Local business owner proposes building new animal shelter

ANAHUAC— With the unrelenting summer heat, one local business owner offered to build the city a new climate-controlled animal shelter, which was met with interest by council.

Anahuac City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, June 9, where Crawfish Hideaway owner Case Hedges proposed a new city animal shelter.

Hedges proposed to build a shelter on city property with the stipulation of renting the current shelter for $100 per month for five years.

Hedges explained the rent cost would allow him to responsibly invest in the construction of the new facility while allowing the city to keep ownership of the current facility.

Overall, council is interested in the proposal but needs to work out finer details.

"He's sitting here offering help. It'll benefit him, it'll benefit the citizens, it'll benefit the city," Alderman Sean Perry said.

After five years, Hedges wants to purchase the current shelter property for fair market value to be used as additional parking for his business.

"The last thing that I want to do is for anybody to think that I got a special deal," Hedges said. "I'm trying to pay my way to make it happen."

Hedges would fund designing and constructing an indoor/outdoor facility with climate-controlled indoor kennels. The proposed shelter would have five kennels with room to expand.

City Attorney Richard Baker said that the lease itself would need to serve a public purpose, and additionally, there would need to be provisions for maintaining the property.

Baker explained that public parking could count as a public service, but it would need to be good parking, which plays into the maintenance side of things. Baker also suggested providing lighting for safety purposes.

Baker also explained that the city wouldn't have to bid the property, traditionally required, if there is a provision in the lease allowing Hedges to purchase the property after the leasing term.

"We're a lot more flexible on leasing," Baker said.

Hedges estimates the structure would cost about $30,000, which Mayor Pro Tem Janice Jircik shared concerns over.

Alderman Nathan Trahan asked if the budget would allow the city to help with costs for the facility.

Jircik said she wasn't opposed to the idea of a shelter, but there are things to consider, such as shelter regulations, which Alderwoman Meredith Turner-Croyle also noted.

Anahuac Animal Control Officer Amber Ayres said she would get with the animal control officer in Mont Belvieu to see what regulations are required.

Ayres noted a current issue is parking, and if the new shelter is "out of sight, out of mind," it would hinder adoptions. She said her biggest concern is keeping airborne illnesses from spreading between dogs.

Ayres also said she likes the idea of an indoor/outdoor space for the dogs.

Trahan shared concern about the size of the shelter, noting there was already talks about increasing the number of kennels.

Ayres said the shelter has had up to 11 dogs, and there is currently an increase in dumping dogs.

Hedges offered to redraw plans to allow for 10 kennels.

City Administrator Kenneth Kathan said he would look at city properties to bring back to council.

The water treatment plant and sewer system improvement projects continue to truck along.

For the water treatment plant, the contractor poured concrete walls and worked on modifications to the existing building and the electrical system.

For the sewer system, ALLCO is nearing completion, with a preliminary walk-through expected to be scheduled in May or June. An LJA Engineering representative said there are a few kinks to work out, but those will be resolved before the project is completed.