T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Marshalltown Feral Support representatives Steven Havens and Karla Gould plead their case for funding to the Marshalltown City Council. They presented a petition asking for $15,000 per year for three years to help get the feral cat population under better control.

Members of the Marshalltown City Council expressed appreciation for the work being done by the Marshalltown Feral Support Group to bring the feral cat population under better control during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Representatives Karla Gould and Steven Havens brought a petition asking for $15,000 per year for three years, and Councilor Jeff Schneider asked city staff to bring back a resolution along the lines of what the group was asking for.

City Administrator Carol Webb told the council they cannot provide donations to nonprofits, but they could give fees for services. She suggested that the city could develop an agreement in which the support group provides certain services in exchange for the funds, and a resolution could be brought back stating such. All of the council members voted in favor, with the exception of Councilor Mark Mitchell who abstained because Gould was the primary presenter and is his cousin.

During Gould’s presentation, she described the goals of the support group and the challenges they face.

“We focus on four areas – [1] trap, neuter, return, TNR, [2] veterinary care, [3] community education and [4] rehabilitation and rehoming,” she said.

TNR is a humane way to manage the feral cat population and is practiced around the world, Gould told them. Since 2022, 301 cats have been spayed or neutered, and 187 are on a waiting list. Veterinary care is a crucial part of the group’s mission as it helps keep the population healthy. She said through community education they engage with the public via their website, marshalltown.fsg.com, social media and local events to create a sense of understanding and compassion.

“”Number four, we currently have over 20 cats and kittens in foster care in the community,” Gould said. “. . . We are currently working on an adoption process which will involve a goodwill donation and a spay, neuter, vaccination contact.”

She told the council about challenges the group faces. The contract the city has with the Animal Rescue League (ARL) covers domesticated pets, not feral cats.

“There’s a huge difference between a stray cat and a feral cat,” Gould said. “If you have ever tried to catch a feral cat, you would know exactly what I am talking about. The main reason is a feral cat, once aged to a certain point, is not easily adoptable.”

The ARL does not have the time to make feral cats adoptable, she said. After Gould spoke, ARL Executive Director Austin Gillis concurred, telling the council the ARL does not have the means to address the feral cat issue. The support group also struggles with cats getting into abandoned buildings and under homes in trailer parks.

Resident Jim Shaw, who has spoken frequently about the issue of stray dogs in town, spoke in favor of the council addressing the issue. He recalled his cat, which he rescued from the ARL, sitting by the screen door in his house, and Shaw heard his cat yowl. There was a feral cat on the other side of the screen.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the consent agenda as listed with the exception of two items that were pulled for further discussion. On one of them, the council approved slight modifications to the human resources policy, and on the other, they voted to purchase a mower from a local vendor as opposed to an out of town bidder who came in at a slightly lower cost and discussed modifying their policy on that issue going forward.

• Heard a quarterly report on the MPACT program and the annual report from the Marshalltown Police Department.

• Approved a temporary outdoor service area application from the Marshalltown Elks Lodge for their 130th anniversary celebration.

• Approved an agreement with Hilde DeBruyne Art and Design LLC for the Emerson Bridge railings final commission.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance change for the properties at 915 and 919 S. Center St. from medium density residential to mixed use zoning.

• Approved the second reading of a rezoning for a series of lots from medium density residential to general industrial zoning to accommodate MARSHALLTOWN Company’s expansion project.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance change to Chapter 156 of the city code allowing for mini-warehouse storage units.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance change regarding accessory dwelling units, board of adjustment procedures and residential building materials.

• Approved the second reading of a change to the fireworks ordinance necessitated by a change in state law and waived the third and final reading.

• Approved the second reading of changes to the policies on sewers and sewage disposal — user fees and exemptions and credits for stormwater fees.

• Voted unanimously to bring back a resolution for a three-year contract with the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce for tourism and promotional services with 56 percent of hotel-motel tax revenue going to the Chamber and 44 percent going to the city.

——-

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.