The impending retirement of City of California Chief of Police Fred Kirchoff was discussed briefly in closed session at the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Aldermen on Monday, June 4. The council is vetting the 17 applications received for the position. Kirchoff's retirement is effective July 19.
In other business, it was announced that the city has signed an agreement with Co-Mo Com for expansion of the fiber system, which could eventually carry telephone, internet and television service to the community. The company has hired Sellenriek Construction to remove from the city utility pole any unwanted hardware in pplace from the previous cable provider. After this is completed, the fiber optic lines will be put in place. Co-Mo Com expects to begin connecting some customers by fall. The Socket agreement is still pending.
The on-going project to install a sidewalk from Business 50 south to Lake Street is proceeding, with considerable progress being made recently. Highway 87 south was closed for necessary work as the council heard the reports. The company requested an additional extension of the completion date to be set for June 11, since the date set was not going to be met.
Before the council took up the matter, Mayor Norris Gerhart suggested a longer time frame be given. Weather this year has prevented the workmen from being able to work several days at a time. In addition, there have been delays due to problems involving utility placement.
After discussion, the council approved allowing the completion date to be be extended at the mayor's discretion, up to June 28. Any additional extensions would have to be brought back before the council for approval
Most of the actual sidewalks have been poured. Work yet to be done includes pouring several of the street intersections, laying of asphalt, construction around the Business 50 - Highway 87 intersection and the sidewalk to connect the new sidewalk with the Proctor Park hiking trail.