Council suspends design contract and presses for clearer capital plan for new animal shelter

The Superior City Council voted 6–3 to suspend the design contract with Animal Arts Inc. for a proposed 8,600-square-foot animal shelter and called for clearer cost estimates and a capital-campaign timeline before proceeding with additional design expenditures.

Mayor Hagen and council members reviewed the project's capital campaign status, funding gap and next steps. The mayor reported that the city’s bonded commitment stands at about $2.2 million and that the overall construction estimate was previously cited around $3.1 million; he said pledges to date include roughly $70,000 through Bridal Allies and about $200,000 potentially available from the Douglas County Humane Society, leaving a sizable shortfall.

Nut graf: Animal Allies and other stakeholders urged continued progress and outlined a quiet-phase fundraising strategy; councilors worried about spending another $126,000 on design work without clearer certainty on overall project cost, an agreed exterior construction approach and a timetable for major donors.

Public presentation and campaign status

Rick Salestad, Executive Director of Animal Allies, told the council the shelter the city currently operates needs replacement and confirmed one furnace at the old facility was being replaced. He described the capital campaign plan, named “Bridge the Gap,” and said the group had been contacting potential major donors during a quiet phase and expected more certainty about large commitments in early January. Salestad said Animal Allies had merged with the Animal Rescue Federation earlier in the year and emphasized program goals, including humane education and ensuring adoptable animals are spayed or neutered before adoption.

Council concerns and alternatives

Councilors pressed for clearer cost estimates and considered lower-cost exterior options such as pole-frame buildings, Butler-style panelized construction, or pre-cast insulated panels while keeping interior design standards that address animal health and air handling. Councilor Bender said keeping the interior design and changing the exterior construction method could reduce costs and speed construction, noting pole or modular systems can be erected faster than stick-built construction. Councilor Sweeney asked for a time frame for the capital campaign and an “endgame” if pledged private funds do not materialize.

Motion and legal/administrative follow-up

Councilor McDonald moved — and Councilor Sweeney seconded — a motion to suspend the Animal Arts design contract pending clarity on the building size, funding and exterior construction options. The motion passed 6–3 with recorded yes votes from Councilor Bender, Councilor Sweeney, Councilor McDonald, Councilor Mazzolia, Councilor Finsland and Councilor Herrick; no votes from Councilor McKenzie, Councilor Dalbeck and Councilor Fennessy. The city attorney later explained the existing contract does not include a formal “suspension” clause; staff will notify Animal Arts and ask whether the firm can pivot the design to alternative exterior systems should the council direct it to do so.

What was directed and next steps

Councilors asked administration to contact Bridal Arts (Animal Arts’ design lead) to pause ongoing billable work and to inquire whether the firm could modify plans to a less expensive exterior while retaining interior program elements. Councilors also asked that Animal Allies provide a clearer timetable and fundraising targets for its capital campaign; several council members said they were not prepared to increase the city's bonded commitment beyond the current amount. No additional city funding was approved at this meeting.

Ending: The council’s suspension leaves the project in a holding pattern: design work is paused pending answers about construction options and the capital campaign’s progress; proponents said they will go public with the campaign after securing major donors and stressed the community need for a new shelter.