HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt City Council approved funding to help establish an animal shelter within the city limits at Monday’s council meeting — but with reluctance.

The city and county have been working together to establish a permanent animal shelter and both sides earlier this year agreed to split the cost of purchasing land for the shelter. However, council members had reservations about the location of the first proposed site being within the city. Since then, backers have found a more suitable site within the Northwest Industrial Park.

Earlier Monday, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors allocated $2,500 toward the purchase of the property. Monday evening, however, members of the City Council were less receptive.

Councilman Mike Worthington made the motion to approve the $2,500 donation for the purchase. The shelter is badly needed, he said. Councilmen Jim Vermeer and Kirk Whittlesey sat quietly as City Administrator Travis Goedken asked more than once for a second. Finally Whittlesey seconded the motion and added, “reluctantly.”

“I’m worried maybe about some future costs for the city,” Whittlesey said. He is hoping enough people will step forward to donate, so the city doesn’t have to be involved it.

Council members John Sleiter and Joel Goodell were absent.

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The council also discussed a problem with truck traffic in town.

“About two years ago we had a council meeting where we discussed truck traffic on Elmhurst Avenue. At that time the council decided not to take any action other than have me call different contractors and ask that they not use Elmhurst — that they instead drive on Wildcat. A couple council members have told me that they have individuals contact them asking about truck traffic again, so we put it on the agenda for the council to discuss and we will move forward with an ordinance drafting,” Goedken said.

People have requested the city put up a no truck sign.

“For us to do that and to have it by any means enforceable, we need to have a change to city code to prohibit truck traffic in that area,” Goedken said.

The problem area is along Elmhurst in the new Eagle Ridge addition in western Humboldt. A second area is on Taft Street and First Avenue North. Every night there is more than likely four fully loaded semis full of concrete pads in the parking lot at the industry there, Goedken said. The heavy trucks may be causing damage to the city street. It is a commercial area and a number of businesses there need truck traffic, he said. The council may have to deal with that location separately, Goedken said.

Finally, Goedken said anyone wanting to help keep the theater open in Humboldt is free to contact him.

“I’ll put them in contact with the right person.”