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Walker City Council approves routine payments, two resolutions, and hires two employees
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Walker City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda (vendor payments totaling multiple invoices), adopted Resolutions 17-2026 and 18-2026, authorized purchase of irrigation meters for $6,285, updated the DOT driver drug-testing policy, and approved hires for a part-time police officer and a full-time grounds technician.
Mayor Jerecho Worth called the Walker City Council to order on April 16, 2026, at the Dale and Harriet Jones Walker Public Library. The council approved a slate of routine financial and administrative items and took personnel actions before adjourning at 5:13 p.m.
The council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included paying Pay Application No. 6 to Hy-Tec Construction for $45,106.71 for the City Park restroom project; an invoice of $6,549.00 to Microtech Computer Center for budgeted computers for the City Administrator and police department; $32,229.75 to Ulteig Operations, LLC for Tower Avenue Extension professional services; $7,089.92 to Kiesler Police Supply for police firearms; $3,753.96 to the State of Minnesota Unemployment Insurance for Q1 notice of unemployment benefits; and a second Ulteig invoice for Tower Avenue engineering services. Councilmember Mary Beth Hansen moved the consent agenda and Gary Wilkening seconded; the roll-call vote was Granberg, Hansen, Wilkening and Worth in favor (4-0).
On separate motions, the council adopted Resolution 17-2026 accepting donations received by the city and approved donating $750 to the Walker Area Community Center to support operation of the 2025–2026 outdoor community rink. The council also adopted Resolution 18-2026 authorizing the city to apply for Sourcewell Community Benefit Funds to improve Walker City Park.
The council authorized the purchase of irrigation meters from Furgeson Waterworks for $6,285 to replace irrigation meters at the WHA School and the Tianna Homeowners Association. That motion passed on unanimous roll call.
In personnel and policy actions, the council approved an update to City Policy No. 01-2021 governing DOT drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers. Councilmembers discussed Draft Policy No. 01-2026, concerning drug, alcohol and cannabis testing and a drug-free workplace for non-commercial drivers; staff will bring the draft back to the May 2026 meeting for further consideration.
The council approved two hires. Kenneth Lehmann was hired as a part-time police officer at a starting wage of $30.93 per hour with a one-year probationary period, contingent on successful physical and psychological exams. Gavin Damar was hired as a full-time Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Technician at a starting wage of $22.50 per hour with a 3% wage increase after a successful six-month probationary period, contingent on a successful background check. Both hires were approved by unanimous roll-call votes.
No public hearings, scheduled presentations, cemetery or parks items, or airport and library items were listed on the agenda for this meeting. Mayor Worth adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m.
