OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Animal Wellbeing Commission Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

Animal Wellbeing Commission — Wednesday, August 12, 2026
BodySacramento, California
SessionAnimal Wellbeing Commission
DateWednesday, August 12, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:17:10
Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

All right, good evening.

0:13

Welcome to the Wednesday, August 12th meeting of the Animal Wellbeing Commission.

0:17

This meeting is now called to order.

0:21

Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum?

0:25

Yes, good evening.

0:26

Today's meeting is being streamed live on YouTube in English and Spanish.

0:30

Please note that the live captioning and translations are AI generated and main contained airs.

0:36

Members, if you can please unmute your microphones for roll call.

0:38

Commissioner Tree.

0:41

Commissioner Wells?

0:42

Here.

0:42

Commissioner Verga.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Commissioner Contreras is absent.

0:47

Commissioner Hayes is absent.

0:49

Commissioner Bargan is absent.

0:51

Commissioner Bell?

0:52

Here.

0:52

Commissioner Benedict?

0:54

Here.

0:54

Vice Chair Bagley?

0:56

Here.

0:56

Commissioner Christie?

0:57

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Asquith is absent.

1:00

Commissioner Martinez?

1:01

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Garcia.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Commissioner Morris?

1:05

Here.

1:06

And Chair McDoll.

1:07

Here.

1:08

Thank you.

1:08

We have quorum.

1:09

Thank you.

1:10

Before we begin, a brief reminder for the public.

1:14

In attendance.

1:15

Speaker slips are to be submitted digitally.

1:18

It's a brand new process.

1:19

There's a kiosk outside.

1:21

You can register by scanning the QR code.

1:26

Located on the back window there.

1:29

Or through the kiosk outside.

1:31

Submissions must be received prior to the item being called.

1:35

Once the item is called, public comments will be closed, and you will no longer be able to register for that item.

1:42

Each speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak.

1:53

Okay, uh please rise if you're able to owe the for the opening acknowledgement in honors of the Sacramento Indigenous People and Tribal Lands.

2:01

Um can I ask Commissioner Christie to lead the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwin Wintune peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

2:21

May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples history, contributions, and lives.

2:37

Thank you.

2:39

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.

2:45

For which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:59

Thank you.

3:00

So next is the approval of the consent calendar.

3:04

Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

3:08

We do not have any speakers for the consent chair.

3:12

All right, thank you.

3:15

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this on the consent calendar?

3:21

Oh it's always a dance.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Animal Services████████████████████████████████████36%
Animal Welfare████████████████████████24%
Volunteer Programs██████████10%
Public Health████████8%
Public Participation██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Personnel Matters███3%
Legislative Process██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Animal Wellbeing Commission Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Animal Wellbeing Commission met on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:32 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Chair Jamie McDole and adjourned at 7:49 PM. Commissioners present: 11 (Hilary Bagley-Franzoia, Denise Bell, Kellee Benedict, Samantha Christie, Kathleen Garcia, Itzel Martinez, Leah Morris, Paula Treat, Julie Virga, Aimee Wells, Chair McDole). Absent: Shannon Asquith, Ignacio Barragan, Brenda Contreras, Julia Hayes. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, pledge of allegiance, and welcome to new youth Commissioner Itzel Martinez.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Meeting Minutes (June 10, 2026) – Passed unanimously.
  • Animal Wellbeing Commission Follow-Up Log – Adopted as developed. Two items (ordinance and item #10) were removed by consensus as completed. Motion by Commissioner Benedict, second by Commissioner Garcia; passed with all present voting aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • During Strategic Planning for Spay/Neuter Clinics: Jared Balard spoke, representing the PAW Fund. He urged removal of barriers to access (no residency or income proof, no breed restrictions), emphasized outreach and transportation, and questioned whether the $500,000 was a one-time grant or ongoing commitment, noting one unneutered dog can produce 2,000 offspring in five years.
  • During Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Jared Thaller spoke in support of managed intake, arguing it is not the opposite of open intake but a necessary practice to avoid hoarding, disease, and suffering. He called for more resources (staff, officers, kennels, adoption support) rather than unmanaged intake.

Discussion Items

Commissioner Comments, Ideas, and Questions

  • Volunteer Program Concerns: Commissioner Verga raised issues about the volunteer handbook allowing termination “for any reason,” unclear policies, lack of training, and a culture of fear. Commissioners Bell and Christie noted at-will policies are typical for volunteers, but Christie suggested creating a system for respectful feedback. Verga and others shared positive and negative personal experiences.
  • Agenda Setting Dispute: Commissioner Verga questioned why the chair and vice chair no longer set the agenda, citing emails from 2025 showing prior practice. City Attorney Mike Benner reiterated that the city manager sets agendas for all commissions, and that has been consistent advice. Verga requested a written explanation.
  • Email Exclusions: Commissioner Verga distributed emails showing that Chair McDole and Vice Chair Bagley-Franzoia were excluded from pre-meetings of the Large Dog Working Group. Several commissioners expressed concern about the lack of collegiality and transparency.
  • Follow-Up Log Additions: Commissioners added items: euthanasia presentation (Commissioner Treat), rescue partner policies (Verga), kennel cleaning protocols (Verga), spay/neuter voucher program (Christie), and mandatory spay/neuter on second impound (Treat).

Animal Care Services Monthly Manager’s Report (Ryan Hinderman)

  • July 2026 Statistics: Total intakes 982; euthanasia – 99 cats, 57 dogs; overall live release rate 81% (cats 72%, dogs 88%). June statistics: 1,164 intakes; 104 cats, 46 dogs euthanized; live release 84% (cats 77%, dogs 91%).
  • Kitten Connection Program: 460 calls supported in 2025, 309 cats served, 7.5% of strays.
  • Kennel Improvements: Version 3 latch installed, allowing doors to swing in/out for safety.
  • Four-Dog Ordinance: Takes effect August 23; revised language to be presented to PNPE.
  • Large Dog Adoption Working Group: Exploring a direct-mail campaign with adoption coupons targeting new homeowners, and “Pet Academy” text-based behavioral support to reduce returns (claimed 50% reduction).
  • Staffing: New foster/rescue coordinator and senior animal care technician hired (internal); interviews for shelter operations manager scheduled; all officer positions filled; still seeking veterinarian and four animal care technicians.
  • Disease Outbreak: Increased canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) cases, primarily mycoplasma (no vaccine). Some dogs developed pneumonia due to stress and high density. Enhanced cleaning and early antibiotic protocols in place; vendor reviewing cleaning procedures.
  • Shelter Manager Introduction: New manager April Stevenson introduced herself, emphasizing open communication, transparency, and a 1% daily improvement philosophy. She declined to take questions at this meeting but will meet individually with commissioners.

Strategic Planning for Community Spay and Neuter Clinics

  • Background: City Council approved $500,000 for 10 mobile clinics with Animal Balance, each expected to spay/neuter ~200 animals (2,000 total). Previous 2025 clinics with Animal Balance spayed/neuters 988 animals.
  • Facility Requirements: Separate surgery suite, holding areas, HVAC, multiple electrical outlets, parking for drive-through, access Thursday–Sunday. AB 2010 (SNP Act) could relax requirements if passed.
  • Target Areas: GIS map shows hotspots in Del Paso Heights and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Chair McDole suggested Hagen and Robertson community centers in District 2, which is the highest call volume and most underserved.
  • Pricing: ~$250 per animal (Animal Balance). SNP mobile clinic quoted ~$125/cat; community clinics can be lower. Animal Balance does not perform surgeries on brachycephalic breeds or dogs over 80 lbs.
  • Discussion: Commissioners debated removing the restriction to Animal Balance to allow other vendors (SNP, Community Spay Neuter) for faster deployment and lower costs, especially for cat-only clinics. No formal motion was made; staff will continue planning.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Follow-Up Log adopted with removal of two items; new items added for future discussion.
  • Meeting Extension passed unanimously (motion by Commissioner Benedict, second by Commissioner Treat) to continue past the two-hour limit.
  • Spay/Neuter Clinics: Commissioners provided input on locations, eligibility, and potential vendor flexibility; staff will incorporate feedback and report back. No formal action taken.
  • Commissioner Communications: Concerns about volunteer policies, agenda-setting authority, and working group exclusions were noted but unresolved; commissioners are encouraged to submit facility suggestions to staff.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. Welcome to the Wednesday, August 12th meeting of the Animal Wellbeing Commission. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum? Yes, good evening. Today's meeting is being streamed live on YouTube in English and Spanish. Please note that the live captioning and translations are AI generated and main contained airs. Members, if you can please unmute your microphones for roll call. Commissioner Tree. Commissioner Wells? Here. Commissioner Verga. Here. Commissioner Contreras is absent. Commissioner Hayes is absent. Commissioner Bargan is absent. Commissioner Bell? Here. Commissioner Benedict? Here. Vice Chair Bagley? Here. Commissioner Christie? Here. Commissioner Asquith is absent. Commissioner Martinez? Here. Commissioner Garcia. Here. Commissioner Morris? Here. And Chair McDoll. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. Thank you. Before we begin, a brief reminder for the public. In attendance. Speaker slips are to be submitted digitally. It's a brand new process. There's a kiosk outside. You can register by scanning the QR code. Located on the back window there. Or through the kiosk outside. Submissions must be received prior to the item being called. Once the item is called, public comments will be closed, and you will no longer be able to register for that item. Each speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak. Okay, uh please rise if you're able to owe the for the opening acknowledgement in honors of the Sacramento Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. Um can I ask Commissioner Christie to lead the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwin Wintune peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples history, contributions, and lives.

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