News
»City Council meeting discusses new hires, other matters
Posted Local at Oct 13, 2010
By Candy DenOuden
The Mission City Council met last Wednesday in the City Office.
Mayor Tim Grablander called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., which started off with an approval of the last meeting’s minutes.
Most of the evening’s discussion centered around whether or not the City could finance another full or part-time police officer.
The discussion started when City Finance Officer Heather Petersen informed the Council that due to the shortage of officers (two full time, two part time), finding a responding officer can be problematic at times.
“It’s starting to happen more and more in the daytime,” Petersen said. “Something will come up and we can’t find an officer.”
One such incident was when a semi-truck hit a Rosebud officer at the four-way stop in Mission, and it took the City 45 minutes to find an officer who could respond.
“We need to figure out what we’re going to do,” Mayor Grablander said.
Council members then discussed the cost of paying, training and outfitting another officer.
“Can we afford it?” said Council member Phyllis Littau. “Can we afford not to?”
Council also discussed the need in lieu of what was described as a “rash of break-ins” around the Mission community two weeks ago.
Petersen asserted that hiring another officer could be financially feasible, if the Council were willing to potentially cut back in other areas as needed.
“There’s money around to play with, we’ll just have to be aware that other areas might be stretched,” said Petersen.
Council member Sonja Lurz suggested discussing the idea with current law enforcement before deciding to hire a new one, which other Council members agreed with.
Ray Stewart made a motion to give current officers the option to work extra hours to cover the need; if current staff choose not to or are unable to work extra hours, then the City can try to hire an additional officer. Littau seconded the motion.
Council also discussed moving the temporary Maintenance Labor employees to a full-time, probationary status.
Council member Brad Folkers made the motion to hire both employees as full-time; Pat LeBau seconded.
City Engineer Don Pettigrew expressed concern about being able to properly pour concrete at this time of year for a speed bump on the east side of town.
Folkers made a motion that the City will pay $650 to Shorty Colombe for the job, which must be completed by Oct. 15, or as approved by Pettigrew. Lana Story seconded.
Several Council members said they had received compliments on the new streets on the east side of town by Family Dollar.
Council also discussed when the City’s Annexation Committee, headed by Folkers, would meet. Members decided they would set an official meeting for the committee at the City’s Nov. 20 regular meeting.
Pettigrew advised Council members that they need to have city workers flush hoses, valves and clean gutters soon. He also stated that he should have all paperwork on the City’s street projects completed by the following Wednesday.
Council also went into an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
Upon returning to regular session, Council members unanimously declined an individual’s request to take dirt from the City’s current stockpile for building projects.
Grablander mentioned some of the City’s street lights need to be replaced.
Littau thanked the Council for purchasing shirts for students.
“The kids were pretty excited,” said Littau.
Council also congratulated Littau and the Chamber for what they considered to be a successful Welcome Neighbor Day.
Council discussed the possibility of having another Parade of Lights in December, and whether or not to have a tree in the street or to plant one. Folkers said it is getting too late to plant one; Council decided tentatively to have a decorated Christmas tree in the street once more.
LaBau motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:22, Littau seconded.