Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Recruiting volunteer EMTs in Minnesota face an uphill battle as EMT certification numbers decline. However, at the August 16 city council meeting, member Karen Folstad said she wanted to make her colleagues aware of the situation, emphasizing that she is not saying it will happen in Spring Grove, but the council should be ready for it in case it happens.
The Spring Grove Ambulance Department is unique in that it is entirely 100% volunteer. According to a recent report, only 5% of rural ambulance departments in Minnesota are all volunteer departments.
Mayor Solberg’s recruitment pitch, “If there are people out there who can handle this, please, please, please do it. If there are any employers who can by any way, shape, or form make it more convenient for their employees to go, please do it.”
The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, August 16, at 6 p.m. at Spring Grove Communications. Mayor Scott Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members include Mayor Scott Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Chad Rohland, Trent Turner, and Karen Folstad. Also present were City Clerk/Administrator Julie Amundson, City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton, and CEDA Courtney Bergey Swanson.
The council approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, including the minutes from the July 19 regular meeting and the August 10 budget workshop, financials, the transfer of funds, appointed election judges, gift from Spring Grove United Fund, and bank signers.
Amundson read the proposed contract with Houston County Sheriff’s Department before the council voted. The contract provides law enforcement coverage from September 10 to December 31, 2022, while Chief Folz is on personal leave before retiring in December and before the 2023 contract with Houston County Sheriff’s Department goes into effect. The resolution calls for the city to pay $85.00 an hour. Shifts will be 10-hour. The services provided are outlined in the Houston County Sheriff’s Department 2023 contract.
The council approved moving forward with the recommended first phase of the DEED Redevelopment Grant. The first phase is to conduct a $2,500 environmental study on the city-owned quonset hut property. The second phase is to draft the purchase agreement. Bergey Swanson noted that phase one will need to be completed no matter what the city decides to do with the city-owned quonset hut property. The council tabled the second phase until after the environmental study is completed, which will be completed by the September council meeting. The deadline for the grant is February 1.
Councilmember Folstad announced that Thursday, August 18, the Friends of the Spring Grove Library is hosting a book reading and signing at the library featuring author Ardys Brevig at 6:30 p.m. The title of the book is “Driftless.”
In other business, the board
•Approved the request from the Uffda Fest committee to close Maple Drive, October 7-8 for the festivities.
•Announced that on September 14, the council will hold a budget meeting with Mike Buban at the Fest Building.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
The Spring Grove City Council’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, September 20 at 6 p.m. at Spring Grove Communications, room 100. The public is invited to attend.
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