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Resident urges transparency on animal-shelter scope and questions leadership decisions
Summary
Melissa Tresati urged the council to clarify why a previously proposed new building was removed from the shelter project and asked for explanation of the $2.2M budget difference; she referenced an internal email from the shelter administrator describing scope changes.
Melissa Tresati used the first public-comment period to press the council for transparency on the animal-shelter renovation. Tresati said residents had been told in earlier briefings that $7 million would be allocated for "all the things for the animals," and noted the current GMP is shown at just over $5.8 million while the total project budget is $8 million.
"So, does our city really anticipate up to $2,200,000 in extra cost?" Tresati asked. She also cited a staff email that said "the separate building has been removed allowing for additional enhancements including the new volunteer locker room and volunteer coordinator's office," and she asked council to explain what those "additional enhancements" are and whether code enforcement and APS officers would be moved into a building once described as a new facility for code enforcement.
Mayor and staff responded that the Mosier Building would be used for temporary housing and for some permanent office space, and that the budget delta covers contingency, equipment and moving costs. Tresati also referenced concerns about personnel decisions and the promotion of a staff member, and she urged continued public oversight of the project.
