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The Taylors Falls Council on Monday night this week had new faces at the front of the room — Robert Bayer and Carol Schumann replaced Troy Aanonsen and Larry Julik Heine, who did not seek re-election last November.  Council adopted a resolution acknowledging the 20 years of Larry Julik Heine’s public service and gave him a send-off with applause and certificate of recognition.

In annual city business:  the members retained the professional firms,  with the exception of a consensus to give ISG an opportunity to do some engineering consulting.

Newly elected Council member Bayer accepted committee assignments on finance and planning commission.  Mayor Brandon Weiberg stays on the planning commission but as a non-voting member.

Schumann will sit on the Heritage Preservation Commission and personnel.

Council member Lee Samuelson takes the parks commission city council liaison vacancy.    

Mayor Weiberg advised the council and those in the audience that the optional second meeting of the month in January,  is being held.  The added session is due to the presentation of a public hearing on probable bonding the city wants to advance.  The city hall roof and a fire department truck replacement are the topics.   The meeting will be January 27 at 5 p.m.  Regular council business will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Council unanimously formalized the two percent cost of living increase for city personnel in 2025 and adopted wording for the paid time off clause setting it at 120 as the carryover allowed and 160 hours for accrued totals.  Council member Tim Grote was investigating this benefit language and in checking with other cities he said Taylors Falls was woefully low. He felt the numbers were an acceptable balance of what was in the best interests of the city and staff.

The cost to request data was clarified and set at $45 per hour for the employee’s time. Billing can be in 15 minute increments of this rate, if the data is easily located.

The League of MN Cities holds trainings for member council persons and Taylors Falls will be sending the two new council members and the mayor to upcoming LMC conferences. Schumann and Weiberg are to attend the Alexandria event and Bayer was able to clear his schedule  for the St. Cloud event date. These are $350 each participant.

And, the mayor announced that his per diem of 2024 will be donated to the Together With Friends city youth summer program.  Each year he gives this stipend to a local community effort.   

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