The December meeting of the Cardwell City Council meeting began as usual with audience participation centering around resident requests but quickly became more interrogative towards the police department. Board members inquired as to the reason why patrols were happening so frequently outside of Cardwell city limits, as well as issues with comp time.
Officers explained that many of these incidents were assists to neighboring communities. The Board countered that they would need better documentation of these incidents. Officer Richard Lyell offered to allow the board to examine the police daily log reports to aid with this issue.
“We have the County Sheriff’s office calling, stating they can’t get you to respond, but you’re responding to Arbyrd and their call, but you can’t respond to our calls. That’s the general situation, that’s what we’re concerned with right now,” stated Mayor Jesse Taylor.
Officers explained that part of the problem stems from poor reception on cell phones and radios.
“We’re not the Arbyrd Auxiliary Police Department,” Taylor said.
The report then continued with the routine reading of police activity for the month which included three domestic calls, two burglary calls, three peace disturbance, one vandalism, one alarm call, one assault call, as well as fifteen speeding tickets, one no insurance, one resisting, and one disorderly conduct among others. It was also reported that the police car is in need of repairs, possibly a water pump.
There were no fires and the Christmas parade is scheduled and ready for tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The proposed city budget was reviewed and upcoming potential projects discussed including a roof for the City Hall as well as painting and needed repairs to the building. The mayor made a motion to have the roof completed immediately and for painting to begin in the spring. That motion was approved.
Motions carried also to approve reports, requisitions, and bills to be paid.
The next meeting of the Cardwell City Council is Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.