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Committee recommends two-meeting deferral for proposed Metropolitan Animal Care and Control Commission ordinance
Summary
A Metro Council committee voted 3-2 to recommend a two-meeting deferral of BL2025‑1061, a bill to establish a Metropolitan Animal Care and Control Commission, after debate over whether the Board of Health had adequate time to review the measure.
A Metro Council committee on Tuesday recommended a two-meeting deferral for BL2025‑1061, an ordinance that would create the Metropolitan Animal Care and Control Commission, after members debated whether the Board of Health and the health department had sufficient time to review the measure.
The sponsor, Councilmember Wiener, described the proposal as a way to provide advocacy and practical support to animal care officers (ACOs) and staff at Metropolitan Animal Care, telling the committee the employees “are kicked, hit, bitten, and they're working ridiculous hours.” Wiener said the commission would be a largely supportive body to help staff with programming, outreach and facility support.
Board of Health chair Tene Hamilton Franklin told the committee she and the volunteer board had not received materials in time to review the ordinance and asked that the matter be deferred until the board’s regular meeting on Nov. 13 so members could examine the proposal and provide feedback. Franklin said the board could not deliberate outside its schedule without a special meeting. A health department staff member, John Finke, was identified in the discussion as having acknowledged receipt of documents but the board said it had not had an opportunity to review them.
Committee members discussed options. Health department staff had asked specifically for a two‑meeting deferral so the board could consider the item at its regular session; council members noted a one‑meeting deferral would force the board to hold a specially called meeting. The committee previously adopted an amendment to the bill on a separate voice vote; a member said that amendment ‘‘simply add[ed] some ‘whereas’ language’’ before the committee returned to the larger question of timing.
On a recorded recommendation vote the committee split 3‑2 in favor of recommending a two‑meeting deferral to the full council. Committee members noted the deferral recommendation is not automatic on the council floor and will be considered again during the council meeting.
Discussion versus formal action: the committee approved an amendment to the ordinance on the record and then recommended a two‑meeting deferral for the bill’s further consideration. The board of health asked staff to prepare a chronology of events and for the board to receive materials in advance of its Nov. 13 meeting.
The ordinance text filed with the council would amend Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to establish a new Metropolitan Animal Care and Control Commission; the bill is sponsored by Wiener, Stiles and others. The committee record shows the amendment passed on a voice vote and the deferral recommendation passed 3‑2.
Next steps: the deferral recommendation will be presented to the full Metro Council; if the council accepts the recommendation the bill would be removed from immediate consideration for two regular meetings so the Board of Health may review and advise. If the council rejects the recommendation, the bill could move forward on council calendar as scheduled.
