HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.022 2022-2024 I .
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From: Lori Johnson
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2023 11:19 AM
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To: Council Testimony z
Subject: Bill 22 - Creating the Animal Control and Protection Agency
Aloha Councilmembers,
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Mahalo for your service! My name is Lori Johnson and I'm testifying on Bill 22.
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Thank you, Council Chair Kimball and Council Member Evans,for your efforts on this.
I support the removal of AC functions from the PD, and I would love to support any effort to provide a solid solution to
the growing number of animal-related problems facing our community. I'm having some difficulty assessing my
thoughts on the new Agency. . . because I do not clearly see where it's going from here. I'm hoping today's meeting
sheds some light.
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My understanding is that this legislation's sole purpose is the creation of the Agency;AND,that a planning team will be
created to work out details.That there is an urgency to do this to get it in the budget so on July 1,the Agency can be
started,funded, and fully staffed.
What I do not know?. . .
Is whether Chapter 4 continues to be the Agency's Mandate?
I do know:
That, if it is—or, even if it's not-Chapter 4 MUST be updated before creating a new Agency built around and within
obsolete, incomplete, and confusing laws! Council, itself, continues to misstate AC's purview—between statements
during last October's Committee meeting and in press releases re today's meeting. So, this apparently is not clear.
An update of Chapter 4 was recommended by the National Animal Care &Control Association over 20 years ago. They
state, "County of Hawaii should reevaluate its Animal Ordinances. Minimum holding time is unusually short and not
consistent with other Animal Control Agencies".
We need to start by clarifying and updating the laws by which this Agency will carry out its mandates. The new Agency
must have a defined, detailed and mandated "Scope of Work" like RFP 3950. 1 don't understand how the agency could
be started,funded, and fully staffed before this is established. Which leads to the next question . . .
I also do not know the intention for the planning team, but this team should be part of the process as soon as
possible. We have successful models for basically every aspect of Animal Control—but there ARE a lot of moving parts
that need to implemented strategically. We will certainly share these models with a knowledgeable and transparent
planning team!
Along with these successful models. . .we have an expert consultant at our finger tips. Let's please use these resources.
Here's a statement emailed to me from a neighboring Island's Director of AC, referring to Hawai'i County Animal
Control:
"The discussion needs to happen first of what level of services the County wants to provide, while recognizing there
must be an existing network if they choose to limit their responsibilities. They can't just do the minimum
without ensuring the support exists elsewhere." Comm. No, Q/ 1 11L
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Ref. Gate_. a 7 2023
Mahalo,
Lori Johnson
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