At their April 19, 2022 meeting, the City of Rushford Village council members found it necessary to close their meeting to discuss pay and benefits for Public Works Director Trenten Chiglo. Chiglo had been offered a job elsewhere and had submitted his letter of resignation. Upon learning Chiglo was open to counteroffers, the council decided to do their best to retain a valued employee.
Chiglo had recently earned his Water Class D certification and has gotten his CDL, paying for it on his own. The city will be reimbursing him for the CDL cost. He is on track to get his sewer certification this fall. Previously the council had decided to wait with a pay increase until the sewer certification was completed in the fall.
At the reopening of the meeting, Mayor Dennis Overland stressed to Chiglo how much the council appreciates him, “We’re very happy with your work!” He reminded Chiglo that the council plans to hire an additional part-time worker to help him and that new equipment was on its way. Overland reminded Chiglo that his job came with great flexibility.
Mike Ebner chimed in, “Basically, you’re your own boss here.” Ebner agreed that the council was happy with Chiglo’s performance and his progress in obtaining his certifications.
Chiglo had been at pay grade #6, earning $19.17 per hour. The council offered to place him at pay grade #7. At that grade, he would earn $29.32 per hour. Chiglo asked for time to think about the offer and responded the following day that he was accepting CRV’s offer and would remain as CRV’S Public Work’s administrator.
Clerk Mary Miner shared that so far they had received one application for the part time public work/maintenance position. Applications will be accepted until April 29.
Road maintenance
Miner opened the lone rock bid that had been received from Bruening Rock. After hearing the bid, the council asked how that compared to the previous year. With some quick checking, Miner and treasurer Judy Graham responded that the bid had increased by an average of 5%. The council accepted the bid, noting that it seemed in line considering the increase in fuel costs and inflation.
Councilman Roger Knutson suggested that in the future perhaps bids should be opened before the council meetings to give staff time to prepare additional comparisons so the council could more easily make decisions. Overland noted that no decisions have to be made at the meeting when bids are opened. He relayed that in the past bids have been opened at the council meetings so contractors could be present, but he agreed that they could try opening bids before council meetings in the future.
The council decided to continue with the spring road tour as they did in the past. Ebner suggested touring South Rushford as well as city subdivisions. Chiglo will prepare notes of concerns to guide the tour. The bus will leave CRV hall at 5 p.m. on May 3; the regular council meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
The 2022 crack sealing plan for the city is scheduled to be completed by July 30. Knutson reminded the council that chip sealing is usually done the following year over the crack sealing. He suggested getting a bid on chip sealing when the crack sealing is being done.
Planning and Zoning permits
Planning/Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit reported on six new permits issued.
Featherstone Fruits and Vegetable Farm renewed their interim use permit. Gene Hultman will be re-roofing a shed while John Magin will also be re-roofing. Lowell and Carol Rasmussen will be replacing sunroom windows.
New homes included in the permits include Dan and Brooke Mlsna’s new home on State Highway 16 as well as the Beexiong-Lor home on the property formerly owned by Carroll Hill.
Other business
In other business the council:
•Approved the LMC P/C insurance renewal with a $7,241 price tag for the year;
•Learned the financing package to be offered on the new Freightliner for the city had not yet been received by village hall; the vehicle is on track for end of the month delivery;
•Agreed that the employee reference guide draft should be printed out and be
available for the members to add their input to the draft;
•Heard Rebecca Charles’s report that 104 participants had attended the four sessions on possible trails; the online surveys are yet to be compiled. Preliminary information will be available by the end of the month. Additional work will be done by seniors from UWL next semester.
The next regular CRV council meeting will be May 3 at the CRV Hall Office at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
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