Author: City of Decorah

Mayor Lorraine Borowski makes appointment for the new Chief of Police of Decorah at Monday, July 3rd Council Meeting:

Jeff Cayler of Cayler Consulting was hired to assist with the process. Sixteen applications were received. The list was narrowed down to four finalists. During the interview process one candidate withdrew for personal reasons. The three interviews took place Saturday June 17^th at City Hall. There were 25 interviewers which were divided into three groups. Civil Service Commission members were represented in each group.

As Mayor of Decorah, I am putting forth Patricia Thein to fill the position for Chief of Police of Decorah.

She brings a comprehensive set of skills that will be valuable to Decorah Police Department. Her 26 years of experience include completed education from the Police Leadership School of Police Staff and Command from Northwestern University, Evanston, Il. An Associate of Applied Science Police Science from Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, Iowa and Police Executive Leadership and Networking Executive Leadership from FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia. 

Her work experience started as a Patrol Officer. She advanced from Waukon to Marshalltown, IA which has a population of over 27,000. Her comprehensive set of skills as Police Lieutenant reflect her abilities in training police procedures and staff leadership. She feels this is a foundation for the position. As an engaging communicator she has a proven track record in departmental policy implementation. Strong written and communication skills were noted on her resume and noted throughout the interview process.

Researching references reflect the following descriptive terms: proven leader, serves with honor, integrity, and passion, thinks creatively and is a problem solver, loves working with the public and embraces change and leads the front, enforcement instructor experience, mentorship qualities, extensive knowledge that has prepared her for the Chief’s position, victim orientated, investigative instincts, impact on human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault investigative experience all exemplify her skills.

Tricia feels the primary mission of the police department is for public safety and enforcement actions; but also as a mitigator and educator, with approachable community engagement and problem solving.

Tricia will be present and sworn in at the July 17th City Council Meeting. Pictured with Tricia are two of her grandchildren.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah City Engineer

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

City Asphalt Overlay Street Projects to Start in July

Decorah, IA (June 29, 2023) – The City of Decorah’s asphalt overlay program is scheduled to begin in early July and will improve approximately 12 blocks of City streets during the 2023 construction season. The goal of the program is to target streets that would benefit from an asphalt overlay to extend the life of the existing pavement. In general, the program includes milling/grinding the existing pavement surface and repaving the streets for a safer and smoother ride. This year’s program will also include miscellaneous replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk improvements (including ADA compliance updates), a new retaining wall, and replacement of concrete steps.

Property owners will not be assessed for work associated with the asphalt overlay program. Instead, the program is funded with monies from the City’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) and the Electric Franchise Fee. This year’s program is expected to cost approximately $700,000.

The following streets are scheduled for a partial or complete asphalt overlay this construction season:

• Intersection of Montgomery Street and Highway 9
• Center Street from High Street to Pool Street
• Day Street from Pearl Street to Broadway Street
• Pleasant Avenue from 918 Pleasant Avenue to Day Street
• Broadway Street from Winnebago Street to Court Street
• James Court

Residents that live adjacent to the projects will be notified regarding any street closures or if access to properties will be limited during construction.

For more information, please contact the City Engineer’s office at 563-382-2157 or via email at cityengineer@decorah.iowa.gov.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah City Engineer

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Decorah Drinking Water Protection Public Meeting on 6/27

Decorah, IA (June 16, 2023) – The best way to assure we have economical, high-quality drinking water at the tap is to protect our beautiful water sources. The Decorah Drinking Water Protection Planning Team was formed in 2022 to enhance our precious drinking water supply through viable assessments and strategic planning efforts. The Team invites local businesses, residents, and the public to attend an informational presentation on Tuesday, June 27^th from 5:30 – 6:30 PM in the Public Meeting Room in the basement of the Decorah Public Library (202 Winnebago Street). Greg Brennan, Hydrogeologist with the Iowa Geological Survey, will present the 2023 Decorah Water Resources Investigation Report, specific to the area that produces Decorah’s source water.

Those that wish to attend the meeting via Zoom may do so using the following information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86961587908?pwd=UWJWL0RLZ1o1V0hBbThoaHNBaG84Zz09

Meeting ID: 869 6158 7908

Passcode: 237447

If you have questions, please contact Becky Ohrtman, Iowa Water Quality Consulting at: Becky@waterqualityconsulting.com OR call: (515) 314-4516.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Historic Preservation Commission

Contact: Mark Z. Muggli, DHPC Chair (historicpreservation@decorahia.org; 612-720-5795)

Decorah Altfillisch Project Given Statewide Award

Decorah, IA (June 12, 2023) — The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission’s Charles Altfillisch project won a “Preservation at its Best” award at the “Preserve Iowa Summit” in Sioux City, IA, June 1-3, 2023.

The “Special Project” award citation cited “the ambitious volunteer effort that resulted in extensive online resources,” including a biography, details on sixty properties organized into four tours, and information on other Altfillisch and misattributed non-Altfillisch properties. The award was presented by the statewide non-profit Preservation Iowa.

Decorah Commission member Judy van der Linden noted, “Our small printed brochure, available at the Decorah Chamber of Commerce, leads to city website materials that provide an affordable format for preserving the rich historical information gathered by the Commission’s seven members.”

Decorah Hotel/Motel taxes and city historic preservation funds covered the project’s modest cost. Chamber of Commerce personnel Jessica Rilling and Amanda Streeper provided design, layout, and project oversight. City engineer Jeremy Bril created the maps. IROC Web Design Services of Calmar formatted the internet materials.

The “Preserve Iowa Summit,” presented annually by the Department of Cultural Affairs State Historic Preservation Office, is the premier statewide conference for historic preservation. More than 220 architects, developers, historic preservation professionals, government officials and others attended the three-day event.

Decorah Commission members Hayley Jackson and Mark Z. Muggli also presented a conference session on “A Big Architect in a Small Town: Charles Altfillisch in Decorah.” They outlined the challenges and opportunities in a project conceived and executed by volunteer members, rather than professional consultants.

At the end of the Jackson and Muggli presentation, Preservation Iowa vice-president Laura Carstens said, “Now you know why we presented this project with an award.”

The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission is a state-certified city board established in 2007 to promote the public’s educational and economic welfare through the recognition of historic sites. Contact: historicpreservation@decorahia.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Decorah

Press Contact: Travis Goedken, City Manager, 563-382-3651

Decorah Chief of Police Candidates Named

Decorah, IA (June 5, 2023) – The City of Decorah has selected four candidates to interview for the chief of police position being vacated by the retirement of Chief David Smutzler.

The City of Decorah will be interviewing the four finalists, from sixteen applicants on Saturday, June 17th.  A public reception will be held on Friday, June 16^th at 4:30 PM in the lobby of the Hotel Winneshiek, where members of the public may meet the finalists.

Finalists include Scott Burtch, Chief of Police with the Sheldon Police Department; Scott Herrmann, Assistant Chief of Police with the Decorah Police Department; Michael Mrachek, Kansas City Training Coordinator with the FBI, and Tricia Thein, Lieutenant with the Marshalltown Police Department.

The City is being assisted with the search by Jeff Cayler of Cayler Consulting.

Please contact City Hall at 382-3651 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Twin Springs Road Closures Starting Monday 6/5

Decorah, IA (June 2, 2023) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that Twin Springs Road will be closed to thru traffic on Monday, June 5^th through Friday, June 9^th as well as Monday, June 12^th through Friday, June 16^th. The road will be closed between Oneota Drive and 2106 Twin Springs Road. Road closures will take place during daytime hours with the duration of closure times to be determined by weather and construction activities. The closure is to allow for work to occur on Steyer Bridge.

Residents are encouraged to find alternative routes during this closure. Please call the Street Department at 563-382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #