Ambulance seeks volunteers

During their meeting the evening of Monday, Aug. 10, members of the New Richland city council learned it will cost between $20,000 and $25,000 to put new concrete at the north entry to city hall. City administrator Tyler Lendt explained an engineer’s input will be needed to plan the replacement paving so that runoff rainwater will not damage it and further damage to the building will be prevented. The council approved up to $25,000 for repairs.

 

Sarah Sundve read the ambulance report and said there are three people that need their first responder refresher emergency medical service (EMS) classes which will cost $375, which will come with reimbursement later on. She has also posted call and response times for the crew and is currently working with Saint Croix Emergency Medical Services and evaluating a six-month recruiting process for new personnel. Sundve requests anyone who can volunteer for up to 60 hours per month, it would be greatly appreciated. Those junior EMS students, who can be as young as 18 only need their CPR qualification to drive the ambulance. The first responder certification can be covered through the city, Sundve adds, “There is also a place to stay for those who are volunteering from out of town.” 

 

Jeff Langr of the Waseca County Sheriff’s office was present and spoke about the ambulance service and how necessary it is for the residents of New Richland. There was talk of North Memorial Ambulance taking over the New Richland Community Ambulance, and that offer was rejected. Currently there are 10 staff in New Richland, four first responders and six EMS, with one of those currently in school. The council rejected selling New Richland Ambulance.  

 

Commissioner Doug Christopherson gave out packets explaining the Waseca Justice Center and to give updates. The current building is outdated and needs to be torn down, but Commissioner Christopherson doesn’t want that to be a burden on the taxpayers. The offices in the east annex across the street from the courthouse like the DMV would be moved to the new building, freeing that space up for other resident needs. Instead of breaking ground this year, the center won’t be started until spring of 2027, with a move in date of all 2028. Through savings and planning since 2021, there is seven million saved to start this project already saved. A million through Minnesota Prairie, and Amy Klobuchar assured Waseca three million. Christopherson said, “We’re 90 percent sure we’ll get that money, but it has to go through Washington first.” There will be savings that come from running the building itself. Christopherson also brought up the fact, “No one likes a new tax” then made reference to a local sales tax as an option for funding, “Then the whole burden doesn’t come just from Waseca residents.” He means that people from outside Waseca county come here to enjoy our lakes and town, “They are bringing money and shopping here, that helps our people pay for this center.” The new center would be built just north of where the current center is now, continued Christopherson, “Where the center currently sits would become the new parking lot.”

 

Kelsey Groskreutz of Abdo CPAs, Accounting and Consulting Services was present to discuss the city’s audit report. She said there were no instances of non-compliance, “Over all this was a very positive audit, the city staff was cooperative, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you.”

 

The fire department report included one mutual aid fire call and two medical calls. This month’s training was preparing for Farm and City Days.

 

The New Richland Police Department responded to 92 calls for service for the month of July. There were 20 traffic stops, four ordinance violations, one animal complaint, three suspicious circumstances, 16 directed patrols/lock checks, 19 assists of other agencies. Other call types included civil, criminal damage to property, threats/assaults, and motor vehicle accidents. ANCOM updated the old backup radios successfully. The annual use of force and firearms training will take place in August. Posse security for the street dance was $740. The first day of school for NRHEG will be Sept. 1.

 

According to its report, recruitment at the New Richland Care Center is improving. The Center now has only a few full-time openings in the nursing department, which also means hiring of agency workers is down significantly. The residents have been on bus trips to get ice cream, they also helped with the decoration of the float in the Farm and City Days parade. Care Center staff expressed gratitude to the volunteers who helped with the float and the parade. The facility held an outdoor barbecue for its residents; thanks to good weather, everyone was fortunate enough to eat outdoors and listen to some music. The facility also wants to treat residents to in-season sweet corn; staff members have been in contact with a couple different farms and are looking for more.

 

Tyler Lendt, city administrator, asked for $135 to attend a Clerk’s Academy overnight event in St. Paul being conducted by the Minnesota League of Cities.

 

The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, September 14.