New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
After some minor technical difficulties, the New Richland City Council’s first meeting of the month started at about 6:40 p.m. on Monday, May 11. The meeting was once again held remotely, and all members were present.
Following approval of the agenda and consent agenda items, the council approved Resolution 20-08, extending emergency declaration to the date of the next meeting, with councilperson Jason Casey voting no, as well as Resolution 20-09, care center banking authorization.
Tony Martens presented the police report, which stated the department had 87 calls for service in April.
“The number of calls is down because of Covid-19 stuff,” said Martens. “We’re trying to limit face-to-face activity.”
The number of calls for the year to date is at 449, down from 454 for January-April of last year. Martens noted that regular conference calls with area responders continue, as well as talks with school administration regarding activities for this year’s graduating seniors.
The Highway 30 project has begun, which will have a significant impact on the city, according to Martens. Training for Officer Lee will begin at the end of the month, which will be done in compliance with social distancing guidelines.
A purchase request for cloud-based training software in order to document and maintain mandatory safety training for all city departments—police, fire, ambulance—at a cost of $25/year for each employee for a total of $1,690/year was approved.
It was noted that though Farm and City Days has been cancelled this year, New Richland’s Night to Unite will tentatively remain scheduled for early August, with Martens to monitor updates on the state’s stay-at-home order and other restrictions due to Covid-19.
Grant opportunities for a new emergency siren at the bowling alley in town are being looked into, as well as the possibility of installing a siren at St. Olaf Lake. Finally, City Clerk Wayne Billing mentioned that the school reached out to discuss a celebration for the graduating students, with the possibility of holding a short fireworks display at the school, granted a permit is obtained and the fire chief signs off on it.
“I don’t see any problem with that, as long as it’s done safely and effectively,” Martens said.
A motion to approve the celebration was made and carried, and the police report was approved.
With no one to present the fire department and ambulance reports, the council moved on to the topic of hiring a seasonal worker for the summer. Four applications were received, and the recommendation to hire Jacob Schuller was approved, pending acceptance of minimum wage for the position.
Street work to be done by WW Blacktopping at a cost of $57,996.05 was approved. The work will include repair on N Broadway, replacing the intersection on 6th St. and Cedar, repairing the north edge along the gutter on west 6th Street, work south of the 6th and Cedar intersection, and patching on 3rd St. and Broadway, where there was a water main break.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.