NL seeks new public works director

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? The City of New London has an opening they hope to fill quickly.

Last month, Public Works Director Denny Bozarth gave his resignation, which was not accepted. Instead, Bozarth, who did not give a reason for leaving, was terminated effective immediately with a 3-2 vote.

Following a debate regarding hiring an individual to supervise the public works department as well as the testing at the wastewater plant or dividing up the responsibilities, the council agreed, to advertise for a public works supervisor who has a wastewater operator certification.

In the mean time, the city will have to contract out the water testing. City Clerk Kasi Howard said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stated public works employee Mike Phillips Jr., can continue with daily testing of the facility, but the city would need someone to oversee and sign off on his results and test the treatment plant once a week. Councilmen Kirk Miller and Dan Berner both said they knew of someone who would be interested in the position. The city has 45 days to get someone in place.

The council agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, June 16, at 5 p.m., in City Hall, to further discuss the two applicants and hire one.

In regards to the public works director, Miller said he knew Phillips was interested in the job, and since Bozarth?s departure, he has taken up a bulk of the supervisor?s duties. Due to the increased workload, Miller asked the council if they would be willing to, temporarily, up Phillips? pay. ?I think we should compensate him for what he?s doing now that Denny?s gone,? he said.

The council agreed to bump Phillips? hourly rate from $17.75 to $20 an hour while he is performing additional duties.

During the meeting, the council also adopted employee annual and hourly wages for the fiscal year 2016-17. Howard said hourly employees would see a $0.25 an hour raise, while salary employees will see an additional $520 a year.

At the end of the meeting, Trey Chiri, a New London teen, asked the council if they would consider building a skate park in the city. ?I want to speak for all the skateboarders in town, because there?s a lot of skaters and a lot of little kids hopping on the board, which is really cool so I?d like to propose the idea of a skate park,? said Chiri. ?We are always in the street and in the way of traffic and it?s really hard to find a place to skate and not bother anyone at the same time.?

Chiri noted there have been several groups and teams of skaters formed who have gone on to competitions in Des Moines and Chicago. ?It?s cool to see groups outside of school, that aren?t involved with school (hangout),? he said.

Berner said he really appreciated Chiri coming before the council, as he knows that?s not an easy thing, and he would be more than happy to work with the council to come up with some space for the city?s skaters.

In other business, the council:

? Approved paying Country Unlimited $500 to perform in the City Park on July 2.

? Approved sale of 315 North Maple St., to Jerry Crouch for $5,000, in two installments.

? Adopted body camera policy for New London Police Department.

? Approved L.L. Pelling to complete seal coat work on South McKinley, South Walnut, North Division, Oak, South Ash, East Adams, North Poplar, South Chestnut and South Cedar streets for $39,209.75.

? Authorized Wesley Barton to replace the intakes on West Washington Street for $11,285.

? Allow SEIbus to park on the City lot on West Adams Street, south of the childcare center from June until September.

? Authorized the city attorney to proceed with procedures to condemn 111 West Main St.

The next regular meeting of the New London City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 5:30 p.m., in City Hall.