By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Whitewater Police detectives will continue to have an opportunity to work 10-hour days as part of a recently approved memorandum of understanding.
With the intent of reducing overtime, detectives within the department began working a schedule this past summer that called for four days of work and three days off.
“The strategy has resulted in a win-win for detectives and the city,” City Manager Cameron Clapper said. “While not eliminating overtime, the change has resulted in reduced overtime and has also allowed the detectives an opportunity for a larger block of time off at the end of their work week.”
Clapper came before the Common Council on Jan. 21 and sought authority to renew the arrangement with detectives in 2014. At this time, the schedule is not being extended to regular patrol officers.
The council voted unanimously in favor of the request.
Other matters
In other business Jan. 21, the council:
• Approved an alcoholic beverage license application for the operators of Day N Night Café, 162 W. Main St.
• Approved an alcoholic beverage license application for the operators of The Downstairs Bar and Grille, 204 W. Main St.
• Approved the termination of an agreement between the city and Nextel Communications. The company had been leasing space on the city’s water tank for wireless equipment. The termination takes effect April 30.
• Approved several alarm upgrades and modifications at the Wastewater Utility plant. The expense, included in the city’s 2014 budget, will cost about $10,090.
• Approved a proposal to donate several pieces of outdated computer equipment to the recently formed local chapter of Makerspace, an inter-generational organization that brings together people of different skill sets.
• Approved an amendment to the city’s sign code that modifies the size of lettering on monument signs in most business areas of Whitewater.
• Approved a request by city staff to obtain a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the anticipated modifications to the Old Stone Mill Dam within the city’s East Gateway development.
