Animal Welfare Board - Regular Meeting

Instead of making them a Hulk.

Nice, nice. Okay, I think... Ah, don't bite me!

What's his name?

Tarpon, like the fish. Tarpon, oh, I mean... A nine-year-old named him.

Wait, I'm sorry, what's his name?

Tarpon, like the fish.

Oh, Tarpon, Tarpon, Tarpon.

Those are those big fish that you see in the marinas and the quays that people feed them on the docks. They're huge.

I know what they are now.

Isabel, should I do the call to order? I think everyone's here. Yes, ma'am. Please proceed. Okay. Call to order. Norway Village Animal Welfare Advisory Board. Today is Wednesday, March 5th. 6.30 p.m. Maria Marquez present.

Rosaura Lopez present. And I apologize. I have no video. I'm still at work. I'm eating my lunch. So I'm just going to spare you the sight.

That kind of day, huh?

Yeah, it's been that kind of week. For everyone. Thank you, Rosaura. Thank you for being here. Sabrina, do you want to... I'm Sabrina, I'm present. Okay. Hello, everybody.

Hi, Isabel. Hi, hi, everybody.

And just Indira, right? Yeah, Indira Shakti, present. Thank you so much. So I'm going to leave Isabel now because she needs to do the O2 office. So I'm going to... Thank you so much.

Welcome back, because I know you're all former members. My name is Isabel. I've been the assistant village clerk since April. So if you need anything at any time, you can email me and I'd be happy to help you. We need to swear you in. So we can swear everybody in at the same time. Just please raise your right hand. And I'm going to repeat the old slowly, since you're all reciting it together. And here we go. I state your name.

Hi, Maria Marquez.

A legal resident of the state of Florida.

A legal resident of the state of Florida.

And being an animal welfare board member.

And being an animal board welfare member.

Do hereby solemnly swear that I will support and obey the Constitution of the United States and the State of Florida, and that I will in all respects Observe the provisions of the charter and ordinances of the village. Thank you so much. I'm going to email you the oath tomorrow morning. Please sign them and return them to me so I can keep track of who's been sworn in and who's pending. And if you don't have any other questions, please have a great meeting. Thank you.

I was on the mute, so I couldn't tell my name because I was on mute. So I don't know if I, I, Sabrina, Fasana's where. Okay. Because I was on mute.

I thought I'd take away. I saw you. I see you and you were reciting.

Okay. Thank you.

Congratulations, ladies. Congratulations. Have a great night and a good meeting. Bye-bye, everyone. Bye-bye. Thank you. Thank you.

Doris, for the selection of the board chair and everything, do we need someone else from the city?

No, you don't. You can just select your board member position.

Okay. Okay.

Or ratify whatever you guys decided on.

So that's the next one. Who wants to be the board chair?

You guys can also nominate somebody.

Okay. Can I nominate myself? Of course! Let me nominate myself to be the chair.

Unless anybody else is interested. Unless...

Of course, Maria, of course. I thought you didn't want anymore. That's why you were asking. Of course, Maria, Maria.

I mean, it's about the cats always. So no matter how hard times are, we have to be here for them. So I nominate myself to be the board chair for the welfare animal advisory board. I'm having the animal control in my head. Does anyone second that? Or you don't want me to second that? I second. I second. I second. Thank you so much. Thank you. So I want to nominate for vice chair, Rosaura.

I second that. I second that. I second.

Do you, Rosaura, hate me or something?

Yes, I accept. Yes, yes. Thank you. Thank you. And I would like to nominate Indira for secretary because she's great on everything.

I second that. I second that. I second that.

All right. Indira, is it okay for you? Thank you so much. Thank you everyone. So for the second one, the approval of minutes for November, I think the last meeting was November the 7th, 2024. I would like to make a motion to approve the minutes. I second. I second that. Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay, so we have that one. And then please interrupt me whenever you want. I'm just following the agenda. I know everyone is tired. And for some reason, something is going on with the planet. I know that I know anything about that, but something weird is going on this week for everyone. And I don't know about. But I'm going to ask Indira later. So for the old business, we have the update on trapping and adoption program. We have been using Azucena. Lately, she trapped a few cats and two of those ones were adopted. Oh, Frank joined. That's nice. Two of them were adopted by the Humane Society. We pay extra to her and she made all the, you know, the things that they need to do to put the cat up for adoption. That was a tuxedo cat. Doris, I love your background. A tuxedo cat from Bounty. She was a female, actually, was a female. And she went up for adoption. So I think it's going well. It's just that the trapper is expensive and we will deal with that. But that's actually for the next, not the next one, but the next step, which is the non-profit. So for item 4A, the discussion on the Animal Welfare Board mission and vision, basically I want to start and thank Indira for taking those notes on that meeting we had near Christmas. that our mission is to feed, protect, and care for stray cats, facilitate adoption, and conduct the TNR, which stands for trap, neuter, and return. So we trap them with the help of the trapper, we neuter or spay, and then we return vaccinated to the same place. So that's what we do in this group. I wanted to have that on record. Some people doesn't know and it's good that they know what we do. For item 4B, the discussion of the non-profit organization for resident stray fur caretakers. Thanks to Sandra's wife, Claudia, we were able to open a non-profit. We are still a few steps away from finalizing it, but I think with donations and everything, we're going to be able to succeed and help a lot of cats. As I said in the last meeting, our biggest, biggest, biggest, I think, challenge now is that we do have a lot of cats that has been fixed, but we have a lot of old cats, a population of old cats that are starting to get sick and we need to help them. So that's why we create this nonprofit to be able to provide medical care for them and eventually more food for the feeders, but especially medical care. I think that's much needed. for them and also have money for the trapper to keep doing what she does. So I think we're on the step that we're having the number from the IRS. We opened the bank accounts, so we are in a good path. And for item 4C, I think the most important one tonight, and thank you, Frank, for being with us tonight, and Maria Tovar as well, is the water containers. According to our current ordinance, we have to remove the water like the cat is going to take the water on demand. Like we're not a bartender. Like it's not going to work that way. So in that sense, we thought about making a proposal with all the team and also with Doris. to see if someone can sponsor stainless steel water containers for the cats, that they're not going to easily be removed by mean neighbors or neighbor. without the plural. So I sent this this morning to Alva and to Frank. So I don't know, Frank, if you have any comments on the proposing water container thing. Hello. First of all, good evening. Sorry.

Good night, whatever.

Good night.

The planets, it's the planets, right? Yeah, there you go. There you go. All right.

Something is going on and someone has to tell me soon because I don't get what's going on. But yeah.

All right. So let's talk about the containers a little bit. I can't visualize exactly what they look like, but I assume it's something that holds a quantity of water and then it's there and the cats can come and get it as they come and go. And then you all keep it filled up or you clean them or however is what I read. So number one, I'm assuming the containers would go in the same area as where you're doing the feeding. Correct. Okay. So I don't know exactly where you're doing the feedings, but are they at people's houses? Are they on where, what are they on? North Bay Village property where you're doing the feedings? Is it on... Give me an idea of where you're feeding.

We feed the foreigners, the... I don't know. Doris, what's the name where you have the foreigner and the...

The mediums. The mediums and also the planters on the road, the streets. It's our city property.

So it's North Bay Village property. Correct. Okay. So... I don't see the issue. It's not like you're leaving food where we're going to have problems with rats or whatever. You're leaving water. Clean, fresh water. You pick the food up and that's what I think we, I mean, I'm going back when I was here before. The food would be put out. The cats would come and eat. The excess food would be picked up and that was it for the day or whatever. Yes. Now I'm told today that you're feeding twice a day now.

No, some areas are being fed during the morning, and that area that they're not being covered in the morning, we do it at night.

Right, so you're just feeding once a day.

Yes, but in different areas. No, I got you.

Because I'm saying the cats don't need to eat twice a day. Even you recognize that, okay?

I don't either, but I still...

I hear you.

I'm sorry, some areas are fed twice a day. In the morning and in the evening.

Because why? Why are they fed twice a day?

I don't know. Because we have two chips. We have in them because they eat twice a day. I don't know. I don't know the answer for that. I'm just...

But Rosaura, I think it's only with your Yolanda feed, right? It's just one location.

Because sometimes in the same colony, not all the cats come out to eat. Some cats come out in the morning in the same area, and then there are some that come at night. So we cover all the cats. That's why we have double feedings.

I understand. Because the same cat does need to eat twice a day. I think we all understand.

No, no. But you know, the colony has like four, five, six. And sometimes you see three. Sometimes you have seven. You know, they're not cats. That's why.

I got it. I got it. All right. So what do these things look like? Is it like a container? Is it plastic? Is it stainless steel? What is it? I'd like to see one of them.

What we're trying to do, let me check if I have one of mine. One second. Okay, so video. Something like this, but a little bit bigger.

But, all right, let me, so that's a bowl. That's not like a feeding. I pictured it was something you fill with water, and then the water goes down, and they drink it, and it fills itself. You're talking about putting bowls out?

Yes, actual bowls. Apparently, they have them attached to a cement base. so that they're not movable and it looks more permanent. I haven't found a picture to be honest with you. They mentioned it, but I don't have a picture.

I mean, I have seen things before that they have like a container that you fill and then you put it on top of another piece and then the cats or dogs drink out of it and the water goes down, down, down. But if you just put bowls out there, they're going to be, we're going to have mosquito problems. I mean, I thought it was like a dispenser or something.

But the water gets changed so often. Right. Always changed. Every day.

Yeah. Yeah.

And the containers are always clean before they put fresh water.

Two times a day they get clean. Two times a day. But we're open to suggestions if there's another way to do it.

No, I picture something else in my mind. I didn't understand. Because when I talked with Orlando this afternoon about it, he's saying, you know, they didn't like the bulls being out there because they get kicked around and this, that and the other. And I said, no, I think these things are like a dispenser of some kind. But you're just talking about putting bulls out.

Maybe, maybe we can see what the city of Miami Beach is doing first. No one has a picture, right? Because I couldn't see it. I have to go to the World Walk and see what they do. Because the other thing that it could be done, which would be really cute, is like, do you know? And help me with these stories because this part in English is going to be hard for me. um this kind of pipes that you can attach to a wall and you can fill up with water and they will eat the water they will drink the water obviously like the hamster feeders yeah it's a dispenser from only like a dispenser yeah in this case it will be a pipe that will do this let me see if i can no i i know what you're talking about i mean i i envision something like that that would

keep the water clean and they would only get the water when they were drinking. And then you wouldn't have, in other words, somebody comes along and runs a blower on the street. Our guys are out there working and they blow all the trash into the water. I mean.

Yeah. It gets clean very often. Like every time I've fed these cats, I've never, I really don't see them dirty to be honest. And I think it's that alone. Well,

I don't have a problem with putting out water and leaving it there. As long as it's in the area of where you're feeding. Yeah. Obviously, the cats are going to come to the same place. You don't want them having to come get something to eat and walk two blocks to get a drink of water. I would assume the water would be around where the food is.

Right. Summer can be really, really, really tough for them, for everyone. Yeah. So we need, if we want healthy cats, we need to be able to provide fresh water. But I'm going to think about that dispenser you're talking about. And I'm also going to be going to the boardwalk tomorrow. I work nearby and to see what they actually have there that is working for them.

um to present to you frank and and you can tell me if we need to go to the commission or if it's not necessary listen for this it doesn't need to go to the commission what we need to do i get very nervous when i talk no no we just need to come up with something that works and to me the water being contained so it doesn't get dirty or knocked over or whatever is better than just a bowl sitting out there. And like the bowls you're showing me are very easy to tip because, you know, there's going to be dogs and other animals coming up to the water and they put their paw out or something and it gets knocked over. Whereas you've got the ones that are tapered like a dog dish or a watering bowl, they'll sit flat and they don't get tipped. But listen, Listen, I don't see a problem with putting water out there. We just need to find the way, the best sense of how we dispense it. And I think if you go online and you look for pet, in other words, people have these devices that they're going on vacation that feeds the cat and waters the cat. And they fill it up before they go and they got a weak supply of water or weak supply of food.

I agree with that. But one thing to keep in mind, because when you have those water containers, algae forms fairly quickly with anything that holds water. I mean, you have to buy filters for the ones that you don't want necessarily to get that much algae. I think it's just, you know, let's see what Miami Beach is doing. The part of the bowl that made it easy is that it's such an easy thing to just clean, wipe and put fresh water because it happens so often rather than storing the water. Because once the bottom is dirty, no matter how much the clean water is at the top, it's going to contaminate the water as it pours every time. Anyway, you still have to empty it out and clean it, you know. And people can still steal them because they're not attached.

People take away and steal them or throw them away.

Especially people that don't want them there.

Yeah, I mean, people, even if they see the nice container, they throw it away because it's not attached to the ground. That's the problem. They remove the container, they kick, they remove.

So I'm going to go to the boardwalk and I'm going to see what they are doing. And also I'm going to look online because I saw like places like, I don't know, Greece, even in Croatia, which is full of it. They have this pipe and they have it painted in yellow with little paws because It's very cute. It says, I don't know, city of a split property or city of Norway village property. It looks really cute, really, really clean. And I guess we could do something like that. Yeah.

Well, listen, I will support. Is it like this? Oh, my goodness. This thing is taking me. Hold on. Let me remove the backup. Is it like this?

Yes. Yes.

Just like PVC pipe.

That's plumbing pipe.

The casket on the top is plumbing pipe. All of this is plumbing pipe.

That's exactly what I meant. That's the one I wanted.

And the food looks really cute too. I know, but let's not push our luck. No, but the two of them side by side is not crazy, you know?

No, no. Actually, a lot of countries have that and it's really, really nice.

I'm going to send it to you guys so that you can have it.

Thank you. Yes. Yeah, that would be great. Yeah, you can come up with ideas, I guess. If you think that PVC, what is the name? Pipe?

It's plumbing pipe. It's PVC. Plumbing pipe. The whole thing, you can make that at home.

And then you just strap it to something.

Yeah, the fasteners and everything. This is all plumbing. This is nothing. And it's not expensive, neither.

All right, listen. You all... Look, I'm supportive of it, okay? So we just need to find a way that makes sense to do it. As long as we're watering in the same area that we're doing the food, it shouldn't be an issue. And come up with some ideas and we'll do it.

And we write on it, if it's possible, property of Northview Village Police Department.

We can do that. If you want that, Commissioner, we can do that. Not a problem.

To save us from vandalism.

Well, except for the ones that don't like the police.

Well, come on. Anyone who doesn't like the police, they take their own chances.

I understand. So we just need to... All right. So you don't have to go to the commission. We can play with it and see what you come up with. If you want, put the bowls out. You can put the bowls out and see how it goes, but the bowls that tip easily are, they're going to get tipped because they're going to come.

Yeah, I agree. It would be a great idea if we can at least put a few and see how that works. Sure. It could easily be attached to a pole, to a light pole, I guess, or like whatever.

Trees, you know.

Trees, even.

Utility lights, you know, like any of those things.

Yeah, that would be amazing if we can achieve that. So, yeah, if you can send that, Doris.

I just sent it to you guys. I just sent it to everyone and Frank to your text. Oh, thank you.

And I'm going to see what they're doing at the boardwalk just to see how it's going for them. I'm going to take pictures and everything. I'm going to try to go tomorrow.

So if you find a way, you don't have to wait for another month to have a meeting. So if you find what you want to try, get back with me and we'll give it a try.

You're the best. He is the best. We miss you.

What took you so long to come back to us?

Thank you so much. Thank you. And so we have the staff commission updates. Anything? Public comment? Maria, anything? Oh, Maria, I'm sorry.

This is another one of our supporter helpers.

No, actually, I don't have anything. I know you were asking for the budget to see what you guys had left. That amount I have. You have $2,785, and that's not including... whatever food we purchase this month.

Okay, perfection. So that's for food. Thank you, Maria. Thank you so much. Do we have any public comments? I don't know if anyone from the public is here. I don't think so.

No.

Okay. So I'm going to send the agenda items for next meeting. It's going to be August 6th, I guess, at the same time. I'm going to send the agenda meetings to Isabel and Alva. And I would like to make a motion. Okay.

To adjourn? No, wait, wait. I have a question for you. For your adjourn. So I believe our clerk wanted to add you guys as a report this month. Is that going to be a yes or a no finally so that I can let her know? She's doing the agenda. She wanted to know. She needed a board to make a report.

Can someone... That someone wants to, is it a March 18?

March 18, Tuesday, March 18 at the beginning of the meeting. So it's early. I think we start at six.

Is that the beginning of the meeting?

Early in the beginning of the meeting. So you don't have to wait a long time. It's one of the first things you do at the meeting.

Is it possible that we do it on April? I mean, the third.

I let her know. That's why I wanted to confirm so I can let her know right away because she needs to find a board to do a report or maybe there's nobody to give a report. That's fine.

But I just know I'll give a report on March 18. I'll go for a few minutes and give a report.

I mean, it could be another board member, too, if you're too busy. It's not a problem.

You have the support here. I know, mommy. I know. No, I'll go. Well, we have a lot of things that we discussed when we went to Indira's house and also to my house and the nonprofit and everything. So I'm going to I'm going to make a report on those for March 18th. As long as I don't have to stay until 2 a.m., I'll be happy to.

No, no, no, no. This is going to be within the first hour, if not sooner. All right.

Now, it's fair to do it. It's like we have to do it. So, you know, I'm happy to go and do the report.

So, yeah. This is Frank again. Let me ask another question. A couple of meetings back, there was a request for T-shirts.

Ah, yeah, because I have the 2016 t-shirt, the gray one with the logo from last century.

So did anything happen? I mean, I took it back to staff. Did you hear anything from anybody about getting t-shirts? No.

No, but if you tell me who should I email, I can do it.

No, I did. I asked finance. And the only thing is we were waiting for the name to be changed, to be official, to order the shirt. The only thing is they say that it was going to come out of your budget. So that's what I left it. How much would that be? Something like that. I don't know how many are there. It would be like probably $300 somewhere around there. What, 20 shirts? I think it was over there.

Five, right? Five of us, no?

Also, not every feeder is going to get one.

No, no, no, it's for the animal welfare for the events.

Just for the board.

Ah, got it, got it. $300, yeah.

All right, so listen, look, let's not worry about the money. What I want to get is, what are the sizes? What are the colors? What do you want on the shirt? Do that stuff. We'll take care of it, okay? You don't have to take it out of the feeding money.

Thank you. So I guess the regular t-shirt that everyone uses, but that says animal welfare, like we had the animal control board one. And the sizes, I don't know.

We'll put the list together. Everybody's small.

I haven't used a small since I was nine years old. Okay. Let's let's yeah. I'm going to join the meeting before I start speaking nonsense. Anyone wants to say anything else before? Okay. So I would like, first of all, thank you so much, Maria, Frank, and Doris for being with us tonight. Thank you so much. I would like to make a motion to adjourn the Animal Welfare Advisory Board meeting today, Wednesday, March 5th at 7.01 p.m. Second motion. Thank you. Have a good night. Good night, everyone. Thank you, everyone. Bye.

Bye. Good night. Bye. Have a great one. Recording stopped.