Public Safety Committee

Agenda Public Safety Committee Oelwein City Hall, 20 Second Avenue SW, Oelwein, Iowa 5:30 PM July 13, 2026 Oelwein, Iowa Mayor: Brett DeVore Mayor Pro Tem: Matt Weber Council Members: Tony Cannon, Anthony Ricchio, Lynda Payne, Jason Gearhart, Renee Cantrell Pledge of Allegiance Discussions 1. Consideration of a motion to provide direction to City Council on the proposed bridge fishing ordinance. Adjournment In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requiring accommodation for Council meetings should notify the City Clerk’s Office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at 319-283-5440 1  Item 1. OELWEIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CITY OF OELWEIN, IOWA MEMORANDUM TO: City Administrator Dylan Mulfinger DATE: May 25, 2026 FROM: Jeremy P. Logan, Chief of Police SUBJECT: Request for Public Safety Committee Review – Proposed Bridge Safety Ordinance I would request consideration of the attached proposed ordinance regarding bridge safety regulations for the bridge located in the 400 block of 10th Street SW on an upcoming agenda for the City Council Public Safety Committee for review and recommendation. The proposed ordinance was developed in anticipation of the reopening of the new bridge and in consideration of past public safety and usage issues that the new bridge design was intended to address. The ordinance establishes a clear distinction between prohibited activity on the south side of the bridge and permitted fishing activity within the protected north-side pedestrian walkway, provided pedestrian and bicycle traffic remain unobstructed. The ordinance was developed to address concerns associated with fishing activity, pedestrian obstruction, unsafe use of bridge infrastructure, and jumping/diving from the bridge structure. The ordinance also includes provisions related to: * Prohibition of fishing from the south side of the bridge * Allowance of fishing from the north-side pedestrian walkway * Prohibition of obstruction of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic * Prohibition of jumping/diving from the bridge * Prohibition of climbing or sitting on bridge railings and protective barriers * Authorization for signage * Enforcement authority following warning by law enforcement The intent of the ordinance is to improve public safety, preserve accessibility within the pedestrian corridor, reduce liability exposure to the City, and provide clear enforceable standards for use of the bridge area. 2  Item 1. ORDINANCE NO. ______ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OELWEIN, IOWA, BY ADDING SECTION 23-70 ESTABLISHING BRIDGE SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR THE ROAD BRIDGE LOCATED IN THE 400 BLOCK OF 10TH STREET SW. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Oelwein, Iowa, as follows: Section 1. That Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Oelwein, Iowa, be amended by adding the following new section: SECTION 23-70. BRIDGE SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR THE BRIDGE LOCATED AT THE 400 BLOCK OF 10TH STREET SW. 1. Fishing from the south side of the road bridge located in the 400 block of 10th Street SW is prohibited. 2. Fishing shall be permitted from the north side pedestrian walkway of the bridge, provided such activity does not obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or bicycle traffic within the walkway. 3. No person shall loiter, stand, place equipment, store personal property, or otherwise obstruct vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, bicycle traffic, or access on the south side of the bridge or its approaches. 4. No person fishing or otherwise occupying the north side pedestrian walkway shall block, impede, interfere with, or restrict the safe movement of pedestrians or bicycles using the walkway. 5. No person shall jump, dive, climb from, or intentionally enter the water from any portion of the bridge structure, including railings, barriers, supports, approaches, or adjacent appurtenances. 6. No person shall sit upon, stand upon, climb upon, lean over, cross over, or otherwise misuse any bridge railing, barrier, protective fence, guardrail, or safety structure located on the bridge or its approaches. 7. For purposes of this section, “fishing” shall include casting, trolling, hand fishing, netting, or any other attempt to catch or take fish from the bridge structure. 8. The City may place and maintain signs necessary to enforce the provisions of this section, including but not limited to “No Fishing South Side,” “Fishing Allowed – Keep Walkway Clear,” “No Jumping or Diving,” and “Do Not Obstruct Walkway” signs. 9. Any law enforcement officer may order a person violating this section to immediately cease the prohibited conduct or vacate the area. Failure to comply after warning shall constitute a violation of this section. 10. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and shall be subject to penalties as provided in Sections 1-8 and 1-10 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Oelwein, Iowa. 3  Item 1. Section 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Oelwein, Iowa, this _____ day of __________________, 2026. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: __________________________________ City Clerk 4