Resignations of two of the city’s four full-time police officers and consideration of bids for a new squad car were two items of considerable discussion at Tuesday’s Belle Plaine City Council meeting.

Officers Chris Shine and Matt Aicher resigned, as both have accepted positions in larger departments. Shine is going to North Liberty and Aicher has been hired by Polk City. Both officers were hired within the last five years. Councilman Garrison Reekers thanked the officers for their service, which prompted some comments from Mayor Jim Daily.

Reekers originally came to this area to be a Belle Plaine Police officer. But he was subsequently hired as a Benton County Sheriff’s deputy. Daily agreed that Shine and Aichers had been good officers, but he said, “It bothers me when they don’t keep their promises.” The officers sign agreements that if they are hired and then sent to the law enforcement academy at the city’s expense, they must work for the city for a specified time or reimburse the city for a portion of their training expenses.

The police department is actively seeking replacements for the officers. Chief Kris Hudson indicated that one of the positions has been filled and he is reviewing applications for the other position. In the meantime, reserve officers are being used to fill out the schedule.

The council considered bids from two local car dealers and a dealer from Ankeny for a new patrol car. Grieder Motors of Belle Plaine and Karl Chevrolet of Ankeny offered bids on Chevy Impalas. The Grieder bid was for a 2011 model, while the Karl bid was for a 2010 model, both new cars. Karl also included quotes for a Chevy Tahoe and a Silverado.

The apparent low bid came from Johnson Motors of Belle Plaine for a 2010 Dodge Charger with police package. That bid was $21,533. City officials will confirm some details of the bid before final acceptance.

In other action, the council approved the appointment of James Kurovsky to fill the remaining term for third ward councilman. Kurovski was the lone applicant for the position, which was vacated by Jason Parizek. He had defeated Kurovsky for the position by a narrow margin. Councilman Marv DeRycke echoed the sentiment of several councilmen when he told Kurovsky that he had done a good job when he previously served on the council and he was glad to see him return. Daily then administered the oath of office and Kurovsky joined the council.

The council approved an allocation of $10,000 in matching funds for a proposed purchase of some farm land to be used for a nature preserve and park. The Belle Plaine Partners for Beautification is seeking a grant from the state Resource Enhancement and Protection program. The acreage on the south side of the city, now owned by the Jim Pech family, is priced at $51,000. The council approved the city contribution if the group receives the REAP grant.

A request from Mr. and Mrs. Rich Tomkins for more time to find a home for a foster dog was denied by the council. The couple has two dogs of their own and are taking care of another German Shepherd for family members on vacation. They asked to be allowed to house a fourth dog until a suitable home could be found. But councilmen told them that a previous request by another couple had been denied, since the number of dogs would exceed the limit set in city code. Councilmen said they were sympathetic to the plight of the Tomkins couple and commended them for wanting to help place animals. But they said they would be unable to grant an extension and the couple has 48 hours to reduce the number of dogs at their residence.

In his report to the council, City Administrator Bill Daily said that the Ninth Avenue storm sewer project is nearing completion. He also reported that no word has yet been received on the city’s request for I-Jobs funding for the downtown revitalization project. But he said if the city receives the grant, it will have to be used this year. He also reported that an architect will visit the city to assess the amount of work needed to remove canopies that are supported on the city right-of-way and to patch up the facades of the buildings.

Daily said for over a year, downtown property owners have known that the canopies would eventually becoming down and those who opted not to participate in the city’s repair program will have to repair the fronts of their buildings at their own expense.