HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-2022 AWC Meeting MinutesSouth Bend Animal Welfare Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2022 Council Chambers
1806 Hours County City Building
227 West Jefferson Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
Animal Welfare Commission Members Present: Dr. Mariah Covey, Pam Wesolowski, and Barb Leavell
City Staff Present:Lindsay Cueller -SBARC Shelter Manager, Tom Panowicz-
Attorney for SBARC, and Kylie Connell - Attorney for
AWC, Marissa Frattini, and Pam Meyer-Chief
Neighborhoods Officer
1.The meeting was called to order by Dr. Covey at 1805 hours.
2.Lindsey Cueller discussed shelter reports from June 2022.
A.As of this meeting, SBARC is full with many rescues are also full.
B.SBARC is now fully staffed with officers, but part-time cleaning staff or volunteers are needed.
C.Also SBARC was wondering about an amesty program so books can be cleared away.
3.Updates to past cases were also discussed.
A.Case number 2022-06. All animals are gone from the residence but when SBARC arrived the
alligator was missing.
4.SBARC has also discussed whether every case needs to come before the board or should only the most
severe cases.
A.Commission agreed that severe cases should be brought before them.
5.Commission discussed and asked questions regarding the meeting protocol.
A.A motion was made by Barb Leavell with a second by Pam Wesolowski.
6.Commission discussed hearing guidelines.
A.Hearing Officer will be needed only if necessary and would not make the rulings for the
Commission.
B.Commission would run the hearings with any questions answered by attorneys.
C.Attorneys can swear people in.
D.City would have complete set of exhibits with Commission getting certain items and
reformatting of others.
E.Commission would like to receive exhibits at least a week ahead of time.
F.Chairperson would be in charge of guiding hearing.
G.Commission should not have to wait to start hearings, they should start on time with everyone
arriving at least thirty minutes ahead of time.
H.Motion was made by Dr. Covey with Pam Wesolowski seconding these changes.
I.Next meeting Commission will discuss guidelines.
7.Next meeting scheduled for August 11, 2022 at 1800 hours.
A.It was discussed that maybe the Commission should have set dates to have meetings and hearings
on.
B.It was agreed that the 1st Thursday would be a meeting and 2nd would be hearing.
C.Should any more hearings need scheduled within that month it will be discussed and set.
Motion to adjourn made by Barb Leavell
Seconded by Dr. Covey
Meeting adjourned at 1930 hours.