BLUE EARTH– Difficult decisions were made at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday as the council was tasked with finding a solution for taking care of a litter of puppies seized from the property at 716 East Third Street.

City Attorney David Frundt provided the council with an update on the property located at 716 East Third Street, mentioning that a litter of pitbull puppies, which had previously been housed at the property, had been seized and were now being temporarily held by the Blue Earth Humane Society.

“I can confirm that there were 11 animals seized in total – the mother dog, and 10 puppies,” Council Member John Huisman shared. “The owners have a five-day period to claim their animals and get them registered.”

City Administrator Dawn Collins brought up that the puppies had all been given their shots, and the mother dog had been spayed. However, all of these services had been done at the city’s expense, and keeping the dogs at the Humane Society for longer than the five-day period would continue to rack up additional expenses.

“From what it sounds like, we have limited options,” Mayor Rick Scholtes remarked. “If the owners don’t come and claim their dogs, it comes back to us to make a decision on what happens to them. I would prefer that the  animals be given up to Humane Society, but they might not have the space to house them all right now.”

Council Member Huisman reminded the council that the Blue Earth Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, and would not euthanize the animals if they were given into their care. However, if the shelter decided to turn the animals away, the city would be able to authorize euthanasia for the dogs.

Following some further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to give up the 11 dogs to the Humane Society at the end of the five-day waiting period, contingent on the Humane Society being willing to accept them. The motion passed unanimously.

Following this, a second motion was made and seconded to authorize euthanasia for the 11 dogs if the Humane Society decides not to take them at the end of the waiting period. The motion passed 5-2, with council members Huisman and Dan Ristau in dissent.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

— Blue Earth Light & Water Manager Tim Stoner gave a presentation relating to data centers during the work session prior to the meeting.

— Resolution 26-28 adopting  a Conditional Use Permit for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council to use the property located at 1219 South Ramsey Street (the Little Luke’s wing of St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center) for a Head Start childcare center was approved 6-0. Huisman abstained from the vote.

— A registration application for a micro cannabis license for Alpine Leaf was approved 6-1, with Huisman in dissent.

— Resolution 26-29 terminating the agency agreement of the Midwest Municipal Gas Agency was approved unanimously.

— The resignation of Katelyn Kluender from her part-time position at the Blue Earth Municipal Liquor Store was approved unanimously. Her last day will be July 31.

— The resignation of Kendrick Bates from the Blue Earth Fire Department was approved unanimously. His last day was June 4.

— A temporary liquor license for the American Legion Post #89 for their Freedom Run event on June 20 was unanimously approved.

— A raffle permit for the American Cancer Society for their upcoming event in August was approved unanimously.

— A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to the Maurice and Marvel Schwen family for their 100 years of service to the Blue Earth community.