Lansing City Council approves union contract amendment, approves hiring Dusty Harrington as part-time police officer

by Joshua Sharpe

At its Monday, October 7 regular meeting, the Lansing City Council approved an amendment to the union contract, which is set to take effect November 1 of this year, and heard from Chief of Police Ross Kolsrud regarding a new hire and equipment upgrades. The meeting also tackled multiple citizen concerns, ranging from the need for a streetlight repair and a parking issue to safety risks posed by an overhanging tree.

COUNCIL BUSINESS AND RESOLUTIONS
The council adopted Resolution 1026, the second amendment to the city employee union contract. The Resolution increases the wage for a Street Department employee from $23.50/hour to $25/hour; for non-certified police officers, the wage increase is from $18.55/hour to $22.26/hour; and for certified officers, the wage will increase from $21.70/hour to $24.04/hour. These increases go into effect November 1, 2024, with a flat, three-percent increase starting July 1, 2025.

POLICE REPORT
During his report to the council, Lansing Chief of Police Ross Kolsrud provided a personnel update, saying he would be interviewing four or five people “in the next week or two.”
The council approved hiring Dusty Harrington as a part-time (certified) police officer. Chief Kolsrud said Harrington had reached out to him, saying he’d be willing to work some part-time hours for the department. Chief Kolsrud said Harrington “has the blessing of his full-time employer (which is the Waukon Police Department),” adding that “(Harrington) has comp time he has to use up.”

Chief Kolsrud also addressed the council as regards the difficulty of filling positions in police departments - largely, he noted, because of pay concerns. “In northeast Iowa, 11 departments are looking to fill 14 positions,” he said. “It’s unheard of; but no one wants to do the job. Cities like you are finding out that if you want someone on the job, you have to pay them.”

Kolsrud told the council that the department has made upgrades to technology and equipment. He reported an upgrade to Microsoft 365 for enhanced file sharing and security, and the installation of new antivirus software. He also reported the need for cell phone upgrades, and said he wants to set up three separate email accounts for the department, each with its own address. And, he said, “We have to outfit two officers with gear; I’m not buying the cheap stuff.” He said he will speak with former Lansing Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl about whether there is grant money available to put toward purchasing the gear.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council member Ben Ghelf told the council that the old garage doors on the fire station are showing wear on the seals. “We should look at doing maintenance,” he said, adding that he would investigate the matter further.

Council member Corey Richards reported that a Cottonwood tree is leaning over a boathouse on South Front Street. “It does appear to be dead; it looks like it’s probably the City’s tree.” Years ago, he added, “one fell over and the City had to pay damages.” Richards suggested acting on the situation “when ice is in. Boats will be gone,” he said.

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