An aggressive canine on the Akeley metropolis campground final summer time led the council right into a dialogue of an ordinance and rules to deal with it at their Wednesday, Oct. 11 assembly.
Police Chief Jimmy Hansen mentioned the council ought to add guidelines about vicious dogs within the metropolis campground, stating he was mentioning the difficulty within the hope that one thing can be in place when the campground opens within the spring.
“The concern this year was some coming in from Texas with a dog that bit another dog,” he mentioned. “The people who owned the dog that was bitten were from Staples and they left the campground, deciding it was the end of their stay. I asked for paperwork from the Texas owner and never received it. We probably should have something in place that people who bring in animals have paperwork on file.”
The council mentioned requiring veterinary paperwork for any animals introduced into the campground.
City Clerk Kristi Kath mentioned the town can undertake an ordinance relating to vicious and aggressive dogs, however the state doesn’t permit a particular breed of canine resembling pit bulls, which Hansen said was the breed of the aggressive canine from Texas.
Kath mentioned the town may require vaccination information of dogs.
Kath says an ordinance can specify the dimensions of canine allowed on the campground; for instance, solely permitting dogs 50 kilos and underneath.
“It’s in our best interest to be proactive,” she mentioned.
“I concur,” council member Bobbi Wosika mentioned. “If you want to bring a dog, you need to bring proof of vaccinations and vet records up to date. It’s devastating when another dog attacks your dog.”
Council member Billy Krotzer mentioned it will be laborious to implement such an ordinance for people who find themselves simply stopping for a brief keep on the campground, as most individuals don’t have their pet’s information with them.
Council member Dan Riggs steered an ordinance for aggressive dogs could be a place for the town to start out, together with taking a look at guidelines for campers with dogs at different campgrounds earlier than creating a coverage for the Akeley campground.
Kath mentioned she labored with the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District to submit an software for a shade tree program.
This grant could possibly be used for timber on the boulevard in addition to plantings for aesthetics and wildlife feeding on the trailhead accesses and on the metropolis campground the place diseased timber needed to be eliminated by the DNR.
In 2010, Akeley’s tree stock recognized timber vulnerable to illness and an getting old cover.
This grant is to create extra inexperienced house and a more healthy cover. The contract would come with as much as 500 timber, design, preparation, set up, watering, pruning and different care for 3 years.
“There is no matching fund requirement, and no money out of the city’s pocket, if we don’t get the grant,” Kath mentioned. “We’ll find out in February if we get the $335,790 grant. If we get it, it will be exciting for the community. Planting won’t happen until next fall.”
In different business, the council:
- Approved a decision interesting mail-in balloting and returning to in-person voting.
- Passed a decision accepting League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator funding, which can be used to assist the town apply for funding.
- Heard Hansen acquired quite a few complaints about vehicles utilizing alleys as an alternative of the detours for the State Hwy. 34 challenge, driving via the development zone and going round vans on the grass.
- Heard the municipal liquor retailer can be closed Sunday, Oct. 22 for carpet cleansing.
- Discussed re-keying amenities at Paul’s Patio, the campground, museum and different metropolis amenities so they may be capable of be opened with a grasp key. Riggs will look into the difficulty.
- Approved a contract with Potty Shacks of Nevis for dumping in the course of the winter months.
- Heard the town bought a more recent Bobcat that can be getting snow removing attachments earlier than winter.
- Discussed a invoice from Area Excavating for work requested by the state fireplace inspector for possible trigger at a hearth at 750 Broadway Street. Krotzer mentioned he’ll handle the coverage with the EHCFD fireplace board and convey info to the following council assembly.
- Heard a presentation from Mary Thompson and David De La Hunt in regards to the Heartland Lakes Development Commission’s accomplishments in the course of the previous 12 months and plans to deal with the wants for childcare and inexpensive housing within the county. “We also wanted to make sure the city of Akeley knows we’re a resource,” Thompson mentioned.
- Heard an update from Kenny Holm, chair of the Akeley Regional Community Center board chair {that a} playground committee has been fashioned and are engaged on acquiring a grant to assist with a plan for an upgrade.
The subsequent council assembly can be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 at metropolis corridor.
Lorie Skarpness has lived within the Park Rapids space since 1997 and has been writing for the Park Rapids Enterprise since 2017. She enjoys writing options in regards to the individuals and wildlife who name the north woods home.
