The Washington Police Department will be adding a position to its command structure.
The Washington City Council on Monday approved a recommendation from Police Chief Jeff Stevens to add a second deputy police chief to his department's roster.
Stevens pointed to an increasing work load for the deputy police chief, and the need for more executive leadership for the department to meet rising expectations among his reasons for the recommendation.
He also said police work and training are getting more complex.
Stevens, who was appointed to his position in June, served as deputy police chief under former Washington Police Chief Mike McCoy until McCoy's retirement last year.
If he decides to do so, Stevens is authorized to name a deputy police chief of administration, technology, innovation and strategic initiatives, and a deputy police chief of operational oversight, field services and professional standards,
New City Administrator Jeff Fiegenschuh said the police department in Rochelle, where he was formerly city manager, operated with two deputy police chiefs and it worked well.
Washington Mayor Lilija Stevens, who is not related to Jeff Stevens, promoted him to the top position with the consent of the council.
Event spaces near Tangled Roots
Here are highlights of department heads' reports to the council:
• A prospective local buyer has signed a letter of interest to purchase buildings at 120 and 126 Walnut Street, with plans to continue renovation work on them and turn them into event spaces. A closing is tentatively scheduled for mid-April. The buildings formerly were owned by the developer of the Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen.
• A tax increment financing [TIF] agreement with Cliff Vieira, owner of the former Brunk's Sports Center at 122 N. Main Street, will have three equal payments with the third contingent on a signed lease with a tenant. A building renovation project at the location is expected to cost nearly $400,000.
• Tourism grants of $2,500 each for the Ledgestone Open and PDGA Master Worlds disc golf events were approved by city staff. Five Points Washington will be the headquarters for both tournaments. The Ledgestone Open will be held July 30 through Aug. 2 and the Masters World will be held Sept. 22-26, with competition taking place at disc golf courses throughout the area.
• A total of 44 Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps will be installed on roads southeast of the downtown Washington square after mill and overlay work was done last year as part of a storm sewer project.
• The low bid for the third and final phase of the Catherine Street reconstruction project was $1.5 million, lower than the $1.6 estimate. The low bidder was Stark Excavating of Bloomington, which did the first two phases.
Remote attendance
In other action this week, the council:
• Approved allowing members of city boards and commissions to attend meetings remotely for the same reasons as council members can attend their meetings remotely. The reasons are illness or disability, employment or city business, family or other emergency, unexpected child care obligations and performance of active military duty as a service member.
• Approved the reappointment of Jeff Labuz to the Washington Fire Department board for a three-year term. The city has two representatives on the five-member board of the not-for-profit organization. The other city rep on the board is Cliff Otto.
• Approved paying about $60,000 for the roof at the fire-damaged public works storage building on Jefferson Street to be brought up to code while repairs are being done. The roof work brings the total repair amount to about $380,000, which is being covered by insurance.
'Let's Talk Washington'
The next monthly "Let's Talk Washington" informal discussion session will be from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday at American Legion Post 100 at 211 Legion Road.
Mayor Stevens and Police Chief Stevens will be joined by Fiegenschuh and Alderperson Brandon Moss.