Resignation a formality

Waseca City Manager Lee Mattson announced at the Tuesday, July 5 council meeting that council member Ted Conrath had submitted his resignation. Conrath was not present at the meeting to explain why he resigned, but Mattson stated that it was “due to personal reasons.”

Council member Jeremy Conrath, brother to Ted Conrath, told the council, “I know that this decision was not one that he took lightly. He liked working with everyone on the council.”

When we reached out to ask Mattson for further details on Conrath’s resignation, he explained that the resignation was prompted because Conrath had changed residences. 

“Much like a state representative represents a district, a Waseca council member represents a part of the city which are called wards,” he elaborated. “To represent a ward, you must live in that part of the city. For whatever reason, Conrath no longer lives in the ward he represents. So, that triggers a resignation.”

Conrath represented Ward I, which covers northwest Waseca.

In other business, City Engineer Nathan Willey requested authorization to engage a Fixed Based Operator service at the airport. The facility currently relies on volunteers, and having more consistent service will be helpful, he states. The council granted authorization and will accept bids for a new FBO until August 4 at 4 p.m.

Willey and the council will evaluate the airport board’s report before moving forward with selecting an FBO with the expectation of them arriving in September or October. In the interim, the city will be covering fuel costs.

Willey added that the Airport Board is also looking to install a new card system to accept debit and credit cards from people buying fuel or a new fuel tank. They additionally discussed adding a fuel flowage fee of $0.10 a gallon to generate revenue for system improvements. Among the members of the airport board, votes regarding all proposed changes at the airport barely passed, with a final vote of 3-2.

When council member John Mansfield inquired about why the split happened, Willey replied, “One felt that the fuel flowage fee wasn’t needed. But my feelings are we need new hangars and to pay for upkeep. As costs continue to increase, this is a way to offset those costs.”

Public Forum

Robert Tackett talked to the council about developing a program for schools to get students prepared for hostile situations.

“In light of recent events with shootings and horrible things we’ve experienced, I asked the local school board if they plan to develop a program for the schools,” Tackett said. “I’ve gotten a ‘no’ every time.”

Tackett added that if the council was interested in having a comprehensive security plan at the schools beyond having a security officer on hand, “I’m ready to develop a plan. I wanted to make aware that if we want to do something, we absolutely can make it happen in a small town like Waseca.”

Other Items

The council discussed bids for the I&I manhole restoration project. Construction includes sanitary sewer pipe lining and manhole repairs in the SE quadrant of town along the 5th St SE sewer shed.

City Manager Lee Mattson recommended that the city approve the $54,702 bid from Stantec Consulting. Council member Mark Christiansen expressed concern about how low the bid was. “It’s a lot lower compared to the other bids,” he said. “Coming from a construction background, that low of a bid for that much work is giving off red flags.”

Mattson explained that they looked at potential durability. “This bid uses cheaper material that’s still of quality while the other bids don’t justify the expenses expected. We also have a ten-year warranty with this option.”

After further discussion, the council approved the bid with a 5-0 vote.

The council then talked about a proposal for a Hybrid-Telework policy. If formalized, it will officially allow city employees flexibility to work from home when they can. Mattson stated the draft for this policy is based on one used in New Ulm.

Council member Jeremy Conrath expressed concern. “Many city employees do not have the option to do this,” he said. “Something like this is great, but I think of areas like the Fire Department and the Wastewater treatment plan - they don’t have this option at all. If they have a medical call and that person is Covid positive, they’re told to deal with it.”

He speculated that those who have no choice but to report personally to work should receive additional pay similar to the Frontline Workers’ Pay. Council member Mark Christiansen pushed back, saying, “They have unions and contracts. I’m not sure that they should get more.

“We need to find good ways to offer opportunities to people so that way we get staff,” he added. “I personally have no desire to work at home. I want to be with people and to communicate. But we’ve got to have different things to offer people to attract them. Otherwise, we’ll have whatever’s left, and I don’t think we’d be happy with it.”

With a 4-1 vote, the council approved the Hybrid-Telework Policy. Mansfield opposed.

The council approved a change order for the city pavilion with total costs not to exceed $31,720, with up to an additional $5,000 for soil sampling. 

Members also accepted a contract from Adam Harguth, who was the high bidder to cut hay on the city property known as the “Lewer Farm.” Under the terms of Harguth’s bid, the city estimates it will receive about $895.05 for each future cutting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.