Although a little over one year is left on his four-year contract as handler for K-9 Bico, Public Safety Officer Dylan Nadeau-Enright is preparing to make a career move and leave the city.

The Gladstone Public Safety Department’s K-9 program started in 2019, launched through community donations under then-Officer Ryan Peterson. Before the city’s first K-9, Kam, was purchased in late 2019, Gladstone Public Safety had raised about $60,000 for the program.

When Kam suffered an injury that rendered her unable to do the job well, both she and Peterson retired from Gladstone Public Safety. The city sold the dog to Peterson for $1 with the stipulation she not be used to gain revenue unless it benefited the City of Gladstone. No contract had been in place for the employ of Peterson and Kam.

That changed when a new pair joined up after another round of fundraising.

Gladstone Public Safety Officer and K-9 handler Dylan Nadeau-Enright, left, and Public Safety Director Ron Robinson speak to the Gladstone City Commission about the K-9 team's future Monday night. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press photo)

In October 2022, Nadeau-Enright and Public Safety Director Ron Robinson signed an agreement stating the city would pay — using money garnered through community donations — 100% of the $20,000 required to purchase K-9 Bico and send Nadeau-Enright and the dog to Police K-9 Academy. The agreement also stated Nadeau-Enright would work as Gladstone’s K-9 officer for at least 48 months, or four years, after course completion or be responsible for repaying the entire $20,000 if he voluntarily left the Gladstone department.

K-9 Bico was certified in February 2023. The duo of Bico and Nadeau-Enright hit the road and within months assisted Michigan State Police with a drug bust that seized about $30,000 worth of narcotics. The K-9 unit has since been involved with about 100 calls, Nadeau-Enright reported.

He has continued fundraising efforts for the K-9 program, which now has about $20,000. The funds go to support not only future trainings but also food, veterinary care and other operational costs, Robinson said.

Recently, Nadeau-Enright has been seeking employment elsewhere. He has found a position with a sheriff’s department in downstate Michigan and, although some finalities are yet to be worked out, intends to leave around the end of October — and take with him Bico, who would retire prematurely and become a pet.

Severing the K-9 handler’s contract a year early is not simple. Gladstone City Manager Eric Buckman, Robinson and Nadeau-Enright met Sept. 11 to discuss possible routes forward. With no settlement reached, the matter came before the city commission Monday.

Although the contract stated the officer would have to pay back the entire $20,000 for the dog and training if he left before the four years had passed, no one seemed to think that was necessary and agreed the contract should be changed next time to allow for some kind of breakaway clause.

However, commissioners struggled to reach a decision that seemed appropriate for the present situation.

With about three years fulfilled on the contract, Buckman suggested Nadeau-Enright pay back $5,000 — a sort of pro rata amount for the one-quarter of the contract remaining.

Nadeau-Enright argued that because the dog was “useless” without his handler, he shouldn’t have to pay more than $200 to $300 to keep Bico, since that’s about what a shelter dog would cost.

Robinson said the department would not want to keep Bico without his current handler. Although another current Public Safety Officer, Charity Potier, has expressed interest in becoming Gladstone’s next K-9 handler, the department would want to start her on a new dog. Because a K-9 and its handler train together, Bico would not be able to simply transfer to Potier without having to start again from square one. Nadeau-Enright said it took about two years for him and Bico to fully bond. The two are together even when off the clock.

One option presented in the staff report was the city keep Nadeau-Enright’s vacation and sick time payout, which amounts to about $4,600. But the officer did not want to part with that payout.

Commissioner Brad Mantela made a motion to allow Nadeau-Enright to keep Bico for the reduced cost of $2,500.

“I think Officer Enright and the K-9 have done a great job for the community. They’ve been a great — not only in the job that they do, but also the public image of the Public Safety Department. And, you know, this contract was signed in good faith … life changes come around,” Mantela said.

“When I made that agreement — I am taking full responsibility — I did it in good faith,” Nadeau-Enright assured the commission. “I did it with the understanding that I would live out that contract. … I understand the intent was for me to work the dog for the duration of his career, but circumstances have changed on my end. I’m definitely willing to inherit him; I’m willing to take him, but I do not feel it’s fair to ask for a significant dollar amount when the dog won’t be used after I’m gone.”

He explained he has taken a lot of pride in Gladstone Public Safety’s K-9 program.

“When I inherited the program, you know, there was a brief period where we didn’t think it was going to continue,” Nadeau-Enright said, “so I put a lot of time and effort to make sure and establish this foundation, with the help of you guys and with the help of Ron, to make sure that even after me, it continues.”

He said that although nothing is on paper at this point, there are some repeat sponsors in the community who verbally told both Nadeau-Enright and Potier they would donate toward the next generation of K-9 units in Gladstone.

Convinced the contract was fundamentally flawed; the officer had served Gladstone well, including raising thousands of dollars for the K-9 fund on his own time; and the program would be able to continue with community help after the departure of the current K-9 team, the commission agreed to amend Mantela’s motion and let Nadeau-Enright take Bico for $500.

The officer said he would be willing to sign something that states Bico will not be working after the pair leaves Gladstone.

In other business Monday, the Gladstone City Commission:

— Approved the very first request for disbursement of funds for the wastewater collection system improvements. The initial payment of $439,386.79 will cover planning, design engineering, legal and financial services, bond counsel and bid advertisement costs.

— Hired Coleman Engineering for upcoming work on a distribution main and water intake. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted the city a $7,927,000 loan for the work. Coleman’s engineering fees are to be $770,300.

— Approved entering into a $57,500 contract with Coleman Engineering for their services on the upcoming South Hill Road project, which will crush, shape and pave the road from the railroad crossing at U.S. 2 to Tipperary Road and widen shoulders. The Michigan Department of Transportation has provided a $385,000 grant, with the city required to match at least 20%. Total costs are estimated at roughly $500,000.

— Agreed to pay the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association $13,028 for safety dues.

— Authorized City Clerk Kim Berry to appoint election inspectors for the Nov. 4 election.

— Reappointed Gary Maynard to the Economic Development Corporation for a term that expires in 2031.

— Approved a cemetery lot transfer of seven burial spaces from Herbert Rau and Glenda (Rau) Mock to Rebecca Herbert.