By MaryHelen Swanson

Raven will be repaired.

In nicer terms, Raven, the drug-sniffing police dog in North Branch will have surgery on an injured leg.

The decision on what to do with and for Raven, the big, shiny black dog that lives with and shares a squad car with Officer Ron Rollins, came before the city council Monday night, May 14.

The options came down to having the surgery to help the well-loved police dog get better or to retire him and look for a new dog. Raven sustained his injury while playing fetch with Officer Rollins.

Although there was some discussion about costs - surgery can run $2,500-$2,700 plus additional costs associated with the surgery - and getting a new dog, including training can run a minimum of $1,000 and oftentimes much more, the consensus was to go with surgery.

It wouldn't be right not to have the surgery, said councilor Theresa Furman, but she also said it would be wise to have the police department put away some money each year for when a replacement is needed.

When recuperated, in about six weeks, Raven is expected to be nearly as good as new, and should be back to full activity by 10 weeks, according to University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center doctors.

Raven is approximately four years old and should be able to serve the department for another four or five years as a scenting K-9.

He is certified for the detection of illegal substances. This certification is expensive.

Other K-9 handlers in the county believe that Raven has a unique nose for finding drugs and contraband.

A new dog would have to be trained and be compatible with his owner.

While technically Raven will be "repaired" as would any piece of city equipment, he apparently has secured a spot in the hearts of his North Branch keepers who felt it was not only worth it to have him undergo surgery, but the right thing to do.

The council unanimously approved the surgery with the funds to come out of the contingency fund.

The surgery will be done as soon as possible as recommended by the University vets.

In other business Monday night,

• The council awarded the sale of $255,272 General Obligation Equipment Certificates for 2007 to Horizon Bank, lowest of three bidders. Horizon's net interest cost was $32,226.31 for five certificates. The funds will be used for capital equipment purchases.

• Called for a public hearing on June 11 on the Goodview Ave./402nd Street utility and street improvement project. This project is needed to accommodate development north and east of 400th St. and Fletcher Avenue in the existing plat of the ESSBY Business Park. According to a memo from city engineer Julie Dresel, this hearing brings the city one step closer to having lots available for commercial use in the ESSBY area.The costs for this project will be assessed to the benefiting parcels, the city is the current owner of the land.

• The council accepted a petition for street improvements on Flink Ave. (Hwy. 95 to the north branch of the Sunrise River) from North Branch Market Place, LLC, asking that the city proceed with the design and installation of the Flink Ave. realignment. The petitioners want this project done before the I-35 bridge project. In moving ahead with this project, the city will not participate in costs and there will be no federal reimbursement. The developer would like to begin construction of on-site improvements this summer. The Flink project includes relocation of the road and removal of the existing avenue from the Tanger Drive intersection to the river. The traffic switch over would occur late in 2007 or early 2008.

• The council also approved, on a 3-2 vote, with Erickson and Furman opposed, a contract for animal services through the end of the year. The question came up why the city cannot use its own police force for this service. It was agreed to discuss this further at a council worksession.

• Mayor Gloria Karsky proclaimed May 15 as Law Enforcement Day in North Branch in recognition of the good work the police department does. The officers were to receive an e-mail yesterday thanking them for their service.