Council OKs police trailer for Gossamer Grove area

The Shafter City Council Tuesday night approved $50,000 to lease a trailer to be used as a temporary substation for the Shafter Police Department at Gossamer Grove.

Noting the need for a permanent presence in the area, Chief Randy Mulligan told the council that the permanent building will be used as a break room, a place where officers can conduct investigations, as well as a place to do paperwork.

The building will include an office space, a kitchen area, break room and a work space. It will be supplied by William Scotsman, Inc., with the 23-month lease agreement totaling $50,000.

Councilmember Gus Olvera asked where the building will be located, and the council was told that it would be at the site of the future permanent substation, which is at the northern end of Seventh Standard Road, on the eastern side of Gossamer Grove Lane.

After further questions, it was noted that the completion has been pushed back and the permanent substation will not be ready now until the summer of 2026, with construction being completed in approximately 16-18 months.

Also on the agenda, the council approved the installation of five new workstations at the Shafter Police Department, provided by Stinson's. Chief Mulligan said, "With the new hires, as well as the new fentanyl task program, and new trainees, we are requiring more workspace. We do not have adequate work space currently."

He said that he had hoped to use space at the new substation, but with the delays on that project, the additional workspaces has become necessary, at a cost of about $32,000.

In the presentation portion of the meeting, the council recognized Bob Wiebe, who had served on the Shafter Planning Commission for 21 years. Mayor Givens stated that Wiebe had "made excellent and constructive contributions to the city of Shafter and has earned the admiration of all that he had worked with over the years."

Wiebe said that he was grateful for the years spent on the commission and said that he enjoyed being a part of the commission during such an exciting and productive time in Shafter's history.