UM, AND SO THE INTAKES IN 2019 PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC WERE 19,670, WHICH IS EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH FOR THE SIZE OF OUR SHELTER.
BUT, UH, DESPITE THAT, AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER WAS MAINTAINING ABOVE A 95% LIVE RELEASE RATE.
AND THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING, IT WAS MOVING EFFICIENTLY.
AND SO AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER WAS ABLE TO TAKE IN THAT MANY ANIMALS AND ALSO OUTCOME THAT MANY ANIMALS.
IN 2022, THE INTAKE WAS 11,161, WHICH IS 43% LESS, UH, THAN IN 2019.
DOG INTAKES WERE WENT FROM 10,891 IN 2019, UH, TO 6,476.
UM, AND SO THAT IS A 40% DECREASE IN DOG INTAKES.
AND YOU'LL NOTE I MENTIONED THAT INTAKES AND OUTCOMES ARE KEEPING PACE.
UH, DOG ADOPTIONS, UH, THEY WENT DOWN, SO FROM 5,630 TO 3,398, SO A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ADOPTIONS THAT WAS ALSO DOWN 40%.
UM, R T O IS THE MOST CONCERNING NUMBER IN THE ENTIRE DATA SET.
UM, IT WENT DOWN A FULL 62% FROM WHERE IT WAS IN, UH, 2019.
UH, AND THAT IS A BIG NUMBER THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT.
UM, IT'S, IT IS PRESENTING A HUGE PROBLEM LOST, UH, AND LOOSE DOGS AND CATS ARE NOT GETTING HOME.
UM, I MENTIONED THAT THE REPORTS, THE OPEN DATA PORTAL ACTUALLY JUST AUTO GENERATES REPORTS AND THEY'RE PRETTY AWESOME TOO.
UH, THIS IS ONE, GOSH, I THINK I'M LOOKING AT DOG INTAKES.
SO YOU CAN SEE THAT HERE WE HAVE THAT DRAMATIC DROP IN DOG INTAKES, AND THEN IT'S GONE UP A LITTLE, BUT IT'S GOTTEN NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHERE IT WAS.
UM, PRIOR TO THE IMP PANDEMIC.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL.
WHAT WE SEE IN MOST LARGE GOVERNMENT SHELTERS, EVEN THOSE WITH HIGH LIVE RELEASE RATES, IS THAT THE, UH, INTAKES HAVE REALLY RETURNED TO ALMOST 2019.
SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA FOR 2023, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE SEEING NUMBERS THAT ARE, UM, ALMOST INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM 2019 IN THE NATIONAL DATA SET.
UM, SO THESE ARE INTAKES BY TYPE, UH, WOW.
THIS ONE, THIS IS JUST LIKE A, A VISION TEST, YOU KNOW, UH, WHERE THEY MAKE YOU SAY THE LETTERS, UM, TRYING TO REMEMBER HOW WELL I KNOW THIS DATA, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT BY INTAKE TYPES WE'VE SEEN A DECREASE IN, UM, IN INTAKE.
SO, UM, AND YOU CAN SEE THERE'S THAT DROP OFF THERE AND THEN THIS SLOW REBOUNDING.
BUT REALLY WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYWHERE CLOSE TO WHERE WE WERE, UM, WITH, UH, WITH BOTH STRAY AND OWNER SURRENDER INTAKES GOING DOWN.
UH, WHEN I SAID THAT THIS IS PART OF THE THING THAT KIND OF CONFOUNDS ME AND WHY I THINK WE NEED MORE COMPREHENSIVE DATA REPORTING IS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT DISPARITY, THAT DISCREPANCY BETWEEN INTAKES AND OUTCOMES.
SO NORMALLY WHAT WE'D SEE IS THAT INTAKES HAVE, UH, CONTINUED TO GO UP
[01:50:01]
WHILE OUTCOMES HAVEN'T.SO MORE COMING IN, FEWER BEING ADOPTED AND TRANSFERRED.
BUT IN THE CASE OF AUSTIN, WE ACTUALLY ARE KEEPING PACE.
SO INTAKES AND OUTCOMES ARE KEEPING PACE OVERALL, UM, WHICH IS PART OF WHY THE CURRENT, UM, OVERCROWDING, UH, NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED MORE THOROUGHLY.
UH, THIS IS ANNUAL INTAKE, UM, OF CATS AND DOGS.
LET'S SEE, WHAT ARE WE? OH, YEAH.
SO BLUE IS THE OVERALL INTAKE.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT'S GONE UP SOMEWHAT.
DOG INTAKE REALLY HAS NOT GONE UP FROM 2020.
UM, IT'S STAYED VERY, VERY LOW.
I MEAN LOWER THAN, GOSH, AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER'S DOG INTAKE HAS EVER BEEN.
UM, SO WHAT THAT TELLS US IS THAT IT'S NOT A SURPRISE THAT WE'RE SEEING MORE ANIMALS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED BY THE ANIMAL CENTER BECAUSE IF THE DATA WAS CONSISTENT WITH MOST OTHER DATA SETS, WE WOULD SEE THAT NUMBER OF DOG INTAKES HAD RETURNED TO WHERE IT WAS IN IN 2019.
UH, SO THIS IS THE AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER BUDGET OVER INTAKES.
AND, UH, YES, THINGS HAVE GOTTEN A BIT PRICIER.
HOWEVER, WE SEE A CONSISTENT INCREASE IN THE BUDGET, AND YET THE ANIMAL CENTER UNABLE TO MANAGE A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAN IT COULD WITH A SMALLER BUDGET AND MUCH HIGHER NUMBER OF ANIMALS.
SO, UM, THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE NEED TO LOOK INTO FURTHER IN, UH, COMMISSIONER ZEDI.
I, I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE SLIDES COMING UP, BUT DO YOU WANNA COMMENT ON THIS ONE AT ALL? IT'S, IT'S, IT IS REALLY INTERESTING THAT THE BUDGET I IS RISING.
IT'S NOT LIKE, UH, AS VERY QUICKLY THE RATE, BUT IT, IT'S RISING AND THEN, UH, YOU HAVE, UH, IT'S, IT'S, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HOW THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS AND, AND THEN THE BUDGET CONTINUES TO GO OFF.
SO SOMETHING, THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING HERE AND WE NEED MORE INFORMATION TO HELP.
WE CAN SEE THAT THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY IN 2019, UM, WHERE BUDGET AND STAFFING WERE BOTH LOWER.
AND SO YOU CAN SEE THAT THE SYSTEM, WHICH IS TURNING OUT, TURNING MORE ANIMALS THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND STILL ACHIEVING NET LIVE RELEASE RATES.
SO WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
UM, A CLOSER LOOK AT DOG OUTCOMES OVER TIME.
AND WE CAN SEE THAT, UM, THIS IS GONNA LOOK A LITTLE BIT SKEWED BECAUSE OF THE DATA, UM, ON HERE, BUT WE CAN SEE THAT THERE'S THE INTAKE.
UM, WE CAN SEE THE DOG INTAKE HAS NOT RISEN MUCH.
THAT'S SIMILAR TO THE GRAPH YOU JUST SAW.
UM, IT REALLY HASN'T REBOUNDED.
IT'S REBOUNDED AT A LOWER RATE.
UM, SO DOG ADOPTION IS DOWN MORE THAN DOG INTAKE IS DOWN.
UM, RTO RATES, THE, THIS IS THE, OH, NO NUMBER OF LOOK AT THAT GRAY LINE.
THE RTO RATE HAS GONE DOWN AND DOWN AND DOWN.
UM, AND EVERY MONTH IT APPEARS TO BE LOWER.
UM, I NEED TO CHECK THIS LAST MONTH, BUT THAT'S BEEN TRUE UP TO THIS POINT.
UM, TRANSFERRED TO RESCUE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE MORE CONSISTENT FACTORS HERE.
WE DID SEE A DECREASE IN DOGS TRANSFERRED TO RESCUE, BUT THE NUMBER HAS REBOUNDED AND IS CLOSER TO THE 2019 NUMBER THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
UM, SO OKAY, YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD.
UM, UH, OWNER SURRENDER INTAKES HAVE GONE DOWN.
THIS ONE'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF ALL THIS MYTHOLOGY AROUND PANDEMIC PUPPIES AND PEOPLE ARE TOO POOR AND NO ONE CAN KEEP THEIR ANIMALS.
IT'S JUST NOT BORN OUT IN THE DATA.
AND IT'S NOT BORN OUT IN THE DATA HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
NOBODY, THERE WAS NOT A MASS SURRENDER OF PANDEMIC PUPPIES.
THERE WAS NOT A MASS INTAKE OF OWNER SURRENDER ANIMALS.
THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN IN, IN MOST DATA SETS AND, AND NOT AACS.
UH, IF YOU COULD JUST HOLD QUESTIONS UNTIL THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
UH, COMMISSIONER IDES AND I ARE, WERE BROUGHT THIS TOGETHER SO SHE'S ALSO PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
UM, SO WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE, UH, UH, I'M A DATA NERD, AND PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T REALLY COUNT THESE YEARS BECAUSE THINGS CHANGED SO MUCH.
WE CAN BUY, UM, LOOKING AT OUTCOMES AS A PERCENTAGE OF INTAKE, UM, AND HOW THEY CHANGED OVER TIME.
AND WE CAN SEE THAT, UM, DOG ADOPTIONS AS A
[01:55:01]
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL OUTCOMES, I'M SORRY, I LOOKED AT OUTCOMES HERE, UH, AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL OUTCOMES HAS ACTUALLY GONE UP.THAT MEANS THAT THE COMMUNITY ISN'T WALKING AWAY FROM ADOPTIONS.
THIS IDEA THAT NOBODY IS ADOPTING IS NOT SHOWN IN THE DATA.
UM, RTO AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL OUTCOMES, UM, HAS GONE DOWN AND CONTINUE TO GO DOWN.
AGAIN, THAT'S A REALLY CONCERNING METRIC.
UM, AND THAT WE COULD MAKE A LOT OF SPECULATION AS TO WHY THEY'RE GOING DOWN.
BUT THE TRUTH IS, IS WE JUST DON'T ENTIRELY KNOW EVERYTHING WOULD BE SPECULATIVE, WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO DIG INTO THE DATA MORE AND UNDERSTAND MORE WHY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A HARDER TIME GETTING THEIR FOUND IMPOUNDED ANIMALS BACK.
UM, THIS IS INCLUDING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023.
UM, AND I WON'T, I WON'T STAY ON THIS TOO LONG, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BUDGET CONTINUES TO GO UP AS INTAKES, UH, STAY DOWN.
AND WE SEE A CONTINUATION OF TRENDS.
SO NOTHING IS CHANGING IN 2023 THAT WASN'T HAPPENING IN 2022.
UM, AND IN MANY CASES THE PROBLEM IS JUST, UH, ESCALATING.
UH, THE YEAR OVER YEAR INTAKE.
SO WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH STAFFING, UM, IN REALITY, EVEN WITH VACANCIES, UH, VACANCY RATES, UM, ALLEGEDLY BEING HIGHER THAT DO SHOULD NOT BE IMPACTING THINGS AT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER BECAUSE THERE IS A HIGHER NUMBER OF STAFFING RELATIVE TO THE ANIMALS COMING IN THE BUILDING.
SO THERE ARE A LOT MORE STAFF TO DEAL WITH A, A FAR FEWER ANIMALS THAN THERE WERE.
UM, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF SHELTERS ARE EXPERIENCING A STAFFING CRISIS WITH HIGH RATES OF VACANCY, AND THEY TRULY ARE CREATING C UH, CARE AND WELFARE PROBLEMS. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.
UM, AND THIS IS THE FIRST THREE MONTHS FOR, UM, A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT YEARS.
AND YOU CAN SEE THIS IS WHY WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE RTO RATE GOING DOWN.
UH, THIS SHOULD BE LOW HANGING FRUIT AND THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING, UH, WE'RE PAYING REALLY CLOSE ATTENTION TO.
IF WE COULD GET THAT RTO RATE BACK UP, UM, IT WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THE CAPACITY ISSUES AT AAC.
UM, RTO IS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DOG OUTCOMES, AGAIN, COVERING THIS GROUND.
AGAIN, JUST TO SAY THAT EVEN AS A PERCENTAGE, THE RTO RATE HAS GONE DOWN.
SO EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TAKING IN FEWER, WE'RE RETURNING FEWER RELATIVE TO THAT NUMBER.
UM, SO IT'S NOT JUST THAT THAT RAW NUMBER OF RETURNS HAS GONE DOWN RELATIVE TO TOTAL OUTCOMES, IT'S GONE DOWN.
UH, SHE IS, UH, DOG OUTCOMES JANUARY THROUGH MARCH TO DIFFERENT TYPES.
UM, AND AGAIN, THINGS ARE NOT TRENDING, UH, IN A GOOD DIRECTION, ESPECIALLY FOR THE BEGINNING OF 2023.
WE'RE SEEING EVEN LOWER OUTCOMES.
UM, ADOPTIONS THOUGH ARE PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING OUT TO ADOPT AUSTINITE, STILL LOVE SHELTER PETS, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S REALLY A HOPEFUL METRIC.
AND IN 2023, RTOS ARE GOING DOWN STILL.
UM, YEAH, LET'S SKIP THROUGH THIS APRIL DATA SINCE IT'S NOT APRIL ANYMORE.
UM, DO, DO YOU WANNA, COMMISSIONER, DO YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT THESE SLIDES? THIS COMES FROM THE DETAILS FROM, UM, THE CITY, HOW THE FT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, UH, HAVE INCREASED PER YEAR IN 2018.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE WERE AT 109 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
AND BY 2023, THE FUND THAT WAS POSITIONS IS BASICALLY LIKE 12 TO 11 MORE POSITIONS.
SO IT JUST SHOWS A TREND, UPPER TREND.
AND IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
THIS WAS A REPORT BY KAYAN, I BELIEVE.
I, I'M JUST LOOKING AT, I NEED TO LOOK AT MY
I JUST WANT, AND SO THAT, THAT SHOWS YOU, UM, AGAIN, THE TOP LINE, UM, IS THE GREEN ONE, THAT'S 2023.
FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER IS AT ALMOST 18 MILLION COMPARED TO WHAT? OH, I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG.
THAT'S VERY HARD TO, UM, THAT'S OKAY.
SO WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
UM, AND I THINK THAT'S THE SLIDE YOU WERE
[02:00:01]
LOOKING AT.YOU WERE, I WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT 1 20 23.
THE BUDGET WAS, UH, FOR 2023 FISCAL CLOSE TO 18 MILLION.
AND IN 2018 IT WAS AROUND 13 MILLION POINT, 13.2 MILLION.
SO THAT'S A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN, IN DOLLARS.
SO THE BUDGET'S THERE, IT'S UM, HOW IT'S BEING ADMINISTERED AND IT'S, I MEAN, YOU HAVE, UM, I MEAN THE NUMBERS ARE NOT MAKING SENSE.
AND WE, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS, ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE KNOW, AND IF YOUR EYES ARE GLAZING OVER, CUZ GA IS NOT YOUR THING, THIS IS CLOSE TO THE END.
BUT ONE OF THE REASONS THIS MATTERS IS THAT THE, UH, PER INTAKE SPENDING AT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.
UM, IT'S SPENDING MORE MONEY PER INTAKE THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT SHELTER, UM, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FIND.
UM, AND SO WITH THAT, WITH THAT MONEY BEING SPENT, UM, THE QUESTION IS WHY ARE ANIMALS, UM, GETTING STUCK IN A WAY THAT THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY IN ANOTHER SHELTER? SO WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
SO WONDERING, DO WE NEED A WORKING GROUP TO TALK ABOUT A REPORT? I WOULD ARGUE NO, BECAUSE WE HAD A PRETTY GREAT REPORT.
UM, THIS IS THE REPORT THAT WAS USED UP UNTIL 2020 OCTOBER OF 2020, I BELIEVE.
UM, THIS REPORT OFFERED SIMPLE COMPARATIVE DATA BASED ON EVERYTHING THE COMMISSION HAD SAID IT WANTED.
UM, IT REALLY LAID OUT LIKE HOW THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES WERE HAPPENING.
UM, AND IT JUST MADE IT REALLY SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND.
AND SO, UM, WHILE THIS WAS DONE IN CRYSTAL REPORTS, WHICH I UNDERSTAND AAC CAN'T USE, HOWEVER, THIS SHOULD BE SUPER EASY TO REPLICATE, UM, WITH, UH, WITH ANY IT PERSON IN ANY DEPARTMENT EVEN SUPPORTING.
UM, BECAUSE THIS, THIS REPORT IS FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
THERE'S NOTHING, UH, TOO FANCY OR COMPLICATED ABOUT IT.
YOU CAN GO INTO THE NEXT BULLET SLIDE.
UM, THIS IS HOW THEY'RE PRESENTED NOW.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE DIFFERENCE IS STARK WHEN YOU SEE THE TWO BESIDE EACH OTHER.
AND, UM, THIS REALLY IS INSUFFICIENT FOR UNDERSTANDING CHANGES OVER TIME AND CHANGES OVER TIME OR HOW WE KNOW HOW THE SHELTER IS PERFORMING OVERALL.
UM, TAKING ASIDE ANY PERSONALITIES OR FEELINGS ABOUT IT, BEING ABLE TO SEE HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME AS OUR MOST OBJECTIVE, NEUTRAL WAY TO SEE HOW THE CENTER IS PERFORMING.
AND YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
UM, THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE SHARED WITH THE COMMISSION PRIOR.
IT USED TO BE CALLED THE MONTHLY DATA REPORT.
UM, WE HAD A NARRATIVE REPORT, WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE NARRATIVE REPORT SHARED NOW.
UM, AND THEN WE HAD SUPPLEMENTAL DOCS, UH, DOCUMENTS, UH, BASICALLY WHATEVER WAS HAPPENING AT THE ANIMAL SERVICES WAS PRESENTED IN A SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENT.
AND THAT'S AN EXAMPLE ON THE RIGHT OF A REPORT.
BUT THOSE REPORTS GAVE VERY SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS IN FOSTER, THE EXACT NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS, HOW MANY NEW VOLUNTEERS, UM, UH, DIFFERENT KINDS OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. UM, I ACTUALLY, UM, AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER HAS HAD SOME REALLY COOL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS.
UM, AND, UH, AND IT REPORTED OUT ON THOSE.
SO THESE REPORTS CAN ALL BE FOUND ON THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AUSTIN, UM, SITE, IF YOU'RE CURIOUS, YOU JUST HAVE TO GO BACK BEFORE OCTOBER OF 2021 AND LOOK FOR THOSE.
BUT THAT WAS WHEN THE CHANGE HAPPENED.
UM, AND SO JUST SIMPLY BY GOING BACK TO THAT WAY OF REPORTING, UH, WE WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING THAT WE, UH, REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW.
UM, AND YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
NEXT, UM, HERE'S SOME OTHER CITIES DALLAS'S MONTHLY, UH, ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT CARD.
UH, IT'S VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND IT SHOWS THE DATA SIDE BY SIDE.
AND THIS ONE IS EVEN MORE DETAILED.
UM, THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER GREAT ONE TO REPLICATE.
IT GIVES A LOT OF DETAIL INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT INTAKE AND OUTCOME TYPES AND REASONS, UM, AS WELL AS OTHER METRICS THAT ARE PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR DALLAS.
UM, HERE IS ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WHERE ON THE WEBSITE THEY HAVE, UM, ANNUAL DATA.
UM, THEY HAVE MONTHLY STATISTICS AND THOSE ARE UPDATED.
UM, SO THAT YOU CAN SEE MONTH OVER MONTH, OVER MONTH.
UM, IT'S ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE TO LOOK AT.
SO YOU CAN LOOK ANNUAL OR MONTHLY COMPARATIVE DATA AND YOU CAN GO NEXT, UH, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI EVERY MONTH.
THIS IS THEIR MONTHLY REPORT WHERE THEY'VE GOT SIMPLE DATA, THEY'VE GOT GRAPHS AND THEY'VE GOT NARRATIVE.
BUT ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS THERE AND IT'S ALL PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FASHION.
SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S CHANGED OVER TIME.
SO JUST TO WRAP UP, UM, HOWEVER YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER
[02:05:01]
YOU FEEL ABOUT AAC OR WHAT'S HAPPENING OR YOU AGREE OR YOU DON'T AGREE, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.I WANTED TO PRESENT THOSE TO YOU BECAUSE I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WE DON'T ALL NEED TO AGREE, BUT WE ALL DO NEED TO HAVE DATA AS A STARTING POINT.
IF WE DON'T START WITH SOME REALITY, UH, A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION JUST BECOMES SPECULATION AND OPINION AND THOUGHTS AND IT REALLY DOESN'T GET US ANYWHERE.
AND SO, UM, WHAT I'M ASKING IS THAT WE ALL REALLY START TO FOCUS IN ON THE DATA, UM, AND, AND LOOKING AT WHAT THE, WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW VERSUS WHAT IS HAPPENING, UM, IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
WE DO KNOW THAT NON-LIFE OUTCOMES, UM, ARE TRENDING UPWARDS.
UM, AND THAT IS THAT WE SEE THAT WHEN WE ADD, UM, MISSING, WHICH IS WHY I'M CURIOUS ABOUT WHY THERE ARE NO MISSING ANIMALS.
UM, IN THE JUNIOR REPORTS, UM, LOST IN CARE DIED IN CARE AND EUTHANIZED.
AND SO WHEN WE ADD THOSE TOGETHER, WE SEE THAT ACTUALLY, UM, AS A PERCENTAGE OF OUTCOMES EUTHANASIA IS TRENDING UP.
UM, IT'S ONE OF THE FEW AREAS THAT IS TRENDING UPWARD.
UM, AND THAT WE KNOW THAT WE HAD A LOT LESS AND WE PUT THROUGH A LOT MORE ANIMALS WITH A HIGH LIVE RELEASE RATE OF 95 OR ABOVE PRIOR TO THIS.
AND WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHY WE'RE NOT DOING THAT NOW.
UM, THERE ARE NOT A LOT, LOT OF OTHER DATA SETS THAT LOOK LIKE OURS, SO IT'S INSUFFICIENT TO LOOK AT OTHERS.
UM, AND I'LL JUST POINT TO, UM, THIS IS ONE DOCUMENT, BUT THE REPORT PREPARED BY CHRISTOPHER MCFALL THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION, UM, AND I BELIEVE WAS INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL DOCS FROM THE LAST MEETING, IS INCREDIBLY COMPREHENSIVE.
IT'S 75 PAGES AND IT, UM, REALLY LAYS OUT IN DETAIL A LOT OF WHAT I'M SAYING THAT I DIDN'T GET INTO THIS PRESENTATION.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND, UM, AND, UH, ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? YES, COMMISSIONER.
I MEAN, I'M NOT, I'M NOT GONNA TAKE MUCH TIME.
I HAVE, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AND SO MUCH TO DISCUSS.
I I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE USE OF OUR TIME.
I THINK PEOPLE CAN RELY ON INSCRUTABLE PE PRESENTATIONS AND HAND WAVING AND HOPE THAT PEOPLE ASSUME THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT LIKE, I AM A DATA NERD, WHICH IS PART OF WHY I WONDERED WHY MANY OF YOUR EX AND Y AXES WEREN'T EVEN LABELED.
UM, SO IT, IT JUST MADE IT HARD TO GO THROUGH.
AT ONE POINT YOU CLAIMED YOURSELF THAT THE REPORTS YOU WANT WOULD REQUIRE SOME SORT OF IT SUPPORT.
SO AGAIN, LET'S LET THE COMMISSION ADVOCATE FOR THE IT SUPPORT THAT THE SHELTER NEEDS.
AND, AND I'M CONFUSED BECAUSE AT ONE POINT YOU SAID YOU, YOU GOT BRILLIANT REPORTS FROM, FROM THE OPEN ACCESS DATA, AND THEN AT OTHER POINTS YOU SAID, WE DON'T HAVE THE, YOU, YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE DATA YOU NEED.
SO I'M, I I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON WHAT WHAT YOU WANT THE, THE SALIENT TAKE HOME POINT TO BE WHEN YOU SPOKE FOR OVER 20 MINUTES, WHEN AS THE PARLIAMENTARIAN, YOU PREVENTED ME FROM SPEAKING MORE THAN 12 MINUTES WHEN I HAD A COHERENT PRESENTATION.
UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO REBUT HERE, BUT I'M NOT GONNA TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL TIME AND I, I WOULD NEVER ACCUSE A FELLOW COMMISSIONER OF USING THE COMMISSION'S AND THE PUBLIC'S TIME FOR, UM, FOR A COMMERCIAL, FOR THEIR PERSONAL PRIVATE BUSINESS BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE BEYOND THE PALE OF WHAT'S APPROPRIATE FOR COMMISSIONERS TO DO.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
SO IF YOU COULD JUST GET TO THE SUBSTANCE, THAT WOULD HELP.
I ORDER, YEAH, LET'S JUST GET, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. NISSEN.
LET'S JUST GET TO THE SUBSTANCE.
IS THERE A QUESTION? ARE ARE, IS THAT COMPLETE? I HAVE DR.
COMMISSIONER ULLA, DO YOU, DO I THINK YOU DO HAVE TO BE ON CAMERA TO ASK TO TALK.
OH, AM I NOT? I THOUGHT I WAS.
I'M SOMEWHERE IN, AM I HERE? YOU HAVE BEEN, BUT YOU'RE NOT CURRENTLY.
NO, I'M SOMEWHERE IN EAST TEXAS.
IF YOU COULD CHECK, IF YOU COULD CHECK, I'LL JUST, I'LL JUST EMAIL IN.
I'LL JUST EMAIL MY QUESTIONS, UM, AFTER THE MEETING.
IF, IF YOU CAN LOOK AT YOUR, YOUR, UM, SETTINGS AND YOU COME BACK ON, I WILL CERTAINLY LET YOU KNOW AND, AND RECALL.
UM, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OH, YOU'RE BACK.
IT'S IN AND OUT, IN AND OUT FOR ME THE WHOLE TIME.
COMMISSIONER SMILOW, WE CAN SEE YOU, THEREFORE WE'RE ALLOWED TO HEAR YOU.
SO THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS HOW WERE THE, UM, OTHER SHELTERS
[02:10:01]
THAT YOU USED IN YOUR REPORTING? HOW DID YOU SELECT THOSE? COMMISSIONER SSON? UH, YEAH, THANK YOU.UM, I, WELL, SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SHELTERS THAT HAVE, UH, EXCELLENT REPORTS.
I SELECTED THESE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL PUBLIC, AND SO YOU CAN FIND THEM ON THE WEBSITES.
UM, AND I WANTED TO SPECIFICALLY SELECT GOVERNMENT OR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTED SHELTERS WITH HIGH INTAKES, UM, THAT COMMISSIONERS OR THE PUBLIC COULD ACCESS OUTSIDE OF THIS PRESENTATION.
COMMISSIONER S SO I KNOW THIS WAS VERY LABOR INTENSIVE, PULLING ALL THE DATA.
WHERE DO YOU GET THE DATA FROM? CAN YOU CLARIFY BECAUSE I, YEAH, THANK YOU.
ONE IS THAT I GET THE INTAKE AND OUTCOME DATA BY TYPE AND SPECIES FROM THE AUSTIN OPEN DATA PORTAL.
UM, AND SO FOR INTAKES AND OUTCOMES BY TYPE AND SPECIES, THAT IS, UM, GOES BACK MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
UM, BUT A LOT OF THE OTHER DATA, ANYTHING ELSE I PRESENTED OUTSIDE OF THAT, UM, WAS GOING BACK THROUGH, UH, REPORTS OVER THE LAST SIX TO SEVEN YEARS.
AND THOSE REPORTS CAN ALL BE FOUND ON THE, UM, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS PAGE OF THE AUSTIN AND ANIMAL CENTER.
SO, UH, THAT IS THE OTHER PLACE THAT I REFERENCE IS THOSE REPORTS.
SO THE NUMBERS COME FROM THE CITY? THAT'S CORRECT.
SO, UH, THERE'S NOTHING, I MEAN, WHEN MAYBE WHAT I HEARD, I, MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD, UH, FROM DR.
NIELSEN IS SAID, UM, MAYBE, UH, LIKE YOU, MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU STATED AND YOU CAN CORRECT, UH, THAT, UH, THAT THERE WAS THINGS THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM.
DID, DID YOU SAY THAT? OR MAYBE IT'S, I'M TIRED GETTING OVER A SINUS INFECTION.
SO NO, IT ALL COMES FROM THE CITY'S DATA SOURCES.
UH, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT JUST TO USE THEIR DATA.
UM, AND LUCKILY IN AUSTIN, I MEAN ONE OF THE REAL STRENGTHS OF THIS COMMUNITY IS THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS REPORTED EVERY INTAKE AND OUTCOME.
AND SO YOU CAN FIND THOSE BOTH IN THE HISTORICAL RECORDS AND YOU CAN FIND THEM ON THE OPEN DATA PORTAL.
SO THAT IS THE ONLY DATA I NEEDED TO REFERENCE.
UM, BUT THE, GOING BACK IN THE REPORTS MEANT GOING BACK THROUGH MULTIPLE YEARS OF REPORTS AND COMPARING THOSE TO WHAT I FOUND IN THE OPEN DATA PORTAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TWO WERE CONSISTENT.
SO I KNOW THAT, UH, KRISTEN PUT A LOT OF TIME AND I DID TALK TO HER.
WE COLLABORATED AND I GAVE MY OPINION JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS.
AND THEN, UH, THE NUMBERS, UH, IS, IT'S A BASELINE, BASICALLY.
THAT'S, AND IT HELPS TO MAKE DECISIONS OR LOOK WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
AND EVERYBODY'S AT THE SA, SAME PAGE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER SULA? I COULDN'T TELL IF YOU WERE WIPING YOUR BROW OR RAISING YOUR HAND AGAIN.
UH, IF YOU WERE TRYING TO WEIGH BACK IN, JUST LET US KNOW.
UM, UH, THE, THE POINT ABOUT THE TIME WAS WELL MADE.
UM, AND I WANT TO, I, I DIDN'T OBVIOUSLY KNOW THE LENGTH OF THAT, UH, PRESENTATION.
MY PREFERENCE AS CHAIR IS TO NOT, IS JUST GONNA LET, TO NOT LIMIT COMMISSIONERS AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY CAN, UM, ON AS LONG AS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT SUBSTANCE.
AND, UM, HAD I KNOWN THAT, THAT WERE GONNA BE AS LONG AS IT WAS, I SHOULD HAVE, I WOULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE ASKED THE COMMISSION IF THEY WERE FINE WITH THAT.
UH, GENERAL PREFERENCE FOR LETTING PEOPLE SPEAK.
I THINK THAT THE PLACE THAT WE GOT INTO TROUBLE SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR AGO, OR WHENEVER THAT WAS, WAS IN NOT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SPEAK.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT MY PREFERENCE IS JUST GONNA BE TO.
SO YOU CAN ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU'D LIKE, AS LONG AS THEY'RE ON SUBSTANCE AND NOT PERSONAL ATTACKS, AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY ELSE CAN ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS THEY WANT TO.
COMMISSIONER LINDER, UM, ON THAT NOTE OF TIME, I GUESS I'M JUST CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT I KNOW WE HAVE MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HERE WHO, UM, I THINK FOR THE MOST PART ARE, ARE WAITING FOR, UM, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
SO I WONDER WHETHER OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WOULD BE OKAY WITH MOVING THAT UP, UM, TO LET THESE PEOPLE GO HOME.
UM, CUZ I KNOW WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.
SO IS, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE TO
[02:15:01]
ITEM NUMBER EIGHT? LET'S, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DONE WITH THIS ITEM.UH, AND THEN I WILL HEAR THE MOTION.
ARE WE DONE WITH THIS ITEM? YES.
SO THE MOTION IS TO MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, IS THAT CORRECT? YES.
I, I DON'T WANNA LOSE THE ITEMS IN BETWEEN NOW AND EIGHT.
I, I JUST AM TRYING TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE, UM, THE FACT THAT THEY'VE, THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A WHILE NOW.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND TO MOVE? I HAVE A QUESTION.
LET'S, LET'S DO THE SECOND AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION.
SO THERE'S A SECOND TO MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
AND NOW YOU'RE FREE TO ASK A QUESTION OR COMMENT.
NUMBER FIVE, DISCUSSION WITH AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER, AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY.
AUSTIN PASSED THE LIFE REGARDING PLANS FOR LONG STAY.
ARE THERE PEOPLE FROM AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY HERE? THAT'S OKAY.
ANYBODY CAN MAKE A DISCUSSION OR COMMENT ABOUT THE MEDICINE? YES.
THAT'S, THAT'S BEFORE THAT I PULLED TWO MONTHS AGO.
YEAH, REMEMBER? AND, AND THE THING IS LONG STAYS, IT'S A TOPIC.
COMPLEX AS THE IN ANIMAL CENTER IS SPENDING ALMOST $2.5 MILLION PER YEAR ON, ON LONG STAYS.
AND I NEED TO, TO GIVE A VERY, VERY GOOD FORM TO THIS.
WE WORK WITH THE URGENT MATTER AND NOT THE IMPORTANT.
AND I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT NOW, UH, TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH SILK, BECAUSE IT'S OUR PLACE, IT'S THE MAGIC OF AUSTIN THAT WE CAN'T LOSE.
AND THE OTHER THING IS, IN 10 DAYS, WE ARE GOING TO DO 40 MONTHS OF A LOCKDOWN AFTER COVID.
WE, AND IT'S, IT'S SUPPOSED AND LOOKS LIKE COVID WAS, UH, BY CONTACT WITH WILDLIFE.
LET'S GO TO TALK ABOUT THAT TWO TOPICS AND MOVE MY, UH, MY DISCUSSION ITEM FOR OTHER TIME.
THAT LET THE MOTION ON THE TABLE IS TO MOVE TO NUMBER EIGHT.
SO LET'S JUST HAVE THAT ONE ON IN FRONT OF US NOW.
UM, SO IS THERE, SO IF WE'VE HAD A SECOND, LET'S HAVE A VOTE.
IS THERE, UH, ALL IN FAVOR OF MOVING TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT AT THIS TIME? THAT IS UNANIMOUS.
SO WE WILL GO TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
[8. Discussion regarding the Zilker Park Vision Plan]
APPROVE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING A ZIKO PARK VISION PLAN.NELSON, IS THIS YOUR ITEM? I DID REQUEST THAT THIS BE ON THE LIST AT THE END OF LAST MONTH'S MEETING BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY OUTPUT, UM, THAT WE RECEIVED.
UM, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT WE MIGHT HAVE UNTIL NEXT MONTH'S MEETING TO, TO CRAFT SOMETHING MM-HMM.
UM, THERE, I DON'T, I DON'T HAVE A RECOMMENDATION CRAFTED YET.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, UM, THAT WAS GIVEN THIS EVENING.
UM, I, YOU KNOW, I, I STARTED TO, TO LOOK INTO THIS AND I WENT TO THE ZILKER VISION PLAN Q AND A.
AND, AND ONE THING THAT INITIALLY JUMPED OUT AT ME IS THAT, UM, THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMMENTS ON THERE SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, F FOUR OTHER COMMISSIONS HAVE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF THE VISION PLAN.
BUT IF YOU CLICK ON LINK TO LOOK AT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SAY IS, WE WOULD SUPPORT THIS, UM, WITH SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO IT.
SO I, I JUST HOPE THAT THOSE REQUESTS FOR REVIEW AND SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES AREN'T BEING GLOSSED OVER.
UM, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY NOT BY, UH, CITY COUNCIL AS THEY, AS THEY CONSIDER THIS VISION PLAN.
AND I, I HOPE THAT OUR COMMISSION CAN BE A PLACE WHERE THOSE CONCERNS CAN BE, UM, REINFORCED AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GIVE MORE VOICE TO THOSE THINGS, BUT WE MIGHT NEED AN ADDITIONAL MONTH TO DO IT APPROPRIATELY.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ITEM? COMMISSIONER LINDER? UM, YEAH, SO ALONG THOSE LINES, I GUESS I, UM, HEARING ALL OF YOU SPEAK TODAY, IT'S SO CLEAR HOW PASSIONATE YOU ARE ABOUT THIS.
IT'S SO CLEAR HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.
UM, AND SO AS WE'RE TRYING TO DECIDE ON WHAT THAT RECOMMENDATION MIGHT BE, UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO, UM, TO REACH OUT TO COMMISSIONER NISSEN IF SHE'S GOING TO BE THE ONE WHO'S SPEARHEADING THIS.
UM, AND, AND TRYING TO DO SOME OF THAT LEGWORK FOR US SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT HALF AS WELL AS YOU DO, UM, WHEN WE HEAR IT IN OUR NEXT MEETING, I THINK WOULD, WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATED.
CUZ I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM, UM, FROM ALL OF YOU AND, AND SORT OF IN BACK AND FORTH OVER EMAIL.
SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO, UM, TO GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED, UM, AND PLEASE HELP EDUCATE US, UM, ON THIS BECAUSE
[02:20:01]
IT, IT DOES SEEM IMPORTANT.IT AFFECTS ALL OF US, UM, AS COMMISSIONER HERRERA MENTIONED.
SO, UM, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE BEFORE WE CLOSE THE AGENDA ITEM.
IT'S OKAY IF WE CREATE A WORKING GROUP OR IT'S TOO LATE, UH, I THINK TO GIVE A A, UNFORTUNATELY IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA THAT WAY.
SO, UH, BUT UM, WE CAN, BUT ANY PERSON CAN MEET WITH ANY NON QUORUM AND PUT ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
BUT WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS TAKE AN ACTION THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA OKAY.
SO WHEN WE GET TO AGENDA ITEMS, ANY PERSON CAN PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA AND MEET WITH A NON QUORUM.
UM, I TOO WANNA THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING FOR THAT.
YOU HAVE MADE US, UH, A LOT SMARTER ON IT.
IT'S A AREA THAT WE, THAT I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF THAT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT.
UM, AND SO I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
I THINK THAT WHAT WOULD HELP, AND, UH, WE, I I CHECK ALL MY EMAILS.
WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF EMAILS LATELY.
TRADITIONALLY WE GOT ALMOST NONE, BUT WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF EMAILS LATELY.
I READ THEM ALL AS I BEST I CAN.
ONE THING THAT WOULD, THAT I WOULD ASK FOR HELP ON IS IF YOU CAN GIVE US SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS, BEING AGAINST IT BEING FOR IT, THAT KIND OF PROBABLY DOESN'T HELP COUNCIL ALL THAT MUCH, BUT IF THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS THAT YOU THINK THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE OR WOULD BE, UH, OPEN TO, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP TREMENDOUSLY.
I DON'T KNOW THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT, UM, I ASSUME THAT BEFORE ANYTHING ACTUALLY GOT BUILT, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY.
I, I ASSUME THAT THAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT, UH, ON AN AREA WITH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, WITH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE RIGHT AREA, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC, UH, IF YOU WANT COUNSEL TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ANIMALS, THEN THAT COULD BE A VERY SPECIFIC ACTION ITEM, UH, RECOMMENDATION FOR A, YOU KNOW, STUDY ON THE, ON, ON THE IMPACT OF THIS PROPOSAL ON ANIMALS.
YEAH, YOU'RE WELCOME TO JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE.
UH, YES, MY NAME'S TANYA PAYNE.
AND, UM, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU NOTICED, UM, AS FAR AS ACTIONABLE ITEMS ON THE CONSENSUS DOCUMENT.
AND SO WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU CONSIDER IS THE ITEMS OF LOW CONSENSUS.
RECOMMEND REMOVING THEM FROM THE PLAN, IF THAT HELPS.
IT IT DOES, IT DOES, CERTAINLY.
BUT IF YOU, IF THERE ARE OTHERS, UM, I THINK, I THINK WE WILL, WE, WE VERY MUCH ENCOURAGE, UH, YOU GUYS TO EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW AND MAKE US MORE INFORMED ABOUT THIS.
UM, IN, IN THE REWILD ZILKER, ARE THERE ENUMERATED SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS THAT WOULD BE PRO APPROPRIATE FOR THIS? OR IS IT MORE OF A GENERAL VISION? UM, SO IT, SORRY, I, MAYBE, I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
WELL, I MEAN, SPECIFICALLY WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE, UM, THE ITEMS THAT WE THINK REALLY, UH, NEGATIVELY IMPACT, UH, DOMESTICATED AND UNDOMESTICATED ANIMALS ARE THE UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE BY THE SPRINGS AND THE AMPHITHEATER ON THE GREAT LAWN AND THEN THE PARKING GARAGE BY ELIZA SPRINGS.
WE FEEL LIKE THOSE ARE, UH, ENVIRONMENTALLY DANGEROUS AND WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'VE CONTINUED TO LIVE ON IN THE PLAN.
AND DO YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO ANY BUILDING? YEAH, SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE TO DO THAT.
OUR POSITION IS THAT, UM, WE THINK THEY SHOULD PULL IT OUT NOW
UM, BUT I, I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH, UM, THE LARGER GROUP IF POSSIBLE.
SO, YOU KNOW, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO EVEN PUT TOGETHER BULLETS OR A SHORT MEMO, I THINK THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, UM, WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL BRIEFING DOCUMENTS BEFORE OUR NEXT MEETING.
[02:25:02]
DO YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A BRIEF ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OR NOT REALLY AT THIS POINT? UM, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT, THERE ARE SORT OF, UM, SERIOUS CONCERNS RAISED BY, UM, POTENTIAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT VIOLATIONS BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE BUILDING IN THEIR CRITICAL HABITAT.THERE'S DIFFERENT SORT OF SECTIONS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE IMPLICATED DEPENDING ON, UM, WHETHER THERE'S FEDERAL FUNDING AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UM, I THINK THE SHORT ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS, UM, IT, IT, THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR, UM, FOR A LONG AND PROTRACTED LAWSUIT OF, OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS WOULD APPLY, UM, ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES SIDE.
AND THEN, UM, I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH CLARITY AS FAR AS, UM, WHETHER AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT WOULD BE NEEDED UNDER NEPA.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM, INCLUDING IF YOU PLAN TO DO SOMETHING LATER AND WANNA TALK ABOUT IT NOW? THAT'S FINE.
I WAS READING SOMETHING ON MY COMPUTER.
I WAS JUST SAYING ARE THE, I'LL JUST THROW IT OUT THERE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? UM, BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE? I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.
YOU'VE BEEN, YOU'VE LISTENED AND I APPRECIATE IT.
I'VE SAID THIS ON THE OTHER AGENDA ITEM, AND I'LL SAY IT ON THIS ONE TOO.
I'VE DONE, I'VE BEEN IN WHERE YOU ARE, AND IT TAKES A LOT OF OF WORK AND PASSION AND ENERGY AND LATE NIGHTS TO WORK ON ANYTHING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT SO DEEPLY TO TRY TO AFFECT GOVERNMENT.
AND, UM, YOU DESERVE, UH, WHETHER ANYONE DISAGREES WITH YOU OR AGREES WITH YOU, IT DOESN'T, DOESN'T MATTER FOR THE PRAISE THAT YOU DESERVE FOR DOING WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND TAKING THE TIME TO, UM, DO SOMETHING THAT YOU BELIEVE IN.
UH, AND KNOW THAT WHATEVER WE DO, THIS IS AN ADVISORY GROUP.
UH, SO THE, THE, THE TRAIL DOESN'T STOP HERE.
IT'S FOR SOMETIMES, BUT IT NEVER STOPS HERE.
SO WE ARE GOING BACK TO NUMBER FIVE.
[5. Discussion with Austin Animal Center, Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive! regarding plans for Longstay Dogs]
OF AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER, AUSTIN HUMANE CI AND AUSTIN PETITE REGARDING, UH, PLANS FOR LONG STATE DOGS.I WANT TO MOVE THAT ITEM FOR OTHER MONTH BECAUSE THE TOPIC IS VERY, VERY COMPLEX.
IT'S MORE THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT.
SO YOU JUST WANNA PULL IT FOR TODAY? YES.
I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO MOVE IT WHEN IT, WHEN IT'S YOUR OWN MODE, WHEN IT'S YOUR OWN.
SO IF YOU WANNA JUST PULL IT, WE'LL PULL IT.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OF THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON? NO.
[6. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Findings of a Second Working Group on Public Contact with Wild Animals at For-Profit Zoos and Aquariums within the City of Austin]
AND ACTION ITEMS. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNSEL ON LIMITING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AT FOR-PROFIT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.I DON'T KNOW WHO WANTS TO TAKE THIS, BUT EITHER OF YOU IS WELCOME.
AND I KNOW, UM, THEY MIGHT NOT BE HERE, BUT TO EVERYONE WHO CALLED IN, UM, I JUST WANT A SECOND, UM, HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT AND, AND YOUR COMMITMENT, UM, TO THIS CAUSE.
SO, UM, I OFFERED TO HELP WITH, UM, REWORDING THE ORDINANCE FROM LAST, UM, MONTHS MEETING, UH, FOR ONE REASON.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT PASSED.
UM, AND NOT JUST APPROVED BY OUR COMMISSION, BUT BUT PASSED BY COUNSEL.
UM, SO WHAT HERE'S HERE ON THE PAPER IS, UM, IS NOT PERFECT AND COULD CERTAINLY BE IMPROVED.
UM, IT GOES TOO FAR FOR SOME PEOPLE AND NOT FAR ENOUGH FOR SOME.
UM, BUT I THINK IT IS A START AND ONE THAT COULD BE EXPANDED, UM, IF WE'RE ABLE TO GET IT TO COUNCIL AND ULTIMATELY APPROVED, UM, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE.
UM, BUT, UH, BUT FIRST WE HAVE TO, UH, TO GET IT THERE.
SO WE UNDERTOOK THIS FOR, UM, FOR A COUPLE OF OBJECTIVES.
THE FIRST WAS JUST TO ADD CLARITY, UH, TO HOW THIS ORDINANCE WOULD APPLY IN PRACTICE.
UM, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GOOD QUESTIONS THAT CAME OUT OF OUR LAST MEETING, SO WE TRIED TO ADDRESS THOSE.
UM, AND THE SECOND WAS IN SOME WAY TO NARROW THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE SLIGHTLY IN ORDER TO TAILOR IT AND GIVE IT THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE, UM, OF SUCCESS SHOULD IT BE APPROVED BY OUR COMMISSION TODAY AND ULTIMATELY MOVE FORWARD TO COUNSEL.
UM, I WOULD SAY THAT THIS TASK SEEMED SIMPLE IN THEORY, UM, BUT WAS IN PRACTICE QUITE DIFFICULT.
UM, AS WE START TO THINK ABOUT THE HOST AND RANGE OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, UM, TO WHICH AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS COULD APPLY ALONG THOSE LINES, UM, WHILE SOME OF THE UPDATES WE MADE, I FEEL ARE CRITICAL TO RESOLVE QUESTIONS THAT WERE LEFT OPEN IN THE PAR DRAFT, OTHERS ARE, UM, OPEN TO INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION.
AND, UM, AND SOME REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY MIGHT JUST COME DOWN TO PERSONAL PREFERENCE.
UM, SO IN DRAFTING THIS, WE DID REACH OUT TO SOME FOLKS, UM, WHO RAISED QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM LAST SESSION TO TRY AND GET ADDITIONAL INPUT AND INCORPORATE THOSE SUGGESTIONS AS WELL.
UM, AND WHILE THIS CURRENT VERSION MIGHT NOT DO EVERYTHING WE WANT, UM, MY HOPE IS THAT IT'S A COMPROMISED POSITION AND, AND ONE THAT
[02:30:01]
MIGHT ULTIMATELY HAVE, UM, THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING PAST.CUZ TO ME, THAT'S CERTAINLY THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
SO THAT WAS REALLY OUR INTENTION IN UNDERTAKING THESE EDITS.
UM, I JUST WANNA REALLY QUICKLY WALK YOU THROUGH THE MAJOR CHANGES HERE TO EXPLAIN THEM AS BEST I CAN.
UM, CAUSE I KNOW WE'RE RUNNING UP ON TIME.
I'LL, I'LL KEEP THIS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE, BUT, SO FIRST IN SECTION SIX, WE ADDED ADDITIONAL DETAIL TO THE DEFINITION OF TAX EXEMPT, WHAT THAT MEANS.
UM, AND THEN WE ALSO INCORPORATED LANGUAGE FROM AN EXISTING FEDERAL LAW, THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT TO DEFINE WHO THE ORDINANCE APPLIES TO, UM, AND WHO IT APPLIES TO IS LISTED THERE AS ZOOS, CIRCUSES, CARNIVALS, AND THE LIKE, WHILE ALSO GOING ON TO THEN EXPLAIN WHO IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
UM, AND IT EXEMPTS PET STORES, LIVESTOCK SHOWS, RODEOS, DOG AND CAT SHOWS, AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, AS WELL AS HOBBYIST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXHIBITING ANIMALS THAT THEY KEEP.
UM, COMMISSIONER LINDER, I'M REALLY SORRY.
AT THE MOMENT WE ONLY HAVE SIX COMMISSIONERS PRESENT.
UH, IF LATA COULD COME ON OR IF COMMISSIONER HASSAN CAN COME BACK.
AS LONG AS YOU, AS LONG AS WE GET YOU BACK.
AS LONG AS WE GET YOU BACK TO VOTE ON ANYTHING.
OR AS LONG AS COMM COMMISSIONER HASSAN COMES BACK TO VOTE, VOTE HOPEFULLY CONTINUES TO WORK.
SO WITH, AS LONG AS YOU'RE THERE, EVEN IN SPIRIT, NO, AS LONG AS WE CAN SEE, I GUESS THAT YOU'RE, AS LONG AS YOUR NAME IS THERE AND YOU ARE HERE TO YELL AT ME, IF I CLAIM OTHERWISE, THEN WE'RE OKAY.
SO, UM, SO IN THAT SECTION THEN, WE WERE REALLY JUST TRYING TO BE MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT LISTING THE TYPES OF ENTITIES THIS WOULD COVER AND THE TYPES THAT IT WOULD NOT COVER TO CLEAR UP POSSIBLE CONFUSION.
UM, THERE WAS AN EXAMPLE THAT CAME UP LAST TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, A PRESENTATION TO A SCOUT TROOPS AND THE LIKE.
UM, SO WE TRIED TO SORT OF MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS WHERE WE COULD, UM, TO KEEP THIS REALLY LIMITED TO THE, UM, INTENDED OBJECTS OF, OF THE REGULATION HERE.
UM, AND SO, UH, FOR THE MOST PART, THESE ENTITIES WOULD ALREADY HAVE TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE U S D A UNDER THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT.
SO USING THIS EXISTING DEFINITION, WE HOPE WOULD MAKE ENFORCEMENT EASIER IN THOSE WAYS.
UM, AS LONG AS A LATA IS STILL AROUND, WE'RE GOOD.
SO, UM, THAT SAID, THERE ARE MANY EXEMPTIONS THAT THE ACT MAKES SUCH AS DOG AND CAT SHOWS AND RODEOS THAT MIGHT BE REDUNDANT, UM, IN THIS CASE, BECAUSE THOSE DON'T TYPICALLY INCLUDE WILD ANIMALS.
UM, ALTHOUGH YOU COULD THINK OF CASES WHERE THEY MIGHT APPLY, FOR EXAMPLE, FERAL HOGS ARE SOMETIMES USED IN RODEOS.
DOGS MIGHT BE WOLF DOG HYBRIDS AND APPLY IN THAT WAY.
BUT I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE WE COULD PAIR THAT DOWN FURTHER IF WE WANNA BE A LITTLE SHORTER AND CLEANER ABOUT IT.
UM, IN THE NEXT SECTION THEN WE'VE UPDATED THE DEFINITION FROM PUBLIC INTERACTION TO PUBLIC CONTACT TO TRY TO MAKE THIS A LITTLE LESS VAGUE AND MORE SPECIFIC.
UM, PREVIOUSLY IT DEFINED INTERACTION TO MEAN DIRECT PHYSICAL CONTACT OR PROXIMITY WHERE CONTACT IS POSSIBLE AND INCLUDED THINGS LIKE REMOVING AN ANIMAL FROM AN ENCLOSURE OR ALLOWING A PHOTOGRAPH OF VIDEO TO BE TAKEN WITHOUT A PERMANENT BARRIER.
UM, WE TRIED TO TAILOR THAT DOWN SO IT'S NOT SO BROAD AS SIMPLY BEING NEAR AN ANIMAL, CUZ WHAT WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED WITH HERE, I THINK IS, IS ACTUAL DIRECT CONTACT.
UM, WE ALSO TOOK OUT FEEDING BECAUSE THAT COULD HAPPEN WITH OR WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT.
IF YOU'RE THROWING FOOD FROM A GREAT DISTANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU COULD STILL BE FEEDING AN ANIMAL.
UM, I THINK HERE THERE IS A DANGER IN MAKING IT SO BROAD THAT IT ULTIMATELY BECOMES UNENFORCEABLE.
SO OUR HOPE WAS TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE MORE TRACTABLE, UM, FOR THOSE WHO ARE GONNA ULTIMATELY BE TASKED WITH ENFORCING THIS ORDINANCE SHOULD HAVE PASSED.
UM, AND THERE'S CASES IN WHICH LAWS THAT PROHIBIT THINGS LIKE BEING PRESENT ARE, ARE CONSIDERED TOO VAGUE.
AND SO I THINK WE, WE TRIED TO NARROW THAT DOWN AND, AND CLEAN UP THAT LANGUAGE A BIT.
UM, ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT THOUGH, WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID CAPTURE ACTIVITIES LIKE ENTERING AN ENCLOSURE WITH AN UNRESTRAINED ANIMAL, UM, WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT ABOUT AT THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM, UM, PRACTICES WHERE EVEN IF THE OWNERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY PLACING THE ANIMAL IN YOUR HAND, THERE'S STILL A REAL RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND, UM, A STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE'S GONNA BE DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN, UH, WILD ANIMALS AND THE PUBLIC.
SO THAT WAS THE NEEDLE WE WERE KIND OF TRYING TO THREAD IN THAT SECTION.
UM, AND LASTLY, WE DID UPDATE THE DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMAL, UM, AND HAVE TAKEN OUT FROM THIS DEFINITION INVERTEBRATES LIKE INSECTS AND SEA ENEMIES, UM, AS WELL AS FISH.
UM, I THINK REASONABLE MINDS CAN DISAGREE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT FISH SHOULD BE INCLUDED HERE.
THEY DO TEND TO POSE A LOWER RISK OF ZOONOTIC DISEASE, ALTHOUGH THEY CAN CARRY SOME FORMS OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS.
UM, AND TOUCHING THESE ANIMALS CAN BE HARMFUL TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING AS WELL.
UM, PERSONALLY, I WOULD BE HAPPY EITHER WAY.
I REALLY THINK THIS COMES DOWN TO A QUESTION OF WHAT WE THINK CITY COUNCIL MIGHT ACTUALLY PASS.
AND FOR THAT REASON, UM, THEY'RE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CURRENT VERSION.
UM, AND THAT SAID, I THINK THERE WOULD
[02:35:01]
NOT BE A HUGE PRACTICAL IMPACT TO THIS PROVISION EITHER WAY.IT SOUNDS LIKE MOST OF THE TOUCH TANKS THAT THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM INCLUDE ONLY INVERTEBRATES.
UM, ALTHOUGH SOME MAY INCLUDE MANTA RAYS, WE THINK I I'VE NOT BEEN THERE IN PERSON.
AND, UM, AND THERE IS ONE TYPO IN THIS SECTION.
IT SHOULD READ VERTEBRATE MEMBERS OF THE FILE CORDATA.
UM, SO I APOLOGIZE THAT THAT WORD WAS LEFT OUT IN THE CURRENT VERSION, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO LIMIT THIS TO VERTEBRATES.
UM, SO THAT'S A TYPO THAT WOULD NEED TO BE CORRECTED PRIOR TO VOTING ON THIS.
UM, SO WITH THAT, I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED THIS ORDINANCE FOR US AND WHO OFFERED THEIR INPUT AND IDEAS, UM, AS WELL AS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO'VE BEEN SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT AND, AND REALLY BROUGHT IT TO US, UM, TO BEGIN WITH.
UM, I THINK AT LEAST ON A PERSONAL STANDPOINT, I'M VERY OPEN TO CHANGES AND SUGGESTIONS.
AND ULTIMATELY WHAT I CARE ABOUT MOST IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO FIND LANGUAGE THAT WE FEEL IS EFFECTIVE THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON AND THAT WE'RE ALL COMFORTABLE WITH AND SOMETHING THAT, UM, COULD GET PASSED AND, AND ACTUALLY SORT OF OPERATIONALIZED BY COUNSEL.
UM, SO WITH THAT, I'LL PASS IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER NIELSEN FOR HER COMMENTS.
UM, I'M VERY HEARTENED BY THE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THIS MATTER.
IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO BE INVOLVED AND I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EFFORT.
AND I WANNA THANK COMMISSIONER LINDER FOR TAKING THE BATON AND HEADING UP THIS MOST RECENT ITERATION OF A WORKING GROUP LOOKING INTO ISSUES WITH FOR-PROFIT ZOOS IN AQUARIUMS IN AUSTIN.
UM, IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT WE HAVE AN ESCALATING PROBLEM AT AUSTIN AQUARIUM WHERE MORE AND MORE ANIMALS BEYOND FISH AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES BEYOND REPTILES, MORE BIRDS AND MORE AND MORE MAMMALS ARE BEING HOUSED IN, IN SOME CASE, AND IN SOME CASES BRED IN FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATE OR APPROPRIATE.
THIS IS LEADING TO INCREASED ANIMAL SUFFERING AND RELATEDLY, IT'S LEADING TO ANIMAL BITES AND INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC WHO EXPECT TO BE SAFE ON A FUN AND EDUCAT EDUCATIONAL OUTING TO A PLACE CALLED AUSTIN AQUARIUM.
CAN YOU PUT UP THE PHOTOGRAPH I SENT YOU EARLIER? YEAH.
THIS IS, UM, A REALLY, UH, DISTURBING PHOTOGRAPH OF, OF ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO VISITED AUSTIN AQUARIUM.
UM, I BELIEVE THIS WOMAN'S NAME IS CHARMAINE DICKERSON, AND SHE POSTED THIS ON REDDIT.
UM, AND SHE'S BEEN VERY PUBLIC AND VOCAL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND, AND HOW UPSETTING IT WAS.
UM, I AM CONCERNED THAT NOT ONLY WILL AUSTIN AQUARIUM CONTINUE TO HAVE INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AND WORSENING ANIMAL WELFARE, BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT MORE AND MORE AS SUCH, ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS WILL COME TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT AN EFFECTIVE ORDINANCE BANNING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AND FOR-PROFIT ZOOS IN AQUARIUMS NOT ACCREDITED BY A Z, WILL HELP PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM PHYSICAL INJURY AND THE ASSOCIATED PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM THAT RESULTS FROM THESE INCIDENTS.
I ALSO HOPE SUCH AN ORDINANCE WILL REINFORCE OUR COMMUNITY'S INTEREST IN AND EXPECTATIONS AROUND ANIMAL WELFARE.
AND I WILL THEREFORE BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF REME, UH, RECOMMENDING AN ORDINANCE TO CITY COUNCIL ON THIS MATTER.
UM, I HAD HOPED THAT, THAT DURING THE LAST MONTH OF THE WORKING GROUP, SEVERAL, SEVERAL OF THE LAWYERS THAT EXPRESSED CONCERNS AT THE LAST MEETING WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO, TO COME TOGETHER IN NUMBERS SMALLER THAN THE QUORUM.
THAT, AND THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD IT FREE BACK AND FORTH DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ORDINANCE.
AND I, I REGRET THAT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO COORDINATE BUSY SCHEDULES, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS ON THIS COMMISSION.
BUT I THINK THERE IS IMPORTANT WORK THAT CAN BE DONE ON THIS COMMISSION AND IT DE DESERVES EXTENSIVE THOUGHT AND DEBATE.
AND, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT THAT TO BE THE NORM ON THIS COMMISSION.
I WILL VOTE FOR RECOMMENDING AN ORDINANCE, BUT I DO WANT MY CONCERNS WITH THE, WITH THE CURRENT, WITH THE REVISIONS TO BE HEARD.
UM, THIS PROCESS OF BEING ON THIS WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN VERY EDUCATIONAL FOR ME.
AND MY OBSERVATION IS THAT, UM, LAWYERS MAY HAVE A VERY RIGID AND PARTICULAR WAY OF THINKING AND THEY SPECIALIZE IN CRAFTING TEXTS THAT WILL STAND UP TO JUDICIAL DELIBERATION.
AND THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I LOVE THAT WAY OF THINKING.
UM, BUT, AND WE NEED THAT IN A SOCIETY OF LAWS.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE MORE COMPLEX THE DEFINITIONS AND THE MORE CAVEATS AND EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE IN AN OR ORDINANCE, THE MORE ARDUOUS AND UNLIKELY THAT ORDINANCE IS TO BE ENFORCED AT ALL.
AND IT WILL NEVER GET TO THE LEVEL OF JU JUDICIAL DELIBERATION.
SO IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW WELL IT WAS CRAFTED.
AND, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS DRIVEN HOME FOR ME WHEN I WAS LOOKING INTO, WELL, WHY HAVEN'T THE, THE CURRENT ORDINANCES AND LAWS THAT MIGHT BE APPLICABLE BEEN MORE, MORE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED? AND I ALSO GOT THIS IMPRESSION FROM DIRECT CONVERSATIONS WITH
[02:40:01]
OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN, IN ANIMAL ISSUES.UM, SO, SO I DO THINK THIS IS A REAL CONCERN.
UM, AND SO I'M WORRIED THAT WE MAY NOW HAVE AN ORDINANCE WHERE LAWYERS CAN CELEBRATE ITS TECHNICAL SPECIFICITY, BUT IN PRACTICE IT WILL BE TOO CUMBERSOME TO BE APPLIED AS INTENDED.
MY IMPRESSION IS THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OVERLOADED AND ORDINANCE IS RELATED TO ANIMALS ALREADY MUST HAVE A LOWER PRIORITY THEN OUR COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE.
AND SO IF THE INTERPRETATION OF AN ORDINANCE ISN'T STRAIGHTFORWARD AND IF THERE ISN'T AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM NUMBER OF CAVEATS AND LOOPHOLES, IT PUTS AN UNDUE BURDEN ON OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ACTUALLY ENFORCE THOSE ORDINANCES AS INTENDED AND AS THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION, I THINK OUR RECOMMENDATION, UM, YOU KNOW, SHOULD BE AS BROAD AND MEANINGFUL AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IF IT GOES FORWARD, IF IT GOES TO CITY COUNCIL, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LAWYERS, THEY'RE GONNA ADD IN WHAT THEY WANT.
SO WE SHOULDN'T NEEDLESSLY RESTRICT IT TO SOMETHING THAT IF WE GET IT PASSED, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT INAPPROPRIATE, APPROPRIATELY ENFORCED.
AND WE THEN NO LONGER HAVE ROOM TO PASS SOMETHING CUZ PEOPLE WILL SAY, OH, WE ALREADY HAVE AN ORDINANCE ABOUT THIS.
AND SO WE MIGHT BE STUCK WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT'S ON THE BOOKS, BUT NOT ACTUALLY DOING WHAT, WHAT WE HOPED IT, UM, WOULD DO.
UM, AND, AND SPEAKING OF LOOPHOLES, I JUST WANNA MENTION THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF AUSTIN AQUARIUM, AROUND THE TIME THAT THE AUSTIN AQUAQUARIUM WAS OPENED, HE WAS CONVICTED OF FELONY, UM, WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING.
SO THE AUSTIN AQUARIUM IS NOW TECHNICALLY OWNED BY HIS WIFE BECAUSE THAT'S A LOOPHOLE.
SO JUST MENTIONING THAT, UM, MY FINAL POINT THAT I HOPE MIGHT BE ADDRESSED IF THIS ORDINANCE MOVES FORWARD IS THAT I, I I DO DEEPLY OBJECT TO FISH BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMAL.
I FEEL THE SPECIFIC EXCLUSION OF FISH AND THE DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMALS ERODES THE IDEA THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS CRAFTED IN A WAY THAT IS INFORMED BY SCIENCE AND OBJECTIVITY RATHER THAN FEARS ABOUT A SUPPOSED PUBLIC SENTIMENT THAT FISH DON'T MATTER.
LET US, AS THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION PUSH BACK AGAINST THAT AND ASSERT THAT FISH ARE SENTIENT CAPABLE OF FEELING PAIN AND FEAR AND SHOW COMPLEX BEHAVIORS SUCH AS SOCIAL INTERACTION AND COOPERATION, AS WELL AS COMPLEX COGNITIVE ABILITIES.
I HAVE THE SCIENTIFIC REPORT IN THE JOURNAL NATURE THAT CITES ALL THOSE STUDIES.
FISH ARE CRITICAL AND ARE A CRITICAL AND DWINDLING PART OF OUR ECOSYSTEM.
AND ISSUES AROUND CAPTIVE FISH WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY, ANIMAL WELFARE AND SUSTAIN SUSTAINABILITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LIKE AND WITH ALL OTHER VERTEBRATES.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
AND I I WILL, I DON'T KNOW IF, IF YOU GUYS HAD A CHANCE TO GET, UM, TO LOOK AT THE EMAILS FROM THE PUBLIC TODAY.
UM, THERE WERE, THERE WERE MANY OF THEM.
THEY WERE ALL IN SUPPORT AND MY IMPRESSION WAS THAT THE PREPONDERANCE OF THEM WERE IN SUPPORT OF THE, UM, DRAFT FROM LAST MONTH ORIGINAL.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? UM, I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T KNOW IF THE LAWYER SHOT WAS DIRECTED AT ME, UH, BUT IN THE EVENT THAT IT WAS, AND IT USUALLY IS, UH, IN THIS ROOM, UH, I DID, UH, WORK WITH COMMISSIONER LINDER, UH, VOLUNTARILY DURING MY, UH, VACATION, FAMILY VACATION, UH, TO, UM, TALK THROUGH ISSUES THAT, UH, LEGAL ISSUES AND THE WORDING AND THE POTENTIAL, UH, OBJECTIONS.
AND, UM, GREATLY APPRECIATED THAT OPPORTUNITY AND GREATLY APPRECIATED, UH, WORKING WITH YOU.
UM, I THINK THE POINT ABOUT FISH IS WELL MADE.
UM, AND AFTER THINKING ABOUT IT, THE, THE THING THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY FINE IS, IS WELL WHAT, WHAT I HAD TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IS THEY DID HAVE A PLACE IN IT WHERE THE KID, KIDS, KIDS COULD FEED THE FISH WITH FISH FOOD.
AND I THINK IF THERE'S A BARRIER, THEN IT DOES ELIMINATE THE, THE, UH, NEED FOR A FISH EXCEPTION.
SO IF THE BARRIER, IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A, A BARRIER THAT'LL, THAT PREVENTS THE TOUCHING IN, UH, IN, IN 16, THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO ACCEPT FISH IN 24.
SO, UM, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT, THAT YOU, UH, THAT THE FISH WERE ACCEPTED, BUT TO THE EXTENT IT WAS ONE OF MY COMMENTS, I THOUGHT THAT THE, THE LANGUAGE, THE LANGUAGE OF 16 PREVENTS THE NEED FOR NOW THAT FEEDING IS NOT IN IT.
THE, THE NEED FOR A BARRIER PREVENTS THE NEED TO EXCLUDE FISH IN MY MIND.
SO I'M, I WOULD BE COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE, UH, TAKING OUT THE EXCEPTION FOR FISH.
I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYBODY ELSE FEELS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH ANYBODY ELSE HAS
[02:45:01]
LOOKED INTO IT.UM, SECOND, UH, AND THIS IS JUST A TECHNICAL TOTAL WORD NERD, UM, IN PART THREE I ONE, I GUESS I THINK INCIDENT SHOULD BE INCIDENT WITH A T.
UM, AND THEN I HAD A QUESTION ON SECTION SIX AT THE TOP, AND THIS WASN'T IN THE DRAFT THAT WE HAD HAD BACK AND FORTH.
SO, UH, I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT YOUR THINKING WAS.
AND I THINK I ASSUME THAT I KNOW WHAT YOUR THINKING WAS, BUT I'M WONDERING WHAT YOUR THINKING WAS ON EXCLUDING STATE AND COUNTRY FAIRS.
I WONDERED IF THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COUNTY FAIRS.
LIVESTOCK SHOWS RODEOS, DOG AND CAT SHOWS AND OTHER FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS TENDED TO ADVANCE AGRICULTURAL ARTS AND SCIENCES.
AND THEN THE ONLY THING I WONDERED IS IF WE'RE CONCERNED THAT A CIRCUS, ZOO OR CARNIVAL WOULD SAY THAT THEY WERE ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL ARTS AND SCIENCES AND DOES THAT CREATE A PROBLEM FOR THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE IT? SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
UM, SO I GUESS, UH, TAKING IT FROM, UH, YOUR FIRST POINT FIRST, UM, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO INCLUDE FISH IN HERE.
I, I THINK, LIKE I SAID, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE ABOUT.
ULTIMATELY, I CARE THAT THIS GETS PASSED, BUT COUNCIL CAN TAKE OUT FISH ON THEIR OWN IF, IF THEY DON'T THINK FISH SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
UM, SO I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADD FISH BACK IN.
UM, UH, I'M ALSO HAPPY TO FIX THE TYPO OF INCIDENT.
UM, AND THEN, UH, AS FAR AS SECTION SIX, SO THIS GOT A LITTLE COMPLICATED CUZ ORIGINALLY WE HAD, UM, INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THE DEFINITION OF EXHIBITOR FROM THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT, WHICH IS A FEDERAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
UM, AND SO RATHER THAN SENDING SOMEONE TO THAT ACT, WE INSTEAD IN THIS VERSION TOOK, UM, THE LANGUAGE FROM THEIR DEFINITIVE DEFINITION OF EXHIBITOR, WHICH IS WHY MAYBE IT SAYS COUNT, COUNT COUNTRY FAIRS.
I THINK A LOT OF THOSE EXCEPTIONS ARE REDUNDANT.
I DO THINK WE TALKED LAST TIME ABOUT, UH, THE NEED TO INCLUDE PET STORES BECAUSE THE WAY THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN, UM, WAS QUITE BROAD AND WOULD APPLY TO A LOT OF, UM, DIFFERENT OPERATIONS LIKE THAT.
UM, BUT I THINK WE COULD GET RID OF THIS LIST OF EXEMPTIONS AND JUST SAY WHAT IT DOES APPLY TO, IF WE WANTED TO, TO PARE IT DOWN THAT WAY.
UM, SO I, I'M, I'M MORE THAN OPEN TO THOSE SUGGESTIONS.
ONE THING THAT I THINK COMMISSIONER DAVID STEAD TOLD ME A LONG TIME AGO IS DON'T MESS WITH THE RODEO LIKE IN TEXAS AND IN IN AUSTIN THAT IF YOU WANT ANYTHING PASSED, DON'T MESS WITH THE RODEO.
UM, SO I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE COMPLETELY.
UM, I DON'T, MAYBE WE, MAYBE WE LEAVE IT IN AND LET, AS COMMISSIONER NELSON POINTED OUT, LET THE COUNCIL TAKE IT OUT.
BUT THAT'S WHERE TONS OF PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP AND BE AGAINST IT IF YOU WANT TO TRIGGER.
UH, SOME OPPOSITION IN AUSTIN, YOU MESS WITH THE COUNTY FAIR.
AND I DON'T KNOW, DOES THE QUESTION, A GOOD QUESTION FOR ME CUZ I DON'T GO TO RODEOS, IS DO THEY DO ANY OF THESE THINGS WITH THE ANIMALS THAT YOU ARE? I THINK THE, THAT THIS APPLIES TO, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
UH, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, I THINK THE, THE ONLY INSTANCE THAT I FOUND OF WILD ANIMALS BEING USED IN A RODEO, WELL SOMETIMES THERE'S LIKE FROG JUMPING COMPETITIONS.
UM, BUT ANOTHER INSTANCE, UM, IS SOMETIMES THEY DO USE, UM, FERAL HOGS.
UM, SO I THINK IN MANY CASES THESE EXEMPTIONS THAT WE LIST ARE REDUNDANT IN SOME WAYS BECAUSE THEY REFER TO EXHIBIT ACTIVITIES THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED OTHERWISE BECAUSE THEY'RE PRIMARILY LIVESTOCK OR, UM, OTHER FORMS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS LIKE CATS AND DOGS.
UM, I THINK IT, THIS IS, IS REALLY SORT OF YEAH, A A STRATEGY STYLE POINT OF WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO INCLUDE THOSE JUST TO BE EXTRA EXPLICIT THAT WE'RE WE'RE NOT COMING FOR YOUR RODEOS, UM, UH, OR WHETHER WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THOSE OUT FOR THE SAKE OF, UM, OF BREVITY HERE, KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD NOT, NOT, UM, APPLY UNDER, UM, OTHER, UH, SECTIONS LIKE OUR DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMALS.
SO I SORRY, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.
YEAH, JUST, UM, UM, EMPHASIS OF, OF, OF A PART OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID, THAT THAT I THINK WE WOULD BE STEERING CLEAR OF THE RODEO WITH OUR DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMAL, THE, THE, THE FIRST SENTENCE OF WHICH CAME OUT OF, UM, UH, THE STATE LEGISLATION, WHICH CERTAINLY IS NOT, UM, RESTRICTING RODEOS IN TEXAS.
SO, SO I'M, I'D BE HOPEFUL THAT THAT'S WHERE, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD GET OUR LACK OF, OF, OF A DEFINITION LACK, LACK OF INCLUSION OF THE RODEO IN THIS ORDINANCE, EXCEPT WHERE WE DO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FROG AND FERAL HOG ISSUE.
IS THAT RIGHT? YEAH, I MEAN, I GUESS WHEN I READ IT, LIKE, COULD YOU SAY FERAL HOGS
[02:50:01]
ARE A SPECIES THAT ARE ORDINARILY DOMESTICATED.THEY CAME FROM DOMESTIC PIGS IS CORRECT.
THEY ORIGINATE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE, UM, THEY'RE NOT NATIVE.
THEY'RE FERAL AND THEY, THEY'RE, THEY'RE NOT NATIVE.
I BELIEVE I, BUT I I, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE, THEY'RE NOT GENETICALLY IDENTICAL TO WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER A, A DOMESTIC HOG THAT WOULD BE RAISED BY, BY SMITHFIELD, FOR EXAMPLE.
THEY'RE, UM, THEY'RE DISTINCT I THINK IN, UM, IN MANY WAYS.
WELL, BUT FROGS, WE STILL HAVE THE ISSUE, RIGHT? EVEN IF WE CAN, CAN MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT HOGS OR PIGS DON'T, DON'T TAKE ME BAD, BUT I THINK MUSTANG HORSES, IT'S NOT DOMESTICATED, UH, ANIMAL.
IT'S, IT IS, YES, WE KEEP AN EYE ON AND I THINK SOME, UH, SOME PRODUCE HAVE MUSTANG HORSES FOR, FOR THOSE STUFF.
JUST, I GUESS, WOULD ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THIS BE THAT WE KEEP SOME OF THE EXCEPTIONS BUT NOT OTHERS.
SO IF WE WANNA JUST INCLUDE RODEOS OR STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS AS, AS EXEMPTIONS, UM, BUT LIMIT SORT OF OTHER ITEMS ON THIS LIST WITHOUT SORT OF BE A SOLVE FOR THIS.
I, I PERSONALLY THINK THAT WOULD HELP.
UM, I'D LIKE TO GET SOMETHING PASSED TODAY.
I ALSO DON'T WANT STAFF TO BE HERE TILL MIDNIGHT.
SO, UM, WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO, DO YOU WANT LIKE A MINUTE OR, OR, OR A FEW.
I, WHAT I COULD DO IS WE COULD MOVE TO ITEM SEVEN AND GIVE YOU TIME TO GIVE YOU A FEW MINUTES TO COME BACK WITH A, WOULD THAT WORK? YEAH, THAT'D BE GREAT.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO ITEM SEVEN TO GIVE COMMISSIONER LINDER A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK TO SIX.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT? NO.
SO LET'S MOVE TO ITEM SEVEN, DISCUSSION AND
[7. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Amending Animal Advisory Commission Bylaws to Remove the Exclusion of Advising City Council on "issues related to the administration of the Animal Services Department"]
POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AMENDING ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION BYLAWS TO REMOVE THE EXCLUSION OF ADVISING CITY COUNCIL ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.COMMISSIONER MULA, ARE YOU ABLE TO, UH, TO PRESENT, UH, WELL, UH, SO, UH, NO.
THE SHORT ANSWER NO, BECAUSE I AM SITTING AGAIN IN MY CAR.
UM, SO I DON'T, I THOUGHT I WOULD BE HOME, UH, IN TIME TO ACTUALLY BE AT THIS MEETING.
HOWEVER, THE, UH, THE WEATHER AND SOME TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALONG THE WAY HAVE, UH, SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWED ME DOWN.
UM, SO I MEAN, BASICALLY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT INDICATED THAT OUR COMMISSION IS THE ONLY COMMISSION THAT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS US FROM MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY DEPARTMENT.
UM, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE IN OUR BYLAWS.
WE ARE AN ADVISORY COMMISSION AS IT'S BEEN STATED MULTIPLE TIMES.
WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO DIRECT PATIENTS COUNSEL.
THAT'S ABOUT AS MUCH CHOOSES ON THEM.
SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DETAIL IT NEEDS, IT NEEDS TO BE OTHER THAN RE REQUESTING THAT, THAT BE REMOVED FROM OUR BYLAWS.
COMMISSIONER SEGO, YOU ARE COMING IN AND OUT A LITTLE BIT WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING.
UM, WOULD YOU, UH, I'M FILIBUSTERING AT THE MOMENT, BUT WOULD YOU,
UM, THAT WILL GIVE ME TIME TO, TO, YOU KNOW, GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
I CAN EMAIL IT TO THE LIAISON TO SEND OUT TO EVERYBODY, UM, IN A SUFFICIENT AND AMOUNT OF TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT BEFORE OUR ACTUAL MEETING.
UH, BEFORE YOU PULL IT, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? UM, I WOULD JUST SAY WE, I'D BE FASCINATED TO LEARN THE STORY OF WHY IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO IF THAT COULD BE SOMETHING WE LEARN ABOUT NEXT TIME, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
WE'LL HAVE TO, I'M NOT SURE IF COMMISSIONER SULA COULD HEAR THAT, BUT THE QUE COULD YOU HEAR THAT? GET IT? I CAN HEAR THAT.
[02:55:01]
I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THAT ANSWER.I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THAT ANSWER.
UM, SO I WILL CONTINUE TO DELVE AND I WILL, I WILL GET BACK WITH, UM, WITH CITY LEGAL AND SEE IF, UM, THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR ME CUZ I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND IT.
COMMISSIONER LINDA, ARE YOU READY? OKAY.
COMMISSIONER MAGULA, UH, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO PULL THE ITEM AND WE'LL PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA, IT IT, WE WILL DO THAT.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE READY TO DO? YES.
SO WE ARE PULLING SEVEN AND PUTTING IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA ALONG WITH, UM, FIVE AND WE WILL RETURN TO SIX.
UH, COMMISSIONER LEONARD, IF YOU WANNA READ TO US WHAT YOU HAVE.
AND, UM, I GUESS BEFORE I DO ONE QUESTION, UM, CUZ WE'VE GOT A FEW CHANGES NOW, UM, ON MY LIST, WOULD IT BE HELPFUL TO GO THROUGH ONE BY ONE AND MAKE A MOTION ON EACH TO RE OKAY.
OH, I THINK YOU CAN PRESENT THEM.
I, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD OBJECT TO YOU JUST READING IN FULL AND THEN WE CAN VOTE ON THE, YOUR, UH, MODIFIED PROPOSAL.
UM, I GUESS ONE QUESTION, UM, BEFORE I, I DO DO THAT.
UM, SO IN THIS VERSION I'VE TAKEN OUT ALL OF THE EXEMPTIONS EXCEPT FOR RODEOS STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS AND LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS.
IS, DOES THAT SORT OF SATISFY WHAT EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT? IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT, THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED IN THAT? SORRY, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO JUST TO, TO PROCESS OR VERBAL STUFF.
UM, SO, SO WITHOUT SPECIFICALLY CALLING OUT PET STORES, WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE EXEMPTED THEM, SORRY, AS WELL AS PET STORES.
UH, STARTING WITH PART ONE OR JUST THE, THE PART WHERE, WHERE YOU'VE MADE CHANGES, HOW ABOUT THAT? OKAY.
UM, SO PART SIX WILL NOW READ FOR-PROFIT ZERO AQUARIUM MEANS ANY ENTITY OR INDIVIDUAL WHO ONE EXHIBITS ANY ANIMAL TO THE PUBLIC FOR COMPENSATION.
AND TWO, IS NOT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 5 0 1 C THREE OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND CURRENTLY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION UNDER SECTION 5 0 1 A OF THAT CODE SUCH TERM EXCLUDES, SORRY.
SUCH TERM INCLUDES CARNIVALS, CIRCUSES, AND ZOOS EXHIBITING ANIMALS, BUT SUCH TERM EXCLUDES RETAIL PET STORES AS WELL AS RODEOS STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS AND LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS.
AND THEN IN, UM, SECTION 16, CAN YOU HOLD ON JUST A SEC? YEAH.
UM, BUT, UH, COMMISSIONER CLINTON, COULD YOU TELL ME WHERE THAT, UM, TYPO WAS THAT YOU REFERENCED BEFORE? THREE, UH, THREE ONE ALL THE WAY AT THE END.
PUBLIC CONTEXT SECTION 16 WOULD REMAIN AS IS WRITTEN HERE.
AND THEN SECTION 24, THE DEFINITION OF WILD ANIMAL MEANS A SPECIES INCLUDING AN INDIVIDUAL OF A SPECIES THAT NORMALLY LIVES IN A STATE OF NATURE AND IS NOT ORDINARILY DOMESTICATED.
THIS DEFINITION APPLIES TO SPECIES, WHETHER THEY'RE NATIVE TO TEXAS OR NOT.
THIS DEFINITION APPLIES TO INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S ORIGINS, INCLUDING CAPTIVE BREAD AS WELL AS WILD CAUGHT ANIMALS.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, WILD ANIMAL INCLUDES ANY VERTEBRATE MEMBER OF THE PHYLUM, CORDATA AS WELL AS ANY SPECIES OF OCTOPUS FROM THE PHYLUM.
UM, AND THEN SECTION THREE, I'M SORRY, YOU'LL HAVE TO TELL ME ONE MORE TIME.
I I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S I OR ONE, BUT IT SAYS EACH INCIDENCE OF AN ACTION.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE EACH INSTANCE OF AN ACTION.
SORRY, WE DID NOT SHOULD BE YEAH, JUST T AND T.
THAT PART WAS, I, I ASSUMED THAT WAS RIGHT, SO I JUST LEFT THAT AS IS FROM PRIOR.
UM, I THINK THAT'S ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, SO, SO IS THERE A SECOND FOR THE MOTION OF HER MOTION OF AS IS, IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER HERRA.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? YES, I, I AM CONCERNED AS WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE EMAIL FROM, UM, UH, MS SIN, UM, THAT THIS DEFINITION OF PUBLIC CONTACT MIGHT NOT APPLY TO PEOPLE ENTERING, UH, AN ENCLOSURE OF, UM, LEMURS IF THERE WERE HANDLERS RESTRAINING THEM OR HANDLERS FORCING THEM INTO
[03:00:01]
HARNESSES AND LEASHES AND THEN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO COME IN.I THINK I, WELL I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
DO YOU MIND IF I JOIN IN? OH, PLEASE.
NO, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT BECAUSE, UM, DO WE NEED, DO WE NEED UNDER STRAINED THERE? IF, IF WE'RE REALLY JUST SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT, THAT DR.
NIELSEN SUGGESTED DURING OUR WORKING GROUP, SO IT WAS INCLUDED FOR THAT REASON, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE IT OUT.
YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT WAS TRYING TO THREAD THE NEEDLE BETWEEN, AROUND, UH, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CONCERNS OF MAINLY THE PEOPLE WITH THE REPTILES GOING TO, UM, PRESENT TO CHILDREN IN, IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.
BUT I THINK WHAT HAS RESULTED IS PROBLEMATIC.
SO, UH, THE, I I'LL JUST PUT THIS INTO WORKING TERMS. YOU HAVE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE WORD UNRESTRAINED.
DO YOU ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT? YES.
SO YOU'LL, AT THE END OF THIS HAVE TO GIVE BELINDA A COPY OF WHATEVER YOU THIS FINAL VERSION IS.
IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? I WOULD LIKE TO, TO ADD ONE MORE THING AND IT'S MORE, I WANT YOU TO BE, TO ADDRESS IT CUZ I WANT THE PUBLIC TO HEAR THE RESPONSE THAT I HEARD, UM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS, WAS CONVINCING FOR ME, WHICH IS THAT, UM, ME BEING IN THE, UH, Y VERY YOUNG CHILDREN ERA OF MY LIFE, UM, MEANS THAT I GO TO A LOT OF, UH, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND CHURCH EVENTS AND THERE ARE OFTEN, UM, PETTING ZOOS OFTEN AND, UM, PEOPLE LOVE THEM AND PEOPLE WILL BE MAD IF THEY CAN'T HAVE THEIR PETTING ZOOS.
SO I DO THINK THAT, UH, THIS, UH, ALLOWS PETTING ZOOS BUT OF DOMESTICATED OF ANIMALS THAT WOULD ORDINARILY BE DOMESTICATED.
AND THE, SO THE CHANGE THAT WILL BE MADE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT RUN THESE OPERATIONS WILL BE THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO HAVE, UH, LIZARDS AND SNAKES.
I DON'T, I'VE NEVER SEEN A SNAKE AT ONE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A FARM NEARBY THAT DOES SNAKES, UM, BUT LIZARDS, UH, REPTILES, AND YOU TELL ME, TURTLES I GUESS WOULD BE EXCLUDED.
UM, THEY, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TA TO NARROW THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT THIS IS NOT GONNA STOP PETTING ZOOS, BUT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO NARROW SOME OF THE ANIMALS THAT THEY BRING.
AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADDRESS THE REASON WHY YOU THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT, WHICH WAS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECTS.
I HOPE YOU COULD EXPLAIN IT BETTER THAN I CAN OF WHY YOU THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE THAT THOSE BE REMOVED.
SO, UM, I THINK THAT'S CORRECT THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR PETTING ZOOS, UM, AND IT POTENTIALLY WOULD EVEN ALLOW FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO HAVE THOSE ANIMALS PRESENT SO LONG AS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT.
UM, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS, UM, THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE REPTILES, UM, ON THIS LIST AND, AND AMPHIBIANS AS WELL, UM, IS BECAUSE AT ITS CORE TO ME THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE.
UM, WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE ANIMALS, BUT ALSO THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF, UM, THE PUBLIC AND THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
UM, AND THOSE GROUPS OF ANIMALS THAT I MENTIONED, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS, UM, FROM A DISEASE STANDPOINT CARRY SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS, UM, IN PARTICULAR SALMONELLA, UM, WHICH IS A PARTICULAR CONCERN WHEN YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE TOUCHING THE ANIMALS, TOUCHING THEIR FACE, TOUCHING THEIR FOOD, UM, IN THESE KINDS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
UM, SO WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF LARGE SCALE, UM, OUTBREAKS OF SALMONELLA HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, MANY OF WHICH, UM, ARE TRACED BACK TO THE REPTILE TRADE.
THE FDA ACTUALLY REGULATES TURTLES UNDER FOUR INCHES.
YOU CAN'T SELL TURTLES UNDER FOUR INCHES BECAUSE THEY CARRY SUCH HIGH RATES OF SALMONELLA.
UM, AND SO I THINK WHILE WE'RE NOT PROHIBITING PEOPLE FROM HAVING THOSE ANIMALS AT PETTING ZOOS, IT IS IMPORTANT, UM, FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT TO, TO LIMIT DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN, UM, CHILDREN AND THE PUBLIC, UM, AND THOSE TYPES OF ANIMALS BECAUSE OF THE DISEASE RISK THEY POST.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I THINK THAT I NEED, THAT NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECORD.
YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN AT COUNSEL CAUSE I'M SURE IT'S GONNA BE ASKED.
UM, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER DR.
NELSON FOR, UM, TAKING THE LABORING AURA OF STARTING THIS PROCESS.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH NONE OF THEM ARE HERE ANYMORE.
WHO, UH, WHO PUT THIS ON THEIR BACK AND WE'RE HERE, UH, AT LEAST A COUPLE OF HOURS TONIGHT.
UM, I WANT TO THANK, UH, SPECIFICALLY, I'M SURE SHE'S LISTENING.
UM, UM, MAD AVI SU ROMANUM BECAUSE, UH, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT DESERVE TO BE THANKED TOO, BUT MAD AVI, UM, WAS HERE BEFORE NO WHEN, WHEN NO ONE ELSE WAS.
UH, THAT IS A LONELY, HARD PLACE TO BE.
[03:05:01]
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE AN AUSTINITE TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE MAHA WHO ARE, UM, DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT.SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUS.
TO THE, AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR MEETING, IF I'M NOT WRONG.
OH, AGENDA ITEMS. UM, SURE, SURE MA'AM.
THERE'S A HANDOUT HERE OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET THAT, THAT WAS NOT FOR OUR MEETING CORRECTLY.
IT WAS, UH, ONE OF THE, UM, PUBLIC MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DISCUSSED IT.
UM, OKAY, SO FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
[FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
AS ALWAYS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY THEM HERE, YOU CAN JUST EMAIL THEM.SO THAT SAID, ARE THERE ANY THAT WANT TO BE DISCUSSED HERE BEFORE WE LEAVE? NO.
ANY FORWARD FIVE, SEVEN, AND EIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND THERE MAY BE MORE, THERE MAY BE MORE.
AND I WOULD REITERATE WHAT, UM, MS. HARE SAID, WHICH IS PLEASE TRY TO GET THEM EARLY IN THE PROCESS.
SHE'S, I PROMISE YOU SHE'S NOT BEING, TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT.
IT'S JUST A HARD PROCESS TO GET IT THROUGH AFTER WE HAVE ALREADY SENT HER EVERYTHING, UM, TO GET IT THROUGH AND POSTED.
SO, UH, WITH THAT, UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LINDER.
IS THERE A SECOND? YES, PLEASE.
THERE'S A FIGHT OVER A SECOND OVER HERE.
AND, UH, IS THERE ALL IN FAVOR? YES.
I'M JUST GONNA COUNT THAT UNANIMOUS.
I TRIED TO HEART AWAY, MAKE HAND.