Deputy clerk resigns; Kettle River fire/EMS reports staffing and equipment needs

The Kettle River City Council accepted the resignation of Deputy Clerk Carol Grutkoski at the Feb. 10 meeting and unanimously approved placing an ad to recruit a replacement. Councilors discussed a possible ordinance change to allow the Personnel Committee to place want-ads before full council approval.

Fire/EMS Captain Jordan Azzam reported six EMS calls and five fire calls since the last meeting and said a newer EMS rig has been approved. Azzam said Dr. Steven Tekippe currently serves as the unpaid, minimally involved medical director and that he is looking for a new medical director. He also said that in recent weeks Essentia did not have paramedics available and that he is exploring whether he could act as a paramedic in emergencies when no other paramedic is available; the council noted that new protocols and insurance implications must be considered and that the City will not pay for training beyond Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification.

Azzam raised concerns about draft OSHA/NFPA regulations (22 items reportedly accepted by OSHA in draft form) that could impose substantial compliance costs on the department if finalized. Vehicle inspections identified work needed on both pumps (tender and engine), and the fire department’s food warming unit should be moved to the garage, he said.

The council recorded motions accepting the resignation and directing staff to place an ad; votes on these personnel matters were unanimous. The transcript contains no direct quotations from participants on these items.