Lansing City Council tentatively approves police vehicle replacement, street closure for motorcycle rally and change of meeting date in June

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council moved through a full agenda during its Monday, May 18 meeting, approving a police vehicle purchase pending final numbers, a temporary 4th Street closure for the Lansing Liberty Motorcycle Rally in mid-June, a correction to an ordinance number, the Lansing Memorial Program, a June meeting date change, and several utility-related financing and grant-application steps. The council also took no action on the Casterton/Becker plat of survey after discussion focused on an unresolved storm-sewer easement connected to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).

POLICE VEHICLE PURCHASE
One of the primary topics of discussion during the meeting was the potential replacement of the police department’s Dodge Durango. Police Chief Ross Kolsrud informed the council that the issue had not been anticipated in the budget but had become necessary due to the vehicle’s ongoing mechanical problems, noting it had “been in the shop over the last six months, three times, twice in the last month,” with City Clerk Teresa Severson noting that the last repair bill was in the neighborhood of $3,000.

Kolsrud presented several vehicle options for the council’s consideration, having gathered a variety of bids but narrowing them down to just a pair of vehicles, a Ford Explorer Interceptor and a Dodge Ram pick-up truck, that were the least expensive options but still met the department’s needs. Discussion further centered around the ease of equipment transfer from the Durango to either of the other two vehicles and the travel logistics of the purchase and getting that equipment transferred, with that discussion leaning more toward favoring the Ford vehicle.

Acknowledging that he does not have a true final number to be officially approved, Kolsrud was seeking approval to further pursue the vehicle purchase while reassuring the council he would stay mindful of costs in his purchase pursuit. Ultimately, the council approved proceeding with the purchase, contingent on the final numbers to be gathered and presented by Kolsrud.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, May 27, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.