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Mayor outlines plan for independent community animal-shelter committee and staffing proposal
Summary
Mayor reported staff will identify three projects to improve the current shelter and recommended forming an independent community working committee (named initial members) to fundraise, plan and contract for a future facility; council budget language may add a dedicated shelter staff position pending a reading.
The mayor provided a multi-part update on animal-shelter efforts. He said staff (Tyler) will meet with Captain Kevin Hayes and Chief Johnson to agree on three projects for the existing shelter, and that some project work may return to council depending on cost. The mayor said, after one more reading of a pending item, the council could include a budget line that would fund a dedicated animal‑shelter position beginning in July of the next fiscal year.
The mayor described steps to form an independent community working committee (not a city‑run foundation) to lead fundraising and short‑term improvements and to advise on contracting for a future shelter operator. He named the initial proposed members: Captain Kevin Hayes (city liaison), Councilman Robert Freitas (city liaison), Dr. Lawrence Santos (local veterinarian), Tabitha Waldrop (project management/engineering background), Laura Nichols (community representative, former local pet-store owner) and Dawn Porter (CPA background). The mayor emphasized the committee would be community‑led, could choose its own structure and would not be funded or run by the city.
He asked city staff to circulate contact information and asked the committee to begin work within 30–45 days. The study-session transcript records the mayor’s proposal and names but does not show formal committee formation or city funding commitments beyond the potential budget position, which depends on a future council reading and approval.
