§ 2-420. Animal control commission.

(a)

Authority. The animal control commission is established and shall have the following duties:

(1)

To report to or be responsible to the mayor and the common council.

(2)

To recommend proposed policies, principles, standards, and regulations for the control and humane treatment of all animals in the city.

(3)

To review and to make recommendations to the mayor and common council on improving the enforcement of the terms of chapter 14, animals and as to other ordinances necessary for the care and treatment of all animals under chapter 14, animals.

(4)

To review the performance of any city agencies or agency hired by the city in matters related to the enforcement of chapter 14, animals.

(5)

To receive reports involving animal control from the police department, code enforcement department, street department, or other agency authorized to carry out the provisions of chapter 14, animals.

(6)

To submit to the mayor and the common council periodic written reports of its activities and recommendations.

(7)

To receive complaints regarding alleged animal control violations.

(8)

To hear appeals within ten working days after an appeal has been filed on:

a.

Whether an animal is a dangerous animal, as defined in this chapter; or

b.

Whether a person has provoked an animal which has resulted in a violation of chapter 14, animals.

Such determination shall be in writing with the original copy being maintained by the animal control agency, and copies being sent to the animal's owner and the department of code enforcement of the city.

(9)

To call hearings to discuss any animal issue within the city.

(10)

To make determinations, following any hearings, that it feels are in the best interests of the animals and citizens of the city.

(b)

Membership and quorum of commission.

(1)

Composition and quorum. The animal control commission shall be composed of three voting members and one alternate member who shall be appointed. Two members shall be appointed by the common council, one member shall be appointed by the mayor, and the alternate shall be appointed by the mayor. The presence of three members or two members and one alternate shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. The chief of police, or his designee and the city attorney or his designee shall also be nonvoting advisory members of the commission.

(2)

Qualifications.

a.

One member shall be a licensed veterinarian appointed by the council;

b.

One member shall be an owner, operator, or employee of a kennel, cattery, zoological park, or commercial animal establishment, appointed by the council;

c.

One member shall be an employee from the department of code enforcement appointed by the mayor; and

d.

One alternate member shall be appointed by the mayor and shall be an active member of an animal welfare organization, including, but not limited to, the humane society or pet refuge, or shall have the qualifications set forth in subsection (b)(2)a or b of this section.

(c)

Terms of members. The members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority, and each member shall serve until a qualified successor is duly appointed. All appointments shall be made for three-year terms; however, the initial appointments shall serve as follows: the member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2)a of this section shall serve for one year; the member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2)b of this section shall serve for two years; and the member and alternate member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2)c and d of this section shall serve for three years.

(d)

Meetings, agenda, and minutes of the commission.

(1)

The commission shall meet on a yearly basis each calendar year. At the first meeting of each year, it shall elect a chairperson and other officers deemed necessary. Emergency meetings may also be called by the chairperson or vice-chairperson at any time, with notice being provided as required by applicable state law.

(2)

Copies of all commission agendas shall be sent to the president of the board of public works and safety, the common council, the department of code enforcement, and the mayor's office upon the call of a commission meeting.

(3)

Minutes of all commission meetings shall be maintained and copies of minutes shall be sent, within ten days following such meeting, to the president of the board of public works and safety, the common council, the department of code enforcement, and the mayor's office upon the call of a commission meeting.

(Code 1985, § 91.02; Ord. No. 4152, 4-7-1997; Ord. No. 4969, § 1(exh. A), 9-6-2005)