Government
Government
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
BY RACHEL LELAND
City of Manvel moves forward with new animal policy
Pearland Innovation Hub launches digital platform for businesses, entrepreneurs
What else?
Through HUUB, qualified members can apply for 10 hours of technical training from vetted professionals in their industry, according to the release. The service also helps connect businesses to others, Cacique said. For example, a business owner looking to design a logo may find a graphic designer through the platform to help create it. “Members can receive valuable support through the technical assistance program,” Cacique said in the release. Pearland small businesses and entrepreneurs interested in signing up for the platform can do so at www.pearland. myhuub.com/register.
What the ordinance includes
Manvel City Council gave the first of two approv- als on its new animal ordinance at its Sept. 16 meeting. The ordinance has been treated like a working document since it first came up for a vote in July. Since receiving that initial approval, stakeholders, residents and city officials have held several meet- ings to shore up the ordinance. What you need to know The new ordinance does not put a limit on how many pets a person can have. However, it creates requirements for those classified as rescuers. Officials also said they will try and create a system that allows residents to register online. Other changes could come ahead of the final vote for the ordinance, which is expected to take place Oct. 7, Mayor Dan Davis said at the Sept. 16 meeting. One such change could be removing the requirement for pet owners to spay or neuter their pet within a certain timeframe.
What they’re saying Despite the ordinance receiving approval, several officials said the ordinance likely will not make everyone happy, as several stressed the policy was a series of compromises, but many also said it was more important to move forward with something. “There’s just so much at stake,” council member Crystal Sarmiento said. How we got here In July, City Council approved a version of the ordinance in a 6-1 vote but cut several portions of it, including regulations about kennels, catteries and permitting requirements for animal rescue groups, due to concerns from residents. The new ordinance replaces one the city had on books that dated back to 1997, officials said at the meeting. Starting earlier this year and up until the Sept. 16 meeting, officials pushed to replace it, saying it didn’t do enough to address the growing problem of stray and abandoned animals in the city.
Requirement to register with city if in possession of 7 or more pets
Local businesses and entrepreneurs in Pearland now have access to a free online, interactive platform offering webinars, one- on-one technical assistance and a grants database. On Sept. 4, Pearland Innovation Hub launched the Pearland HUUB platform, a data-driven platform that provides resources for small businesses, according to an Aug. 30 Pearland Innovation Hub news release. Funded through the Pearland Economic Development Corporation, which collects revenue from sales tax, officials hope the platform will expand what the hub can offer to its members in the way of grants, learning webinars and technical assistance, Pearland Innovation Hub Navigator Sonia Cacique said in the release.
Officials said HUUB has worked with thousands of other organizations nationwide. Data and services include:
Requirements to register pets through the Manvel Police Department annually
24/7: The platform is entirely free and available around the clock 132 entrepreneurs in Pearland have signed up for Pearland HUUB 4,000 businesses across the nation currently use HUUB
87% saw improved revenues with HUUB
Microchipping requirements with some exceptions
67% lowered expenses using HUUB
Hearings and punishments for violating the ordinance
87% improved their operations with HUUB
Specific requirements for rabid or vicious dogs
Pearland HUUB’s 1:1 technical assistance will connect local entrepreneurs with training in the following areas:
Permits for animal sellers
• Business strategy • Finance • Human resources
• Legal • Marketing & sales • Operations
• Web &
technology • Grant writing
Petting zoo requirements
SOURCE: CITY OF MANVEL/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: PEARLAND INNOVATION HUB/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Powered by FlippingBook