Animal Wellbeing Commission Meeting - November 12, 2025

The Animal Wellbeing Commission met on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:27 PM at Sacramento City Hall. Chair Paul Hefner presided. Commissioners present: Bagley-Franzoia, Barragan, Bell, Christie, Garcia, Morris, Phew, Snell, Treat, and Hefner. Commissioners Hayes and Middleton were absent. The meeting included a land acknowledgement and pledge led by Commissioner Garcia, and a welcome to new Commissioner Ignacio Barragan.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the October 15, 2025 meeting minutes (File ID: 2025-00025).
• Adopted the Animal Wellbeing Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2025-01797). Both items passed unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Snell.

Public Comments & Testimony

Item 3 – Community Cat Presentation:

• Mark C. shared a personal story of rescuing a kitten on Fruit Ridge Road.
• Jamie McDoll criticized the presentation as biased, argued the legal interpretation was suspect, and stated that turning away unaltered cats violates California Civil Code.
• Susan Falcon claimed the agenda falsely states Front Street has no legal obligation to accept stray cats and accused the commission of defending failed leadership.
• Julie Verga provided a handout and argued that reduced-intake policies are illegal, citing a 2013 document from California Shelter Policy Stakeholders Group.

Item 4 – Animal Care Services Performance Audit Update:

• Julie Verga noted 10 staff vacancies and requested inclusion of workplace culture in vacancy discussions. She also mentioned a new nonprofit (Front Street Fundraising Foundation) and urged prioritization of veterinarian salary increases.
• Elise questioned the $500,000 request for spay/neuter clinics given the city's deficit, and criticized outsourcing policy writing to an RFP instead of using internal staff or AI.
• Julie Burga stated Front Street management faces a crisis of their own making and questioned why the shelter manager did not object to the return of $253,000 in federal funds.

Item 5 – Interim Improvement Update:

• Mark C. asked for a clear plan for moving dogs during kennel renovations.

Item 8 – Manager’s Monthly Report:

• Dia Good requested that shelter manager Philip Zimmerman resume attending meetings and provide vacancy updates.
• She also expressed concern about the creation of a new nonprofit by shelter management, asking for clarification.
• Elise echoed support for these requests.

Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda:

• Elise called for reduced animosity and more collaboration with advocates.
• Julie Verga thanked commissioners and urged clarity on agenda-setting authority.
• Kim Pacini expressed frustration over the shelter not taking in animals and questioned the manager’s absence.
• Dia Good highlighted the history of Friends of Front Street and criticized the RFP process for policies.

Discussion Items

Item 3 – Community Cat Presentation: Chair Hefner presented an overview of national cat intake/adoption/euthanasia statistics, California law (Food & Ag Code, Penal Code), Front Street’s practices, and reliance on volunteers. He noted the shelter has only 109 cat spaces (needs assessment recommends 140), and that non-live outcomes for cats at Front Street are nearly 25%. Commissioner Bagley strongly disputed the legal assertion that shelters are not required to intake healthy stray cats, citing Penal Code 597.1 and Civil Code 1815/1816. She argued that state law uses “animals” and includes cats. Other commissioners discussed the subjectivity of “unweaned” definitions, staffing challenges (down a vet and foster coordinators), and the need for a holistic approach to animal well-being. Chair Hefner clarified the presentation was his own work and that he could not guarantee its legal accuracy.

Item 4 – Animal Care Services Performance Audit Update: Ryan Hinderman reported the audit tracking spreadsheet has been updated and that an RFP for developing written policies and procedures has been issued, with responses expected in a few weeks. Commissioners and public expressed concerns about outsourcing policy writing, the lack of transparency in the RFP process, and the need for prioritization of items such as veterinarian salary increases. Commissioner Snell requested printed materials in larger font. Commissioner Barragan suggested the commission prepare recommendations for the eventual vendor. Commissioner Morris asked for a timeline on kennel improvement bids.

Item 5 – Update on Interim Improvement for Front Street Animal Shelter: Hinderman reported that the shade structure quote came in over budget, and kennel/curb improvements are awaiting contractor bids. The shelter plans a big foster push to move dogs during renovations (one building at a time). SPCA is unlikely to assist due to their own renovations. Vice Chair Morris questioned why a cost estimate was provided to council before bids were obtained.

Item 6 – Homeless Outreach Assistance Program Coordinator Presentation: Continued to January 21, 2026, because the staff presenter was unavailable.

Item 7 – 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan: Commissioners reviewed and commented on the draft. A motion by Commissioner Barragan, seconded by Commissioner Bagley-Franzoia, passed unanimously to amend the report by removing the name of a former commissioner and adding new members, and then to forward the report, with edits, to the Personnel & Public Employees Committee for consideration.

Item 8 – Animal Care Services Manager’s Monthly Report and Shelter Updates: Hinderman announced that an offer for a new veterinarian had been accepted and the vet will start within the month. No written report was provided. Commissioners expressed frustration that shelter manager Philip Zimmerman was not present to answer questions. Commissioner Treat requested that future reports include vacancy numbers and that the manager attend meetings. Commissioner Bagley raised concerns about a potential second nonprofit being created by shelter management; Deputy City Attorney Carsen Van der Linden noted he would look into the matter.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (unanimous).
• Item 3 (Community Cat Presentation): Received and commented; no formal motion. Chair Hefner noted the commission has no authority to compel changes in shelter policy.
• Item 4 (Audit Update): Received and commented; commission agreed to revisit the audit in January and to consider prioritization of findings.
• Item 5 (Interim Improvements): Reviewed and commented; staff will continue seeking bids.
• Item 6 (HOAP Presentation): Continued to January 21, 2026.
• Item 7 (Annual Report): Amended and forwarded to P&PE Committee (unanimous).
• Item 8 (Manager’s Report): Reviewed and commented; concerns noted.
• Meeting extended past two hours on a motion by Commissioner Treat, seconded by Commissioner Snell (unanimous).
• Future agenda items requested: Friends of Front Street presentation; commission recommendations for policy development RFP; workshop days for the commission; presentation on long-term/senior shelter animals; city attorney memo on the RFP process for policies; clarification on new nonprofit; and a discussion on reworking the meeting format to allow commissioner comments after public comment.
• Chair Hefner described the agenda-setting process as collaborative with staff but acknowledged that final agenda decisions are controlled by city staff and not guaranteed to reflect all commissioner requests.