City Council debates gun free zones for city owned property
Oskaloosa Iowa City Council Chambers
The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session this evening. The item on the agenda receiving the most attention was that of the proposal to create a gun free zone on City of Oskaloosa owned property. To start the meeting, Reg Randau and Richard Jones both spoke during public comment. Randau and Jones were both against the proposal. Randau cited the 2008 Krikwood City Council Shooting as reasons why a gun ban would not work. Randau also expressed concerns that a ban may stop any potential citizens who could help should there be a shooting. “You are disarming law abiding citizens.” said Randau.
City Manager Michael Schrock commented on the ban during the meeting. “We want staff to feel safe and comfortable” said Schrock. Schrock said that if this proposal was to pass, he would ask a person who came into city hall with a firearm to leave the premises. City Council members Aaron Ver Steeg and Tom Walling both expressed concerns over the proposal. Both members said they felt that the proposal was a “feel good thing”. In response to the discussion of hypothetical instances, City Council member Pam Blomgren spoke on the matter. “I don’t think we should use hypothetical ideas to create the policy.” said Blomgren. After much discussion on the matter, the council voted 2-5 against the proposal with council members Blomgren and Moore voting Yes and council members Jimenez, Smith, Ver Steeg, Walling and Yates voting No.
In other action, the Council:
- Approved an amendment to an Iowa Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant Program Contract for construction of a child care center in University Park
- Set February 22nd as the date of a public hearing on the sale of a city owned parking lot to Central United Methodist
- Approved a resolution adopting a proposed amendment to the 2010-2011 budget
- Set March 7th as the date of a public hearing on the proposed 2011-2012 budget
The City Council will meet again at 6:30 pm on February 22nd in the city council chambers.
