HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_08_14 AWC Meeting and Hearing MinutesCounty -City Building
227 W Jefferson Blvd, Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN 46601
James Mueller, Mayor
Phone 574-235-8241
Email dl-animaIwelfare@southbendin.gov
Website Southbendin.gov
City of South Bend
Animal Welfare Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes — Thursday, July 10, 2025
Location: 4`h Floor Council Chambers, County -City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend,
IN 46601
This meeting was live -streamed at the following link: Imps-intrurl.com'21I25.11VY:1 lykricl
Animal Welfare Commission members present in person: Rebecca Kaiser, Christina Gerken, Alicia
Flores, and Karl Hopkins
City staff present: Brittni Gendron — SBARC ShelterManager, Tom Panowicz — Attorney for SBARC,
Adam Taylor— Attorney for AWC.
1. Chairperson Gerken called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and took a roll call and a
quorum of Commissioners was present.
2. SBARC requested to remove from Agenda without prejudice Case 2025-05: B. Cazarez, and
the Commissioners approved the removal by motion.
3. The Chairperson proceeded to the agenda item for hearings, and Adam Taylor called Case:
2025:07: B. Brann to determine whether the Respondent Brann shall be labeled a habitual
animal offender. SBARC presented evidence and rested, and the Respondent then
presented evidence.
a. After hearing the evidence presented by SBARC, the Commissioners determined
that Respondent is a habitual animal offender and ordered that he be designated a
habitual animal offender for the period of five years. Respondent's ownership rights
in two animals, and previously seized by SBARC, was forfeited. Any future
possession of animals within the five year period is subject to immediate seizure or
impoundment by SBARC.
4. A hearing was called by Adam Taylor in Case: 2025 -08: T. Johnson to determine whether
the Respondent shall be labeled a Habitual Animal Offender. SBARC requested a
continuance of the hearing until July 24, 2025, to allow Respondent to be present. The
Commissioners voted to approve the continuance by unanimous vote, with a written order
to follow.
5. The June 12, 2025 minutes were approved by Motion.
6. SBARC Manager Gendron provided monthly shelter reports to the commissioners.
7. Adam Taylor provided an update concerning ongoing ordinance review in Counsel Report,
and indicated that there were no active AWC cases with appeals filed.
8. Privilege of the Floor was held with one public comment received from citizen Angela
Doran.
9. This meeting was adjourned by motion.
Dr. Mariah Covey Christina Gerken Rebecca Kaiser Alicia Flores Karl Hopkins
W.
City of South Send Animol Welfare Commission
Approved by Secretary: Date: �s