City council sets new animal shelter fees

The Havre City Council at their meeting Monday voted unanimously to set new fees at the Havre Animal Shelter.

All council members were present accept Jay Pyette, who was excused.

Council member Terry Lilletvedt said the fee increases come after upgrades were made to the Havre Animal Shelter to more closely align with guidelines suggested by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Task Force.

Havre Animal Control Officer Pete Federspiel said the changes also come as the city prepares to adopt an ordinance for any cat or dog picked up and brought into the shelter more than once a year.

Federspiel said that starting July 1, the cost of having a pet spayed or neutered at the Havre Animal Shelter will rise $10. The cost will be $47.50 for a male cat, $60 for a female cat, $62.50 for a male dog and $85 for a female dog.

He added that the fees to adopt a cat or dog will be restructured. The shelter previously had different fees for the adoption of male and female dogs and cats. Beginning in July it will cost $50 to adopt a cat and $95 for a dog that has not been spayed or neutered. If they have been spayed or neutered the cost will be $35 for a dog and $20 for a cat.

The registration fee for animals that have not been neutered or spayed will rise by $5 to $25. The cost of impounding an animal will increase by $2 to $20.

The charges for other fees will remain the same.

The changes come as the city prepares to adopt an ordinance that mandates any cat or dog picked up and brought into the shelter more than once a year be spayed or neutered.

Federspiel said he did not know when that ordinance would be brought before the council.

Federspiel added that the city will also start to offer vaccinations and microchip implants in pets July 1. Pet owners can get a microchip implanted in their dog or cat for $15 and get pets vaccinated for $10.

In other business, Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Vandeberg told the council that this year, the Havre Pride clean up has been expanded to an entire week under the motto Havre Pride Town wide.

“The purpose of the weeklong cleanup now allows community members to partake when it is convenient for them, maybe grab some bags and go clean up after school or after work,” Vandeberg said.

Havre Pride, a citywide cleanup that happens once in the spring and once in the fall stated in 1994 as a way to rally the community and inspire community pride. Since then, community members are asked to go out to pick up trash and clean up the areas along Havre’s streets.

Vandeberg said the weeklong cleanup will culminate in a Saturday cleanup May 19 from 8:30 a.m to noon.

Havre Pride organizers have secured a dumpster that will be in the parking lot on the corner of First Street and Fifth Avenue throughout the week, Vandeberg said.

She added that trash bags can be picked up at the Chamber office on Fifth Avenue throughout that week.

Vandeberg also asked the city if they can step up to water some of the flowers on First Street

The planters along First Street were placed there in 2008 as part of a beautification project of the downtown area that also included the placement of benches and trash receptacles as well as the planting of trees along First Street.

The city and the Montana Department of Transportation in 2012 signed an agreement where they would maintain the flower holders, benches and trash receptacles.

However, the city decided not to water the flowers in some of the plant holders, Vandeberg said, and some First Street businesses have stepped up to water and fertilize most of the flowers and the Department of Public Works weekend crew waters them on Sundays.

But there have been six pots that have not been adopted, and Vandeberg said she has taken care of them herself, often hauling gallons of water in her car each day. She has also done it on Saturdays, when many businesses are not open to tend to them, she said.

Vandeberg said she is retiring in June and will no longer be watering the plants and she said the city should step up to water them on Saturdays.

She said if the flowers in the pots can’t be cared for she was told they would be removed, which she said would be disappointing.

“We are purchasing the flowers and trying to help them out as much as we can, but it takes a daily crew to come up with the water,” Mayor Tim Solomon said.

Council President Andrew Brekke, an owner of Erickson Insurance Group and a member of the Chamber of Commerce said if the public work’s weekend crew could water the flowers on Saturdays it would help a lot, but people should step up.

He said if businesses or civic groups want to adopt a pot and take care of the flowers, people should talk to him or the mayor and the city could make it happen.

Havre Public Works Director Dave Peterson said he would be fine with the department’s weekend crew doing it, but only if they don’t have other things they need to do.

Council voted unanimously to approve a loan of $82,900 from the Aeronautics Division of the Montana Department of Transportation for the Havre City-County Airport. The loan will go toward the reconstruction of the airport’s apron area and taxiways.

Council voted unanimously to block off the 100 Block of Second Avenue East May 27 from 6 a.m. to midnight at the request of the Eagle Riders. The street will be blocked off so they can hold their Fifth Annual Wounded Warrior Ride.

Solomon said the city is still accepting applications to fill the vacant council seat in Ward 2. So far no applications have been submitted, he said. The vacancy was created last month when council member Brian Barrows resigned.