Paid-on-call EMTs to start April 2, city learns

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018 — Tower Ambulance service is ready to start its five-days-a-week, paid-on-call, staffing on April 2, the Tower City Council learned at its regular Monday, March 12 meeting. Interviews and background checks were completed on four candidates last week, Ambulance Director Steve AltenbUrg said, as he recommended hiring Tammy Ellison, Chisholm; Lukas Morgan, Babbitt; Brylie Landfried, Embarrass; and Hunter Gilbert, Tower to serve as the paid-on-call staff. The stated goal was to hire two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), and two Emergency Medical Responders, however all four candidates will have their full EMT credentials by summer’s end. Gilbert, currently an EMR, is expected to complete work on his EMT credentials soon.

The city council gave its full support and approved the new hires, but there was some dissent on entering into a lease agreement on a house necessary to accommodate the new staff, when they are not on active duty during their 12 hour shifts.The ambulance service intends to staff an ambulance through two shifts, Monday through Fridays. A motion to enter into a lease with Jessica Hughes and Clinton Hughes for the rental of their 701 North Second Street house passed 4-1. Alderman Lance Dougherty voted against the motion. The city ambulance service will pay $312.50 in monthly rent, in addition to paying utilities.

Randy Johnson has worked for the City of Tower for nearly 27 years and has stated his intention to retire on June 30. He currently serves as head of the city’s maintenance department. In a letter to the city, Johnson reported that his early retirement would save the city a considerable amount of pay and about $13,000 in insurance. The City Council unanimously honored Johnson’s request, and established that his last work day will be May 11, due to holiday and vacation credits. The city accepted his request to maintain the balance of the 2018 insurance payments and pay the 2019 medical savings account allotment, both totaling about $17,000 in expense to the city.

Dave Bjorgo, currently the assistant maintenance worker, was appointed to fill the head of maintenance position effective May 12, following Johnson’s last day of work.

The city council approved establishing a review of maintenance job descriptions, established a committee to conduct interviews and authorized posting the new vacancy.

In other action, the Tower City Council:

• Entered into a professional services contract to complete work on sign installations and fence construction at the Tower Airport. It is expected that full cost of the project will be $15,000.

• Approved resolution 2018-004 to install two city signs in the Highway 169 right-of-way. The Minnesota Department of Transportation met with the city and its engineering firm to seek approval for a new city sign at the westernmost entrance to town, and to move the existing sign to a location on the east side.

• Accepted a cash offer of $34,000 from Lisa Ann Hanes Goodlander to purchase the NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 Section 34, Township 63 North Range 15 West city-owned acreage adjacent to the Boundary Waters, in the Mud Creek Road area

• Approved the use of a new form to manage public data requests at city hall

• Established new budget accounts for the Tower Economic Development Authority

• Acknowledged a request to have the city install a video intercom system and automatic locking door mechanism at the Vermilion Country School

• Established $2,000 as the minimum acceptable bid on a fire department utility trailer

• Approved the transfer of a city lease at 5743 Hoodoo Point Road from Teresa Erickson to Samuel Vosburgh, Eveleth

• Accepted a drainage study conducted on the city owned railroad depot and acknowledged that the city will need to consult with its engineers for review.