(Spirit Lake)– Tension ran high today (Fri.) at a special noon meeting of the Spirit Lake City Council.
Purchase of an additional vehicle for the police department and the 28th Street extension were on the agenda.
With members Pat McNorton and Duane Yager absent, the council voted two to one to purchase a used vehicle for the police department for 14-thousand dollars.
Council member Barb Ricke questioned the need for every officer to have his own vehicle. Chief Jon Martyr said it was part of the department’s policy before he came on. Ricke also questioned the practice of allowing officers to keep a squad car at home while off duty. Martyr said that also has been part of policy.
The council also today approved a changeorder to put in sidewalks on both sides of the 28th street extension. It’s going to cost an additional 16,590-dollars.
Residents Sherry and Wally Jorgenson expressed frustration over a lack of temporary accesses. Public Works Director Todd Dolphin said temporary gravel accesses have since been installed.
The Jorgenson’s also said they spent 800-dollars to put in a new asphalt apron to their driveway, which is now being removed and replaced as part of the project. They said they could have avoided the expense if the city had communicated better with them. Dolphin said it’s been difficult because atleast three different sub-contractors are working on the project, which is scheduled for completion in late October.
