Humboldt council contracts with animal control officer
Hansen also has contract with the county
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HUMBOLDT -- The Humboldt City Council approved an employment contract with the new Humboldt County animal control officer at Monday's meeting.
Humboldt County hired an animal control officer in April at the request of Sheriff Dean Kruger. Merri Hansen began working under contract for the county, getting compensated $30 for every loose dog or cat she picks up plus mileage at 50 cents a mile.
On Monday, the Humboldt City Council also approved a contract with Hansen.
The city will pay Hansen $30 plus 50 cents a mile for every animal picked up within the city limits. The cost will then be recovered from the $50 fine the animal owner is charged, City Administrator Travis Goedken said. There are additional fines that can be levied, he said. Currently the Police Department picks up the loose animals.
Councilman Joel Goodell asked if Hansen will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Police Department will still respond to the calls, but will not take the animal to the pound or the veterinary clinic.
"The animal control officer will be responsible for that," Goedken said.
"That's why this is an annual contract, because if this doesn't work out and our officers are still having to respond and take care of this problem we are done," Goedken said.
Hansen lives right outside of town so the response time should be pretty good, he said.
The council approved the contract.
In other business, the council approved a $3,000 funding request from the Humboldt-Dakota City Chamber of Commerce to help with this year's fireworks display. The funds will be paid out of the hotel-motel tax.
"We do have a considerable balance in there," Goedken said.
Goedken said he has had discussions with City Attorney Eric Eide about fireworks within the city.
"Our restrictions are fairly minimal and are pretty much nearing the state provisions," he said. "It is our recommendation that we take a wait and see approach. Let's get through this purchasing and discharge season and if anything comes up that we need to identify then we can take our time and make sure we get it right in the ordinance to get it incorporated."
Goedken reminded residents again to refrain from mowing grass into the street. The clippings clog the storm sewers. The city is looking at additional ways of code enforcement which will involve more than himself and the Police Department. The city will start using hangers to be placed on doors which identify the code violation and a carbon copy will be filed with city hall for followup.