Meetings - November 19, 2015 - Minutes
SAN FRANCISCO COMMISSION OF
Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2015
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
Present: Annemarie Fortier; Julene Johnson; Russell Tenofsky; Jane Tobin;
Shari O’Neill, DVM; Virginia Donohue (SF ACC)
Absent: Nanci Haines; Davi Lang; Lisa Wayne; Sergeant Sherry Hicks
2. General Public Comment
Henny Martin of San Francisco and Fix SF raised concerns about SF Animal Care & Control’s Behavior & Training protocols for cats and dogs. 60,000 supporters for Fix San Francisco and 1,000 in SF. Concerns regarding practices such as Assess a Hand, cat testing as examples of methods causing stress to animals which may not pass behavior. Leaves rescue groups to respond which are already overburdened. Animals at risk of euthanasia. Called for more innovative testing noting changes in ACC personnel may open opportunity to re-evaluate processes. Add to agenda for next meeting.
Nadine May of Fix San Francisco reiterated Henny Martin’s concern for new Behavior Testing protocols at ACC.
3. Approval of Draft Minutes from the September 17, 2015 Meeting
Approved by Commission.
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks
Annemarie Fortier reminded that there would be no meeting in December and Commission would meet in January.
5. Commissioner’s reports
Jane Tobin reported on Joint Zoo Commission meeting in September. Two reports to note: 1) Tanya Peterson, Executive Director of Zoo gave a recap of the efforts of the Zoo to support victims of the Valley Fire. Zoo members lending support and kids and families transported to Zoo for relief from disaster. She also reported on the conservation efforts of the yellow legged-frogs and the status of the new lion cub who is doing well. 2) Kathy Edwards reported on the status of primates at zoo. Older population. Plans to remodel habitat. Until then enrichment has been added to current habitat and more training for staff in care.
6. New Business
- ANIMAL CARE AND WELFARE FACILITY REMODEL. Virginia Donohue, Director AnimalCare and Control, Jim Buker, Project Manager, Dept of Public Works and Karyn Shore, Designer with Building Design & Construction, Dept Public Works, discussed the proposed ACC new facility. The city intends to propose a General Obligation bond measure for 2016 to provide financing.
Introducing to Board of Supervisors in December. If Board decides to go forward, it will be placed on the bond in February. Site that has been identified is 1401-1419 Bryant Street, 3 blocks from ACC’s current site.
Currently used as an overhead bus repair yard MUNI. MUNI has plans to relocate in time for construction.
An initial set of plans were presented that include initial design for building which include separate area for adoptable dogs, grooming, vehicle entrance area to safely transfer animals to the building. Site also include 2 veterinary room (medical areas), dogs runs on the interior courtyard and exterior as well as a special area for sick and custody animals. Second floor includes small animal room (reptiles, birds, etc) and adoptable cats as well as holding areas for cats in custody. This floor also includes education rooms for volunteers and public. Roof top includes dog run and a garden for small animals as well as an aviary.
Plans to seismically upgrade the building with the goal that it will be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a major earthquake,.)and able to care for animals currently housed as well as haveadditional space for temporary care of animals in need, post disaster.
Goals of new facility – improve capacity of care for animals and modernize building to increase adoptability. It will house same amount of animals as current structure but in a more modern, seismically safe building. If bond passes, construction would start mid-2018 and complete in 2020.
Questions from Commissioners and Public:
Question - Russell Tenofsky – Is the bond 100% publicly funded project
Answer – Yes for the capital project. There will be additional funds provided by General Fund for furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Bond is presented as a Public Health and Safety bond with Dept of Public Health which will make improvements to SF General ambulatory care and the Fire Department which is building a new ambulance and re-stocking deployment facility.
Question – Why not just an animal bond measure? Why folded in this one?
Answer – Single purpose (seismic approval) received well by the public. Fire and Health measures almost always pass.
Question – Is ACC’s current building not seismically safe?
Answer - ACC’s current building has a hazard rating 3 – post-major earthquake animals would need to be transported for care at other shelters. Goal of new building is to be able to remain in it and also take in animals as needed in the emergency.
Again more questions on why ACC isn’t going in under a separate bond. Examples were given from New Orleans - people refuse to leave pets putting themselves at risk. ACC, Fire and Police are seen as first responders. If there is a safe place for animals, fire and police can respond to public safety issues.
The new facility would improve the interior functions. Remodeling the current building would be costly – need to relocate temporarily during remodel and build out the temporary structure since all current cages and structure are fixed in place. Examples of improvement include the cat facilities which would face exteriors of building allowing window views and a possible addition of a community cat room is being researched and evaluated. UC Davis will also provide input for the design.
Presented today is a program and space description – not the actual design. Design details are still to be determined. Space though will be 30% larger but accommodate approximately the same number of animals.
Question – Julene Johnson – space for adoptable animal looks small compared to holding area and are efforts going to be made to improve adoption space? Surrender decrease programs?
Answer – Virginia Donohue said all spaces are intentionally small and flexible and can be re-configured to accommodate shifting needs (ie. Moving around to deal with disease outbreak). Flexible holding area is also included in design to deal with “temporary surge” in animal population due to disaster. FEMA would also provide tents to supplement what is done locally.
Karyn Shore – Designer commented on work to produce design thus far. Met with previous Director of ACC (Rebecca Katz) and ACC staff as well as other shelters and architects that deal specifically with animal shelter design. The drawings presented at meeting are not the exact sizes. Final design is still to be determined. If the bond is approved, input will be solicited from the public and the standard design process will be followed including neighborhood outreach and environmental review.
$54 MM for ACC facility - $310 - $320MM for the total bond – ACC’s amount is not controversial.
Question from public – Why is it buried in this bond and not stand alone –
Answer – have studied success of bonds and city is only asking voters for things that are likely to pass. Fire and health more popular than animals. ACC is grateful to partner with fire and health as it will likely pass.
Comment - windows not good for all cats, especially cats in high-stress shelter situation. Some debate between Virginia Donohue and attendee on this. Ultimately, any cat that is stressed can be relocated. Over all comment from this attendee is positive. She was supportive of the project as long as it focuses on saving lives including foster, fospice.
- PET DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Shari O’Neill, DVM, was to present Disaster Preparedness for Pets. Dr. O’Neill serves as a member of San Francisco’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT). Item will be moved to January due to a schedule conflict for the presenter.
7. General Public Comment
Commission attendee commented on cost of veterinary care in San Francisco is keeping her from having a cat. Looking for additional support for veterinary care. Homeless people have greater access to veterinary care than most. Hopes something can be done about this inequity.
- Items to be put on the Calendar for Future Commission Meetings
NERT and follow progress of ACC’s new proposed facility. ACC’s Behavior and Training protocols.
- Closing Review of Task Allotments and Next Steps
Keep eye on the bond measure & design of facility.
10. Adjournment