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The Taylors Falls city council, minus Mayor Brandon Weiberg and Council member Troy Aanonsen, acted on an emergency HVAC unit replacement Monday night this week.  There were three quotes for the work and the vote was unanimous for Aerotek.

Council member Tim Grote said he tried to do research on the other brands of units proposed and of the quotes Aerotek had the most widely accepted products and he added, they are a local company.

The quote is for about $13,000 and there’s funds in the special projects account to cover this.  The equipment has “failed” according to Grote and will be addressed as soon as possible.  

Looking towards warmer days, a lumberjack act was approved to contract with for Wannigan Days 2024.  The single day show is about $6,000 and the vote was unanimous.

The rezoning request for two parcels 343 and 349 Government Street, that make-up the bed and breakfast and old jail property were approved to be made downtown commercial with a heritage preservation overlay.  This zoning designation allows for more “flexible” uses, the city zoning administrator explained to council.  Owners have expressed an interest in bringing some other uses to the site besides a hospitality and lodging.

There was no public comment at the hearing before the planing commission or at the council meeting.  The city attorney did comment on the thorough research done by city staff on the background of these parcels and said the report given to council was exemplary.

There was lengthy discussion about an agenda item inserted by the mayor. The city has been using the services of a temp agency and the mayor requested action on making this employee part of the city payroll.  It would save some money not having to pay the agency rates which include a margin for their profit.

Council members were concerned the employee may not have met contractual time limits yet, freeing her for actual hire. There also is a hiring process underway for two positions and this appears to be “going against the process,” according to Council member Grote.  He felt the finalists being considered for interviewing soon, should be allowed to complete the recruitment assessments.  Council members all agreed this temp agency staff member is a “great asset” as Larry Julik Heine described her, and want to see her remain.

To reduce the agency fees council agreed to place Michelle Hansen on 32 hours per week as a city employee, contingent on contract language authorizing the hire.  It was approved to run until the city fills both the clerk and treasurer positions.

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