Council OKs a lateral transfer bonus

Portland police have a new recruiting tool.

Portland City Council on Monday approved a bonus structure for “lateral transfers” in an effort to help the city’s police department attract experienced officers.

At council’s last meeting, Portland Police Chief Mitch Sutton had asked council to consider a lateral transfer program, noting that new officers require 240 hours of ride-along and several months at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy at a cost of about $15,000. Meanwhile, officers transferring from other departments would need only a couple of weeks to learn department-specific procedures before they could be on the road.

He suggested that by offering lateral transfers an incentive bonus, the city would potentially attract experienced officers while also saving on academy costs. Council approved the program at its Oct. 18 meeting, but asked for time to consider the bonus amount.

Portland Mayor John Boggs on Monday initially mentioned a $5,000 bonus to be divided equally over three years. (Council member Dave Golden had suggested adjusting the amount so it would divide evenly.)

Council member Janet Powers then suggested a tiered system — $1,000 after the first year, $1,500 after the second and $2,500 after the third — to encourage longevity.

Council members Kent McClung, Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Mike Aker, Matt Goldsworthy, Powers and Golden unanimously approved the tiered bonus structure for lateral transfers.

City council also unanimously approved rezoning for a new Clear Choice Chiropractic office.

Oakland Gaerke had requested rezoning a portion of the former First Baptist Church property at 601 N. Charles St. from residential to highway service to allow for the construction of a new office. (His current office is located at 406 W. Votaw St.)

Gaerke said he plans to built a 64-foot by 60-foot brick structure with a full basement that would give him about twice as much space as his current facility. Portland Plan Commission had recommended approval of his request last month.

Boggs said he had heard from some residents who expressed concerns about traffic on Charles Street. He said the city would look into putting up one or more stop signs in the area in order to slow traffic down.

In other business, council:

•Heard a question from Golden regarding an update on water and sewage rate recommendations from consulting firm Baker Tilly. Boggs said he would check on setting up a date for a report.

•Briefly discussed federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips and Boggs indicated that final details about how the funds can be spent are not yet available. Boggs noted that many of the items on his wish list seem to not be eligible. ‘We’re hoping it will loosen up as time goes by,” he said.

•Heard the following from Boggs:

—Arts Place has installed an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp on the south side of Walnut Street between its two buildings in Portland. When weather allows, city staff will paint a crosswalk across Walnut Street, connecting sidewalks to The Hudson Center for the Visual Arts and the Performing Arts Center. Council had previously approved the crosswalk.

—The fire department’s new ladder truck has been delivered to Indianapolis and inspected by fire chief Mike Weitzel. It is expected to be delivered to Portland in the next few days.

—New brackets with flags have been installed downtown for Veterans Day. After Nov. 11, they will be replaced with Christmas decorations in preparation for Winterfest, which kicks off Nov. 19.

—Restrooms and other buildings in city parks are closed for the winter.