Officer pursues Chief’s post

Hickman Mayor Heath Carlton read a letter of resignation, submitted last week, from Hickman Police Sergeant Scott McKnight during the regular Commission meeting held Aug. 23, with Commissioners Alicia Esters, John Wiley Gannon, Robert Griggs, and Rob Hitesman in attendance.

The letter stated, “I would like to thank the City of Hickman for the opportunity that has been given to me as a police officer over the last six years. I have another opportunity to advance my career and become a police chief. I will be resigning as of Aug. 20, at 10 p.m. The new position needs to be filled immediately, and I start Aug. 23. I am requesting I be paid for all vacation, compensation time, and anything else I am entitled to receive. I thank each of you for your willingness to employ me and I have grown in experiences from my time here. I will turn in all my equipment by Aug. 24.”

The Commission voted to accept Sgt. McKnight’s resignation.

“Another order of business to be taken care of in the Hickman City Police Department is to maintain a competitive pay scale with the surrounding agencies. It has been brought up by the City Manager, looked through the budget. It has been recommended for a $2 increase across the board in that department,” Mayor Carlton said.

Commissioners voted to approve the pay increase for the Hickman Police Department.

During public comments, Hickman resident David Lattus requested the Commission pass an ordinance allowing the riding of side-by-sides and four-wheelers in the city limits.

“Is this for city streets, all streets, or what?” asked City Manager David Gallagher.
“For all streets within the city limits. I understand you can have an ordinance,” Lattus said.

Hickman Chief of Police Tony Grogan said, “It has to be streets maintained by the City.”

Commissioner Griggs asked to have the liability researched before the decision is made.

“I feel no one under 16 years of age, or without a driver’s license should be allowed,” Lattus said.

Commissioners agreed to look into the liability and procedure for an ordinance.

Following discussion of repairing or replacing the pump for Well #1, Commissioners agreed to replace the pump at Well #1.

Resolution 21-158, authorization to file a Coronavirus Relief Fund application (C3-084) was read and adopted by the Commission.

Gallagher reported the City has water issues.

“The coloration is back in some areas. The service lines have been flushed. A lot of the service lines are plastic and have no build up. You can turn the water on and let it run and the color goes away, but something is going on. We have a significant amount of rust in the lines. We have to look at the basins, where there is rust built up,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher also said the Brownsville tank and the tanks on the hill are running over and they should not occur.

The Commission voted to advertise for hiring a police officer.