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The Taylors Falls City Council Monday night accepted the resignation of city zoning administrator Larry Phillips. Phillips said in a letter to council that his last day will be November 8. He is going to the Washington County Public Works Department, which he explained is a career move, and has nothing to do with his experience at Taylors Falls, which he has "greatly enjoyed...for the past five years."

Council will finalize the wording for a job description for Phillips' position at its Nov. 14 meeting and will advertise immediately to fill the position. The job morphed into involving more city coordinator tasks over the past few years and aspects of coordinating city operations and budget will be worked into the new job description.

Another matter needing fairly quick attention is the replacement of the generator for Lift Station #1.

Mike Kriz, city public works superintendent, reported to council the unit burned out in July. Since that time the wastewater lift station facility has lost power two times. To avoid spillage into the river the city then has to hire a pumper truck to remove the accumulation, which is costly. The generator needing replacement is 29 years old.

Kriz had a few quotes for replacement equipment, that ran from $51,000 to about $40,000; but council decided to table action on a purchase and see if some better prices could be gotten. The matter was unanimously (with John Tangen absent) tabled until the next meeting.

Council approved 4-0 appointing Barb Clark to the city Economic Development Commission. The term is until the end of December 2013.

A request from Eagle Scout candidate Jack Thibodeau was approved.

He will repair one of the arch structures on the riverside timber walking bridge and build-up another arch on the north end of the bridge structure. The city council okayed a maximum of $500 as a contribution, but Thibodeau will first try to amass adequate funding as part of his Eagle Scout community service project package.

The project is supposed to start this fall.

Also, parks boosters were applauded for their on-going work on improving the Cherry Hill Park site. Mayor Mike Buchite said the city is very appreciative of all the efforts by the friends of parks and recreation.

The council approved funding expenses for materials-only for installation of a paver base for the park picnic shelter. The floor will be installed by citizen Mark Adams. He advised council that pavers are $840. The money comes out of the park fund balance, and any further projects and additional work will continue to be funded as the group's fundraising revenues continue.

Mayor Buchite announced that improvements at the new business complex, on the west edge of town, are progressing. Sewer and water should be going in this week.

Council accepted a donation of an HP computer, a monitor and printer from an anonymous donor to be used by the municipal library.

The delinquent city fees list was approved to be placed on taxes for pay-2012. There's two weed removal billings of $450 each that are unpaid and four utilities delinquencies for a combined total of less than $1,000.

The council unanimously adopted the fire department Code of Ethics, with no discussion.

Progressive discipline or dismissal could result in the event a member of the department violates standards expected of a Taylors Falls firefighter. The department members will sign their copy of the code.

The code includes requirements that no firefighter divulge "confidential" information or discuss a victim's personal information. They may not use their affiliation or logo, letterhead or department name in any way to obtain profit.

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