QUINCY - Quincy councilmembers expressed surprise at a police response to a citizen complaint.

Four councilmembers expressed sympathy for Nichol Knebel during a recent city council meeting. The response came after Knebel questioned how the city enforced an ordinance during a February council meeting.

The city code prohibits people from leaving a vehicle parked on the street for more than 48 consecutive hours, according to city records. The city requires the vehicle to be moved at least 500 feet.

If police find a vehicle, they can issue a warning notice requiring the vehicle to be moved within eight hours, according to city records. If the vehicle hasn't been moved, the city can tow it.

Knebel called the response, sent by police Capt. Gene Fretheim, insulting. She brought up issues with Fretheim's defense of the officer's actions and how the code is enforced.

Councilmember Adam Roduner started the discussion, saying the incident started with snow removal.

"With something as minor as that, you have the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, and you showed an effort of moving the vehicle, so therefore the spirit of the law should take place in a situation like that."

Roduner sympathized with Knebel's feelings about the letter, saying he would have the same feelings.

"I think it could have been a little more professionally done, and I'm sorry," he said.

Councilmember Jose Saldana called the letter offensive and unprofessional, saying he expected the response to be reviewed by the mayor before it was sent to Knebel.

"What I was expecting from the police department was, 'Mrs. Knebel, we're really sorry for what happened, for the officer's behavior and for this we will apologize, and we'll make sure the next time we will be more polite,'" he said. "I would not expect anything like this toward anybody."

Councilmember Scott Lybbert said he was surprised by the letter, and he asked for the ordinance to be added to public utilities and enterprises and public safety committee agendas.

Councilmember Tom Harris said he was surprised by the response.