(A) Authority. The Board of Public Works and Safety (“Board”) shall have the following duties with respect to animal control within the city:
(1) To report to or be responsible to 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 Common Council on improving the enforcement of the terms of this chapter and as to other ordinances necessary for the care and treatment of all animals under this chapter.
(4) To review the performance of any city agencies or agency hired by the city in matters related to the enforcement of this chapter.
(5) To receive reports involving animal control from the Police Department or other agency authorized to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(6) To receive complaints regarding alleged animal control violations.
(7) (a) To hear appeals within ten working days after an appeal has been filed on:
1. Whether an animal is a dangerous animal, as defined in § 90.01; or
2. Whether a person has provoked an animal which has resulted in a violation of this chapter.
(b) Such determination shall be in writing with the original copy being maintained by the Police Department or its designee, and copies being sent to the animal’s owner and the City Clerk for record-keeping purposes. The determination as to whether the animal is a dangerous animal, as defined in § 90.01, shall be made by the Board. The determination shall be made upon taking into consideration the specified definition, witness testimony, observation or other factors which the Board deems relevant to the determination.
(B) Membership and quorum of Animal Control Commission. The Common Council shall have the authority to appoint an Animal Control Commission to which it would designate the Board’s duties with respect to animal control and review of violations as set forth in division (A) of this section. In such an event:
(1) The Animal Control Commission shall be composed of three members and one alternate member who shall be appointed, two by the Common Council, one by the Mayor, and one alternate by the Mayor. The presence of three members or two members and one alternate shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.
(2) (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 Police Department 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 shall have the qualifications set forth in divisions (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section.
(C) Terms of members of Animal Control Commission. 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 division (B)(2)(a) shall serve for one year; the member appointed pursuant to division (B)(2)(b) shall serve for two years; and the member and alternate member appointed pursuant to divisions (B)(2)(c) and (d) shall serve for three years.
(D) Meetings, agenda, and minutes of the Animal Control 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 City Clerk, 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(s), to the President of the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Common Council, the City Clerk, and the Mayor’s office upon the call of a Commission meeting.
(Ord. 2005-21, passed 5-25-2005; Am. Ord. 2014-1, passed 2-25-2014)