Lansing City Council swears in new council member, addresses police coverage following department resignations, and hires new city clerk

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Immediately prior to the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday, July 15, Stan Schwartzhoff was sworn in as a new council member. Schwartzhoff is filling the seat left open after the resignation of Lisa Welsh in June.

POLICE
The council approved the resignations of Officer/Interim Chief of Police Darby Stone and Officer Troy Riehm, effective July 26. These resignations, following the resignation of former Lansing Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl (which was effective June 26) effectively leave the City of Lansing with no local police coverage, including for Fish Days weekend, August 9-11 - a weekend for which the Lansing Lions Club and Fish Days Committee have requested additional police protection, as in previous years.

In an interview with Crystal Flintrop for WXOW/TV News Channel 19, La Crosse, WI, (“Lansing Police force resigns, city plans moving forward,” July 19, 2024), Lansing Mayor Mike Verdon said, “Our law enforcement needs are being covered by the county sheriff’s staff. This will apply to coverage for both Lansing and New Albin” (www.wxow.com).

“The Sheriff’s Department is planning to have two of their deputies, along with two certified law enforcement officers (for Fish Days),” Mayor Verdon told the council during the July 15 regular meeting. “And they’re hoping to have three reserve officers. They’re hoping to have a total staff of seven,” he said. “(Sheriff Clark Mellick) is well aware that (Fish Days) is a high priority weekend for us.” Mayor Verdon further noted that “We’re supposed to see if we can recruit any reserve officers.”

NEW CITY CLERK
The council approved the hiring of Teresa Severson as city clerk and approved Resolution No. 1014 - Setting the Annual Salary for the City Clerk of the City of Lansing - effective July 16, 2024: $27.21/hour (salary at $56,600). January 1, 2025, that salary will go to $58,656.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, July 24, 2024 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.