Council approves ARPA funds for new animal shelter; adopts new aquatic facility plans

By Leah Rainwater

Monday night’s St. Joseph City Council meeting saw a few different bills up for passage pertaining to the utilization of American Rescue Plan Act Funds.

During the Monday, Dec. 9 meeting, council also saw an adoption of a bill regarding the next steps forward in building a new aquatic facility, whether it’s at the YMCA or City-owned.

Contracts for new Animal Shelter

The location for the new St. Joseph Animal Shelter, 3405 S. Belt Highway, will see tremendous upgrades, following the automatic approval two bill items at Monday’s council meeting.

The new location will feature the removal and reconfiguration of the existing pavement and parking areas- which will be replaced.

The total cost of the renovations is expected to be about $166,599, which would come from ARPA funds.

Also coming from ARPA funds, is a “play area” structure, allowing animals to get more access to exercise and fresh air.

The outdoor play yard would cost about $61,795 and would be divided into two spaces which would consist of a crushed-stone base covered with artificial turf and would be surrounded by eight feet tall fencing.

In addition to a new yard, the City will also authorize an agreement with Midmark, an Ohio-based construction company, for the purchase of cages and kennels for the new facility.

With a current count of 52 dog kennels, eight observation kennels and the ability to house up to 48 cats, the shelter will see an increase in space at the new location on south Belt Highway.

Approximately 110 cages and kenneling spaces intended to care for about 138 individual animals will be built at the new facility.

Each cage will be designed based upon its size, use and intended location within the shelter.

The total amount of ARPA funding going toward this bill would be about $145,155.

“This funding will be built up to help ensure that they project will be met at the $5 million that currently is budgeted for that project…to ensure that the project is able to move forward next year,” said St. Joseph Interim City Manager, Clint Thompson.

The City allocated its remaining ARPA funds to the renovation of the new shelter.

YMCA Pool update

for adoption

In a five to four vote, council adopted a bill to allow the City of St. Joseph to independently work toward determining a cost estimate for the development and construction of a City-owned aquatic center on City property.

This bill, would allow the City to explore alternate options if the YMCA is not able to secure funding for the $15 million project proposal to construct an indoor aquatic facility.

While the YMCA continues to secure the remaining funds for the project through grant funding, the City will begin to search for proposals which have the intention to build an aquatic facility at the Noyes Complex, or on the property adjacent to the YMCA.

A third option was also proposed, in regards to the City to solicit other interests that may want to partner with the City.

“I think the intent of the discussion tonight is to provide the City options,” said Thompson. “So four months from now, we have the ability to make a decision, as opposed to waiting for one decision, to pan out and then have wasted lots of time and not have another option.”

At Monday night’s meeting, YMCA CEO Tammy Killin, informed the public that the YMCA was able to secure over $6 million in additional funding from private donors.

Using the City’s $7 million addition and Buchanan County’s $500 thousand contribution, the total amount is over $13 million raised for the project totaling over $15 million.

“I think there was positive news that was shared tonight by the ‘Y’ in their efforts to raise additional funds and what was previously reported to council,” said Thompson. “Obviously they’re going to need additional funding, whether that’s through donations or through grants that they’re seeking the first of the year. However, I think it’s positive that there is community support.”

Approval of plans for youth sports and recreation complex

The City of St. Joseph authorized $129,500 in funding to initiate consulting services relating to the planning, design, development, construction and operation of a youth sports and recreation complex.

Sports Facilities Development, LLC., will assist the City with all planning involved in the creation of the sports and recreation complex.

The preliminary design and planning efforts will help kickstart and move the decision to use General Obligations Bonds on the project, forward.

St. Joseph Mustangs new scoreboard initiative

Council also approved a $55,000 donation acceptance from the George Bode, Jr. Benevolent Trust, appropriated $65,000 from Park Sales Tax and authorized the purchase of a new electronic scoreboard for Phil Welch Stadium.

The original scoreboard will still be in place at Phil Welch Stadium, however an electronic video component will be added on to show player stats, promotional information and more.

The project, which will be completed by Daktronics, Inc., will cost a total of $130,000 and the St. Joseph Mustangs plan to fund $10,000 of the project.