Goessel council hires two part-time workers for city assignments

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
Goessel City Council hired Lyle Christ as a part-time employee of the public works department and Paula Flaming as a part-time assistant city clerk Oct. 17.

Goessel’s public works department had consisted of one person. For quite some time, the council has been discussing the need for a back-up water/sewer operator who could also help with extra projects, work in case of emergencies, and work when the public works director is out of town.

The council met in special session Oct. 10 to outline expectations. They determined the new public works part-time employee would be asked to work a maximum of 15 hours per week.

Specific hours and projects would be determined in consultation with Joe Base, the public works director.

Two applications for the part-time position had been received and were reviewed at the Oct. 10 special meeting. Applicant Lyle Christ was asked to attend the Oct. 17 regular monthly meeting for an interview.

Mayor Peggy Jay said the back-up water/sewer operator would have to be trained and certified. She said a grant for training is available from the state. A training session is scheduled for Nov. 2. Base plans to attend.

The new employee should plan to attend also. Although the new employee will have other duties besides the water/sewer work, Jay said certification for those issues is a priority.

Besides water/sewer back-up help, the new part-time employee would be expected to help with mowing in summer, equipment maintenance, and special projects.

The council voted to offer Christ the job, beginning immediately.

Assistant city clerk

The council also interviewed applicants for a part-time city clerk assistant.

The council was looking for someone to work about five hours per week on a regular basis, but more hours as necessary when City Clerk Anita Goertzen is gone.

The council estimated to be between three and 10 hours.

The council primarily saw a need for someone to staff the city office from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, when Goertzen is not in the office.

Goertzen has been authorized to work from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

The part-time person would also work when Goertzen is on vacation, at conferences or working at the post office.

The council voted to offer the job to Paula Flaming, beginning immediately.

Park improvements

On another matter, the council considered improvements at the city park.

Councilor Larry Lindeman said, “We’re spending a lot of money on the park…. We ought to put in some nice windows and make the shelter house look nice.”

He mentioned the plywood opening that is used for serving food and for ventilation.

Councilor Larry Schmidt suggested doubling the width of the sidewalk at the shelter house. Councilor Jim Wiens suggested pouring concrete sidewalk all around the building.

Jay reminded the council that it had already discussed replacing the cabinet and sink in the shelter house.

Councilor Racquel Thiesen responded, “So let’s concentrate on the interior over the winter.”

The outdoor work could be completed as weather permits, she said.

The council also discussed purchasing a vinyl clad steel bench that would be anchored into the ground near the new playground equipment. One catalog listed such a bench for $350.

Schmidt had looked at barbecue grills like campgrounds provide. He had seen some for $249 to $360. It was pointed out that not only would community people use the grills, but people who come to the park to use the camper hook-ups would also use the grills.

The council also discussed adding features to the skate park.

“I’d like to see a nice quarter pipe,” Goertzen said.

Costs range from $1,300 to $1,900.

The council voted to purchase a bench and grill. They plan to check further into skate park additions.

The council also decided to change the policy on reserving the shelter house and checking out a key for it.

Council members will no longer make reservations. Beginning Jan. 1, people who wish to rent the shelter house will need to call the city office to reserve the shelter house, and they will need to get the key from the city office.

Other business

In other business, the council:

n heard Base’s public works report. He had conducted routine mandatory water sampling in 10 houses to test for lead and copper. He had painted all the crosswalks. He said the concrete lining in the new sewer lagoon is 25 percent complete.

n heard in Base’s report as police chief that he had worked two drug cases, one domestic case, and one hit-and-run accident.

n was reminded by Goertzen that water will be shut off on the 20th of the month if past-due bills have not been paid by that date.

n heard that Todd Mayer of Mayer Specialty could do some further checking on the sewer line, particularly by Bethesda Home and the funeral home.

Mayer quoted a price of $954 for televised inspection of the storm sewer drain line on the north side of Main Street from Poplar to the west. Televised inspection of the sewer line on the south side of the street would cost $414.

n held a special meeting Oct. 4 with Duane Unruh, Todd Loescher, Stuart Porter and Arlen Goertzen (former public works director) to discuss a possible new housing development.

Goertzen had checked on water rights and found that they are adequate for expansion.

The next step is for the developer to submit a preliminary plat of the proposed project and to provide a detailed cost estimate.

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