Resident approaches TF council about cat problem

The City of Thompson Falls requires a license for pets such as dogs, rabbits and chickens. The fact that the city does not have regulations for cats brought one resident to the City Council meeting on Monday to request a change.

Resident Sandra Cullen said the city’s cat problem is a health hazard. “I have so many cats in my yard,” she said, “and I’m not the only one complaining.” Cullen suggested the city limit the number of cats per household and that cats need to be licensed.

City Council member Lynne Kersten said, “most cities our size do not license cats.” Mayor Mark Sheets said the city has no requirements for cats. The council instead voted to approach the problem as a nuisance and investigate under that ordinance instead of the animal ordinance. The city will review the matter at the August council meeting.

Also Monday, the city council voted to hire WGM Group to provide engineering services for the Ainsworth Park project. The council also voted to proceed with a Montana Office of Tourism infrastructure grant application for Ainsworth. Jen Kreiner with the Sanders County Community Development Corporation said that if awarded, the grant could help offset any construction costs for the city and allow the city to put money away for park maintenance and operations.

Kreiner also presented the City Council with a parks inventory report. She noted that the report will be beneficial for the city to have in any future planning or a future capital improvement plan. A feasibility study for financing park projects has been completed through a LOR Foundation grant.

“Parks seem to be a burden for the city financially,” Kreiner said, and the feasibility study will help the city decide the best way to fund park projects. Options provided in the feasibility study include establishing a recreation district or a seasonal resort tax. The City Council will review the results of the feasibility study later this year.