Dell resigns; Jimerson to head marshal's office

ODESSA – At Monday night’s final meeting of the Odessa Town Council in 2020, it was announced that Town Marshal Brent Dell has handed in his resignation, loaded up his belongings and headed for the Las Vegas area, where a new job awaits. It is also where his elderly mother lives, a fact that entered into his decision to make the move, according to Odessa Mayor Bill Crossley.

Officer Les Jimerson is now the acting marshal and will be sworn in as the new town marshal in January, Crossley announced. After the holidays, the town will also begin the search for another officer to serve under Jimerson.

The full council (Kelly Watkins, Amy Hunt, Vickie Iverson, Landon Lobe and Marlene Kramer) was present via Zoom, as were Zoning Inspector Bill Knerr and hospital maintenance supervisor Abby Reyes, along with Mayor Crossley, Fire Chief Don Strebeck, Town Clerk Meri Jane Bohn, acting Marshal Les Jimerson and The Record’s Terrie Schmidt-Crosby in the clerk’s office.

Under new business, the council approved the following:

Resolution 2020-14: Water rates for 2021

Resolution 2020-15: Sewer rates for 2021

Ordinance 715-2020: Budget amendment for more than $69,000

Ordinance 716-2020: Garbage collection rate increase by contractor passed on to customers

Ordinance 717-2020: $3,199,691.80 town budget for 2021

Every five years, local governments are required to open up bidding for municipal engineering services. Century West Engineering of Spokane has been the local engineering firm for Odessa since 2015. Century West and two other engineering firms submitted bids to become Odessa’s choice for the next five years, with Century West approved by council Monday as its engineers for the next five years.

The council also approved agreements for building and grounds maintenance work and for rental of the Old Town Hall for use as the Senior Center meal site. There was also a discussion of the recycling bins located on Railroad Ave. east of Rocky Coulee Brewing Co. The town of Odessa pays the county to provide this service for its residents, which is sometimes abused by out-of-town residents. It is not a free service; municipal taxes pay for it.

In his police report, Jimerson reported on a busy two weeks with everything from traffic stops to physical altercations.

Fire Chief Strebeck reported his department passed inspection to retain its Class 6 insurance rating (which is checked every four years). He also notified the council that there will be no Firemen’s Auction in 2021, with hopes that the sale can resume in 2022. Strebeck’s last item to report was that Santa will be given a ride on a fire truck Dec. 17 beginning at 5 p.m. to hand out candy canes to all children who come outside to greet him. The fire dept. hopes to take Santa down every street and avenue in the town.