Selma council forms advisory committee to review animal shelter operations

The Selma City Council voted 4–1 on Feb. 18 to establish an advisory committee to review operations at the City of Selma Animal Shelter and report back to council.

The ad hoc committee was proposed after repeated public complaints about the shelter’s management, staffing and intake of animals from neighboring cities. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra said the council wanted “people that are knowledgeable on what’s going on in a shelter” and to begin with volunteers from Selma.

Council members said they plan to keep the panel small and informal so it remains an advisory body — not a standing commission subject to the Brown Act. Councilman Osaguera and Mayor Robertson said the committee should focus first on local issues and then consider whether to invite representatives from neighboring towns later.

During multiple public comments, residents and local rescue volunteers urged the council to pick community members who understand shelter operations and to avoid appointing people who would start with a negative view. Arlene Sandu of Second Chance Animal Rescue, who asked to be considered as a committee member, said the group seeks to “fill in the gaps” and help shelter staff with adoptions, photography and transport.

Council members said each councilmember will nominate one prospective member; the motion approved tonight named four prospective members the council had already discussed: Parveen Sandhu, Nydia Juarez, Kelli Guerra and Sarkar Rodriguez. The members will be volunteers and are not being paid.

The council majority emphasized the committee will advise the council; any policy or ordinance changes recommended by the panel would still require council action. The city attorney advised against building too much formal structure into the group to avoid turning it into a standing committee covered by open-meeting law.

The council directed staff to prepare the formal appointments and notify the nominees; members will begin initial assessments at the shelter and report back to council. Councilmember Trujillo cast the lone vote against the motion, expressing reservations about committee composition.

The advisory committee will focus on shelter operations, volunteer coordination, potential ordinance changes (for example, mandatory spay/neuter or microchipping), and whether the shelter’s current arrangements with neighboring cities remain appropriate. The committee is expected to make initial reports to the council on a recurring basis as its work progresses.