By Mari Radtke
A special budget meeting of the council was set for Monday February 12 at City Hall at 5:30pm. This special meeting is to hash out budgets for administration, and any departments not yet with a submitted budget
Council has just 2 regular meetings left between now and when budgets must be certified by the county, March 5.
Ben Groen, Engineer for Beck Engineering attended the meeting through the approval of a resolution to approve the proposed bid on plans, specifications, form of contract and project cost for the 2024 City of Paullina Lagoon Aeration Project. The bid from King Contracting of Wall Lake, was selected following the public hearing on January 16. Their bid was formally accepted on February 5. The total amount of the bid is $434,776.50 for the submerged aeration system.
Dennis Werkmeister asked about scheduling. Groen outlined the general process of the project, starting with the contractor providing an equipment list to the engineers, verification of the equipment and ordering. He did note that the equipment is requiring some lead time, in some cases up to 4 weeks. Groen went on to say that when actual construction would start was up to the contractor; that they had a set number of days to complete the project. When questioned further it was noted that this project would have 20 work days to completion once construction begins. Groen guessed the last day would be August 1. The utility committee, Werkmeister and Steve Heeren, recommended to council that funds would come from Maple Street, Mickley Street, Ginger Fund and the West Industrial lot. If there is any remaining balance owed for the project the committee recommends it come from the general fund. General obligation bonds or a revenue bond would be last resort.
A discussion to engage a consultant to guide the city with debt limits, bonding and other sophisticated financing tools was on the agenda. D.A. Davidson & Co. is an Underwriter or Placement Agent. Scott Stevensen, Managing Director sent a letter outlining the procedure and required disclosures about a potential Sewer Revenue Bond or a General Obligation Bond issue. The letter says clearly the company is not a financial or municipal advisor. They serve to underwrite a bond issue or place the bonds into the market. Council will redevelop its relationship with the organization. No action was taken .
Several department budgets were presented to council. The library is asking anticipating a need for $79,556, up from $70,400. Wages are the driver in the budget increase according to Matt Gengler, Library Director. He reported to council that most area libraries are struggling to hire staff at under $15. “Our current staff are making under $10 per hour.” There is a lot of concern to retain staff. He also stated that the Paullina library is unique in its staffing compared to other libraries of similar size. Without grant funds, which are not available for operational expenses, Gengler plans for $17,050 income outside of city funding.
Lauri Struve and Amber Ebel attended on behalf of Paullina Ambulance. Struve reported income from the county of $26,500. She recognized a budget adjustment to the service’s workers’ compensation insurance expense. Mayor Marlin Sjaarda said, “you listed a lot except salary and wages.” Struve replied that they had come in under budget in the prior year so she raised wages for the coming year. The wage last year was raised to $15 per hour. Amber Ebel also mentioned that on-call wages are now paid 24/7 in order to provide around the clock coverage. Prior to 2020 there was not coverage in Paullina from 6am to 6pm due to no service members being in town. Sjaarda asked that certain other costs get looked at again.
Other budget requests submitted were from Swanson Sports Complex represented by Kelly Top who explained there were “no real changes.”
Police Chief Nathan Bremer provided an overview of his budget request noting that it anticipates a second officer in the wages, uniforms and equipment lines. He also noted that the coming year would be the scheduled vehicle replacement but that will be pushed back one year.
The fire department was present again with their budget. Chief Ryan Harper explained that the city funds 51% of their budget while the townships fill the remaining 49%. He shared how many sections in each township are served by the Paullina Fire Department. Paullina Fire Department is responsible for fire protection in sections in Caledonia, all of Union, Baker and Dale. He shared vehicle goals and current prices, adding his experience with rapid price increases of the vehicles.
Resolutions to increase Kaden Hewlett’s wage to 95% of $34 per hour per the contract. Hewlett has passed most of his electric journeyman course work, needing just 1 test according to available records. He also has many hours to fulfill all requirements of the designation. Council also approved CDL training for Tyler Wilbur.
The building permit ordinance is not currently being followed. City clerk staff is not properly trained or knowledgeable to take on the responsibility. Discussion led to the suggestion of establishing a committee for the duty, with no firm decisions made.
Approval for the fire department to use the old bank building on Main and Broadway for a training was granted. Discussion of a formal procedure for use of the building was had and supported.
A resignation submitted by Carol Chicoine as Treasurer was presented to council. Sjaarda told council and the audience that no action was needed. He gave an overview of the recent history of the position; that there had been a lot of confusion about it. He also explained an individual is coming in to learn a about the duties and decide if they will accept the position. The resignation was originally submitted to Carol Honkomp on November 20, 2023. The City of Paullina has not had financial reports by a treasurer since April 2022. The appointment of Chicoine in January 2023 without notifying her led to much confusion in October 2023 presumably following comments made at the candidate forum by Marlin Sjaarda saying he recommended that there not be a treasurer until the city’s books were brought current.
When asked why the resignation had not been provided to council for 77 days and 6 regular council meetings, Honkomp replied, “Because she gave it to me and I brought it in and I said we probably ought to have it on file and….” When pressed for a reason for the time delay in providing the resignation to council Honkomp responded that it is not required to give council any resignation. She was then asked if it was good form to share it with council. Honkomp took the position that presenting a public resignation isn’t necessary. She added, “She (Chicoine) wasn’t going to send me anything. So I said, ‘I would like something. Just for our record.’” Honkomp went on to say that Chicoine was not, at first going to do anything, that she was already out of the area. Honkomp replied to being asked whose best interest was she acting by waiting 77 days and 6 council meetings to make the resignation known was in the city’s best interest. Honkomp also took the position that she just wanted to have it since it had been questioned. Despite Honkomp’s characterization that a resignation is not required, said she waited the extended time because “nobody felt it was any big deal. Don’t know.” [why she withheld it from council and making it part of the record for more than 2 months.]