Blue Earth mayor nominates police chief

BLUE EARTH - After nine months, Blue Earth has a name to consider for police chief.

Mayor Rob Hammond announced Tuesday he will recommend Tom Fletcher be appointed by the City Council on Jan. 17. Fletcher has served on the police force for 13 years.

Earlier in the day, City Administrator Kathy Bailey and Sheriff Mike Gormley interviewed the three current Blue Earth police officers, all of whom had applied for the job of chief.

"I think all three interviews went well," Hammond said.

The saga began in early May when Dean Vereide announced he was retiring as chief. The council debated whether to hire a new chief or disband the police force and contract with the Faribault County Sheriff's Office or the city of Winnebago for public safety.

The debate raged for months. Finally, in the fall, the council voted to hire a chief and candidates from outside the department were interviewed. That avenue became a dead-end, however, when the panel that interviewed the candidates recommended none be hired.

In December, Hammond decided to exercise his ability to appoint a chief, as stated in the City Charter. This time, current officers were invited to apply and Hammond decided to recommend Fletcher.

The council still must approve Fletcher as chief. If it does not, things will go back to the drawing board for the city.

In other action Tuesday, the council conducted a public hearing on zoning districts, and how big garages and garage doors can be. It decided to table the discussion until Jan. 17.

Also, City Attorney David Frundt informed the board that the property owner at 428 E. Fifth St. has given permission to clean up the property. The council voted in November to initiate a civil hearing process on the property because of items - tires, a bed frame and sofa - that were in the backyard and visible from the school.

"We'll see if stuff is frozen to the ground," said Frundt, who promised the site would be cleaned up by spring.

In other business, the council approved:

o Raising about 20 fees from $30 to $50. These include fines for animals; nuisances affecting health and public safety; burning, noise and junk.

o Redeeming the liquor store bond in February, instead of next January. This will result in a savings of $103,000 in interest.

o The AFSCME union contract. It is for two years and includes a 2 percent salary increase.

o The police union contract. The contract is for three years with a 2 percent increase in salary each year.

o The technology policy. In an effort to go paperless, the city will buy electronic units, either laptops or iPads for council members, and software to view all agendas and other documents that council members need for meetings. Cost will be $6,000, or "less than what we spend in a year on paper," Bailey said.

Source: http://www.fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/519996.html

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