February 27, 2011

The Monroe City Council held a special meeting on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at the Monroe City Hall at 9:30 a.m.   This meeting was requested by Mayor Duinink on the evening of Friday, February 25, 2011 regarding emergency measures concerning public safety and repairs to the 2005 Crown Victoria police vehicle. This matter required a quick response and immediate action prior to the regular scheduled meeting on March 14, 2011.  A public notice was posted 24 hours prior to the meeting at the Monroe City Hall as required by law.  The mayor, council and employees agreed that 9:30 a.m. was a reasonable time for the meeting prior to Sunday service.   The agenda also included the possibility of a closed session meeting under Iowa  Code Section 21.5(h) which states: to avoid disclosure of specific law enforcement matters, such as allowable tolerances or criteria for the selection, prosecution or settlement of cases, which if disclosed would facilitate disregard of requirements imposed by law and  Iowa Code Section 21.5(i)  which states: to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performances or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual request a closed session.  

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.  Those in attendance were: James Breckenridge, Brian Briles, David Pendroy, Kathy Van Veen, John Vriezelaar, Matt Jones, Kim Thomas, and Sandy Breckenridge.  Kim Thomas, City Clerk received insurance figures from Iowa Communities Assurance Pool.  The adjuster from Iowa Communities Assurance Pool declared the 2005 Crown Victoria as a totaled vehicle.  The insurance company is willing to pay the City of Monroe $8,900.00, which is the cash value of the vehicle or $8,345.00 which is the high salvage amount if the City should want to repair the vehicle.  If the City would fix the car it would have a salvaged title and would have to be inspected by the Iowa Department of Transportation before the City would be able to get full coverage insurance on the vehicle.  Mayor and Council voiced their concerns about the replacement and repairs of vehicles within the Monroe Police Department over the last few years.   Council discussed one consideration would be to just go back to one police vehicle.  Council also discussed repairing the vehicle and keeping it for another year.  Chief Jones considered the same option. Council Member Pendroy moved and was seconded by Council Member Vriezelaar to have CD Body fix the 2005 Crown Victoria and accept the insurance payment of $8,345.00 pending report from CD Body and postpone talk concerning a new police vehicle until July 2012.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.

At 9:55 a.m. a request for closed session was made by Chief Matt Jones.  Council Member Van Veen moved and was seconded by Council member Briles to enter into closed session at 9:56 a.m. under Iowa  Code  Section 21.5(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performances or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual request a closed session.   Upon roll call vote, ayes – Van Veen, Briles, Breckenridge, Pendroy, nays – Vriezelaar.  Motion Carried.

Pendroy moved and was seconded by Van Veen to exit out of closed session at 10:45 a.m.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 

Pendroy moved and was seconded by Vriezelaar to adjourn at 10:47 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.  A full copy of public minutes may be seen at City Hall or www.monroeiowa50170.com.