Havre dog park discussed during council meeting

During public comment at the Havre City Council meeting Tuesday Havre Dog Park Club Board member Greg Kinholt said he wanted to thank the council for all their efforts, adding that Mayor Tim Solomon and others have been involved in helping the Dog Park Club find a location for the park.

Kinholt said it had been 33 years since he had last been in Havre and that he feels that Havre's Parks and Recreation Department does an excellent job in terms of parks and recreation and the way the department utilizes sponsorships and donors in its parks.

He added that he hopes that for the near future there will be one more recreation, a dog park.

The Dog Park Club, Kinholt said, is still in the early stages, developing a mission statement, a logo, a budget and procedures, adding that the club has also recently submitted the club's nonprofit application and are waiting for approval from the IRS.

He said the club will also be involved in the Sept. 22 parade during Festival Days with a vehicle, dogs and club members. The club is doing its due diligence with fundraising preparations for the park, he said, adding that the club will have homemade dog treats for sale at the parade.

The club has also set a fundraising goal of $50,000, to cover the initial park installation cost, estimated at $25,000, and Phase 2 of the project, Kinholt said.

After Phase 1 is complete, the park will have 6-foot-high chain-link fences with concrete bases and a double-door entrance that will create a "get acquainted and greet" area for dogs to first come in and get use to the other dogs in the park, Kinholt said, adding that Phase 2 will include adding trees, benches and shade and other ameniteis for the dogs and pay for maintenance.

He said the club also plans to have events at the dog park to raise money for maintenance costs such as a "Bark in the Park" or possibly events around town such as large group walks in which dogs can be sponsored for the walk.

The club is also doing research and looking at other parks in the state to learn about what the parks have and get ideas for the future, he said.

Solomon said the Parks and Rec Department will have to get involved once the project is a little further along and that they are looking at placing the dog park in a large area by the Havre Ice Dome. He added that they are coming to a better understanding of where both parties need to be.

Kinholt said that location would be good because the larger area would allow more dogs.

He added that the club is looking for volunteers, donors and individual business sponsors for the park and the club. Interested people can contact the club through its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/483112182023300/.

City Council also discussed other items on the agenda during the meeting.

Council passed a motion to approve the ratification of the Public Works collective bargaining agreement, which is a two-year contract.

They also approved the acceptance of the Board of Crime Control Grant in the amount of $172,341.75, which is the funding for the Tri-Agency Task Force that has been approved every year since 1987.

The council also approved the request from Beta Sigma Phi chapter to close Second Avenue between First and Second streets for a street dance Sept. 22 during Festival Days, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

August's claims and manual warrants were also approved during the meeting by the council.

The meeting was then recessed and will resume with the budget hearing today at City Hall starting at 6 p.m. Budget documents will continue to be available for public viewing at City Hall today.