Multiple were in attendance at the Toledo City Council meeting on May 22nd. One of the big issues discussed was the possibility of a South Tama Community School Resource Officer. Tama Police Chief Bina was in attendance as well as South Tama Community School Superintendent John Cain, both answered the council’s questions and told what exactly the position would entail.

Mainly the issue of financing the position was discussed; it was told that between grants and other sources, around 80% of the position’s expenses will be covered. Mansfield funding will provide $50,000 over 5 years, and state operational funding as well will provide $15-$16,000. The officer will be primarily at the STC High School while also periodically checking in on the other three STC school buildings during the regular eight-hour school day. The officer will respond to all school related calls and attend after school student activities. The council decided to keep moving forward and exploring options.

Second up on the roster was Pealpalooza. An event put on by the Toledo Public Library scheduled for June 24 will be for kids to learn bike safety and have a heck of a good time. There will be a ‘pimp my bike’ area for bike customizations, and a Police Officer will attend to teach hand signals. The council approved the partial closure of the street in front of the Toledo Public Library for this event.

Salud Sanchez was at the council meeting to discuss security at Toledo Heights Park during the Marshalltown Premier League soccer games. Sanchez had raised money in order to pay for a Toledo Police Officer to be in attendance at the Sunday games, but due to staffing issues, the Toledo Police Department hasn’t been able to meet this requirement.

Salud came up with the idea of hiring a private security company with the raised money to take the pressure off the Toledo Police Department and keep the peace during game times. With the stipulation that the security company and the city would have an agreement on can-do’s and can’t-do’s, Salud was approved for Sanchez to get quotes from different security companies.

Two public hearings were had in the time it took this reporter to blow his nose. The first hearing had three FY23 budget resolutions. Everything was approved, and funds were transferred.

The second public hearing on the vacation of city property 408 W Ross/Prospect Dr. A public hearing and sale for the property was set for June 12th.

A pay request was approved for Dave Schmitt Construction for the Woodlawn project in the amount of $190,348.11.

The council also approved a final payment to D.W. Zinser Comapny Inc for the former Juvenile Home Demo. in the amount of $45,792.02. The city is waiting for the state to reimburse.

It was also approved for Alliant Energy/ProSource to install underground fiber optics cables within Toledo City limits on an approved route. And the request for an easement on City owned property was approved.

Public Works director Kendall Jordan reported that the Toledo Pool is almost ready. Jerico will come in and do dust control in a few areas. The new street sweeper will be ready in early June, Kendall hopes.

Toledo Police Chief Dan Quigley reported that between May 8 and May 21 they received 185 calls and made nine arrests. One arrest was for an adult male charged with multiple counts of indecent exposure. The department received an inquiry over the safety of children in the area, extra patrol is being done, but no active threat is currently found.

The new 2023 Police Tahoe has arrived and has caused Lt. Wunn and the Chief to squabble over who gets to drive. The new Taser model 7’s have arrived, and certification for them will be done in June.

The new body and dash cameras have been ordered. Officer Ryan has started the hardest part of his training, shadowing Chief Quigley. So far only two applications have been received for the current open officer position. The department also wants to thank St. Patrick’s Church for their kind donations.

Chief Quigley also wanted to mention fallen Officer Michael German due to last week being National Police Week. German was the Chief for Prairie City and passed on last January due to Covid-19. Chief Quigley and Chief German had worked together in years past. Chief Michael German’s name has been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.