KENT COUNTY SPCA BOARD MEETING OF MAY 13, 2013

As usual, these are notes taken by members of the public who attended this meeting.  Those individuals were:  Dr. Lynn Lofthouse, Carol Furr, Catherine Samardza, Patty Foltz, Diane Marks and Doug Beatty.   Also as usual, our comments are in italics.

They began the meeting by demonstrating video-conferencing set up by their IT person.  It was suggested that board members could have the IT person help them set up their computer or laptop or notebook for videoconferencing for future meetings.  Rosemary Richardson was attending via telephone.

The meeting was called to order when Mr. Alex Moore (president) came into the room physically after demonstrating the computer video link.

The minutes of April 2013 were approved.

Mr. Frank Newton, treasurer, reported that they are 58.3% through the year; income in at 64.4%, more than budgeted.  Expenses are at 58.4%.  Money has gone to equipment upgrades such as the pump heater, an unexpected expense.  He noted that he had sent out the written report via e-mail to the board members.  Mr. Newton also reported that all accounts payable are handled in 30 days or less, except their auditor, who has not finished yet, and will be paid when the audit is complete. The front desk personnel are now called animal adoption counselors.  He also reported that they now separate the animal control expenses from the kennel (shelter?) to keep track.  The treasurer’s report was approved.

Mr. Chris Rausch, the new board member nominated and approved in April, was introduced.

Fundraising Committee:  The committee reported tat the Scamper run earned $3,000.00.  The chair reported that they made a lot of mistakes, but will get better.  Tri-Sports was happy, and plans are being made for next year.  The Gala will be November 8^th at the Sheraton Hotel.  Dover Pools has donated a patio set; The Sheraton has donated a night at the hotel; an artist from the Plein Air contest donated a painting.  Furry Tales will take place on June 22 @ Neverlands Kennels; it will be a cocktail party.  Dogs and cats on leashes will be welcome.  The event is open to the public and tickets will be available online.

The June board meeting was discussed.  A motion was made and carried to cancel the June board meeting.  Mr. Moore also suggested making the board meetings quarterly.

There was discussion concerning publicity and the newsletter, and to reschedule the Planning and Objectives committee meeting.

The Executive Director’s Report:  Mr. Usilton reported on the following:

-              1) The upcoming “animals as friends” camps in June and August

-              2) The oyster dinner fundraiser - $35 per person, but no percentage to the shelter has been

a              agreed upon

-               3) Division of Health rabies contract – Mr. Moore asked that this be moved to new business

-               4) The Animal Welfare Task Force final recommendations changed the staff for the proposed new

                 office to 4 employees, not 5

-                5) Purina Cat Chow is celebrating “50 years, 50 shelters” and KCSPCA is the only Delaware

                 shelter participating’

-         Other events participated in, Bug and Bud Festival, the horse expo, the Ace Car show

-         There have been 783 calls for service for animal control

There was a question as to the funds that will be generated by the Gala; would they be allocated to the shelter in general, or to the spay/neuter program?  Mr. Usilton said the money could be targeted to a program if they wanted.

There was discussion concerning forms the board members needed to fill out, to keep track of donations collected by them, tickets sold, etc.

New Business:  proposed Health Department Contract for Rabies investigations (animal to human only).  It was announced that the Department had released an RFP (Request for Proposal).  This document asks for more information and documentation, and requires the same level of service currently provided concerning quarantine and investigation of animal-to-human bites.

The KCSPCA budge for this service is $328,000+.  They have not discussed space for quarantining animals yet.  The Department declined to increase the funds they have budgeted for this service, and have offered $222,012, the same as prior years.  The contract expires on June 30, 2013. 

 Mr. Moore reminded the board that they previously passed a measure agreeing not to accept contracts that "don’t break even.”  It was noted that gas costs more now.

A board member asked, what happens to the animals?  Mr. Moore responded, “they’ll (the Dept.) have to pay us more.”

Mr. Usilton noted that last year the State bought the KCSPCA a vehicle; it now has 200,000 miles on it and they refused to include a new vehicle in the contract.  It was noted that there is $102K difference in what is being offered and what the KCSPCA wants.

 Mr. Usilton stated that Delaware is the only State that doesn’t give the pre-exposure rabies vaccines, so $30,000 of the money would go to vaccinate KCSPCA employees.  He also said that the State used to do this, now they won’t, and “our employees are at risk.”  He also said that housing the animals costs more, and administrative costs are higher, more documentation is required.  Mr. Moore asked if this was a state or federal requirement; Mr. Usilton said it was State.

The board member asked again, what about the animals?  Mr. Moore said, “they’ll have to pay us, there’s no one else.”  It was also noted that the State is mandated to provide this service.

There was discussion; it was noted that Mr. Usilton had met with the Department, and was told they won’t increase the contractual fee, they can’t raise the money.

Somehow this became an issue concerning the Animal Welfare Task Force recommendations, noting that the proposed new office would have a certain number of employees, and that the KCSPCA already has that many working just on rabies investigations.

Mr. Moore noted that the State has no facility, and “expects us to subsidize them.”

Mr. Newton said that the KCSPCA can’t continue to take less.  “If we can’t get what we ask for, let the contract go.”

Carol Kisner asked if there was any way to compromise.  Mr. Newton said they could negotiate, with a reduction in service.  Mr. Usilton said it was the “same conflict as before, they don’t want to pay for it.” (we believe this is a reference to the KCLC dog control contract.)

Mr. Moore asked for a motion to accept this contract or not.  There was discussion concerning what would happen next; the answer was that Mr. Usilton would go back to negotiate.  The motion would be to reject this offer and negotiate – the KCSPCA was not going to lose money.  Ms. Kisner asked why they were even voting then; she was told “to reject this offer.”  Ms. Kisner said that she didn’t want the KCSPCA to be in a position where they couldn’t go back (to the Department).  It was noted that this is a statewide contract, there is one animal control officer in each county for the service.  The contract specifies 1,504 bites; to date this year, they have investigated 1,408.  It involves investigating, catching the animal, quarantining the animal.  All animals are quarantined at the shelter.

There was a motion to reject the Department of Health contract and send Mr. Usilton to negotiate for more money.  The motion carried.

The board then voted via paper ballots for a new logo and name for the shelter.  The winner was “First State Animal Control & SPCA” and the new logo had a dog, cat, horse and rabbit.  One of the board members said that she liked the logo with the different animals; Mr. Moore said that was what set them apart from other shelters, they take everything.

It was reported that they had a new pulsometer, to check the heart of animals undergoing spay/neuter.

The meeting was adjourned.

WHAT WASN’T DISCUSSED:

Sometimes the meetings are more notable for what they don't talk about - and it makes us wonder A) do the board members know about this stuff? and if they do, when is it actually being discussed?

 Because…..

 There was no mention of their bid for the KCLC dog control contract - which is funny because they've talked about bidding for this at other meetings, and now that the KC RFP is actually out, there was no mention of it.

And there was no mention of the NCC audit.