NRHEG City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of the month Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. All members were present, along with Sarah McKay, new city clerk/administrator, and Gail Schmidt. The agenda and consent agenda items were approved before Schmidt addressed the council for the public hearing portion of the meeting.
Mayor-elect Schmidt, had a few questions for the council regarding the retaining wall issue that was discussed at last month’s meeting, the official council meeting minutes online that haven’t been updated since July, and the city’s use of CARES Act money. There was some discussion about the retaining wall, about which no action has been taken in the past because no official complaints have been filed.
Schmidt noted that the EDA received CARES Act funds in Waseca and Janesville and asked why something similar wasn't done in New Richland, to which Mayor Mike Shurson replied that no requests were made.
"The period of approval for funds ran from March to November of 2020," said new city clerk Sarah McKay. "The funds went to police jackets, PPE for city hall, technology for remote meetings, and to maintain police and ambulance personnel."
Next on the agenda was Resolution 20-16, approving depository, on which action was tabled until the next meeting due to a missing document.
Brad Field presented the PeopleService report, which stated that there was a small leak of chlorine gas in a fitting that has since been repaired. A complaint was received about a sewer backup at a city residence, and after checking manholes it was determined that it was a homeowner problem. The issue has been fixed. The council approved the report.
With Ryan Nissen absent, the council reviewed and approved the maintenance report before moving on to the care center report, which was presented by Chuck Ness.
The care center saw low census numbers again in October, and due to ongoing COVID-related expenses the financials have been slightly skewed. With one resident testing positive for COVID in September, the center paid an extra $10/hour for staff working in the same area as the patient, and all staff received an extra $3/hour for ten days. The additional expenses because of COVID will be covered, and funds have already been received for COVID expenses.
The center’s new Director of Nursing has been urging the staff to get the census up, according to Ness, and as of Nov. 23 the census for the month of November was at 84%. Currently, the center is having issues with the 14-day quarantine that is required for all new residents and the lack of private rooms at the facility.
The new assisted living project was discussed, and it was noted that the old building on the property where the new facility will be constructed has been demolished. It is hoped that groundbreaking for the new building will begin next spring.
“We’re working on finances to make sure the assisted living project is affordable,” said Ness, who also explained how the project will improve the center’s census numbers. “If we can get people into the new rooms [in the assisted living project], I think we can hit a census of 50.”
Though the situation with COVID doesn’t appear to be improving significantly any time soon, the center is still taking steps to keep morale up. For Halloween, staff dressed up in costumes and the residents voted on the best one, with the winner receiving chamber bucks.
“The residents loved it,” said Ness.
Financials and the check registry for October were approved, along with the care center report. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.