WAPELLO, Iowa — Animal complaints in Wapello soon will be investigated again by an animal-control officer instead of a city police officer.

The Wapello City Council agreed during its regular meeting Thursday to hire Tom Young, Oakville, as the City’s animal-control officer. The position had been vacant since November 2007 when Frank Salladay died.

Following Salladay’s death, the City used its police officers to respond to animal complaints, but critics said those efforts diverted the police from other needed duties.

Before approving a motion to hire the new officer, Council member Shawn Maine wanted to clarify when Young would be on duty. Since he would be traveling from Oakville, Maine asked when Young would be considered on the clock.

“It hasn’t been discussed to any extent,” Council member Larry Wagg said, adding it was his opinion that Young would be considered on the job once he reached the Wapello city limits.

“We’ll review that (with Young),” Wagg said.

Under the proposed contract with Young, he will be paid $15 per hour, while attempting to remain under the $2,000 budget for his position. He will not be considered an employee of the City, although the City will provide liability insurance in the performance of his duties identified in the contract.

Officials said Young would begin his duties as soon as the contract was signed.

Personnel issues also came up when a Wapello couple questioned the Council over hiring practices for lifeguards at the city swimming pool. Gavin and Julie Hjerleid said their two daughters, both certified lifeguards, had been told they were not hired after they applied for the positions. However, Gavin Hjerleid, the guidance counselor at Wapello High School, later heard a school announcement seeking lifeguards at the pool and offering to provide training.

“We feel our two daughters were not given the opportunity to prove themselves,” Julie Hjerleid said.

Council members said they have not been involved in hiring lifeguards, leaving that duty to the pool manager and pool committee, but acknowledged hiring practices might need to be examined. The Hjerleids later met with Mayor Ron Durbin to discuss the issue.

In other action, the Council:

- Agreed to hire Hart-Frederick Consultants of Tiffin as its engineering firm for a possible sewer-improvement project next year. The City is putting together a Community Development Block Grant application to help fund the improvements. As part of the application, the City asked four local engineering firms to provide statements of qualifications that were then used to select an engineering firm for the work.

- Heard from Durbin concerning a grant application submitted several months ago for a proposed fishing pier at the Fred T. Schwob River Access. Durbin said the City had failed to make the cut-off for funding.

- Presented a certificate of appreciation to Kathy Vance, sponsor of the local Master Gardeners group, for that group’s contribution to various beautification projects around the community.

- Learned a drug arrest earlier this year might mean a small windfall for the City’s police department. Wapello Police Chief Wayne Crump said the arrest recovered around $16,000 in money associated with drugs and the city might receive 5 percent of the money for its participation in the arrest.

During the chase that ended in the arrest, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Department activated a Code Red Alert for the area and the Wapello School District locked down its buildings.

Correspondent  contact information

Jim Rudisill: 319-523-2213

jimrudisill@yahoo.com