Council approves $9,000 payment to Mesabi Humane Society after committee review

The City Council voted on July 22 to pay $9,000 to the Mesabi Humane Society toward an outstanding invoice related to animal-control work. The motion to pay the remaining balance was made by Councilor Johnson and passed by voice vote. Council members discussed options for future cases and whether the city should renegotiate rates with Mesabi Humane Society. At a Committee of the Whole meeting staff had proposed separating invoice case numbers and paying the portion not billed to the county; councilors brought the topic back for action on the remaining local balance. Councilor Johnson said the payment was a “goodwill effort to solve the larger issue,” and the council directed staff to include humane-society contracting and billing on future agendas under unfinished business. Councilor Buck Schneider asked staff to explore renegotiation of the society’s contract or alternative pricing; staff indicated related conversations are already ongoing and recommended further discussion at Committee of the Whole.