The Observation Deck

From City Hall:

From: McHugh, Maureen (Council) [mailto:Maureen.McHugh2@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:27 AM
Subject: Ad-hoc Committee on Boards & Commissions Meeting

Issued 04-17-13

PLEASE POST – PUBLIC NOTICE

The Ad Hoc Committee on Boards & Commissions will meet Monday, April 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the Jury Room of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue. The agenda is as follows:


1) Lakewood Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board










Brian Powers, Chair
Shawn Juris, Mary Louise Madigan; Members
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS COMMITTEE

Interesting; this ad hoc committee has previously review LASWAB (in April 2012). Minutes of that meetign below.

Now I'm wondering ... is a re-review or a continuation of their review?

BOARDS COMMISSIONS AD HOC COMMITTEE
04-16-12

Present: Brian Powers Chair, Shawn Juris, Mary Louise Madigan

Also Present: Monique Smith, Ryan Nowlin, David Anderson, Kevin Butler, Eric Sandy (Sun News), Anthony Davis (Lovelakewood.com), Tom Bullock (6:53)

Call to Order: 6:47pm

Continued Review of Boards Commissions

Mr Powers explained that at the last meeting the committee gave ratings of 1 through 3 for each board and commission.

Mr Butler distributed a spreadsheet with each board and commission and its 1-3 ranking as well as a draft ordinance eliminating those given a three except for the Citizen Infrastructure Committee that was created by resolution and is an ad hoc group that has done its job.

Mr Bullock arrives at 6:53.

Mr Powers stated that he would like to begin to go through those ranked as 2s and started alphabetically with the Animal Safety Welfare Advisory Board. He could not recall what if anything had been referred to the group although he did recall one item that had caused an issue.

Mr Butler stated that he did not recall anything being referred to the board but a modification to the dangerous animal legislation was supported by them.

Mr Anderson stated that although the board wasn't asked they provided information to the Public Safety Committee on another item.

Ms Smith stated that there is a perception that the board can take initiative and present to the committee and that the committee is obligated to take the report.

Mr Bullock stated that the TNR program was initiated and funded by LASWAB and they had a role in leashed dog walking in the parks. He stated that the board was created as an olive branch as well as for the safety of humans and the welfare, care and concern of animals.

Mr Bullock added that people motivated by animal issues have a venue and the group is one of the most active.

Ms Madigan stated that she has asked one person from the board for input.

Mr Powers stated that it is a nice active passionate group but there may have been hard feelings when items were not referred to the committee. He stated that in his opinion the ordinance regarding the group should be rewritten or the board eliminated.

Mr Powers believes there are too many boards and commissions and is more inclined to get people involved in specific instances.

Mr Juris stated that it is a challenge to appoint members to the board. He stated that the City is to protect the people not to make sure the animals are protected. He stated that there is a lack of clarity as to the role of this group. Mr Juris stated that while it is nice to have the board to consult it is up to Councilpersons to do their own research. He stated that the board is an animal advocate group giving advice and Council does not need their approval to pass legislation.

Mr Powers stated that an advisory board is not needed for every decision.

Ms Madigan stated that for the TNR program one person from the board started it and did all the work. She also added that the city does have a large number of animal lovers and Lakewood does want to be an animal friendly city but the duties of the board need to be made clear.

Mr Bullock stated that it was good to have help and suggested a conversation with the group to clarify role.

Mr Powers again stated that there are too many boards and commissions. He used the lack of a fire safety board to demonstrate that there is not a need for a board for every potential problem.

Mr Juris stated that it is difficult to make appointments to the board because what the board is supposed to do and what it actually does are two different things.

Because of time constraints Mr Powers asked that the committee members review the remaining boards and commissions ranked as 2 and be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned by Mr Powers at 7:19 pm