Animal Control plans improvements

The dogs at Green River Animal Control will have a little more space to play and possibly even better chances at finding their forever homes thanks to planned improvements to the yard area at the shelter, which will be made possible with donation funds.

The Green River City Council approved a budget resolution to transfer funds for Animal Control during Tuesday night's meeting. The funds, which total $14,178, come from donations received by the shelter. The money had to be officially moved by the council from the  Animal Control Restricted Funds line item to the Animal Control General Budget so it could be put to good use.

The first use for the money is purchasing more microchips to replenish the shelter's supply so they can continue their microchip program to help owners identify and find their animals. This is a typical use of donation funds for Animal Control. But with enough money currently in the donation fund to cover more, the shelter had other projects in mind. 

"They've identified some needs that they think will help the shelter run more efficiently and help out their adoption program," Green River Police Department Chief Shaun Sturlaugson explained to the council. 

The yard that was built behind the shelter a few years ago has sustained some damage from dogs playing and digging, Chief Sturlaugson explained. Adding some concrete to certain areas will help repair the damage as well as prevent future damage. 

Additionally, Animal Control would like to add a second yard area, which could benefit the adoption program.

"This second yard will also allow staff to interact with citizens and animals in a large yard area for better evaluation of animals and how they interact with each other," council documents explained.

Sturlaugson said another goal for the second yard is to help the dogs themselves by being able to separate the larger and smaller dogs while they get their recreation time.

"Both the repairs to the existing yard and the addition of a second yard will improve the function and effectiveness of the shelter and its programs and it will provide a safer environment for employees," council documents said. 

The budget resolution was approved unanimously. 

"I went down there this afternoon and looked at what they were doing," Councilmember George Jost said. "It looks like a really worthwhile project. And they've been saving money for a few years to get it up so I'm proud of them for being able to do that. It's a nice addition to their place down there."

Other business

The City Council also approved several agreements and contracts during Tuesday night's meeting. 

One contract the council approved was with R&D Sweeping and Asphalt Maintenance, LC for crack sealing and seal coating work around the city. The project will include areas at Expedition Island, the Splash Park, and the Greenbelt "from the Bike Park to Hitching Post to Bridger to Upland," according to council documents. The projects will cover a total of 289,047 square feet at a cost of $74,975.

"The Greenbelt is one of the top priorities for the citizens of Green River," Mayor Pete Rust commented, noting the project will help improve the area. 

Professional Service Agreements were also approved for surveying and geotechnical work related to projects that will be funded by the six penny tax. The tax was authorized by voters in 2022, and as funds are accumulating, the city is beginning to work on the approved projects, including work on Riverview and Faith Evans. 

"We need good information to be able to produce a good design," Public Works Director Mark Westenskow commented, explaining that's why the city wants to work with companies for surveying and geotech services. 

Proposals for survey services from Jones & DeMille Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $7,500 and for geotechnical work and subsurface exploration from Western-EGI in the amount of $18,200 were both approved. 

The council members also approved a professional agreement in the amount of $109,000 with Western Water Consultants, Inc., dba WWC Engineering for work on the Killdeer Wetland System Design. Westenskow explained that this project is to repair the dam, and that the city will be able to use grant funds to help cover the project costs.

Mayor Rust noted the importance of getting the dam corrected after a few years of the Killdeer Wetland System needing repairs to work the way it's supposed to.