Jackson council establishes Ambulance Advisory Board, approves guiding principles

Jackson, Minn. — The Jackson City Council on Tuesday established an Ambulance Advisory Board and approved guiding principles for the new body, with the council directing staff and the city attorney to review any policy recommendations for compliance with state and federal law.

Interim City Administrator Bret Heitkamp told the council the board composition and guiding principles were circulated at a special meeting Jan. 5 and that one resident applied for the at-large public seat. The council voted unanimously to appoint the recommended members and accept the principles, with administrative refinements to be returned to the council.

Alderman John Weland raised concerns that an advisory board could inadvertently recommend policies that conflict with state law, saying, “you may have the Ambulance Advisory Board making a policy decision that sounds good but might be breaking a State statute.” Joe Pell and others said legal review would be standard practice, and City Attorney Brad Anderson confirmed the advisory board would not supplant council authority: “The Ambulance Advisory Board is an advisory committee and the ultimate final responsibility and decisions regarding policy will be made by the City Council.”

Heitkamp said the City Administrator will provide written summary reports of board discussions and recommendations to the council prior to the next meeting. The principles call for two-to-three-year staggered terms for board members, renewable once, and designate professional partners (such as hospital representatives) as continuing members.

The council approved the board and its principles by unanimous vote. The motion to appoint the board was moved by Alderman Shawn Foster and seconded by Alderman Joe Pell; the motion passed without objection.