Staff writer
Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke presented council members with bids for a 2015 Ford Taurus and a 2015 Dodge Charger, each with a police package.
The bids were both from Midway Motors in Hillsboro. The quote for the Ford Taurus was $24,466 and the quote for the Dodge Charger was $26,295.
Mayor Larry Larsen noted there would be a 90-to 120-day wait on delivery so the city would not take possession of the car until after Jan. 1, 2015. That delay places the first of two annual payments in January of 2016.
After discussion the council approved the purchase of the 2015 Dodge Charger for $26,295 on a four to one vote with Janice Woodruff opposed.
In other business:
- Interim Public Works Director Ronnie Harms gave a report of department activities for the month. He also presented the council with a list of several sewer and water problems that will need to be addressed in the near future, and asked the council to consider budgeting money to pay for the upgrades. The council took no action.
- Council members tabled a request from Aaron Waddell to break the curb and create a concrete apron to a driveway at 706 N. Olive. Waddell will be doing the work himself and will bring plans in for the council to review before voting on the project.
- Randy Dallke spoke to council members about a logjam that had developed under the bridge on S. Olive St. He said the heavy rains on Labor Day had exacerbated the situation and it needed attention. Mayor Larsen said the city employees would look at the situation.
- New part-time Peabody police officer Bronson Shipman was introduced to council members.
- Council members formally nominated and elected Steve Rose as council president as determined by ordinance. The position should have been filled at the first meeting in May, but was overlooked.
- A preliminary offer of a house at 213 E. Division by Shannon Shea, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker, was discussed. The house has gone through foreclosure and is being offered to the city at no charge with Coldwell Banker paying all closing costs and with title insurance policy and taxes prorated to the time of closing. The city would be free to sell the house and keep the proceeds. After discussion, council members indicated a desire to see the inside before making a decision. They tabled any action until the Nov. 10 meeting.
- Police Chief Bruce Burke told the council he had contacted Blue Valley Sirens to request repairs to the storm warning sirens at the fire station when they were in the area servicing storm sirens for other communities. Burke had received word they would be in area soon and scheduled work on the Peabody siren on Nov. 11. Siren testing also will be done that day.