Kern County Municipal Code Ch. 2.150 Animal Services Commission

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. G-8650, § 2, adopted June 21, 2016, changed the title of Ch. 2.150 from "Animal Control Commission" to "Animal Services Commission."

There is an animal services commission in the county. The commission shall be composed of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the board of supervisors of the county. Each member appointed shall serve in office for a term of four (4) years to run concurrent with the term of the supervisor who makes his nomination, except that the first appointment nominated by the supervisors from the second and the third supervisorial districts shall each serve for a one-year term, and the first appointment nominated by the supervisors from the first, fourth and fifth supervisorial districts shall each serve for a three-year term, and thereafter nominees from all districts shall serve for four-year terms. Appointees filling vacancies shall serve the unexpired portion of the term of their predecessors. These members shall be the voting members of the commission. A member of the board of supervisors, as designated by that board, shall be a nonvoting member of the commission and his term shall correspond to his official tenure. The board of supervisors shall also designate an alternate nonvoting member to act as a member in the absence of the first nonvoting member named. The board of supervisors may remove any member of the commission from office at any time upon majority vote of the board.

(Ord. G-7335 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. G-8650, § 3, 6-21-16)

A. It shall be the responsibility of the animal services commission:

1. To engage in a long-term planning process through which it identifies major issues and establishes recommendations for the board of supervisors for policies and procedures on animal services program operations;

2. To promote public awareness of the goals and operations of the animal shelters and to enhance public confidence and improve community relations with respect to animal services program operations;

3. To investigate and provide advisory recommendations to the board of supervisors on all proposed amendments to Chapter 7.08 of the Kern County Ordinance Code;

4. To review and investigate citizen complaints regarding animal services program operations and, if appropriate, provide advisory recommendations to the board of supervisors concerning matters brought to its attention by members of the public;

5. To serve as the administrative review board for consideration of appeals to the revocation of permits under Section 7.08.040 and the waiver of dog license fees under Section 7.08.040(A)(1) of the Kern County Ordinance Code;

6. To advise and assist the board of supervisors in conducting public education and outreach programs to Kern County residents regarding animal owner responsibility for licensing, spaying and neutering, and proper care of animals; and

7. To review and recommend proactive enforcement programs that will result in reducing cases of animal overpopulation, neglect, abuse, and public nuisance.

B. The commission shall hold at least one public meeting for the purpose of receiving evidence and public comments on the matters assigned to it.

C. The commission shall act on any matters referred by the board of supervisors or the director in accordance with the instructions provided with said referrals.

(Ord. G-7354 §§ 2, 3, 2006; Ord. G-7335 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. 8263, § 2, 3-12-12; Ord. No. G-8650, § 4, 6-21-16)

At the first meeting of the commission each year one (1) of its voting members shall be elected chairman and one (1) of its voting members shall be elected vice chairman. The commission may hold as many meetings as determined necessary for the performance of the duties prescribed in this chapter. Three (3) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at commission meetings. A voting member's absence from three (3) consecutive meetings shall constitute a resignation from the commission unless the chairman has excused the member from attendance for a good and sufficient reason. The members of the animal services commission shall also adopt such rules as they deem necessary and proper to conduct the business of the animal services commission, subject to approval by the board of supervisors.

(Ord. G-7335 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. G-8650, § 5, 6-21-16)

The director of the animal services department shall furnish the animal services commission with such clerical, administrative and other personnel deemed necessary in order to perform the duties of the animal services commission. The animal services director or his designated representative shall attend the meetings of the animal services commission in the capacity of administrative advisor and secretary of the commission.

(Ord. G-7335 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. G-8650, § 6, 6-21-16)

Members of the animal services commission shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred while traveling on the business of the commission. Such travel expenses shall include the cost of transportation, meals, lodging, and other incidental items, and transportation by private automobile pursuant to the rules, rates and per diem expenses allowed county offices and employees on similar business.

(Ord. G-7335 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. G-8650, § 7, 6-21-16)