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1 CITY OF AMERY FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS February 23 , 20 2 1 The Finance Committee of the City of Amery met on Tuesday – February 23 , 2021 via Zoom . Chairperson Sarah Flanum called the meeting to order at 5: 0 0 P.M. Present: Chair person , Sarah Flanum ; Vice-Chairperson , Rick Van Blaricom; and Member, Tim Strohbusch . Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator/ City Clerk -Treasurer , Patty Bjorklund ; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, Ben Jansen ; Assistant Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney ; Police Chief, Tom Marson ; Library Director, Amy Stormberg; and Library Youth Director, Erin Hunter. Staff Absent: None. Othe rs Present: Mayor, Paul Isakson; Alderperson s , Julie Riemenschneider , Chad Leonard, and Eric Elkin ; Representatives from Market & Johnson; Jodi Nelson (Ayres and Assoc.); Dick Waterman; Fran Duncanson; April Ziemer ; and Members of the Public. Waterman ’s Recycling: Dick Waterman of Waterman ’s Sanitation was present to discuss Recycling updates at the County. The Polk County Recycling Center has decided to start charging $70 per ton of recycling starting January 1 st , 2021. Currently there are two options to proceed for Waterman ’s. Either they will have to raise rates for hauling to cover the cost or they may have to stop hauling recycling altogether and have the City use the County provided recycling bins behind the Fire Department. Estimates in cost increases range from an additional 6-8 per month per household if the City decides to continue the current arrangement. Motion by Member, Strohbusch ; seconded by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; to table recycling discussion until the next Committee meeting. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried. Ayres City Center Update: Jodi Nelson of Ayres and Representatives from Market and Johnson were present to discuss the budget and layout for the new City Center. Market and Johnson wishes to move forward with some of the bidding in early April because of difficulties procuring steel. Motion by Member, Strohbusch ; seconded by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; to recommend the schedule and current budget to Council. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried. Ambulance Service Merger: Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; is a member of the Ambulance Service Board and provided an update on what has been happening. The Amery Ambulance Service may be merging with Northland Ambulance Service of the Frederic/Luck Area. A joint board will be formed with an executive committee. Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; recommends that the City signs the letter of intent. Motion by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; seconded by Member, Strohbusch ; to sign the letter of intent to Merge with Northland Ambulance Service. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried. 2 Administrative Assistant Hiring: Administrator, Bjorklund; brought forward the need to have a 5 th employee at City Hall. Mayor, Isakson; stated that he would like to see someone hired to provide services for the AEDC and the Community Club and not just the City. Motion by Member, Strohbusch ; seconded by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; to approve posting for an Administrative Assistant. This position will be formally approved by Council in April. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried. Ordinance 03-2021: Committee of the Whole: This ordinance has been created with the intention of forming a single Committee of the Whole to take the place of the current standing committees. This in theory will streamline the meeting process and make it more accessible to the public. Many Council functions, such as department head reports, will most likely take place at the Committee of the Whole moving forward. Motion by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; seconded by Member, Strohbusch ; to recommend Ordinance 03- 2021 Committee of the Whole to the Council. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried. Motion by Member, Strohbusch ; seconded by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; to go into Closed Session at 6 :40 P.M. under Wis. Stat 19.85(1)c – Full Time Police Officer , Public Works General Laborer, and Proposed Administrative Assistant . Considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried Motion by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; seconded by Member, Strohbusch ; to reconvene into Open Session at 7 :0 0 P.M. Ayes-3 Nays-0 Motion Carried Motion by Vice-Chair, Van Blaricom ; seconded by Member, Strohbusch ; to adjourn at 7 :0 1 P.M. Aye s – 3 Nay s – 0 Motion Carried Respectfully Submitted, Ben Jansen, MPA Deputy Clerk-Treasurer January 28, 2021