HUMBOLDT — Dan Onnen’s days are numbered.
Onnen, Humboldt chief of police for 10 years, will be relieved of his duties, said newly elected Mayor Nobby Davis at Monday night’s city council meeting.
A new chief will be appointed at the June 13 council meeting, Davis said.
No reason was given for Onnen’s ouster.
The chief said he’s in the dark about why he is to be replaced and expressed shock at the decision and that it seemed “unfair.”
The mayor would give no further details beyond his statement to the media.
“I was advised by Fred Works (city attorney) on how to handle the matter,” Davis said, adding that he told Onnen nothing more than that he would not be reappointed.
The appointment and dismissal of a police chief is within the mayor’s duties, Davis said. According to information he obtained from the Kansas League of Municipalities, the decision is irreversible by the council, unless “I appoint someone who is not qualified,” he added.
Davis said he would not reveal his choice for a new chief until the June meeting.
Onnen said in a prepared statement that Davis had told him he had not found any fault with his leadership but that he wanted to take the police department “in a new direction.”
Onnen’s law enforcement career has spanned 24 years, including 14 in supervisory positions.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, city employees will face disciplinary action if they fail to wear seat belts while operating city vehicles or equipment, according to City Administrator Larry Tucker.
State law requires seat belt use and it now is a primary offense, Onnen observed, meaning law enforcement officers may write citations without another reason for making a traffic stop.
Tucker said the Personnel Committee recommended a city policy to keep Humboldt free of liability issues that might arise if an employee weren’t using a seat belt and an incident occurred.
Initial discipline will be one-day suspension for a citation and conviction. Employees have grievance rights.
“We’re also concerned about employees’ health and safety,” Tucker said, adding that he thinks the policy will encourage wider use of seat belts.
Vote on the proposal was 7-1, with Sam Murrow deferring. Murrow said he was not opposed, but thought it would be better to have a complete driving policy, including speed limits.
COUNCIL members approved an amendment of the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, to change time limits for application. The decision came on appeal from Roger and Patty Mintz, who moved to Humboldt in 2009 and sought to participate in the tax abatement program after USD 258, which built the house they purchased, had failed to do so.
Council members agreed it was no fault of the Mintzes’ that they were excluded.
Through the revitalization plan they will receive a complete refund of property taxes, less 5 percent administration charges by the county, for six years, declining by 20 percent annually over the next four years.
SHERI MODLIN and Cisha Wallace, paraprofessionals with the ANW Special Education Cooperative, were hired to manage the swimming pool. They will share monthly compensation of $1,650.24, the same amount paid last year.
Tucker pointed out that the city subsidized the pool’s operation with $30,000 to $40,000 from utility funds. He also said six full-time and two part-time lifeguards would be employed, two less than last year.
Income at the pool dropped by about 35 percent a year ago, Tucker added, when Chanute’s new water park opened.
Pool pass charges will be increased this season by $5, to $40 for children 6-13, $50 for adults 14 and over, $40 for seniors 55 and over and $80 for families. Rates for people living in USD 258 are half those charges because of subsidies from the Schaneman-Rourk Charitable Account. The Schaneman-Rourk fund was established years ago to benefit children in the community.
TUCKER told councilmen that construction to widen and improve 13th Street and make improvements to Bridge and Central streets would start as soon as utilities were moved.
First work will be done to 13th Street, he said, adding, “We’ll tackle Bridge later and plan to have it done before school resumes in August.” Bridge Street runs along the north side of Humboldt High School.
Groundbreaking ceremonies will be May 25 for the senior housing project on the north side of town. Excel Development, Lincoln, Neb., will build six duplex apartments west of Arrowood. Completion is expected by spring.
