The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.
The topic that included the most discussion was consideration of a resolution that changes the city’s residency requirements for police officers. Councilman Phil Stone worked with Police Chief Dan Brickner to write up a resolution that temporarily expands the requirements from within 5 miles of city limits to 20 miles for a 24 month period. As previously reported on Raccoon Valley Radio, the council recently approved a request from the police department to hire three officers to replace the three that are resigning. Chief Brickner says the top candidate in their current pool would be unable to move to Perry due to an agreement with his wife and her work commute. Other candidates have also expressed interest and the department is concerned they will not be able to remain competitive with a lower salary and stricter residency requirements in comparison to other area departments. Mayor Jay Pattee and several council members expressed concern about wanting officers to live and be part of the Perry community. Ultimately, after much discussion and a withdrawn motion to approve the resolution a motion was made to table the issue until the next council meeting December 17th. The table motion was approved 3-2 with Councilwoman Jenny Ecklund and Councilman Phil Stone voting No.
Another topic that was discussed was a request from the bicycle coalition to use the building the Perry Police Department currently stores their bicycles in. The coalition wants to provide bicycle service for riders on the Raccoon River Valley Trail and help provide bicycle repair training and equipment. Assistant Police Chief Eric Vaughn expressed concern because the department currently has the building half full with bicycles and there is a 90 day period where they have to be held so owners have a chance to claim them. After some discussion, the council agreed they want to help the bicycle coalition with their goals and find them available space, but not at in a way that negatively impacts the police department. The two entities will work together in an attempt to find appropriate space and the matter will be brought up again at a future meeting.
Other items on the agenda included approval of the rezoning of property north of 3000 Willis Avenue. The property was rezoned to residential and multihome residential so that the Rowley Masonic Home can move forward with their expansion plans. A contract with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. for the City comprensive plan, not to exceed $75,000 was approved, along with procedures for Wednesday’s additional yard waste disposal.
On the financial side, the council approved fund transfers to close out several recent projects, approved a permanent transfer from the Local Option Sales Tax fund to the Debt Service fund, and a 6 month cleaning services contact for the public safety building with Emilia Zelaya in the amount of $900.