[laughter] Go ahead.
» Okay, let's call the Pipes City Council meeting for February 17th to order,
please. Could I have a roll call? >> Mayor Delaney
» here. >> Council member Schmidt
» here. >> Council member Thompson
» here. >> Council member Swanson.
» Council member Colbec >> here.
» We have a quorum. >> Thank you. If you're able, please rise
for our pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Approval of the agenda. Is there any additions, changes, or deletions to our
agenda?
I have none. Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to
approve the agenda as presented. >> Some move.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. All oppose say no. And motion
carries. the consent agenda that contains the February 2nd, 2026 special
meeting minutes, the February 2nd, 2026 regular meeting minutes, the payment of
claims, a list of bills, and the January 2026 financial report. I'd entertain a
motion to approve the consent agenda. >> I move we approve the consent.
» I'll second that. >> Moved and seconded. Any questions,
discussion? >> Hearing none, all in favor say I.
» I. All oppose say no and motion carries.
Community concerns is next. Do we have anyone signed in for community concerns?
There is >> no one signed in.
» Okay. All right. We'll move on to legal. That's ordinance number 1714 series and
that was introduced at our last meeting and that is up for a motion to approve
the uh amendments to that ordinance. That's regarding the administration of
city staff. And we'll have to have a roll call for
that roll call vote. >> Do we have make a motion?
» Right. So I'd entertain a motion to uh approve ordinance 1714 series.
» So move second. >> Moved and seconded. Is there any
discussion, questions, comments? And what we're doing is we're we're changing
we're updating that ordinance and uh giving the uh city administrator some
authority there to work with and also updating the uh personnel committee
making sure that's part of it too. Correct.
» Correct. >> Yep. So, okay.
Go ahead with your roll call. >> All right. Mayor Delaney,
» I will vote in favor of that. Yes. Okay. Council member Schmidt.
» Yes. >> Council member Thompson.
» Yes. >> Council member Colbec.
» Yes. >> All right. Motion passed.
» And that is a 2/3 majority. So that carries.
» Okay. Engineering. Travis. Do you have
anything for engineering? I don't have anything on the agenda. So
» no. Hoping to know sometime in the near future when the safe routes to school
project will start, but with the fluctuations in temps, uh, we don't have
a start date yet. >> Okay.
» So hopefully soon. Yeah. Yeah, that would be great to get that going.
New business, community concern response and Donna Morris is on the agenda. Is
Donna here today? >> I do not see her.
» Okay. So, a question came up through uh Donna about uh a uh overdue bill
on her uh rental property and the balance was 54466.
Um yeah, Donna's uh um take on it was that she had notified the city to uh
stop um to actually turn the water off on her renter, but her renter had an
agreement with the city and uh was making payments or had an agreement to
make payments. And so then it's the city policy not to turn the water off when
there is an attempt to to pay those payments even though they're late. Um
the last thing you want to do is shut someone's water off. I mean you got to
but we can't have bad debts either and we can't just allow people not to pay
their bills. And so anyway, we've um changed that a little bit recently.
Stephanie was instrumental in getting uh we need to have actually a landlord
needs to come in and sign uh paperwork stating they want that
water turned off if they have an agreement. And and uh we try to work
with landlords and some landlords want to have the utility bills in their name
so they have total control and some landlords don't want to have anything to
do with it. they want the uh the tenant to take care of that bill and uh we try
to work as a city both ways. Well, this particular instance did not
work out well for Donna because there is $54466
left unpaid. And uh
since she isn't here to speak for herself, I'm just giving you the
quick layown on how it turned out that she did have an issue.
So what's the council's wishes? What do we need to do to resolve this dilemma?
We have uh changed our policies here where we require the landlord to come in
and uh sign. If uh worst case scenario, no one pays this, it will go back to the
uh taxes on the property. So the landlord would be responsible anyway.
And uh that's where we're at. So [clears throat]
any comments from the council?
» I could just see >> you know that somehow the city should
keep the um the owner um
of of what situation is going on. So they know, you know, that this is what's
happening. If it don't get paid, it's it's going to revert back to them. And I
and uh I know as they had payment that [snorts] they
were like a month behind every time I think or something like that. I mean
they were trying to make payments >> you know and like you said that's that's
kind of a health health risk to shut somebody's water off. That's
» Yeah. >> But at the same time it's a
responsibility of the the owner also. Well, I don't know if it's a lack of
communication between the owner and the render also that kind of got to the
point where it did, but I I don't know what the fix would be. Just
more communication between the owner and the renter and the the city of Pipstone.
» Yeah. And I think we're doing our share where we do have a specific specific
form available now. and and uh my take is you you know originally it's a
landlord tenant agreement. Well, we aren't involved with it at all. It's a
landlord tenant thing. And if it works out well, that landlord doesn't come in
and share the profits with the city. And if it doesn't work out well,
why should the city be responsible? And when I say the city, what I mean is
everyone, all the taxpayers. Why should they be responsible for an agreement
that a private parties had made and it didn't turn out well?
It didn't follow through. So, I guess uh you know, I would follow staff's
recommendation and uh at this point, I think we're doing
things correctly. it's for information at this time to the council and unless
you want to see something change differently
um let us know but I think we've got a good system in place and
continue to operate the way we are operating
» with regards to this bill we do still send um that past renter and Donna a
notice every month trying to collect on that amount just it is city code that if
If nobody pays on it come um October, we'll send them notice that we're going
to assess it to the property. So >> So they will know that.
» Yeah. >> Does it have to wait that long
» to assess taxes? Yeah. >> And I'm sure we're obligated. There's
statutes, I'm sure, that we need to follow. And uh it's just like you just
can't someone's a day late on a bill, you can't shut their water off. Boom.
You know, you have to give them the 30-day notice. And
» yeah. Yeah. We can't send notice of past due until they're 30 days.
» Okay. >> So then that's the first notice. And
then what's the next step after that? So once they get that notice, they'll have
um 15 20 days to either come in, pay off what they owe um that's past due or make
a payment arrangement with us, or they might pay part of it and make payment
arrangement for the rest. Um and at that point, we'll we'll try to work with them
on the bill. >> Okay?
» But if it doesn't if they don't pay it, you know, that's when they get shut off.
» Okay? where this situation it just happened to be they were past due and
then they moved out so they had extra on top of that. So that's why it got to be
$500 and >> and just because of the way we have to
follow procedure you can get behind by a month and a half two months quite
quickly and there we go with the bill. So
» I see Donna has just entered the room. Donna, do you have any comments? We're
talking about your uh issue with the city and the water bill.
Would you like to would you have any comments for the council?
» Well, yeah. I don't think it's fair. >> If you want to come up to the podium and
talk directly to the council, we certainly give you that opportunity.
» I don't believe that. Yeah. Okay. Well,
» I like I said, I called down there and I asked them to shut it off and this
is before I even knew this there was a policy. I could have came down and
signed a sheet of paper saying shut it off. I was not informed of that.
» Well, I don't think we had that policy at that time, Donna. This is something
that we've tightened up just recently and and uh so yeah, it wasn't a good
system, but it was the only system we had. And
it boils down to like I said earlier before you came in, this is an agreement
with two private parties, yourself and your tenant. And we kind of get put in
the middle as a city with providing utilities. But the taxpayers, the city
of Pipstone should not be responsible for an agreement between two private
parties that goes sour. >> An agreement between them and you.
» Well, you were the one that rented them the property.
» Where's the [clears throat] deposit? >> You rented them the property. Correct.
So, you are the beginning of the agreement. and they knew that we were
trying to get them out of there, but they would not answer their phone. They
would not respond to anything. >> I know it's a
» cops were in there and they were supposed to go back and they never did.
» Okay. So, the deposit I'm assuming the city has.
» Yep. That was credited back to the bill >> and that covers how much?
» That was $120.99 that was returned back on the bill.
» Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to ask you, Donna, what is
your opinion on what is fair for the taxpayers of the citizens of Pipstone
and your dilemma that you have here with the bill of $54,446?
» I believe about halfway, too. >> You're saying halfway?
Are you saying you're responsible for 50% of it only?
» Like I said, I I tried to get it shut off.
» Yeah. Well, I think in any situation where in my experience anyway, where
there is a conflict, where there is something where someone is injured or
whatever, it's never 100% someone's fault. And and so I'm glad to hear that
you're saying that uh yes, I'm 50% responsible. I don't think the city's
50% responsible though. But uh I could see where if it was something like an
8020 split if you were interested in that. That's maybe something the council
might be interested in. >> Even notify them where they move to.
» Yeah. Well, that wasn't hard to >> about that either,
» right? Well, we can't because they're under a different scenario totally where
they don't have utility bills in their name. So, we can't do anything with
that. But to me, I think if we can collect on
a bad debt, and this is something that needs to be collected, we're not a bank.
There's three banks in this community if you need to their use. But I I think
that uh this should be paid off and if we could come up with some type of an
agreement of an 8020 split where uh you're responsible for 80% of it and the
city's responsible for 20% of it because at that time there wasn't the system
that we have now. And uh yeah, information got uh missed or something
because when you said you wanted it turned off that should have been turned
off in my eyes. But when you have people that are paying,
that's a tenant. >> Come on now, Dan.
» Well, I think in we're already at two months by the time you got notices. And
two months, you can have $150, $300 worth of bills real fast. So, I I'm
I'm just guessing that because I don't know what the water use was, but the
final numbers were 54466.
And uh if you're interested in paying the city of that
80% of that, I think that would be acceptable to me. But I want to leave
it's up to the entire council. So, >> I don't know. I mean, I'd be willing to
negotiate, but I don't know if we can make that decision tonight. Can we?
» Why not? It's
» on the agenda. It's >> That's what we're here for to make
decisions. >> I'm just asking if if we can, you know.
» Yeah, >> we will. And if we can, you know,
» I have a question on your new policy. When there are 30 days delinquent, you
send a note out. Does it go to just the renter or does it go to the homeowner,
too? >> It goes to both.
» Okay. >> And that's why Donna, I think, called in
was because she got that notice as well. Yeah.
» And [clears throat] I believe the reason why we told her we wouldn't turn it off
was one because they had an agreement in place
» and they were keeping to that agreement. They were making those payments on time
that they had promised to pay at that time. Um, the second reason was because
we've had property owners call in before wanting us to turn off renters and we
have. Well, then that $35 on $35 off fee gets put on the renters's bill and
that's not really fair for the renter to have to pay that fee. So, that's why we
never had, you know, we just didn't do it. Yeah.
» But then we came up with the idea if they they want to take the
responsibility of turning the water off, they need to come in, they need to sign
accepting that responsibility and pay that $70 fee so that that doesn't become
an additional burden on the renter. >> Okay.
Well, yeah, it's it's not an easy scenario, and I understand where you're
coming from, Donna, when you try to make an agreement with someone and then they
don't follow through. And any business, [snorts] um, you can't just take bad
debts after bad debts. You can't take 100% loss. I think any businessman would
agree to that. But if you could collect 80% of your bad debts, I think that's a
reasonable offer. And uh I would make that motion that we would but I would
expect you to pay that 80% um right away. We're not going to go 30
60 90 days down the road. >> You got to give me a little
» I would like to see the bill get put into Donna's name permanently if
possible. We're
» now on it. So >> they're going to have to pay their own
deposit now. Do you go after them?
» Well, it's not our job to go after, you know, your scenario that turns out to be
bad, but I can I can certainly understand and I appreciate a landlord
because we need landlords. We need people people need places to rent and
and uh but there is a risk there and sometimes there's profits and sometimes
there's loss in any business and and so um yeah so I would move that uh we uh
reduce the bill by 20% and payable in 30 days.
Is that acceptable to you Donna? >> Okay.
I'd entertain a second on that motion. >> I'll second that then if she's accepting
that. Any questions, comments?
Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.
» All post say no. And motion carries. >> Well, thank you, Donna, and good luck.
» Can I have a final amount right now then so it doesn't change again? 435.73.
All right.
[snorts] We'll move on to request for council
action on disc golf upgrades at West View Park request. And uh we'll have
some guests present. So I understand we have some guests present. And if you'd
like to come up to the podium and uh introduce yourself, tell us where you
live. Just for the record and uh tell us what you got in mind.
» Little pipe stone here. >> Bruce Zler. Awesome pipe stone here.
» Yeah. So we were we play out there on the course out
there a lot and we do see some people out there. Um, and we've noticed, you
know, they it could take use some upgrades out there and some better
signage and we came up with this proposal
um that returned in there. I don't know how many of you guys seen it, but um
» Yes, we did. >> Yeah. And
we feel they could bring a lot more people to
the town here. Uh if they knew that there's a course
here for one and it being updated a little better and the signage better out
there. >> The course as is. There's certain parts
that are kind of just run down too. And just overall I think it makes the park
look better. >> Okay.
» Fix it up. Well, just what I can remember of that course, I believe it
was in the mid90s that uh we had an individual come in
that was very interested in disc golf and uh through uh our park and
recreation department at that time, they were able to put together um a nice
course out there. But to my knowledge, and I'm not on park and recck commission
anymore, but I don't remember anybody talking about any upgrades to that in
probably the last uh 35 years then.
» Just last year. [laughter] >> Yeah, just last year.
» And so maybe it's due to be upgraded a little bit. I certainly like your idea
of promoting it because yeah, we want people to know what we have available
and we've got some wonderful parks in our community and there's a lot of
different recreation available in our community and this is just one of them
and uh we want to make sure people know it.
» Yeah. >> So, yeah, great idea. Um, as far as
updating it, there are some grants available and uh um Pete would be the
guy to talk to as far as uh upgrading and I think we can direct him. He's our
park and recreations director and uh see if we can't get this going for you, get
it updated. So, >> I have one question if I can. When
you're talking about course maps, are you talking like printed maps that'd be
like at the chamber or are you talking like online maps that that people would
be able to find online on the city's website? I just see that was one of the
line items. So the map we're talking is it'd be a course map that would be out
at the park >> like at the start of the park. Yeah.
» And then also on every teapad to the hole there'd be a sign
» kind of like a golf course going to the next green or the next
» Okay. I've never played. So that's why >> that's why I was wondering if you know
be something where like up at the chamber conference you know say hey we
got this you know people are asking what can we do around town or maybe at the
motel or something like that. >> You know we want to the A's are very
interested in you know us get some tournaments set up as well
with us. >> Yeah that would be great. I think in the
long run tournament out there with the with the disc golf they'd be serving you
know have their concessions open and they want to bring more attention to
their team as well. So, uh, >> these these courses,
um, these signs for each hole or and at the beginning, you know, out the
country club, there's a a sign there for Pipstone Publishing for hole number four
or whatever. Would there be people willing to
» sponsor a hole? >> Well, it's possible. We haven't asked
anyone yet. It is definitely possible. >> Well, let's uh let's here's my take on
it. Let's turn it over to our park and recreations director. Sounds like the
council's behind upgrading it. it's due and uh let him apply for some grants and
see what's available cuz if we can get grants for something like this and it
sounds like he's got some ideas that uh it's possible
» and we'll get it updated and there won't be an expense to the taxpayers and we'll
have a nice facility for everyone to use. Yeah.
» And I like that idea of having cuz you know when you go to a golf course the
first thing you want to do is look and see well how is this set up? Okay, this
is what I need to be doing. And you don't have signs like that out there.
How do you know? You just look and >> signs, but a lot of them are missing
now. >> Really? Okay.
» 30 years. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, it's time to update. So,
well, thanks for bringing it to our attention
» and uh we'll get to work on it. >> On a couple websites, too,
» so that's where we actually started noticing there's problems with the
courses. the the websites that the normal players go to, they would they
would notice what you were just talking about where you couldn't figure out
where the next thing is or what not. So, >> that's so we we'd update the stuff on
the other websites, too. But basically, you know,
» well, coordinate with Stephanie and uh >> for the city website.
» Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> And we'll go from there.
» Okay. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate it.
» Thank you. >> Do we need to Let's see.
» Do we need to have a motion on that upgrade?
Um, I don't believe so. Not at this time.
» Okay. All right. Okay. Next up is resolution 2026-11.
And this is a resolution regarding the applicant for authorization for
exemption from the lawful gambling license. And it would be for the Pipone
Sportsman's Club to hold a raffle on May 8th at the Pipes National Armory. And
this is something we've done in the past. So, I would recommend uh we move
ahead with this. >> I move we uh do resolution 2026-11.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any questions,
comments? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying I.
» I. All post say no. And motion carries. Resolution 2026-12.
And this resolution is approving the summary publication of ordinance 1714
series that was approved earlier this evening. and simply put it's uh costs
too much to to publish the entire ordinance and so we do abbreviated
version. We've done that in the past and it's legal to do that. So entertain a
motion. >> So moved.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any questions?
All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. All oppose say no. Motion carries.
Approval of our 1, five, and 10year city plan. and we've met uh in January and
February and had our planning discussions, came up with a good plan.
Um I was very pleased with the council and how we uh met most of our one-year
uh plans in 2025 and so we've got 2026 ahead of us and uh we've got some good
goals that have been drafted and I I think uh hopefully we can get through
those just like we did in 2025. entertain a motion to approve the 1,
five, and 10year city plan. So moved, >> second moved and seconded. Any
questions, comments? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I.
» I. All oppose say no. And motion carries. The ework gymnasium floor. And
we've known that that's been kind of an issue for a while. And uh we've had some
uh rough estimates on replacement of that
floor. And I guess we need to uh give direction
to the recck department and our again our recreation director um Robert
Peterson to see what the council's wishes are in this. So
» I I would move that he would um move to get a
new estimates on what a new floor would do.
» Yeah.
It looks like what they'd like to do is have council approval
for and then a planning session with the park and wreck commission and probably
Stephanie and uh Pete and and uh come up with a plan and then come back to us
with uh what type of floor they want to put in
there. With that, I know if you want to add
that to your final your motion, I would approve that then with that with that
verbage added to it. >> I would move that please to use the the
rec board to do a planning session and bring it to
council. >> Yeah. give them authority to uh research
it, find out what floors are available, what they cost, come back to the council
for final approval, and you second to that. Roger.
» Yes. >> Okay. Any other questions, comments?
All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. All oppose say no. Motion carries.
» Haywatha Pageant Park Trail and uh recently the city received federal land
access program. It's a flap grant they call it for construction of phase one of
the Hayawa Pageant Trail project that is being coordinated with the National Park
Service. And uh we do have a updated map here that shows um
where that trail is proposed to be. And the Hayawa Pageant Park Commission
definitely needs to be a part of this discussion. And uh this is a trail that
will take off from Hayawa, North Hayawa Avenue and go to the uh
west and connect in with a trail that's going to be um at the Pipeso National
Monument and then also go back down to the south and west and go through the
pageant park area. So this is preliminary. Um the exact uh route will
be discussed with the pageant park and uh the council and uh I hope we can move
ahead on that because I I think it's a win-win for everyone. It updates the
park a little bit and it helps with the national monument being a good neighbor
there and uh I think it's going to be a wonderful recreational area for it
enhances the recreational area for the citizens of the pipstone.
So, we would need a motion. Um, it this was not a budgeted expense,
but we have to have an environmental review and a land survey by our
engineer. And then Travis, correct me if I'm wrong. Um, that's estimated cost is
about $100,000 for that and then additional 15,000 for an environmental
review study too. Or was that 15,000 for the entire trail system? That would be
the additional um cost to do the entire trail out to play more curves which
would in so that would include the future phases. It's going through the
same paperwork just expanding the the research area. So it's it it's a pretty
small increase to to do that extra that would open us up for better positioning
for grants down the road too. >> Yeah, I I think that's a good idea. And
I failed to mention this, but this flap grant is for 9 and what 8
» I think 989 >> 894
» very very close to a million dollars. So we're very fortunate to to be able to
get this flap grant and uh yeah, we have put a little skin in the game here with
engineering fees, but I think in the long run it's going to be well worth it.
Okay, for clarification, the 100,000 is just to go through the Padet Park.
» And for the additional 15,000, you're going to add that all going west. And
how about this? >> Um, going south.
» Um, yeah, that we can get clearance on I'll say the whole thing there.
That ties in the proposed veterans memorial area, too.
» That's just what I'm at. Yeah, I didn't I didn't word that way, but I guess I
showed him on the map. >> The biggest area of concern is when over
here by where it it goes west of the park. That's where some perceived
wetlands could be at. So, it's it's going to be more field work.
» Okay. So, >> Okay. Yeah. And eventually this would
all tie in with the uh park around or the trail around Indian Lakes that comes
back around through uh Minnesota West area and uh really connects everything
up nicely. So >> yeah. Okay. Well, I'd entertain a motion
then.
» Okay. One other question.
» Yeah. >> The 100,000 I mean it's not budgeted.
Where where are we going to find that I guess or where is that coming from?
» So my recommendation would be to take it from reserve funds out of either the
general fund or the liquor store fund. So if there's any leftover in the street
budget, we can utilize that that money. But any that we might need, we probably
come from general fund. >> So basically it's about 10% of a project
that we're paying for. Yeah. >> Yep.
» And I I mean when we talked about it through the planning session, that was
one of the council's high priority was try to try to keep continue and get that
trail done. So >> and the and the schedule for it, it's
this year go through the environmental paperwork and get that clearance and
then, you know, proceed. We'll actually be looking at some other grant
opportunities this fall to try to expand on it. Um, design will be next year and
then construction in 2028. >> Is there a possibility that we could get
some of that back on? >> I think Well, I'm going to say probably
not. >> Probably not on this front,
» but I'm hoping that we can expand on it and uh, you know, make this make this a
more complete trail project using some state funds. State funds partner well
with federal funds. So, >> Okay.
Yeah, I I'd hate to see money come out of the street department at all, but uh
um the profits from the liquor store have always funded community
development. >> Sure.
» And I I know there's a limit >> and uh and this is a large amount of
money, but 10 cents on the dollar, I think that's a bargain for what we're
getting. So, >> because if we don't do it, we aren't
going to be able to continue with the flap grant.
» Correct. We lose that. We give that away.
» Right. >> And once you give a grant away, it makes
it more difficult to get those types of grants again, I'm assuming, because a
lot of time and effort went into getting that grant.
Yeah, that was a good partnership with Justin,
um, city staff, myself, um, the National Park Service helped out. So, it was a
joint application. Um, I think that partnership is what's going to continue
to make this a good project to keep getting more grant funds as we go
forward. >> Okay. And let's make sure that uh um
representatives from the highwa pageant park commission are also involved with
this. >> Yep.
» Good. Okay. All right. Okay. >> I'll make a motion to approve the
» I'll second >> motion on the floor. It has been
seconded. Any other questions, discussion?
» It's for the 115,000. >> Yes.
» Okay. >> For the 115. I'll clarify that. Okay.
» All right. Thank you. All in favor indicate by saying I.
» I. >> I.
» All oppose say no. And motion carries.
Next up is the city hall roof. And we've been talking about that for quite some
time too. But uh yeah, this building has some issues and uh there hasn't been any
updates to it. Um, I'm I'm assuming this building was put together in the '60s,
probably late60s, and uh, it definitely needs some roof
issues, needs some updates on windows. It's something we talked about in our
planning session. And uh this would be the first step is to uh
have city council or city staff I should say um get some estimates together and
see what's available, see what we can do with this building. Maybe we'll find out
that we can't do much with it. And maybe we'll find out we can. We don't know
till you start looking at it. But we do have funding available. Um, we have
52,000 set aside for a roof on this and then another 39,000 was set up for
replacement of carpeting and flooring in the building that could almost be used
for it, too. But um [clears throat] those are all steps that we would get to
once we find out what we're talking about because we need to have this
building looked at with a architect or engineer or something and uh address
what it needs and and the costs and then go from there, make a decision. So
I'd entertain a motion to have staff move ahead with the that project. So
moved. >> Second.
» Moved and seconded. Any other questions, comments?
Hearing none, all in favor by saying I. >> I.
» All oppose say no. And motion carries. We need to consider an amendment to our
personnel policy and with approval of ordinance 1714 series. The personnel
committee is requesting amendments be made to the uh city council the city
personnel policy with regards to employee evaluations.
And in addition to a personnel committee is recommending changes be made to the
city's vehicle use policy and leave acrruel policy. Um city administration
is also requesting the addition of language in the policy to address remote
work. The policy amendments have been provided to the council in your packet.
And if you have any questions on those or I'd entertain a motion. We did we
discussed this with uh um the personnel committee and three department heads and
I'll bet we talked for 2 and 1/2 hours on what we could do to make things work
a little better and a little easier and uh I think Stephanie's come up with some
great ideas and the department heads also have and so uh I I would like to
see us move ahead with this. One thing I did want to mention, um, back late 2023,
the council did make a motion to stop having city employees take home vehicles
that lived outside of the city, city limits. Um, through our discussion with
personnel policy, um, we had talked felt that it would be adequate to leave that
decision up to the department head and myself. Um and basically if a department
head felt that um their their staff person needed to take it home due to
being on call, they could do that. So within this new policy or the amendments
in this policy, it does state that um that it's up to the department head and
city administrator to decide if it's okay. And if if they do decide it's
okay, that has to be within the city uh or the zone county limits. So,
» not response time within the county. >> Not response time. Um
» they have we left it within >> they have to live within the county if
they're going to take it home. >> Correct.
» Okay. >> Yeah.
And when you start talking about on call and expecting people to respond, you
know, to on call scenarios on their uh what would be their time off, um I I
think it's fair to have uh use of that vehicle that they have during their work
hours also. So to me to me it's not unreasonable.
And uh one thing I learned with these discussions is that uh you know we have
staff that are monitoring city utilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Um these
pump stations and they have to be checked every day and that's 365 a year.
And uh yeah, just imagine if one of those pump stations failed and nobody
knew about it for a couple of days and you walk down in your basement and find
a nice little surprise. Uh nobody would want to have that in their home. So the
the staff um that we have is very dedicated and uh we've got some very
well experienced department heads and this is their recommendation and uh so I
I'm in favor of it. I I think it's a good idea.
So, I'd entertain a motion to approve this amendment.
» I approve this amendment. >> Second.
» Any other questions, comments? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying I.
» I. All post say no. And motion carries. That brings us to closing comments. Does
anybody have any closing comments? >> Yes, I do.
» Okay. Verdine Lipstone Area School has started a mentor program
and it's helped some of the students out there and they could use some more uh
individuals stepping up to they said they have a lot of lot of students that
still need to be paired up with somebody. So, if you have a half hour
time during the week, you can dedicate uh go out and check with uh Principal
Ortman and she can fill you in on exactly what the program is about.
» Um I'm doing it myself and I'm learning
more than I think the kid is. >> What age group are the kids?
» Well, mine is uh eighth grader. Okay. I think most of them are middle school.
All right. Okay. >> But
principal can tell you more about that than I can.
» Yeah. >> Yeah. Good way to spend your time.
» Yeah. >> Helping kids.
» Nothing wrong with that. >> You said that was President Hortman.
» Yeah. >> Principal Hortman.
» Principal. >> Yep. Any other closing comments? Thank
you, Verdine. Since we won't have another council
meeting before the ambulance chili feed, that's next Saturday, February 28th. So,
» okay. >> What time you start?
» We start at 4:30 and run until 7:00. >> And that's drive-thru only again.
» Drive through only at the ambulance building. Yeah.
» And that's chili and >> chicken noodle soup.
» The best. >> Yes.
» The best chicken noodle you can get. Okay.
» Yours truly. So, >> okay. [laughter]
All right. Okay. Any other closing comments? If if
none I would entertain a motion for adjournment.
» I so move. >> So second.
» Moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I.
» I. All post say no. And motion pairings.