Council can’t agree on future of unfilled public works director position; Tater receives reprieve

RED OAK —Two failed votes and one rejected job offer has left Red Oak with no Public Works Director.

The Red Oak City Council failed to reach an agreement regarding when they should proceed with hiring a Public Works Director at its June 7 meeting.

After discussing the position for several months, the Council had agreed on a job description, and offered the position to Mike Lewis with a salary of $50,000.

However, days before he was supposed to start the job, Lewis informed City Administrator Brad Wright he had changed his mind and would not be accepting the position.

“We did not get very many applicants … as I originally hoped and anticipated,” Wright said. “What I’m requesting at this point is we put this on hold as far as hiring a public works director.”

Councilman Larry Brandstetter adamantly opposed waiting the one-year Wright recommended before considering whether or not the City should re-advertise the position.

Brandstetter contended the Council decided the position was needed, and that rationale hasn’t changed.

“We gave an awful lot of thought if we wanted a public works director position, and we came to the decision it was in the best interest of the city to have a public works director for a variety of reasons” Brandstetter said. “Now we are at a situation where the individual which we wanted to hire isn’t going to be available to us … does than negate all the rational for the position that went in to the discussion? All of the reasons why we wanted to hire a public works director and fill that position, didn’t evaporate.”

Councilman Roger Waggener agreed.

“I don’t think we can wait two months even,” Waggener said. “I think that’s a step backwards. I think the ideas we had were good ideas and I think we could save the city a lot of money by utilizing the help we have a lot better.”

Councilman Ivan Craig said if they did re-advertise the position, it would need a different job description.

“I did not see how the individual we were going to bring on board was going to be able to be successful with the expectations,” he said.

Councilman Tom Pratt however agreed with Wright’s recommendation. 

“Based on public input I have heard in the last couple months, that’s a good decision.” Pratt said.

After extensive discussion, Councilman Mark Gregg moved the City wait six months before re-discussing the position. The motion failed 3-2, with Brandstetter, Craig and Waggener voting no.

Craig followed with a motion to wait three months before discussing the position again. That motion failed 4-1, with Craig as the lone supporter.

With no direction from the Council, Wright said he would not fill the position.

Tater Reprieve

In an appeal to the Council under the City’s vicious animal ordinance, Tater the dog received a stay of execution by a 4-1 vote.

Pam Herzog, and several family members and neighbors appealed the vicious animal designation after Tater bit a pedestrian, Rosalie Hanson. The dog was deemed vicious, and by city ordinance, slated for euthanization.

However, as outlined by the ordinance, Herzog appealed the designation and presented the Council with a packet of information that included immunization records, a petition of support from neighbors, and several testimonials.

Many of those neighbors spoke on the dog’s behalf, as well as it’s veterinarian.

“I’ve dealt with Tater for two years,” Dr. John Brady said. “We’ve never had any problems with him. He’s a nice dog, the kind of dog most people want to have.”

 The neighbors all concurred.

“I’ve been around the family a lot and I’ve been around Tater a lot, and I’ve never seen anything vicious or anything other than playful,” Cathy Crowe said. “Ever. He’s a good dog.”

After asking several questions and actually viewing the dog, the Council voted 4-1 to waive the designation and return Tater to his home.

Pratt cast the lone dissenting vote.