New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Contributing Writer
The New Richland City Council held its first meeting of the month on Monday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. All members were in attendance, save for councilperson Amy Ihrke. The consent agenda items were approved, as well as Resolution 14-04, which accepted a $2,000 donation of cash to the city from the New Richland Firemen’s Relief Association. The resolution was approved.
Scott Eads presented the police report for January, stating the New Richland Police Department responded to 80 calls and 27 other contacts/activities during the month, and no serious or felonious crimes were reported.
A request for the purchase of two new tasers, to replace two broken in December, was then made. It was approved, with the cost not to exceed $2,000.
A formal offer was made to Patrolman Ryan Gehrke for a full-time position, and the department is awaiting response. Eads also informed the council of three positive part-time prospects for positions within the department.As of February 7, the department has switched over to a new radio system, which is reportedly working very well. The council approved the police report.
The next order of business was the ambulance report. On March 2 at the City Hall, an open house will be held, providing CPR training, basic first aid, and to hopefully help recruit new members. The ambulance has received applications to join as First Responders, and most are awaiting background checks. However, one applicant stirred up quite a bit of discussion at this week’s meeting.
Said applicant, age 17, has requested the opportunity to take the First Responders class, as well as ride along in the ambulance to strictly observe. Normally, the council would pay the cost of the class for existing employees; however, since this person is not yet 18 years old, he will not be reimbursed until one year after he comes of age. Special circumstances caused the council to consider what would otherwise not be, and the issue was postponed to the next meeting.
The ambulance department stated they will need a new license in March, and the council approved the application. The ambulance report was approved.
The fire department was up next, with an initial request to send members to fire school at South Central College in Mankato. The request was approved, with costs not to exceed $1,000. A second request for the purchase and installation of a new light tower motor for a fire truck was approved, with costs not to exceed $700.
Concerning the fire department’s new building, across the street from City Hall, it was mentioned the walls will be sprayed and painted this weekend. Tile purchase and installation, at the cost of not more than $5,000, was approved, as well as up to $4,000 for the purchase of tables and chairs. The fire department report was approved.
With snow in the forecast, the issue of plowing and removal of snow was presented; the council approved a contract pay of $18/hour, as their usual snow remover is on vacation.
Before adjourning the rather brief 50-minute meeting, it was decided that Mayor Christine Gislason and Councilperson Sandy Neumann will attend the next Farm and City Days meeting.