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City Council relaxes 15-minute response time for police officer
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
By a 3-2 vote, the Caledonia City Council approved a request made by Caledonia Police Officer Chad Hauser for the city to relax the “response time” language in its employment requirements. The action was taken during the March 23 council meeting.
Hauser, who lives in La Crescent, was hired as a full-time officer several months ago. The approval of his hiring was contingent on Hauser moving within a 15 minute response time of the Caledonia Police Station. He had six months to comply with the requirement.
Hauser originally came before the council during the March 9 meeting, where he explained that his wife was an employee of the city of Winona. All Winona city employees are required to live within a 30-minute response time. So the Hausers were looking at either moving to Houston or Hokah. Either of those locations would put Hauser’s wife within the 30-minute requirement, and the newly-hired police officer “just about” in compliance with Caledonia’s requirement.
Those attending the meeting all agreed that the 12.5 mile trip between Houston and Caledonia can be made in approximately 15 minutes, if conditions are good and one drives at or just above the posted speed limits. The trip between Hokah and Caledonia is actually several miles farther, but the road is much straighter.
“The city can’t mandate that its employees live within the city limits, but we can mandate a specific response time,” mayor Bob Burns noted. “I realize that during these tough economic times, nearly all families are living on two incomes. And jobs are tough to come by. But are we setting a precedent here? Didn’t we require Officer Allan Johnson to move from Spring Grove to the Caledonia area?”
Officer Johnson was at the meeting and explained that although he was never officially instructed to do so, he was “encouraged” by the city council to move closer.
Councilmen Tom Murphy and Bob Lemke said they didn’t think it would be fair to the other officers if Hauser was on call and wasn’t able to respond to an emergency, due to bad roads.
Councilwoman Randi Vick said in an emergency, probably more than one extra officer would be called out anyway and added she felt the 15-minute response time was just a “benchmark.”
“I’d hate to lose a good officer because of this, especially during these tough economic times,” Vick said.
Murphy said he would be opposed to granting Hauser’s request because he felt the public safety of 3,000 residents supersedes the ability of an officer to respond in 15 minutes or less.
“Officer Hauser knew this was one of the requirements when he applied for the job,” Murphy pointed out.
Hauser said he would be willing to “bunk out” at the police station if he was on call and bad weather was predicted.
“I’d move to Caledonia in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for the requirement my wife has with her job,” Hauser said. “I like the community. I like the police force. But we have to keep both of our jobs.”
Burns made a motion to approve Hauser’s request to reside in Houston or Hokah or closer, where he could substantially meet the 15-minute response time. His motion was seconded by Lemke.
Burns, Lemke and Vick voted in favor of the motion, while Murphy and Councilwoman Peggy Perry voted against it.
In other council action:
Meeting continued to March 30
The council approved a motion to continue the March 23 meeting to March 30 when several issues were to be discussed.
Those issues included:
• Receiving a presentation from the Brimeyer Group, Inc. on the procedures the council should take on the hiring of a new clerk/administrator. Bob Nelson will be retiring later this year, and the council wants to get a jump on the hiring procedures.
• Discuss proposed changes in the city’s manufactured home park ordinance. The council will review the proposed amendments during a public hearing, and then may take action on those proposals.
Hagen proposal approved
The council approved a variance request made by Ron and Karen Hagen, 729 South Winnebago to build a 1,080 square foot garage on a lot that would only allow a 900 square foot garage. The Hagens were requesting a 180 square foot variance.
The Hagens had originally asked for a 300 square foot variance, as their original plans called for a 30 by 40 foot garage during the March 9 council meeting. The council denied that request and instructed the Hagens to come back with alternative plans. They cut the size of the garage by 120 square feet, which the majority of the council felt would be a better fit on the lot.
The motion to approve passed by a 4-1 margin, with Vick voting against it.
Water coolers must go
Looking at a savings projected at approximately $600 a year, the council voted 3-2 to do away with the water coolers located at city hall, the police station and the municipal liquor store.
Burns, Lemke and Murphy voted in favor of the motion, while Vick and Perry voted against it.
Fire department grant
Matt Hoscheit of the Caledonia Fire Department reported the local fire fighters received a GAF Grant for $4,270. The money will be used for training exercises.
The council also approved the fire department spending $500 to purchase a new radio for the ladder truck. The money will come out of the department’s 501C3 fund.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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