Council okays fifth police officer position

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council has approved a request from Police Chief Derek Chambers to add a fifth officer position to the force. The action came at the council’s monthly meeting on July 8.

Chief Chambers told the council he believed adding a fifth officer would help retain staff longer, would attract more qualified candidates and would substantially reduce overtime costs.  The department has four full-time officers with only three working at this time; reserve officers are also utilized. 

The Chief said he wants the community to continue to have 24/7 police coverage. He noted that one of the current full-time officers will be attending training to become a certified officer, which will further temporarily reduce the force size. 

He said another issue he has faced with a small force is the current rotating weekend work schedule that potential hires do not find attractive. “Changing weekend coverage and night coverage would make the job more attractive to applicants,” he said, adding that a fifth officer would provide more flexibility in scheduling. He also noted that most reserve officers have other jobs and are often unavailable during the week. Qualified candidates are currently in demand, making it more difficult to attract applicants.

Discussion followed with council members asking questions about scheduling, budget concerns, coverage by the county sheriff's department and certification. 

If a non-certified applicant is hired for a full-time position, they must undergo training to receive certification. The city pays for certification and the applicant signs a training agreement. City Manager Jamie Blume said, “Wages and benefits weigh against the cost of trying to get and retain certified officers. If we only attract people who are not certified, and we certify them, and then they leave before four years, they are responsible for up to the full cost to the city.” 

Mayor Fred Schaub expressed his support for the adding a fifth officer. After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the addition of a fifth certified officer with the contingency that the matter be re-visited upon the retirement or resignation of an officer in the future. The council sought assurance from the chief that overtime costs would be reduced and that the topic would be revisited in the event of an officer retiring or quitting.      

In another police matters, the council approved the purchase of computers for two squad cars.

Project updates

  A written report from the city engineering firm of Veenstra and Kimm noted that construction continues on the major water system improvements on South River Park Drive and South First Street. The council approved a change order for the size of a service line pipe and also approved a $101,986 pay request from the contractor for work to date.

The Fifth Street overlay project was closed out with the approval of the final pay request  of $8,590.

Closed session

At the end of the meeting the council went into closed session, citing that portion of Iowa Code that allows for discussing “strategy with council in matters that are presently in litigation.” Following the return to open session, the council made a motion to direct legal counsel to act as discussed in closed session.

Other business

 uttenberg Chamber/Community Development Director Brandie Tomkins received council okay to extend the German Car Show street closure during GermanFest and for a change in time of the Combat Vets Street closure on July 13. The procedure for obtaining council approval before applying for grant money was clarified by the council.

The council approved the issuance of $1,437,000 in water revenue bonds to finance current water system improvements. A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant is also being used for the project.

Jim Ferguson spoke to the council with a request to purchase city property adjoining his father’s house in north Guttenberg. Discussion was held on the water line that passes through the property and Ferguson’s proposal for an easement. Action on the matter was tabled pending having the city crew locate the water line on the property.

An alley improvement agreement with a group of property owners in north Guttenberg was approved, providing for periodic payments to the city for the cost of the alley upgrade.

A proposal to move a light pole near the bait shop along highway 52 was tabled.

Jonathan Klaes was approved as a volunteer fireman and Derek Pierce was approved as a fire department citizen member.