After Pflugerville voters rejected a $10.7 million bond proposition for a new animal shelter near Lake Pflugerville in November, city staff drafted a plan for improvements to the current shelter off Immanuel Road and presented it to City Council on Dec. 8.
The first phase of the city's plan, estimated at around $2 million with construction and other costs, includes the addition of a stainless steel sink, a commercial dishwasher, a grooming tub, a medical room, an outdoor kennel area and other amenities, according to city documents. The initial plan also includes animal-shelter-specific modifications such as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that will avoid mixing the air between rooms, multi-layered epoxy flooring and noise-reducing panels, according to the documents.
Future phases of the plan include options for doubling the animal holding capacity, constructing an adoption building and adding an entry point from Pecan St., according to city documents. The estimated cost of all recommended improvements to the current facility total around $6.5 million.
"The citizens of Pflugerville did not vote down a new animal shelter. They voted down a $10.7 million bond."
– Danny Vinzant, Pflugerville resident
Danny Vinzant was the only Pflugerville resident to offer vocal public comment during the December 8 meeting where the plan was proposed and said he opposes improvements to the the current shelter in lieu of a new shelter. Vinzant said he would like to see a new shelter in a new location that would better serve the needs of residents and animals.
"The citizens of Pflugerville did not vote down a new animal shelter. They voted down a $10.7 million bond," he said. "The animal shelter must be moved. If we are told it is not possible, to the contrary it is possible."
The Pflugerville City Council and staff discussed the new animal shelter proposal during a worksession before the regular council meeting December 8 and removed the animal shelter item from the council meeting agenda.
