At the February 22 meeting, the Rushford City Council tackled just a few items of business, but one could spell some relief for city staffing.
Following a retirement of Deputy Clerk Louane Davidson at city hall last year, administrative staff was shifted. Julianne Frick was moved into the position with utility, but the city never filled the positions fully. Rather than fill a lower level role, it’s been suggested that the city implement a deputy clerk/accounting role with a higher level of responsibility and ability.
“It’s intended to be able to learn and grow into the city clerk/treasurer position if the person wants to. It’s planning for the future,” noted City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher. “We need someone with a higher level of accounting skills to take over some of those things. It’s an opportunity for someone to take a step up.”
The city will post the position internally for five days, then advertise for two weeks externally, accepting applications through April 28. After, applications will be reviewed and scored and interviews set up for mid-May. “Hopefully, by the end of May, we’ll have a candidate that’s qualified,” added Zacher. “If you’re going to advertise, things should move along. We don’t want to go through the process and have someone on the string and then say we’re not sure we want to fill the position.”
“Succession planning needs to be a part of the planning,” noted Mayor Terri Benson. “We need to have somebody learning from the knowledge that Kathy has in that position. It’s an opportunity to have a great teacher for someone coming into that position and an investment in a long-term position.”
Labor Management has reviewed the job description, but it has not been validated by the union. However, as it fits into pay equity and job descriptions of graded, stepped-level positions, it was noted it didn’t need to be. Description for the job was developed through League of Minnesota Cities resources and that of other municipalities.
“Kathy’s working a lot of hours. It would be nice to give her a little help. I think she can be afforded a little time away from the office, if desired,” added Councilor Sally Ryman.
The council also reviewed the annual water report. The year saw more gallons sold to residential units in 2020, due to the large number of people working from and staying home. Well #2 was down for four months and saw lower usage, but some of it was picked up by Well #4. The city’s pool and campground and Creekside Park bathrooms were either not open or saw limited usage last year, which also changed the overall water usage. In addition, the fire department trained less, hydrants were flushed less often and less water was sold to third parties, including Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
The city attempts to keep track of all water usage, but there is unaccounted water loss due to occasional or ongoing breaks and leaks. “That’s the number I think is really good; the number of truly unaccounted gallons,” stressed Ryman.
The Department of Natural Resources has an unaccounted water loss threshold, which the city is under. Demand per capita is up. It is a city goal to reduce per capita demand. “We’re always trying to. We’re trying to make sure we’re balancing out the water we’re using. With per capita demand, we went backwards on it and didn’t meet the guideline,” said Zacher. “It will change over time as people get back into a new routine in their homes and lives.”
Ryman questioned city staff on yet another water break on Southview Terrace. The city has the street on a priority list of those needing repair of surface and infrastructure, but plans didn’t move forward with to be included on the last street project due to cost. “What’s going on with that? Can it wait that much longer?,” asked Ryman.
Highway 30, which intersects the street, will see a complete overhaul in 2022, but the street can’t be added into that project. “One of the issues with that is that MnDOT is running the show on that. It will be a mess if we try to throw something in there now,” said Zacher. “Public Works has a list of streets that have to be done after the 2022 project and Southview is one of the first on there. We just have to find another street to partner with it to make it affordable and assessible.” The last estimate was close to $300,000 to do the street, according to Zacher.
“I’m just wondering how much we’re spending on fixing it. It’s the second major break. I understand, but there are costs associated with breaks, too,” responded Ryman. The area is particularly challenging due to slope, underground utility, and limited number of homes on it.
In other news, the council approved the last review of proposed parking ordinance. “It came through pretty straightforward. There was a lot, but it gives good guidance,” noted Benson. A public hearing for the ordinance has been scheduled for March 8.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. It is open to the public and those wanting to attend should contact city hall.
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