Mayor Schroeder called the Caledonia City Council regularly scheduled meeting to order at 6 p.m. Schroeder led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the August 14 council meeting as written.
Council members in attendance included Amanda Ninneman, Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick and Ryan Stenzel. Robert (Bob) Klug was absent.
In one swift unanimous motion, the council approved the consent agenda as written including payments and disbursements, the Minnesota Court Data Services agreement, and pay application number 19 for work performed on the Wastewater Treatment Facility in the amount of $512,436.21.
Principal Engineer Matthew Mohs, Bolton and Menk shared an update on the Grove Marshall Street project announcing that the project is expected to be completed by the end of October.
Mohs reminded the council that in 2021 the city submitted a Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) application for the extension of North Warrior Avenue which is managed byMnDOT. Caledonia did not make the cut. Mohs said, “The next round of applications is coming up.” In 2021, there was $75 million available for projects, and is $103 million designated by the legislature for the 2023 LRIP. Mohs noted, “Only eligible costs are roadway costs and drainage costs. Sanitary pipes, water, engineering, planning and all that stuff are ineligible costs.” City staff received approval to prepare the application for the 2023 program.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officially recognized Sprague Woods as a Minnesota School Forest earlier this summer. A school forest committee was formed to administer the program.
Caledonia High School student Noah Stiegeler, Middle School/High School Principal Nathan Boler, and school forest committee member and Caledonia resident Kari Neumann appeared before the regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting on Monday, August 28, 2023, to update the city council on the students’ plans. They also asked for the council’s permission to flatten and mulch a centrally located area in Sprague Woods, and place no more than nine picnic tables for use by approximately 30-32 students. Permission was also asked to install bird/bat houses and install temporary tree/plant identification tags in the forest. The council unanimously approved their request.
Caledonia Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom’s request for wage increases for ambulance staff and for city staff to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new ambulance station were approved.
According to the staff report, prepared by City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson regarding wages, “A detailed discussion between Director Tornstrom, Assistant Director Schiltz, City Administrator Jake Dickson, and the EMS Committee took place on August 16 to discuss staffing issues as it relates to standby time and wages. There is a steady decline in staffing availability as noted by dozens of open shifts the past couple months. Mike believes we are in a retention downturn with employees taking or entertaining other job opportunities. The schedule has become a day-to-day issue. A recruitment campaign has been initiated.”
The new wages after the increase are: EMR standby rate now $4 per hour and the hourly wage is $15 per hour. The EMT standby rate is $5 per hour and the hourly wage is $17 per hour. The paramedic standby rate is $6 per hour and the hourly wage is $22 per hour. The assistant director’s salary is now $300 per month and the outreach training coordinator’s salary is $250 per month.
The staff report also addressed the discussion regarding the new ambulance station. “Director Tornstrom believes there is a growing dissent amongst the ambulance employees about the lack of progress. There have been many preparations made by ambulance staff, five plus years of fundraising and a back off on wages increase CY 2018-2021 to name a few. The city has purchased property for an ambulance station for which we are asking the council to keep the ball rolling. A new station is part of the plan for recruitment, training, and retention.”
In other business, the council:
• Reviewed the overtime reports for the period from August 7 through the 20. No action is required.
• Adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Caledonia city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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