Oakdale eyes making interim police chief permanent

OAKDALE -- Interim Police Chief Lester Jenkins soon could have "interim" removed from his title.

Interim City Manager Greg Wellman said he will recommend the City Council make Jenkins, 55, the permanent police chief as soon as the June 18 council meeting.

Wellman said there is strong council support for Jenkins, who has been with the department nearly 22 years and was named interim chief in January just before Police Chief Marty West retired after five years with the city.

The City Council met in closed session Tuesday regarding Jenkins. On Wednesday, Wellman and City Attorney Tom Hallinan met with Jenkins to talk about drafting a contract for him as permanent police chief.

Wellman said such details as the length of the contract and salary still are being hammered out. Wellman said Jenkins has done an excellent job as interim chief.

In other action from Tuesday's meeting, Wellman said the council:

• Continued its discussion of the 2012-13 budget, which starts July 1. Wellman said the council could adopt the budget as soon as its June 18 meeting. He said city officials are incorporating council members' directions and working on the budget's final details.

• Transferred former city Community Redevelopment Agency property from the city to the successor agency formed to wind down the CRA's activities, such as paying off its debts. The property consists mainly of parking lots and storm and drainage basins, but it includes the T.L. Davis Sports Complex. Oakdale owns half of the complex, and the Oakdale Joint Unified School District owns the other half. After abolishing redevelopment agencies statewide this year, the state is asking cities to return properties they transferred from their redevelopment agencies to city control. Wellman said the transfers will have no immediate effects.

• Directed Public Works to survey residents to see whether they would be willing to pay $1 to $1.25 per month for street-sweeping services, which the city discontinued because of budget cuts three years ago. Public Works is expected to report to the council with the survey results.

• Directed Wellman, Hallinan and Mayor Pat Paul to look into forming an audit and finance committee, which would advise the City Council.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.