Steve Schlichter, wastewater treatment facility superintendent, and Rocky Burnett, ambulance director, each took a look back at 2023 during the city council’s February 12 meeting.
Schlichter gave detailed data on the operation of the facility. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requirements have been met demonstrating that the facility has been operating very well. In 2023 over 63 million gallons of wastewater were treated. Schlichter estimated that it costs 1.54 cents to treat a gallon of wastewater.
The WWTF is 18 years old and will require more time and resources to keep everything up to date and operating properly. Schlichter added that they are looking into land application for the city’s biosolids starting in the fall of 2024 and how best to work with the current drying beds in the future.
Rocky Burnett reported that the ambulance service has 21 members; two new members came on in 2023, one member retired and four resigned. One EMT class resulted in seven EMTs being trained; they went on to serve other communities in the area. Like other ambulance services, we struggle with staffing. He noted the training program produces revenue for the ambulance department. In 2023 there were 409 calls, and 309 patients were transferred. The call volume dropped a little, which makes budgeting more difficult. Fillmore County, in the Fillmore County Ambulance Agreements, raised its payout to local ambulance services from $4,500 to $6,000.
A new ambulance that was ordered in 2022 is expected to be delivered in May. Burnett encourages legislators to deem ambulance service as an essential service. Moving forward, he suggested that the ambulance service could be operated similar to the fire department; he wants to discuss this with the townships.
The hire of Bethany Selin Ward as an EMT was approved. She is an RN and has completed an RN to EMT course and has taken her National Registry exam.
Mayor John McBroom thanked all volunteers for their service.
Desiree Schlichter was promoted from the EMS support person role to assistant ambulance director, effective March 16. The promotion will come with a pay increase of about $6,000 this year.
Transportation Management Organization (TMO)
A resolution was adopted authorizing publication of a request for proposals (RFP) for a qualified consultant to perform a TMO study on behalf of the project group.
Chatfield has received a $350,000 grant from the Minnesota legislature to study the feasibility of establishing the TMO to benefit the southeast region (Region 10) of the state, which includes 11 counties. The project management team is prepared to submit the draft RFP to the state for review and comment. The RFP will be published upon finalization of the document.
Joel Young, who has been active on this project from the beginning, has signed a contract with CEDA to act as the TMO project manager. Chris Geisen will also be active on the project, looking out for the city’s interests.
Other Business in Brief
•Allocations from one-time Public Safety Funding were approved: Fire department is to receive $20,000 for grass rig improvements and $13,242 for SCBA equipment upgrades; ambulance service is to receive $40,000 for capital investment toward purchase of new vehicle; Police department is to receive $36,810 for purchase of body cameras with icloud storage; and public works is to receive $21,667 for installation of crosswalks and sidewalks. The allocations were recommended by Personnel/Budget and Public Services.
•A letter of support was approved to support Beth Carlson’s application to be elected vice president of the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association.
•Approval was granted to advertise for a seasonal or summer worker for the Public Works Department.
•A resolution was adopted appointing presidential primary election judges for the March 5 primary.
•The city council meets next on February 26.
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