Les Jimerson sworn in by mayor

Odessa's new police officer Leslie (Les) Jimerson was administered the oath of office by Mayor Bill Crossley Monday evening. He joins Police Chief Brent Dell, as both men are getting acquainted with Odessa and its citizens. The two officers also have been taking quite a ribbing due to the fact that they share the same hairstyle, are the same age and have the same basic build. Folks may be doing a double take when they see the two together.

Since making their way here from Colorado, with the weather making travel difficult, Jimerson and his wife have been trying to work out whether to rent or buy or build a home. They are still working things out. Jimerson began his working life in the military, which was followed by a stint as the police officer for a college of more students than Odessa has residents. After moving to Colorado to care for his elderly father, he worked for two years in a corrections facility, then served for a year and half as a deputy based in Colorado Springs.

Having already attended police academy training and with experience under his belt, he was quickly recruited by Chief Dell and Mayor Crossley for the open position in Odessa. Since arriving, he has been patrolling side by side with the chief and getting familiar with the town's streets as well as its businesses and residents.

Business owner Nate Lathrop requested the closure of Division Street on either side of First Avenue during the car show that will be held during Spring Fling in April.

Lathrop also introduced Pastor Michael Sgobba and his wife Margie Sgobba to the council (an article on the jail and prison ministry of the Sgobbas appeared in the January 10, 2019 issue of The Odessa Record). Sgobba told the council about plans that he and Lathrop have for a Christian rock concert to be held in downtown Odessa on July 27, 2019.

Fire Dept. report

Fire Chief Don Strebeck reported that the Firemen's Auction grossed $134,000, of which the Odessa Fire Department received a commission of $17,000. The bulk of the proceeds go to those who are selling the items. The fire department has about $5,000 in expenses that will come out of its share to pay for advertising and other miscellaneous costs.

Police Dept. report

Chief Dell listed some of the calls and cases handled by his department, in addition to having Officer Jimerson obtain his weapons qualifications on the shooting range.

Dell said he had applied for a USDA grant which would pay 55 percent of the cost of a replacement patrol car. He had also begun researching available vehicles, both new and used. A new vehicle could cost as much as $28,000 (not yet outfitted with police gear, which would cost extra). He also requested and received from the council approval for use of the cumulative reserve fund to pay for the portion of the vehicle cost not covered by the USDA grant.

Public Works

In the absence of Rod Webster, town clerk/treasurer Denise Snead read his report to the council, which included that burning had taken place at the town dump and that Webster had met with Chief Dell to discuss the town's policies on snow plowing.

Nuisance Ordinance

Council member Marlene Kramer announced that she has volunteered to cruise about the town to identify nuisance properties that may be in violation of the new nuisance ordinance (#696) passed by the council last fall. The ordinance defines the various types of nuisances in great detail and can be viewed or downloaded from the town's website at http://www.odessawa.com or a copy can be obtained or viewed by visiting the clerk's office.

The ordinance also defines a "Code Enforcement Team consisting of the mayor, one council member, the Odessa Police Department and one designee by the mayor." According to town clerk Denise Snead, however, this team has not yet been formed.

A call from Mayor Crossley confirmed that although the enforcement team is not yet in place, the mayor was looking for a way to inform people of the upcoming "Clean-up Days" (April 11 and 12) during which junk, leftover building materials, appliances, furniture, etc. can be disposed of at no cost to town residents (except for items containing refrigerants, such as freezers, A/C units, etc., which require a disposal fee).

Therefore, letters were sent out informing several property owners of the upcoming Clean-up Days and giving them an opportunity to avoid being in violation of Ordinance #696 when enforcement efforts begin later this spring.