Cornell City Council; Hurt steps down as police chief, Rehberg steps in
By Ginna Young
It’s official, Cornell has a new police chief. Brian Hurt was given the nod to retire from his law enforcement duties with the city, at a regular council meeting March 18. His last working day will be Friday, April 2, but Hurt says he is willing to stay on through Friday, April 9, to make the period of transition as smooth as possible and good for the community, with a new chief coming in.
“And we appreciate that,” said council member Ashley Carothers.
“You took on a big project and you did an excellent job with it,” said council president Steve Turany. “We are much better off in the city because if it.”
Those sentiments were echoed from each council member and the mayor. Hurt says although he is stepping down as chief, he will be in the wings and has no plans to leave the city.
“I like the community, I love the people,” said Hurt.
With the retirement, the council agreed to hire Glenn Rehberg. As part of the hiring stipulations, members agreed that Rehberg can tap into his second year of sick leave, if needed. In light of his 25 years of law enforcement, he was also granted four weeks of vacation.
Rehberg also requested that $30 from each of his paychecks for the remiander of this year, be deducted for an amount of $570, to be used for safety equipment for the police department. Rehberg will now begin his move to the city and will take over the police chief duties Monday, April 5.
“I am incredibly honored,” said Rehberg.
Members also approved the July 3 fireworks display, from J& M Displays, for $4,000. There were two choices available: to go with 5-inch shells for a lesser amount of overall shells; or to go with more 4-inch shells and less 5-inch shells. That would give the display more overall count, for the same cost Carothers said she wants to make sure the display is at least as long this year, as it was in 2020. City administrator Dave DeJongh said the city is losing some of the literal bang, as last year had more 5-inch shells.
The council decided that it wouldn’t matter as much if the 4-inch replaced the 5-inch, as long as there are more shells, and went with that option.
Members also acted on Ordinance 21-2, repealing limited term parking in front of 110 Main Street, which housed Kids First Child Care.
“The daycare has moved and the limited time parking is no longer needed,” said De-Jongh.
An update was also provided by Scott Bowe, DNR warden supervisor, letting De-Jongh know that the DNR division of the hunter education will take a more active role in maintaining the city’s shooting range. Improvements that are needed are replacement of shelter roofs; accessibility for disabled shooters; and installing a dumpster.
Other options could include replacing the main gate, running electricity to the site and identifying an area for trap shooting.
“So, it will maybe take some of the burden off volunteers,” said DeJongh.
