The city of Albert Lea plans to continue with the public safety director position following Dwaine Winkels’ retirement late last month.

The decision was made after conversations Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams had with the Albert Lea City Council, as well as after he explored how other communities have handled similar situations and the outcomes of their approaches, he said Monday night during a council meeting.

“We’ve had a lot of great discussion internally with staff and leadership,” he said.

The city had discussed having two different leaders for the police and fire departments following Winkels’ retirement.

“Ultimately, though, after reviewing what we’ve done in the last five years of the model, I am very comfortable with continuing forward with the public safety director model,” Adams said.  “We’ll be looking for council formal direction on that via an ordinance change to our department’s structure.”

Winkels, who led the Police Department, was appointed as public safety director in July 2012. The police and fire departments did not merge with his appointment.

No specific action was taken by the council.

After the meeting, Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. and 3rd Ward Councilor Jason Howland said they supported the plan.

“This is a position that as a council we have seen it work, and we’re really pleased with the way it has worked in the past,” Rasmussen said, adding the key to the success of the position will be the work of staff in the hiring process.

“I am under the adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’” Howland said. “It’s worked pretty well when Chief Winkels was public safety director and really did a lot for the two departments, so I think moving forward in the future, continue that.”

The timeline for filling that position was not stated during the council meeting

In other action, the council:

• Ordered the improvement and preparation of plans for the Bay Oaks Drive and Sundance Lane reconstruction project.
• Accepted the feasibility report and preparation of plans for the Lakeview Boulevard pavement reconstruction and rehabilitation project from The Fairway to Martin Road.
• Accepted the feasibility report and authorized bidding for the reconstruction of the parking lots in the area of St. Mary Avenue and West Main Street and the Department of Human Services lot.
• Accepted the bid and awarded a $1.03 million contract to Ulland Brothers Inc. for the neighborhood improvement project in central Albert Lea.
• Accepted the bid and awarded a $267,700 contract to Ulland Brothers for the state aid project that includes the bituminous overlay and miscellaneous curb and gutter and sidewalk replacement along Margaretha Avenue and Plaza Street.
• Accepted a bid and awarded a $422,118 contract to Le Center-based Ti-Zack Concrete Inc. for the downtown sidewalk replacement project.
• Accepted a bid and awarded a $683,099 contract with Owatonna-based Wencl Construction Inc. for the Johnson Street reconstruction that includes the complete reconstruction of Johnson Street from North Shore Avenue to Valley Avenue.
• Granted a 25-foot setback from in the approved planned development plat for Wedgewood Cove Estates subdivision from the front property line to allow for the construction of a twin home on the undeveloped site.
• Adopted the third generation water supply plan for 2017 to 2027. The document, required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, summarizes water pumping, storage, treatment and distributions of the city’s water system; water source options available to the city; emergency preparedness options available to the city in the event of a water emergency; and the city’s water conservation plan.
• Accepted a $1,145 donation from Moose Lodge for the holiday lights fundraising committee, $700 from Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen to install drinking fountains and $25 in cash donations and memorials to Albert Lea Senior Center.