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Be it ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of North Adams that Chapter 2, Administration, Article XVIII is hereby amended by: Deleting Article XVIII (Reserved), Sections 103 through 107 and inserting in its place the following: Article XVIII, Animal Control Commission Section 2-103. Establishment; composition; qualification. The Animal Control Commission is hereby established, and shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be residents of the City of North Adams. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. Section 2-104.Appointment; terms; vacancy. The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Commission. In the first year, the Mayor shall appoint one member to a one-year term, two members to two-year terms, and two members to three-year terms. All subsequent terms shall be three years In length and so arranged that the terms of not more than three members shall expire each year on the first day of December. If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs in the membership of the commission, the vacancy shall be filled forthwith by the Mayor for the unexpired term. Section 2-105.Organization; quorum. The members of the Animal Control Commission shall annually choose one of their members to serve as Chairperson of the Commission. The Chairperson shall annually appoint a member to serve as Secretary. If the Secretary is absent from a meeting, the Chairperson shall designate another member to function as Secretary for that meeting. If the Chairperson Is absent from a meeting, the Secretary shall assume the chair. If both the Secretary and Chairperson are absent, the member with the most seniority shall assume the chair. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 2-106.Meetings; rules. The North Adams Animal Control Commission shall meet at such times as may be necessary for the proper exercise of its powers and duties. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson, provided that forty-eight ( 48) hour notice is given the other commissioners either in writing or by telephone contact. An affirmative vote of three members is required for any motion to pass. The Chairperson may limit debate among members of the commission and may limit presentations from interested parties and guests, provided that he/she does so prior to the beginning of the debate and/or presentation, and provided that a minimum of 10 minutes be given each side debating or presenting an Issue. The commission may make such additional rules and regulations for its own government and in relation to Its officer and members as It may deem expedient and proper. Section 2-107.Powers and duties. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly and more frequently as required for hearings or other urgent matters. The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Animal Control Officer; shall coordinate to the fullest extent possible the work of all public and private agencies concerned with animal care, protection and control; shall effect an ongoing dialogue and exchange of views between and among such agencies; may conduct either Independently or In conjunction with any appropriate person or agency, public or private, such educational programs relating to animal control as It shall deem necessary or desirable; shall collect and publish statistics relating to the animal population of the City; shall determine the City's needs In connection with animal control; shall prepare and may from time to time amend a long-range plan to meet such needs; shall prepare estimates of the cost of executing such plan and the several component measures thereof; shall recommend to the appropriate boards and officers of the City such actions as may be necessary for the Implementation of such plan; and shall monitor the carrying out of such actions. The Commission may develop and recommend revisions to the City's Ordinances pertaining to animal control. The Animal Control Commission, constitutes the hearing authority for Issues arising pursuant to this Chapter 27 and MGL c. 140, secs. 136A-174F. The Commission shall receive the results of investigations conducted pursuant to City Ordinances and conduct hearings at the request of members of the public or the Animal Control Officer to determine appropriate disposition of concerns and/or complaints arising under Chapter 27 and MGL c. 140, sec. 157. Section 2-108.Records and annual report. The Animal Control Commission shall keep a detailed record of Its acts and proceedings and shall make an annual report to the Mayor in connection with such record. And Be It Further ORDAINED That Chapter 27., entitled Dog Regulations be amended as follows: Section 27-1. entitled Definitions: Insert the following between Abusive Conditions and Animal Control Officer: ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION: The Animal Control Commission, established pursuant to Section VXIII of the Ordinances of the City of North Adams constitutes the hearing authority for issues arising pursuant to this Chapter 27 and MGL c. 140, secs. 136A-174F; Section 27-4. entitled Public Nuisance: Insert the following at the end of the second paragraph: Hearings requested pursuant to this paragraph shall be conducted by the Animal Control Commission. Second paragraph: delete "Public Safety Commissioner or his"; replace with "Chief of Police or their" Section 27-8., entitled Dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs: (b) delete "Public Safety Commissioner or designee" replace with "Chief of Police or their designated alternate" (c) delete "Public Safety Commissioner or designee" replace with "Chief of Police or their designated alternate" insert the following: (g) Hearings requested pursuant to this paragraph shall be conducted by the Animal Control Commission. By Order of the City Council, Bryan Sapienza, President Tina Leonesio, City Clerk Ad# 94296 05/30/2025