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St. James council accepts 2023 audit, declares flood emergency and approves ambulance mutual aid
Summary
At its July 2 meeting the St. James City Council unanimously accepted the 2023 financial audit, declared a state of emergency for mid‑June flooding, approved a conditional police hire and authorized mutual‑aid ambulance agreements with Madelia and Mountain Lake.
The St. James City Council on July 2 unanimously accepted the city’s 2023 financial audit, declared a state of emergency for mid‑June rains and flood damage, approved a conditional hire for a police officer and authorized mutual‑aid ambulance agreements with neighboring cities.
Greg Burkhardt of Burkhardt & Burkhardt, Ltd. presented the audit and, according to the minutes, the council accepted the audit and directed staff to file required reports with agencies "as required by statute and contract agreements." The council recorded the acceptance on a voice vote that was unanimous 4‑0. Councilperson Gene Hildebrandt moved the motion; Councilperson Hannah Rushing seconded.
The council approved payment of claims totaling $641,438.48 (Checks No. 702100–702191 and ACH No. 1616–1629) on the consent agenda. That motion, made by Councilperson Hannah Rushing and seconded by Councilperson Gene Hildebrandt, passed by voice vote.
On personnel business the Police Department reported that it had extended a conditional job offer to Tylar Larson pending successful completion of the medical portion of hiring; the department reported that background checks were complete and set a tentative start date of July 16, 2024. Councilperson Sue Craig moved to approve the hire contingent on medical clearance; Councilperson Kathleen Hanson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The council also adopted five resolutions by hand vote, each recorded 4‑0: Resolution 07‑24‑01 to accept a financial gift from Eagles Aerie #3420; Resolution 07‑24‑02 authorizing the mayor and city manager to enter a dog impound transportation and boarding agreement with the City of Darfur; Resolution 07‑24‑03 declaring a state of emergency for mid‑June 2024 rains and flood damages; Resolution 07‑24‑04 authorizing the Ambulance Director and City Manager to enter mutual aid agreements with the cities of Madelia and Mountain Lake; and Resolution 07‑24‑05 recognizing the City of St. James Ambulance Service.
Votes at a glance: minutes approval (June 18, 2024) — motion by Councilperson Sue Craig, seconded by Councilperson Kathleen Hanson — passed 4‑0; audit acceptance — motion by Councilperson Gene Hildebrandt, seconded by Councilperson Hannah Rushing — passed 4‑0; police hire (Tylar Larson, conditional) — motion by Councilperson Sue Craig, seconded by Councilperson Kathleen Hanson — passed 4‑0; Resolutions 07‑24‑01 through 07‑24‑05 — all passed 4‑0.
Mayor Jonathan Wilson presided; Councilpersons Sue Craig, Kathleen Hanson, Hannah Rushing and Gene Hildebrandt voted; Councilperson Paul Harris was absent. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:15 p.m. The minutes include a signature line reading "Kristin Hurley, City Clerk‑Treasurer." The attendance list earlier in the minutes records the clerk as "Kris Hurley," and the minutes list the City Manager in attendance as Amanda Glass while a later line records the audit request as made by "Amanda Knoll." Those name inconsistencies appear in the minutes and are noted here for clarity.
The council did not record any dissenting votes or conditions attached to the resolutions in the minutes. The minutes do not specify further implementation steps or timelines for the flood emergency declaration; staff were directed only to file audit reports as required. The council adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
