The Harmony City Council met for their regular meeting on October 12. Three council members were absent so there was no quorum, however Domingo Kingsley agreed to attend when he returned from an ambulance call later that evening.
Mark Goldberg from David Drown Associate gave a presentation to discuss the company’s wage and comp study while the council waited for Kingsley to arrive. The goal of the study was to create a compensation system for the City of Harmony that made sense and would be aligned with the market. The market was composed of 17 cities in Minnesota that were comparable to Harmony in population size, services provided, etc. Most of the cities were in a close proximity to Harmony, but there were several that were further away. When the changes presented in the study are implemented, Harmony will be considered to be aligned with the market with a 0.5% difference. Three city employees will see an increase in pay while three others will receive a slight reduction.
Kingsley arrived at the meeting and it was called to order. The consent agenda was approved.
A pay request for the Dairyland extension was approved. Resolution 21-18 authorizing the issuance and awarding the sale of a $84,082.50 taxable tax increment revenue note was reviewed and approved as was Resolution 21-19 approving a bond from First Southeast Bank.
The sealed bids for the city’s old fire truck and van were opened and reviewed. Bids for both vehicles were accepted. The fire truck needs to have the city’s name removed from it before it can be transferred to the new owner. The city’s retired squad car will be sold through Enterprise.
The EDA report included a project request from Tonja and Kevin Reicks for the purchase of a lot in the industrial park plus an additional section of land next to it for a total of 2.4 acres. The EDA discussed the request and will make an offer to the Reicks. If accepted, a purchase agreement will be drafted and a public hearing will be held. Harmony Chamber Director Melissa Vander Plas reported that the number of visitors for 2021 is approaching pre-COVID numbers. The chamber is working on a new plan for distributing the 2022 Harmony guide books which will include more digital content. They are also looking into potentially developing an app for visitors to Harmony.
The Arts Board will be extending invitations to several Fillmore Central High School students to join the board as a student board member.
A letter was received from Deputy Clerk and Ambulance Director Eileen Schansberg of her intent to retire as of January 7, 2022. “I would like to express my sincere thank you towards you and the city council for presenting me with an opportunity to serve the City of Harmony for over 24 years,” she wrote. Mayor Donney thanked her for her time with the city and offered congratulations on her upcoming retirement.
The next Harmony City Council meeting will be held on November 9 at 7 p.m.
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