Porterville Municipal Code Art. VIII Animal Control Commission

An animal control commission is established in and for the city of Porterville. The animal control commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the city council. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The animal control commission shall consist of five (5) members who shall be residents of the city of Porterville. Commissioners shall be appointed by the city council at its complete discretion by a majority vote. Members of the commission shall be representative of a cross section of the community. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Members of the animal control commission shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The term of office shall be four (4) years with terms staggered to prevent concurrent expiration of terms. All commission members shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed by a majority vote of the city council at any time and for any reason. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Vacancies, occurring otherwise than by expiration of the terms, shall be filled by appointment by the city council as soon as possible; such appointee is to serve for the unexpired term of the vacant office. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The animal control commission shall appoint one of its members chairperson, and one of them vice chairperson. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The officers thus appointed shall serve one year, until their successors in office have been appointed by the animal control commission. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The animal control commission shall hold meetings regularly as determined by the commission and shall designate the time and place thereof. The commission may hold as many meetings as determined necessary for the performance of the duties prescribed in this chapter. The meetings shall be held in compliance with the Brown act and all applicable laws, and the meetings and records of attendance shall be public. The commission shall adopt its own rules of procedure and keep a record of its proceedings. A record of attendance shall be kept regularly and reported to the city council at least once per year. Members are expected to have at least seventy five percent (75%) attendance based upon the commission's regular meeting schedule (e.g., 9 out of 12 meetings if held monthly, and 3 out of 4 if held quarterly). Members who fail to meet the attendance requirement automatically vacate their seat and the vacancies shall be filled per section 5-8.5 of this article. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The animal control commission shall:

A. Advise the city council and staff on any matters concerning animal control and shelter programs;

B. Make recommendations to the city council and staff concerning regulations affecting animals and the care, control, and treatment of animals;

C. Make recommendations to the city council and staff to strengthen the city's animal control and shelter programs;

D. Engage in a long term planning process through which it identifies major priorities and provides recommendations for the city council for policies and procedures on animal control and shelter program operations;

E. Promote public awareness of the goals and operations of the animal shelter(s) and to enhance community relations with respect to animal control program operations;

F. To advise and assist the city council and staff in conducting public education and outreach programs to city residents regarding animal owner responsibility for licensing, spaying and neutering, and proper care of animals;

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

H. To review and provide recommendations to the city council and staff on all proposed amendments to this chapter;

I. Serve as a sounding board for staff to review their plans and ideas; and

J. Act on any matters referred by the city council or staff in accordance with the instructions provided with the said referrals. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)