February 22, 2023 at 3:29 p.m.
Search firm hired for Lindstrom City Administrator position
Acting Mayor Judy Chartrand went off of a list of firms provided by the League of MN Cities and provided the other two council members Brian Norelius and Linda Merkel, the names of two finalist firms for council to choose from.
The estimated timeframe to have somebody in the administrator post is about four months total.
On Chartrand’s recommendation the vote was 3-0 to go with HRGov.com, who is also currently assisting Scandia in hiring an administrator. The other finalist, DDA, was a great option too, Chartrand added, but the other company is in the midst of working locally and may already have a known pool of potential names. The contract was not provided. Cost is not to exceed $24,000.
In another personnel issue, past practice in Lindstrom City Hall has been to use a summer “intern” who is budgeted for $12,000 approximately, and staff were seeking direction from the new council on continuing this.
The council wholeheartedly supported the interim city administrator proceeding with this hire in 2023.
On payment of bills, Council member Linda Merkel questioned a $1,500 charge for legal counsel to write the severance agreement for the just-exited city administrator. She felt it should be paid by the administrator, who she added, got three months pay even after he left without giving reasonable notice.
City Attorney James Monge (Campbell & Knutson) said the agreement is protecting the city as much as facilitating the staff member’s departure. He would be happy to show the worksheet on the document and why the cost is what it is.
Council also adopted standards based on a state law allowing deferred assessment for residents who are: 65 or older, who are disabled and who are active in military including being called up for National Guard.
There are no deferment properties on Lindstrom’s assessment records but the city needed to incorporate it into ordinances to be able to offer it.
Non-payments will go back into active status upon the death of the person on which the deferral is based, or when the parcel is sold, or is no longer classified homestead under MN property tax conditions.
The Lindstrom hearing for the Board of Appeal and Equalization matters was set for April 18 at 6 p.m. at Lindstrom City Hall. (Note: this is NOT at the county government center.)
The City Engineer asked for clarification on an application for $500,000 for a state bike trail grant and if council wished to withdraw it.
Based on feedback at a recent city council meeting of opposition to the trail location, Engineer Jon Herdegen said it would be better to pull the request than to win the grant and not use it (give it back). Granting agencies don’t like to go through the process of selecting eligible projects and then see funds go unspent, he said.
Acting Mayor Chartrand said the cities along the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail need “to take a step back” and together review the unbuilt portions of corridor and make sure everyone is on the same page. The park board will also be asked to contribute suggestions.
The vote was 3-0 approving grant withdrawal.
In other matters: council sent a zoning review request to the city planning commission to revise standards in the Central Business District for building height, with council’s preference to reduce it.
There also was discussion about how city staff and elected persons should interact. The process was agreed to that Glenna will be the go-to contact first and then if the question can’t be answered or information is elusive— the city employee can be involved in the matter.
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