PSM19761222PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO
• MINUTES OF MEETING HELD DECEMBER 22, 1976
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Schaumberg at 7:05 P.M. Also
present were Aldermen Wallner and Pienkos, Mrs. Ruth Hough and Kathleen
Merkel (President of the Waukesha Humane Society), Mrs. Dorothy Van Lanen
and Mrs. Jeri Nelson.
10 Mrs. Van Lanen and Mrs. Nelson re -appeared before the committee to
discuss further their proposal of an alternative to the present position
of humane officer. Mrs. Hough and Mrs. Merkel of the Waukesha County
Humane Society answered questions concerning the operation of a humane
society. A question arose as to who could pick up dead animals under
this alternative program? Mrs. Merkel said that wild animals found
dead_should.be.called into the-DNR for pickup..__- Dogs would be picked--
up possibly by the Highway Department -(records show that -the present --
humane officer in Octobers November_ and December•=of 1973 picked -up
1,-4 and 2 animals 'respectively in those months:=-.In:197& months'of _=
August -there were two and in September there were two.
Some of the advantages to this alternative proposal would be:
1) better health care at the shelter because of care by veterinarians.
• 2) better placement for unwanted dogs and cats and follow-up.
3) cleaner facilities.
4) methods of destruction.
5) benefits of a group of voluntary citizens helping the -community..
The committee agreed that the Police Department be notified that when
calls are made by people who want to get rid of unwanted animals that
they be informed to go to H.A.W.S. in Waukesha rather than call Mr.
Whitehouse.
Some of the advantages financially to this proposal are:
1) savings due to unnecessary duties performed by dog of presently.
(In January, 1973, the city paid $74.00 over what this proposal
would have been paid - since unwanteds are to be taken by owner to
H.A.W.S. not by dog officer and dead animals are picked up by
Highway Department.)
2) the money budgeted for the Dog Officer would be placed in an account
to be used for possibly a vehicle.
Ald. Pienkos moved, seconded by Ald. Wallner, to hold a special Safety
•Committee meeting prior to the January meeting in order to have the other
aldermen have an opportunity to discuss the written proposal by Mrs.
Van Lanen and Mrs. Nelson. By that time a written agreement will be
prepared outlining this proposal for a volunteer service for picking up
stray animals. Copies of the proposal will be given to all aldermen
prior to this special meeting. The motion carried with Ald. Schaumberg
•voting "No":
In the meantime the committee members agreed to the following action:
1) tour facility of Mr. Whitehouse. 4) check methods of care and
2) tour of H.A.W.S. means of destruction.
3) check charges of Mr. Whitehouse, 5) to determine what insurance
is given to present dog
officer (if any, and what
insurance would be required
of this volunteer group (if
Rescue reports from 10/31/76 to 11/23/76 received and placed on file. any)
Fire reports from Tess Corners from 10/3 to 11/25 received and placed on file
Building Insp..reports for Oct. and Nov. were reviewed and placed on file.
Ald. Schaumberg moved to adjourn, seconded by Ald. Pienkos motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 P.M.
Mark E. Pi,r'- c °_^