Michelle Johnson accepts position
By ELI LUTGENS
Editor
The New Richland City Council announced Michelle Johnson has accepted an offer to be New Richland’s next City Administrator at its regular meeting, Monday, April 12.
Many New Richland residents were surprised to hear of the resignation of City Administrator Sara McKay after just several months on the job. Council acted swiftly and offered the position to the person they felt was the next most qualified candidate from those candidates interviewed last year.
Councilperson Loren Schlaak asked whether Johnson’s experience would allow her to do the job effectively.
Mayor Gail Schmidt is confident she’s ready. “She comes highly recommended. She’s got city clerk experience. She knows the fund accounting. She’s got a degree in accounting. She’s got experience on the city council, and in the clerk [position/office], and now she’s been at the county.”
Councilperson Jason Casey questioned whether Johnson was ready for the challenges facing the city. “Is she aware of our situation?”
Mayor Schmidt: “Absolutely.”
Councilperson Casey: “She’s not coming in blind?”
Mayor Schmidt: “No. She’s up for the challenge.”
Johnson is expected to start roughly three weeks from now pending the agreement with the city. Councilperson Chad Neitzel speculated her possible start day could be as early as May 3.
Ambulance Report
Ambulance Director Sarah Sundve was present to deliver the Ambulance Report. She provided the council with updates regarding some of the cultural and procedural changes taking place within the department. “Some of the new crew is getting the new policy signs. A lot of them are excited. Some expressed that these are good changes and that they are appreciating it.”
Councilperson Schlaak asked Director Sundve how the culture is changing within the department.
Director Sundve: “I was on a call the other day and one of the crewmembers that has been on, he said that there’s less drama. It’s more relaxed. It’s more fun.”
Multiple members of the council expressed a desire to focus on the positivity within the department moving forward. Director Sundve said working with other departments within the city has also been going smoothly.
“We’re going in the right direction,” said Mayor Schmidt. “That’s the important part.”
The department has responded to 43 calls this year. Director Sundve reported the department is doing well to find additional EMTs and first responders for the department. Most simply need to complete training and courses, so they are able to officially begin working for the department. Director Sundve said the department is doing CEBO training for those who need it this weekend, which is like a “drivers test” as well as cardiac training. It was reported that the cost for these courses should be reimbursed by the state.
Emergency Medical Services begins May 16. The ambulance department is working to be involved with the community, not only that week, but moving forward. Director Sundve said the department plans to have members attend a “REACH” class at NRHEG school two days during EMS week to teach “Hands only CPR” and “Stop the Bleed” courses and provide informal certificates to those who attend the course. Also planned for EMS week, the department intends to meet with the preschool class of NRHEG. The purpose of this meeting is to help the younger kids feel comfortable around emergency personnel. “If there ever is an emergency and we have to respond, then hopefully the kids aren’t so scared,” said assistant City Administrator SaraJo Vulcan.
A community meet-and-greet with department members was also discussed.
Director Sundve requested funds to purchase junior and senior EPI pens to replace the expired ones. Following a discussion about price, council approved up to $1,100 for the purchase. Director Sundve assured the council she is doing her best to find the cheapest viable options.
Former Ambulance Director and EMT Chris Schlaak was unable to attend the meeting to accept a plaque honoring her 30 years of service. Schlaak informed the mayor that she could accept the award in May.
Director Sundve expressed her appreciation for everything Chris has done for the City of New Richland. “I wanted to thank Chris for her 30 years of service. You made an impact on everybody. And best wishes.”
Police Report
Police Chief Anthony Martens was present to deliver the police report. The department responded to 147 calls for service this month, bringing the year’s total calls for service to 361. At this time last year, the department responded to 354 calls for service. Chief Martens warned the calls for service will appear higher compared to these months last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Martens reported that officer Josh Knutson has begun his full-time rotation as the new officer. Officer Chris Lee is going through defensive tactics training courses.
Multiple areas of discussion were tabled until more information is available. Those areas include the siren purchase discussion and the possibility of National Night Out in August.
An update regarding the damaged fence at the sewer plant was provided. A person has officially been charged. It is now up to the insurance providers involved to determine what damage will be covered. The council agreed the city needs to fix the fence regardless of when or if the cost will be covered by insurance.
Council also approved purchase for a USB backup power supply for the computer at a cost not to exceed $100. Chief Martens reported the city has begun addressing city ordinance violations. In the month of March, four letters were sent out and two were resolved.
Fire Department Report
Fire Chief Josh Moen was absent and did not provide a report.
The discussion regarding Chief Moen’s absence followed.
Councilperson Jody Wynnemer: “At the beginning of the year, I thought we had a requirement for the department heads to be present at our meetings?”
Mayor Schmidt: “We did.”
Councilperson Wynnemer: “I haven’t seen Josh in three months. I don’t know about you guys. Have any of you seen him?”
Councilperson Neitzel: “That’s the way it’s always been. I would always have to bring it [the report]. Just so you guys are aware. Which is because I’m the next in line.”
Mayor Schmidt: “A councilperson shouldn’t be reporting to the council. Who would like to contact him?”
Councilperson Wynnemer: “I’ll do it. I’ll ask him why. At least [he could] send us something if he can’t be here.”
Community Room
Three different options regarding the replacement of the floor in the community room and kitchen were discussed. Council approved to spend up to $7,100 for the purchase of tile flooring from Floors 4U in Ellendale. The purchase of new tables and chairs for the community room was also approved.
Mayor Schmidt said she doesn’t expect either of these projects to end up costing as much as was approved because a lot of the cost should be covered by a possible New Richland Area Foundation grant.
Miscellaneous
Brian Brosdahl delivered a presentation regarding ambulance department billing services provided by Experti Billing.
Council agreed to retain the services of Abdo Eick and Meyers for another month to help assist in the accounting department.
Promotion of the city garden “rent a plot” project was agreed to. The cost to rent a garden plot in the city garden is $25.
A payment of $49,000 to the League of Minnesota Cities for insurance premiums was approved.
The possibility of sending the new city administrator to the Minnesota Clerks Conference in June was tabled until the cost of the conference becomes available.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.