New Breese police officer sworn in

Jared Tebbe, CENTER, was sworn in as a new full-time officer with the Breese Police Department. Pictured with Tebbe are Mayor Kevin Timmermann, LEFT, and Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen.Jared Tebbe was sworn in as a full-time officer for the Breese Police Department during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
    Tebbe started as a full-time officer on Monday, July 13. He graduated from the part-time academy on Saturday, July 11, and will start the transitional academy in September.
    Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen swore in Tebbe.
    Also during the public safety portion of the meeting, the Breese Police officers were thanked for their dedication to the community while working the St. Dominic's Parish picnic. Berndsen alerted everyone to recent car burglary incidents and thanked residents and neighboring towns for their assistance in apprehending the juveniles.
    During the finance portion of the meeting, the council approved a resolution declaring the official intent to reimburse expenditures for certain capital expenditures of the city with the issuance of not to exceed $17 million general obligation bonds.
    During the utilities portion of the meeting, the council approved the purchase of a Bluestar generator in the amount of $187,711.57 from Oakley Services for the wastewater treatment plant. The council approved a construction engineering contract with HMG Engineers in the amount of $75,900 for the construction observation of the new 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank. A proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for the rehabilitation of the South 4th Street lift station in the amount of $78,460 was approved. The council approved to award a bid from Korte and Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for the wastewater treatment plant improvements in the amount of $13,199,000. The Breese Electric Department was recognized for operating July 4 weekend during the high demand to keep costs down.
    In the public works portion of the meeting, it was reported that the Street Department will rock and oil Ward 4 July 20-21.
    The Breese Optimist Club will host a dive-in movie at 8 p.m. on July 29 at Breese City Pool. The movie featured is "The Super Mario Galaxy."
    In the public buildings portion of the meeting, it was announced that librarian Jenna Astroth applied for a grant to enhance technology security. The Illinois Secretary of State awarded $42,723 to Breese Public Library.
    In the zoning portion of the meeting, the council approved a variance relaxing the fence requirements for Janice Hemann at 98 North Main Street.
    In his report, Mayor Kevin Timmermann acknowledged the growth of the city of Breese and the need for all the various projects taking place.
    The next Breese City Council meeting is 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at Breese City Hall.