DIXON, CA (MPG) - The January 3 City Council Meeting was a full house as the family of newly elected Dist. 2 Council Rep Thom Bogue, along with families of four new police officers were there to watch the swearing in ceremonies.

First up was the formal oath and swearing in for Councilman Bogue and after a brief pose for the cameras, he headed to the dais. There had been a ‘welcome back’ reception for him prior to the meeting. The officers were next.

“I’m losing my voice from singing my praises for this fine council for making this place where people want to come and work and that we are able to attract the caliber of not only police officers but also the professional staff that I have before you tonight,” said Dixon Police Chief Robert Thompson. “We are witnessing the beginning of two law enforcement careers – our community service officers provide a very important role to support police operations in the city.” He was referring to new Community Service Officers Valerie Hogg and Juan Cardenas.

In addition, Thompson explained that police recruit Jake Curry was particularly special.

“He is our very first police recruit we sponsored all the way through the Sacramento Police Academy,” he said. Thompson was equally proud to welcome Aaron Goodenough, a 10-year veteran of a large police department in the valley who has come to work here. He then administered the oath to all four and a family member pinned them.

In other news, Dist. 4 Rep Don Hendershot, although absent, was selected to be Vice Mayor for one year.

City Treasurer Jim Ward spoke about his third request to have a traffic study done at Regency and North Lincoln and noted that his request was also made by a Councilman but that he had not heard anything.

“It is a dangerous intersection. There is a crosswalk but nothing else and cars zoom past there. I was wondering since it’s a year later if that was done,” he said. “I’ve seen several people with children and animals almost hit.” Deborah Barr, City Engineer/Director of Utilities approached the podium and responded.

“We have looked at the area and we are looking to bring a 4-way stop. We will bring it back to the council to move forward with design but we need to get the funding to do those site improvements so now we are working on that process,” she said.

Under items from City Council, Mayor Steve Bird informed that Dixon’s “Parkway Boulevard is number 4 on the big list of Federal and other grants.” He also reminded all that the meeting was dedicated to Rob Salaber, a former Councilman and founder of the Dixon Rugby Club, who died from a heart attack in Idaho this Christmas.

New Dist. 2 Council Rep Bogue, also a former Councilman and a former Mayor, was quick to put in requests to catch him up to issues facing the City. He asked for a line-item budget and expenditure report on Dixon’s potable water; a list of code enforcements and fine amounts for the last 12 months; a copy of the credit card processing agreement with the City of Dixon; and, lastly, a copy of the agreement between the City and the shredding company the City uses.

Closing items from the City Manager Jim Lindley included recognition to staff for saving the City a million dollars. He explained there was a controversy between PG&E and the City over who would be responsible for the utilities on the Parkway Boulevard Overpass. PG&E decided they would look into it, but the City had to place a $60,000 retainer for legal services if PG&E was correct.

“With Barr’s diligence and the City Attorney’s office, we got the notice that the electrics are indeed their responsibility. They refunded the $60,000 but also because of that, it saved the City a million dollars,” Lindley said. “I want to give Deborah a kudo for that one. We are very diligently trying to get that project done.”