WILLMAR -- A site is being proposed in the city industrial park for construction of a new animal shelter for the Kandiyohi County Humane Society.
City Administrator Michael Schmit has proposed the city donate a parcel of land to the Humane Society for the new shelter. That land is located on 28th Street Southwest near U.S. Highway 12 in the industrial park. The proposal was endorsed Tuesday by the City Council's Public Works/Safety Committee.
The committee also approved Schmit's request that the council waive the city building permit when the time comes for the Humane Society to construct the shelter. The council will consider the proposal on Monday.
Sandy Bebler, Humane Society co-president, told the committee that plans are almost complete for a new 4,900-square-foot shelter.
The Humane Society is working out of a 2,400-square-foot building owned by Kandiyohi County on 17th Street Southeast. The possibility of moving to a new site on state Highway 40 fell through.
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She said the number of animals coming through the shelter continues to grow, from 750 in 2004 to 875 in 2005.
The society estimates more than 1,000 will come through the shelter in 2006.
Bebler estimated the construction cost between $350,000 and $400,000. Bebler said the society has $100,000. Schmit said Kandiyohi County has donated $50,000, and he said the council has agreed to provide $10,000 a year for five years, with the first contribution being made this year.
Schmit said sewer and water utilities could be extended from 28th Street to the proposed site.
In other business, the committee:
- Approved a request from Bethel Lutheran Church to close Becker Avenue Southwest in front of the church between Fourth and Fifth streets for musical programs every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. during June and July. This will be the second season for the "If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Bethel'' program.
- Approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to accept up to $10,000 to construct a public fishing structure on Foot Lake. The structure will be constructed on the south side of County Road 41, which divides Foot Lake.
- Voted to recommend the council set a hearing to consider amending the ordinance that established the Airport Commission. The amendment would require at least two of the seven members be pilots, and would change the commission's role from a managerial and supervisory group to an advisory group.
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- Was advised by Fire Chief Marv Calvin that city officials and council members receive National Incident Management System training. The training for persons who would be involved in management of emergency situations is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The city may not receive state or federal grants if the city does not comply with the requirement, said Calvin.
- Received the draft facilities plan for the new wastewater treatment plant. City officials have until April 21 to study the plan. The final plan will be presented to the council for its approval on May 1.
