Submitted Photo Remi, the new K9 with the Rugby Police Department, is getting local training before full deployment. Photo from the Rugby Police Department.

The new K9 with the Rugby Police Department, while still a puppy, has already been out on patrol, according to Chief Scott Bommersbach.

Bommersbach told the Rugby City Council at its meeting on Feb. 17 that the 1-year-old Remi hasn’t been deployed yet but is ready and working with Officer Jeccica Fjellanger.

“We haven’t had the opportunity or need to deploy the dog on a vehicle or for a search,” Bommersbach said.

When asked by council member Jon Nelson whether Remi would be used at the Amtrak station, but Bommersbach it depended on how many stops trains make.

“We could take her and walk through the vehicles there, or at the school in the parking lots here,” Bommersbach said. “She rides around in the vehicle. It is a little different with the pickup we have now because it is just a kennel on a platform in the back seat. It doesn’t have all the fans in the windows yet.”

Bommersbach said Fjellanger will be keeping a digital log tracking the use of the K9 so the information can be included in future reports to the council.

Later in the meeting, Bommersbach reviewed estimates for outfitting the new K9 unit vehicle, which he said should be a quick turnaround. Bommersbach said the 2026 Chevy Silverado has been ordered. He said it will be sent off to the outfitter as soon as it is delivered at the end of the month.

The cost of the outfitting is $36,355 so far, with aspects like the radio, computer and K9 equipment yet to be purchased, according to Bommersbach. The council approved a motion approving the requested purchases.

Ordinances

During portfolio reports, council member Neil Lotvedt brought a suggested change to proposed Ordinance 471. The change calls for a form the chief of police can have building owners sign when inspections deem their buildings dangerous, creating a paper trail and compelling them to take action to address the issues.

“I would like to follow through with this ordinance and have the chief sign so we have dates on these things and can go back to them. It’s easier on the chief of police to follow up,” Lotvedt said. “That’s all I’m looking for. Everyone says they’ll do something next year. Let’s have the chief have them sign something so we can proceed, so it’s not just talk. That’s what’s happening. People talk about it, but they don’t do it.”

Another issue Lotvedt identified was gaps in the ordinances on issues such as a property in Rugby with 13 vehicles parked on one lot. Bommersbach said as long as the vehicles are licensed and registered, the only ticket that can be written is for one parked on the sidewalk.

“Most were off the street. We need some (teeth) here. It would be terrible to be the neighbor to this person. Even Scott knows it doesn’t look good. But we should see what we can do. There shouldn’t be any parking in the front yard, period,” Lotvedt said.

Bommersbach said the current ordinance doesn’t require vehicles be parked on a hard surface like concrete, and Lotvedt asked for changes to require vehicles be parked on an impermeable surface.

Mayor Frank LaRocque suggested the chief have some discretion on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether a given vehicle is driveable or how long it has been parked in a given location. He questioned whether the city has the power to limit the number of vehicles a person can own.

The council ended discussion on the issues, pending a review by the city attorney.