Animal Services Committee to Add City Staff

San Angelo's City Council will entertain nominating Morgan Chegwidden, who took over the city's Animal Shelter upon the resignation of James Flores.  Chegwidden served as staff for the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee.

The ASAC's purpose is to advise and assist the Animal Services Manager.  Yet, no city employee has that title on the Animal Services webpage.

Chegwidden took few items to the ASAC since her elevation to overseeing Animal Services.  Consider the key items Morgan took directly to City Council.

The ASAC did not oversee the city's compliance with its spay/neuter and rabies vaccination ordinance.  The shelter released 500 unaltered dogs over a six month period.

Should City Council approve Morgan's nomination she will join a board with numerous city staff/animal services contractors.  She will provide oversight, advice and assistance to herself.

Staff, employed or contracted, should not serve on city boards that oversee their specific area.   They belong on the staff side of the board table and owe citizen volunteer board members good information so those citizens can fulfill their public responsibilities.

Update 2-24-19:  The video showed City Council did not take up Morgan's nomination for the Animal Services Advisory Board.

Update 3-3-19:  Minutes showed Council acted on the nomination, although it is not clear in what session, closed or open, this occurred as the City's YouTube video omitted this action.

Update 6-25-19:  When asked for documents regarding Chegwidden's appointment to the Animal Services Advisory Committee the City asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office for permission to exclude public information on the basis of attorney-client privilege.  The AG office granted the city's request.

Update 7-4-19:   City Council approved a second $200,000 budget item for Animal Shelter improvements.  This item did not go before the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee during the 4-18-19 ASAC meeting.  Bypassed again!  City staff now make up 50% of ASAC membership and the public did not get to view them in action in the April meeting.  When asked for documents regarding why the meeting was not televized/recorded the City asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office for permission to exclude public information on the basis of attorney-client privilege.  The AG office is yet to make a determination on the city's request.