HUMBOLDT — Brian Dillow, Humboldt police chief, will be Humboldt’s cat wrangler.
City councilmen agreed Monday night to purchase a carbon dioxide chamber to dispatch cats live-trapped and unclaimed. Disposal, done with the gas injected to the cat-holding chamber, will occur after cats are held three days, during which time they may be claimed.
Dillow and his officers will trap, track and dispose of the cats.
The gas chamber is more economical than euthanization, which Dillow said he could do, but only after being trained, certified and licensed by the Drug Enforcement Agency to handle costly potions used in the process.
The gas chamber will cost $285. A canister of 50 pounds of carbon dioxide, enough for several cats, costs $18, said Mayor Nobby Davis.
Before, Carson and Sons, Toronto, trapped cats and other animals. Dogs are taken to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in LaHarpe at a cost of $75 each. Carsons and Sons, however, was unable to dispose of cats in a humane manner as dictated by the state. Wild animals, such as skunks, raccoons and possums, have been destroyed by Carson and Sons; no state statutes regulate their fate.
No immediate changes are in store for detained animals other than cats, although it is uncertain what role Carson may have. At the behest of City Attorney Fred Works the city’s contract with Carson will be renegotiated.
“We can trap cats,” Dillow told the Register, but first will have to retrieve 10 live traps owned by the city and in Carson’s possession.
During 2010 40 cats, costing $1,500 to handle and dispose of, were trapped in Humboldt, along with 50 dogs, at a cost of $75 each and $3,750 total, were turned over to ACARF. If a dog is claimed at the refuge, the city is reimbursed its costs. Dillow said he remembered no instances of that occurring last year.
So far in 2011, 23 dogs have been taken to ACARF.
“I don’t know how many cats we’ve handled,” Dillow said.
In another police matter, councilmen approved a comprehensive set of operation procedures for the department, most of them set out by state regulations.
Works noted that protocols and procedures needed to be set down, as they are in a manual councilmen were shown, to ensure officers know in advance how to handle any situation and do so in an even-handed manner.
“SOPs (standard operating procedures) don’t describe how to do the job but rather describe the department’s rules for doing the job,” Dillow said in written comments. They “are merely statements that summarize behavioral requirements and expectations in a certain functional area.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS, councilmen:
— Approved an increase of $1,700 in the city’s contract with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips, which has offices in Iola and Chanute, for audit of 2010 financial records. The tab was $6,300, for a more intensive examination required by Humboldt’s grant funds exceeding $500,000.
— Tabled a decision on a building inspector to replace Craig Mintz, who recently left the city’s employ. A Chanute contractor was recommended, which brought a flurry of disagreement from councilmen, notably Don Walburn and Wayne Carson, who thought Humboldt residents with construction backgrounds should be considered. The Personnel Committee, containing Walburn, Carson and Wayne Smith, will look into the matter, with the assistance of City Administrator Larry Tucker and Davis. Jeff Bauer, Iola code enforcement officer, may be called during the interim.
— Moved the August meeting from Aug. 8 to 15 to accommodate a hearing on the 2011 budget. The budget will be discussed in detail at an Aug. 1 special meeting.
TUCKER TOLD councilmen ground was broken for construction of 12 units of senior housing in north Humboldt and that, “provided weather is cooperative,” the units should be ready for occupancy by the end of the year.
He said an architectural report on construction of a new ambulance/fire station will be ready for council review by Oct. 1. Also, the city is considering purchase of a new fire truck, with grant funding anticipated for the purchase.
Attendance at the swimming pool is up 25 percent, Tucker said, “thanks to the hot weather.” An algae issue should be resolved when special equipment to clean the pool arrives later this week, he added.
The city has on loan from Chanute for two months a machine that will permit the city crew to repair potholes about town.
“We’ll start slowly with the machine, do some spot projects,” Tucker said, while workers become accustomed to its workings.
