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Center City Council approves Shafer public-works support, hires new maintenance worker and OKs Nordic Harbor event
Summary
At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Center City Council approved a five-hour-per-month support agreement with the City of Shafer, increased interim public-works pay, authorized contract labor and hired a new public-works employee; it also approved an open-house permit for Nordic Harbor and agreed to review cost estimates for a Summit Avenue drainage fix.
On Aug. 6, 2024, the Center City Council approved a set of personnel and operations measures intended to shore up public-works capacity and to clear several routine agenda items.
Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Shafer that will allow Shafer public works director Dan Cooper to assist Center City maintenance personnel up to five hours per month at $50 per hour when Center City staff do not hold required water and wastewater licenses. The motion to approve was made by Councilmember Mark Wolcott and seconded by Councilmember Lloyd Vetter; the vote was 5–0 in favor.
The contract is intended to provide short-term licensed coverage; the Council did not adopt a long-term staffing plan at the meeting and asked staff to proceed with the agreement under the terms discussed.
Council also approved a wage increase and several personnel actions. Interim Public Works supervisor Mike Roggemann received a wage increase to $25 per hour, to be reviewed in three months; that motion passed 5–0 on a Wolcott–Vetter motion. The Council authorized continued use of contract labor from Eric Garner at his prior hourly rate through the end of 2024 on a motion by Ryan Pease, seconded by Lloyd Vetter (Ayes-5). The council officially offered the Public Works position to applicant Shawn Gallagher, who accepted on July 30; the Council approved a proposed start date of Aug. 8 so Gallagher could attend OSHA training, and noted a pre-employment physical is scheduled as early as Aug. 12.
The Council approved an event permit for an August 11 open house at Nordic Harbor, submitted by Nic Kirvida. The motion to approve, made by Ryan Pease and seconded by Garrett Boulineau, passed 5–0. Separately, the Chisago County Historical Society’s request for a donation will be considered by the city’s budget committee later this month.
In committee reports, Public Works staff said a well sensor replacement is underway and the compost pile will be burned when schedules align with the Chisago County Fire Department and Sentence to Serve. Parks noted safety and upkeep concerns at Water Tower Park and recommended timber and mulch replacement; Parks also noted a portable restroom was delivered and will be paid from the dock fund for the new dock system. The Library reported 3,192 visitors in June.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes and claims): approved (Pease motion; Wolcott second) Ayes-5, Nays-0. - Shafer public-works assistance contract: approved (Wolcott motion; Vetter second) Ayes-5, Nays-0. - Nordic Harbor event permit (Aug. 11): approved (Pease motion; Boulineau second) Ayes-5, Nays-0. - Interim wage increase for Mike Roggemann: approved (Wolcott motion; Vetter second) Ayes-5, Nays-0. - Contract labor pay for Eric Garner through 2024: approved (Pease motion; Vetter second) Ayes-5, Nays-0. - Hire of Shawn Gallagher with Aug. 8 start: approved (Vetter motion; Wolcott second) Ayes-5, Nays-0.
What happens next: The budget committee will consider the historical society donation request later this month; staff will provide cost estimates to the Council for proposed drainage work on Summit Avenue. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
