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Chronic discontent with the Taylors Falls city website will hopefully be rectified with the hiring of a new web firm.  The city council unanimously approved the proposal from Well Optimized Web, represented by T.F. town local Becky Caneday, on Monday night.  Council cited the price being “right” at $4,180 compared to two other firms at twice that amount, and Council member Tim Grote said he felt comfortable with her recommendations and comments.

The website has long been a target for complaints in council public comment time slots and is being scrapped entirely and built from scratch.

In personnel: Mayor Brandon Weiberg reports there have been a handful of acceptable candidates suddenly coming forward for open positions, after a long wait for applications. There may need to be a special council meeting convened to get everybody in the same room for interviews and coordinate a vote on hiring.

The city hall roof has been showing its age and Mayor Weiberg also mentioned he has been getting estimates for repair/replacement. He has been in touch with some companies to get proposals but he said anybody who has a recommendation for flat roof work, is welcome to pass along contact information on the city hall phone or by e-mail.

~ Council member Lee Samuelson, liaison to public works, commended the repair team who helped the city on a Saturday,  when a sewer line was clogged.  He reminded citizens NOT to put anything down the toilet or drain that can potentially block the system.  The so-called “flushable” wipes are especially troublesome.

~ Public Works also needs a control module and battery for a generator, which was approved. A larger fuel line to power the unit is being looked into.

~ The council adopted a new rental agreement for the Community Center (old depot.). The site rental will be handled by the sheriff’s office now when alcohol is planned to be served.  The old rental policy called for payment to be arranged through city hall, but renters will now work with the county sheriff staff. The rental policy requires law enforcement be on duty when alcohol is served at an event or party.  The hourly rate was also revised upwards to $80 to reflect current costs.

~ Juneteenth was approved to be offered paid to staff as of this summer.  The state and federal governments are approving this, and council was told the city won’t be able to connect with other levels of government anyway.

~ Insurance agent Jim Stein attended the meeting to go over the city’s policy renewal and was asked about a community garden and any liability.  There’s been a request to create a community garden at the wastewater treatment property, west of town.  Stein said the insurance will cover any property owned by the city but council must be cognizant of risk management.  He added the city should avoid creating an attractive nuisance and if claims should pile up the insurer will raise premiums.  As is, the annual premium is $50,485.

There was no decision made this week on the garden.

~ A concern about use of e-mail public comment and when the comments should be introduced and when they should not— was addressed by City Attorney Fritz Knaak.  He advises elected officials to never use personal e-mail for city correspondence because if there’s litigation any related method of communication is “discoverable.” This means personal e-mail accounts can become evidence, and this can prove very awkward, he stressed.  

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