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Waite Park council sets parkland fund minimum, approves plat and other routine items; adopts fire chief job qualifications
Summary
Council set a $50,000 minimum Parkland dedication balance, approved Zenki (Zabinsky) Acres Plat 3 and a variance for a 2-acre parcel, approved a $10 park rental fee increase, purchased 22 Dell laptops for police, and approved a revised fire chief job description requiring a four-year degree and a raise in pay grade.
Waite Park — At its Feb. 17 meeting the Waite Park City Council approved several consent and regular-agenda items including a new minimum for the Parkland dedication fund, plat and variance approvals, equipment purchases, a park rental fee adjustment and a change to the fire chief job description.
Parkland fund minimum: Following debate about whether the council should reserve taxpayer funds for future park needs, the council rejected a $100,000 minimum and then approved a $50,000 minimum balance for the Parkland dedication fund. Council members said the reserve would protect maintenance for existing parks while still allowing the council to bring projects forward for approval.
Plat and variance: The council approved the preliminary and final plat for Zenki (Zabinsky) Acres Plat 3, a division of roughly 20 acres in the A1 rural residential district, subject to a parkland dedication fee of $836 and Sterns County Highway Department conditions. The council also approved a variance request allowing a 2-acre parcel at 9182 County Road 138, with staff and the planning commission noting surrounding pre-existing smaller parcels and recommending the accommodation.
Fees and purchases: The council approved a $10 increase to community park rental rates (residential rate to $85; nonresident to $170) by a 3–2 vote to help cover staffing and maintenance costs. It also approved a state-bid purchase of 22 rugged Dell laptops for the police department; staff said the correct total purchase amount was $69,31.60 (a typo in the packet had shown $60,000), and that the purchase is included in the budget.
Fire chief job description: Council considered changes to the fire chief job description and whether to require an associate or bachelor’s degree. Consultants recommended a four-year degree; staff noted the change raises job points and moves the position from paygrade 10 to paygrade 11. After deliberation about experience versus formal education, the council voted to approve the job description with a bachelor’s degree requirement and the associated pay grade change (motion passed 3–2). Staff said the city will advertise the position and may reopen recruitment parameters if candidate pools are insufficient.
Bills and adjournment: The council approved paying the bills and adjourned the meeting at about 7:52 p.m.
