Animal Care Advisory Board Members Named
Posted/updated on: March 27, 2014 at 12:12 pm
TYLER — The Tyler City Council has appointed seven members to its new Animal Care Advisory Board. On Nov. 13, 2013, the City Council authorized the purchase of land for an animal care facility. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 823.005(a) generally provides that the governing body of a county or municipality in which an animal shelter is located shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in complying with the requirements of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823. Members appointed are listed below, along with the board composition requirement for each.
Marjorie Ream – Chairman
Michael Maris – one licensed veterinarian
Gary Swindle, Chief of Police – one municipal official
Chris Lennon, Code Enforcement Manager – one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter
Todd Tutt – one representative from an animal welfare organization
William McCord III – regular board member
Mary Ann Clifford – regular board member
To be appointed later following designation by Smith County – one representative from Smith County
To be appointed later following designation by TJC – one representative from Tyler Junior College
The City Council postponed appointing a representative from Smith County until a designation could be made by the Smith County Commissioners Court, and also recommended that a voting member be added to represent Tyler Junior College. Smith County is considering use of the new facility for shelter services, while TJC is actively pursuing the addition of a Vet Tech program with interest in partnering with the City on this project as well. “We have been working towards Tyler maintaining its own animal care facility for several years, and we are very pleased to progress to this next step in making that happen,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “We are particularly happy about the prospect of bringing in great partners like Smith County and TJC, and several cities in the surrounding area have expressed an interest as well.”
The proposed animal care facility will be located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. on a 10 acre parcel of land. The architectural firm Freese and Nichols and its subcontractor who specializes in animal facilities, Designed Learned, Inc., were hired to develop plans for the project.
