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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 008 11/06/2001 2000-2002 REPORT OF TIIIE COMMITTEE ON IIUMAN SERVICES AND ECOI~TOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: November 6, 2001 Re: Communication Nos. 376, 376.1, 376.2 and 394 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 9:00 a.m. Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Communication Nos. 376, 376.1, 376.2 and 394 relating to the transmittal of the Independent Evaluation of the Animal Control Program of the County of Hawai `i submitted by the National Animal Control Association (NACA) pursuant to Council Resolution No. 49-01, reports as follows: As required in the RFP accompanying Resolution No. 49-O1 and related Communication No. 394, your committee conducted aone-hour teleconference with NACA study team members John Mays and Mary Metzner. Committee discussion and questions-and-answers centered on NACA's proposal that the Hawaii County Police Department assume field enforcement duties now assigned to the county's contractor. Members also discussed recommended fees for the licensing of dogs and cats, the importance ofspay-neuter campaigns to address pet overpopulation, availability of animal traps for loan, and other issues. Your committee also heard testimony from the Hawaii Island Humane Society, West Hawaii Humane Society, Animal Rescue Coalition-Hawaii and individual concerned citizens. While your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development unanimously "closed file" on the above-referenced communications, Council members expressed their desire that your HS&EDC chair, Nancy Pisicchio, bring forward recommendations to improve the County's animal control program for further consideration and action by the Council. Areas identified for further Council deliberation and action include, but are not limited to, the following: • Adoption of a new animal control ordinance (Chapter 4, Hawaii County Code); • Proposed establishment of a County of Hawaii Advisory Commission on Animal Control; • Support for spay-neuter programs such as the Maddie's Pund; • Long-range strategic planning relating to the operation of animal shelters and pet overpopulation; • Determination of administrative responsibilities for animal control within the County of Hawaii, including the assignment of field enforcement responsibilities; • Implementation of specific recommendations contained within the NACA report titled Independent Evaluation of the Animal Control Program of the County of Hawai `i. Customarily, an action to close file represents closure on a communication brought before the Council. Your committee's action to close file on the above-referenced communications indicates completion and Council acceptance of the independent evaluation of the county's animal control program authorized by Council Resolution No. 49-01. AYES NOES A&E EX PISICCIIIO x JACO)$SON x Respectfully submitted: ARAKAKI x CHUNG x COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELARIONOFF x I,EITFIEAD-TODD x ~~n SAFARIK x _ NANCY P ICCHIO, CHAIR .~,L~ x HS&EDC REP,Q~ 1 8 YAGONG x ADOPTED: (~1JJ ~ _