By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the June 3 regular meeting, the Bagley City Council filled the vacant city clerk position and the one vacant seat on the council. Former councilmember Janett Bennett was the only citizen to submit interest in filling the vacancy and was unanimously approved by the council. She was sworn in by Mayor Glen Foresman and immediately sat with the rest of the council.
Regarding the clerk vacancy, Mayor Foresman said he feels the city needs to offer a higher wage to attract and keep someone in the role. He said the previous wage was $16.25 per hour, but he suggested $25, or at least something in the $21-$23 range.
Some council members questioned the need for that large of an increase. Foresman said because the position is part-time, the higher wage will help make the pay “a livable wage.” After discussion, the council approved a motion to start the new clerk at $22 hourly, with a 90-day review. Lexee Bonus was the sole vote against.
Next, the council discussed the regular work hours that should be expected of the city clerk position, once it is filled.
“I want to leave those flexible for now,” Foresman said,
“Well, I don’t want to leave them flexible for now. It’s not up to you, it’s up to the council,” council member Deanna Gibson replied.
Foresman said the hours need to be what will best fit the needs of the city, and there was discussion about what an ideal schedule would look like. The consensus was that after training is completed, the clerk would be expected to work 20 hours per week, and that a regular schedule should be followed, including some evening and/or weekend hours so that citizens can access the office after usual work hours.
Cynthia Mansker was the only applicant for the clerk position, and she voiced a willingness to work with the wage and hours expectations the council had discussed. She explained that she’d be available on or after June 17. The council unanimously voted to hire Mansker.
Mayor Foresman stated that the city’s garbage hauler, Stone Trucking, had apparently not been paid for the past six months and is owed $9,055.24. Foresman said he didn’t know why that hadn’t been paid, but he is taking care of the oversight and thanked Stone Trucking for continuing to serve the city’s needs.
Scott Richardson brought up a discussion for all in attendance regarding the city’s warning siren. He asked the council and other citizens if they feel the city should have one siren sound that is used for tornado and straight-line wind emergencies, or if there should be a separate siren sound for each.
Some citizens and council members advocated for a different sound or siren length for each of the two situations so citizens would know the difference. Others said one standard siren sound and length should be used for either situation. There was no vote or clear consensus, but slightly more support for the “one standard sound” scenario. It was suggested that the siren be activated when a tornado is confirmed and/or when straight-line winds are expected to reach 70 mph. Richardson said he would take these suggestions to the fire department meeting on June 4 to discuss.
Citizens and councilmembers discussed the lack of adequate drainage of water in the city following recent heavy rains. The city will check to see if dredging of the creek or tiling or any other solution would be affordable and effective.
The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, July 1 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.