Went to the Special City Council Meeting this morning. It was a bit lonely there without the usual suspects piled up. There will be no film at 11:00 A.M. or P.M. of this event. There should be a nice write up in the Daily Blat tomorrow, as its Reporter arrived a bit late and dressed as if had just come from International Falls Minnesota?
As expected, there were few if any surprises over what went on.
I had been asked about saying something at the Public Forum by someone, but said as this was a Special Council Meeting, there would be no Public Forum. Person noted that it was on the Agenda. In any case, I just did my usual observing of the action.
The two grants were just the renewals that had to be done to continue where in one, $15K was paid to the City for what was said to be one half of the salary for the Jackson Middle School Resource Officer who I believe is still Mr. Jones? The balance of his salary and benefits have to be picked up by the City. That passed 7- 0.
Oh yeah, what was interesting was that Mr. Leach and Mr. Elam both attended via their Cell Phones rather than in person. Somehow having all seven Council Members present for that meeting was odd? Any four of them would have enough. Only one absent was the City Attorney who was who know where? Some one I think said with School out, he had to baby sit? I don't know if they were being funny or serious?
The second grant was a $30K yearly grant that went to supporting the Drug Task Force. While Vienna administered it, one half went to P'burg for their guys. That too passed 7-0
Than Ms. Tianno took the podium and made the presentation for the yearly Equal Employment Opportunity Plan for Women and Minorities- EEOP. What I did not know or maybe had forgot was that because of the two above grants, it was mandatory to have such a program. She did her usual excellent job of what was going on and why.
Simply put, City had to compare its numbers against the average for areas around us. Did not have to hire anyone because we did not match more the others, but if the City did hire for any positions it was suggested that a Woman/ Minority be recruited more heavily for it. That too passed 7-0
Final item was the awarding of the Bid to remove the Diesel and Gas Fuel Tanks down at the old 12th Street location. The winning bid (drum roll please), was from Jimmie Harper Construction in the amount of $7,340.98. First and the one and only runner up was Bosley Construction with a bid in $8K plus range.
That pretty much ended the festivities with one exception. Mr. Rapp noted that Ms. Smith would be joining the Tree Commission as an "Active Member". I am not sure what that means unless it was a dig at Mr. Conley who was assigned against his will last year?
I have not yet gotten to the point of discussing the Chart that Mr. Schwendeman presented on how the City had saved about $900,000 on Health Insurance over the past few years. I am finishing up a much needed project and it is taking a lot more time than I had planned. Doing the necessary "Research" for that is a bit time consuming. But I have not forgotten what I said I would be doing on that matter ands so shall it shall be.
Have been doing review on that matter and am more and more astounded as I go back through some of the documents on what went on and are becoming more and more open as time passes.
So I ask that you be a bit more patient and it will soon show too.
Saw on the News, where the Pat Catan's Craft Store is closing down in the P'burg Mall by Rural King. When Hobbly Lobby announced it was opening in the old Kmart location here, it was noted that there would not likely be enough business for both stores. Seems some Truth to that position now. Person I was chatting with noted just not enough people here to support two stores of that type.
Well, some more folks will by September be out of work or maybe as someone else noted on a site, maybe Hobby Lobby with give them first crack at the new jobs with them? I have been told they really pay well and take care of their folks? 'nuff said'.