Brooklyn Park weighs building its own animal-control facility after Champlin leaves joint agreement

Brooklyn Park City Council members and police staff discussed options on where to house a new animal-control facility after the city of Champlin withdrew from a multi-city joint powers agreement (JPA), increasing Brooklyn Park’s share of the project.

Council meeting participants said the city currently bears roughly 44% of the JPA liability; with Champlin’s exit, that share will rise. Officials discussed three main options: an addition to the North Precinct, a southern addition near the central fire station, and a rebuilt structure at the operations and maintenance (O&M) site. Cost estimates for the options ranged from about $4.9 million to $6.8 million, and staff said operating a local facility would roughly double Brooklyn Park’s annual animal-control costs from about $100,000 to roughly $200,000.

The matter matters because Champlin’s withdrawal increases Brooklyn Park’s financial exposure under the existing JPA, and the council must decide whether to remain in the Maple Grove consortium, partner with nearby cities as customers, or build and operate its own facility. Officials said JPA responses are due July 25 (the council extended the internal decision deadline by roughly one month). Establishing and operating a city facility also would require staff time, space reconfiguration, and parking changes that affect other city operations.

Inspector Tony Wenbeck, who presented the design and cost options, said the North…