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Wapello council adopts two-year police‑chief term, approves solicitor permit and awards concrete repair contract
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Wapello City Council approved a two‑year term for the police chief, updated the transient-solicitor permit, awarded a $28,392 concrete repair contract to Columbus Concrete and approved a pilot paint project at Main and Walnut; council tabled further sealcoat and ambulance funding decisions.
WAPELLO, Iowa — The Wapello City Council on May 13 approved several administrative and procurement measures while deferring larger funding decisions on street sealcoating and ambulance operations.
Council members voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance amendment creating a two‑year employment term for the police chief. Councilmember Sparrow moved to add the two‑year term and to waive the second and third readings; Councilmember Mapel seconded and members voted in favor.
The council also approved an updated transient (solicitor) permit that requires more information from applicants after Mayor Todd presented the draft. Councilmember Harris moved to adopt the new permit; Mapel seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
On procurement, the council accepted the lowest qualified concrete repair bid from Columbus Concrete for $28,392, with the city covering the cost of concrete. Councilmember Harris moved to award the contract and Councilmember Tompkins seconded; the motion carried with Councilmember Sparrow casting the lone dissenting vote.
Councilmembers approved a pilot traffic‑calming project at Main and Walnut after Louisa Development Group representative Cori Milan reported the city had received a $700 paint grant for painted bump‑outs and crosswalk relocation intended to slow traffic. Councilmember Tompkins moved to authorize the painting; Mapel seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Several items were tabled for further analysis: the council postponed final decisions on LL Pelling’s sealcoat quotes and on using Roundy Funds to support ambulance non‑emergency transfers. Councilmember Harris moved to table the street sealcoat discussion while staff consults the city engineer for cost estimates on Gamble and Maple; the motion passed. Ambulance leadership presented startup figures for non‑emergency hospital transfer runs; Councilmember Prior initially moved to use Roundy Funds to cover startup expenses, but Councilmember Sparrow successfully moved to table that request and asked ambulance representatives to consult the bank and return with more detailed figures.
A separate request to purchase graduation signs for local seniors failed after Councilmember Tompkins’s motion lacked a second.
The meeting also included routine business: the consent agenda (which included approval of tobacco licenses for Casey’s and Economart Foods) passed on a Harris motion, and Mayor Todd reported that City Attorney Sasha Finke is reviewing several city policies. The council adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
