New Linn police chief hopes to fill vacancies

By Theresa Brandt, Staff Writer
Posted 3/1/23

LINN — New Linn Police Chief Sam Ford was sworn in last Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, reporting he had already hired a new officer and that one of his first goals is to get the …

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New Linn police chief hopes to fill vacancies

Posted

LINN — New Linn Police Chief Sam Ford was sworn in last Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, reporting he had already hired a new officer and that one of his first goals is to get the department fully staffed.

“I am working feverishly to get us up to full staff,” Ford said. “I am actively seeking out people who are at academies now and possibly going to academies in the future.”

Ford explained that most academies take three to four months to complete, so if he can talk to a couple of good prospects now, the city might be able to draw from that pool of applicants if they still need employees in the summer.

Mayor Dwight Massey asked aldermen to consider sponsoring local applicants that might be considering attending the police academy.

“The academy can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $4,500, and we have a written agreement with that person that they will work for the city for an amount of time, maybe two to three years, or they have to reimburse the city that expense,” Ford said. “That’s the norm. It’s a really good way to reach out to people and show them that we are willing to invest in their future.”

Ford noted that looking at people currently employed in service-oriented jobs like jailers, corrections officers, or EMTs is a good place to find people who might be interested in a law enforcement career.

Several aldermen voiced support for the idea.

Ford added that it was important for all the police in the department to realize that Linn is a lot different than bigger cities in the area like Jefferson City or Columbia.

“This is everyone’s hometown,” Ford explained. “Even the tactical vests we wear can put people off when we look like we are here to kick someone’s door in. We have a responsibility to put people at ease and show them we wear (the tactical vest) just for our protection and identification.”

Ford said he encourages all his officers to take extra steps to develop a rapport with the public.

“I’m very conscious of being approachable to the public,” Ford continued. “I want people to be able to come to us. I want people to realize we are just people too. We like football. We like kids. We like dogs. I want to give Linn the police department it deserves.”

Ford is looking for a four-wheel drive truck to add to the vehicles the department already owns.

“It will give us an advantage of having a four-wheel drive vehicle if we have a six- or eight-inch snow,” Ford explained. “Everyone can park their V-8, rear-wheel drive Chargers and jump into a truck and try to keep things out of the ditch.”

Ford said that a truck gives them the added versatility to haul things.

“I was thinking outside the box and looking at a commercial enforcement truck or a water patrol vehicle that has not been used in pursuits,” Ford said.

He explained that these trucks typically have 80,000 miles and cost around $30,000 compared to $55,000 for a new vehicle.

“We don’t do a lot of pursuits,” Ford said. “We don’t need these hot-rod vehicles. I think we still need more of a utilitarian vehicle to spread out the options of the things we need to do.”

Mayor Massey said that he hopes that Ford will add stability to the department.

In other business, the Jaegers Wastewater Regionalization Project is finally ready for construction to begin on April 3. Aldermen approved Ordinance #2023-002 authorizing Mayor Massey to sign the agreement between the contractor, Brulez Trenching, and the city. Ordinance #2023-003 allows the mayor to enter into the construction project change order for the wastewater project.

Brulez Trenching initially bid the project at $309,307, but with delays for construction, added a change order of $47,000, making the project total $357,051.25.

Bartlett & West Project Engineer Hope Drennan explained that the change order was discussed with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and that the Regionalization Grant will cover all these charges. The project is slated to be completed by Sept. 30.

In other news from Bartlett & West, a meeting for property owners of the Lee Mar Hills subdivision was held on Feb. 22 and 23 to discuss the possibility of a DNR Regionalization Grant application. DNR has agreed to let the city apply for the regionalization grant if all the Lee Mar Hills Subdivision property owners sign the application, which is due March 1. 

The city would be tying into residents’ existing lines. Property owners are already utilizing city water.

• Homeowner Logan Vogel addressed the aldermen and asked them what plans the city has to help homeowners with ongoing sewer line issues. Vogel lives at 201 S. Highway U, across from Linn MFA, and has had problems with backflow coming into his basement.

Massey outlined that the city recommends homeowners put in a backflow valve.

“I understand that is an option for me, but it’s not going to entirely fix the problem because I found out it’s just going to push my problem to someone else,” Vogel said.

Massey said the city has been cleaning lines frequently and that tree roots are often causing the problem. He explained that he did not have immediate information about Vogel’s property.

“Is that from the development of the city as to why this is occurring more?” Vogel asked.

“No,” Massey answered. “The roots are there because they find water. They find nutrients, they follow, and it is almost impossible to keep them out. Right now, we are not seeing a lot of blockages in the mains.”

Utilities Superintendent Larry Fredrich explained that the incidents happened during rains when there was a high volume of water.

“There was some root damage and root problems in that line,” Fredrich added.

“It’s definitely your sewage and wastewater that’s backing up into his home,” said Jim Lee, a friend of Vogel’s trying to help.

Fredrich noted that one of the times that the wastewater had backed up into Vogel’s basement was because his line was blocked, not the city’s main line.

“It’s not now because he’s had (the lines) snaked,” Lee said. “What is your solution to keep your wastewater and your sewage from backing up into his house?”

Massey repeated that the city recommends that in low-lying areas, property owners put in a backflow prevention device.

Lee questioned where the wastewater from Vogel’s sewer pipes would go while the backflow device was preventing wastewater from the sewer from backing up into his lines.

“When (the backflow device) is closed, where does (Vogel’s) sewage go?” Lee asked.

Massey repeated that he did not have the specifics for Vogel’s property or his sewer lines.

“His line runs into your lines,” Lee explained. “If you put a backflow device in and it is closed from back pressure from your line, where does his sewage go? It has nowhere to go?”

“Again, I haven’t looked at the line,” Massey repeated.

“I am sharing information because I’ve researched it,” Lee said. “There’s nowhere for it to go. It’s common sense. His line runs directly into yours when the backflow device is closed from the pressure from your line backing up; where does his sewage go? Then his sewage backs up into his house. A backflow device by itself is not a solution.”

“Typically, when (a backflow device) is used, if there is a backup, it is a temporary issue, and it is a problem for a few hours, and then it goes away, and that would prevent it from backing up, depending on the line,” Massey explained. “And again, that is information I don’t have in front of me.”

“Typically, this is an issue during wet times,” Lee said.

Massey and Fredrich readily agreed.

“Does your stormwater run into the sewer line?” Lee asked.

“It’s not supposed to, but there are some open tops that probably do somewhere,” Massey said. “We’ve tracked down as many as we’ve been able to find over the years. I’m sure there are also inflow and infiltrations, but every system fights that same fight.”

Lee explained that he had contacted the Callaway County Sewer and Water District director, who does not believe that the backflow devices work. He explained that the solution Fredrich had given them was to put a cleanout ahead of the backflow device.

“That way (Vogel) knows when it is starting to back up, and he can notify us,” Fredrich said.

“So, a (sewer backup) will blow the cap off (of the cleanout), and sewage runs out onto the ground,” Lee said.

“That gives him time to notify us he has a problem,” Fredrich said. “We don’t always know where there is a problem.”

“I’m pretty sure that DNR is going to have a problem with sewage running onto the ground,” Lee said. “We need to come up with a viable solution to keep your wastewater out of Logan’s basement. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you required to manage your sewer and wastewater?”

“We do,” Massey answered.

“If it runs back into his home, that’s not managing it very well,” Lee said. “I’m not criticizing. I know everybody deals with these same issues all the time. But we are looking for a solution for Logan.”

“If I were there, I might be able to look at the lines or the drawings,” Massey said. “I don’t have any of that in front of me.”

Massey offered to meet with Vogel and Fredrich at the property and try to find a solution.

“What do you think a solution would be?” Lee asked again.

“I’ve stated about four times, and I’m about done stating it; I don’t have the information in front of me,” Mayor Massey said.

“His line runs into your line,” Lee repeated.

“Sir, I’m done,” Massey said.

Massey, Fredrich, Vogel, and Lee plan to meet at the property soon and discuss solutions.

Remaining business will be presented next week.