During the City Council's regular meeting on Tuesday, November 21, one of the most notable headlines was the break-in at the Steel Lake Maintenance facility located off 28th Avenue on the previous Wednesday, November 15.

Thieves targeted and vandalized vehicles, where they also stole a large equipment trailer and caused a substantial loss of tools and equipment. The estimated total loss amounted to $213,793, which includes sales tax. 

Mayor Jim Ferrell authorized an Emergency Declaration on November 15 to replace critical equipment for emergency responses and essential functions.

The City Council has approved spending $325,000 from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund to replace stolen equipment, repair damaged trucks and fences, and hire a third-party security contractor to strengthen our presence at the Steel Lake Maintenance facility.

The estimated cost of hiring the on-site security contractor is $187,440. The majority of these funds will come from the General Fund reserves.

“Our officers came into contact with the people who had this in their possession,” Mayor Ferrell said during the City Council meeting. “They confronted them, tried to stop them, and by state law, we were prohibited from pursuing them. Let that sink in for a moment. That’s why it’s part of our Legislative Agenda. We cannot have this happen again. Legislators need to act fast — this is out of control.”