Waite Park council approves consent agenda, converts a public-works role and appoints Zach Dube as public works director

The Waite Park council approved its consent agenda and several personnel actions at a regular meeting that also included resident public comment on local traffic safety.

By voice vote the council approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which included: a special-event permit for the Ultimate Sports Bar, a resolution updating roads eligible for sales tax funds, authorization to advertise for bids on a water treatment plant filter rehabilitation project, and an updated joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

On a separate personnel item, the council moved to initiate converting the public works administrative associate from a part-time to a full-time position; a council member said the budget shortfall from the change would be covered within current public works and city budgets. "I just wanna follow the budget process," one council member said, expressing a desire for the fiscal steps to be followed as the change is implemented.

Staff reported that interviews had been held for the public works director position and recommended an appointment. A motion to appoint Zach Dube to the public works director position (pay grade 13, step 3), with department-head accrual treatment for vacation, was made and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. The appointing speaker noted the accrual treatment ordinarily given to department heads for vacation accrual.

The council then approved the city bills by voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the verbal record provided.

Staff also took a moment to acknowledge a $5,000 grant to a local organization, and reminded attendees of the State of the City address and an open house at The Ledge on May 20.

The meeting adjourned at 06:54.