Blue Earth Police officer Tharen Haugh, left, holds the Spotlight Employee Recognition Award he recently received from the South Central Service Cooperative. City administrator Mary Kennedy presented the award to him during last Monday’s Blue Earth City Council meeting.

The Blue Earth City Council started off its meeting on Feb. 5 by recognizing the commitment of a city employee – police officer Tharen Haugh.

City administrator Mary Kennedy informed the council that Haugh was recently selected as the recipient of South Central Service Cooperative’s Spotlight Employee Recognition Award.

“The award recognizes team members that are willing to go above and beyond for their organization and applauds coworkers that are willing to lend a hand,” Kennedy explained.

She went on to describe Haugh’s qualifications for the award.

“Tharen Haugh is a dedicated Blue Earth police officer and deserves recognition for his exceptional commitment and positive attitude toward serving the community,” Kennedy said. “His kindness and collaborative spirit have significantly contributed to fostering a safe environment for everyone…he embodies the essence of a true public servant.”

After Haugh was presented with his award, the council continued with its regular agenda.

Under old business, the council reviewed and approved several contracts, policies and agreements – one of which was a year-long kenneling services agreement with Paws for Cause.

The agreement states that Paws for Cause will reserve two kennels for the city for $500 per month. The city will also pay Paws for Cause $20 a day per animal being held at the facility.

Paws for Cause agreed to procure and maintain public liability insurance under the agreement. The agreement also outlines extensive safety protocol and procedures which will be kept in place to ensure the safety of impounded animals, Paws for Cause employees and volunteers.

“It is pretty much the same contract that was in place with the Faribault County Humane Society,” Kennedy observed. “Everything has been changed to Paws for Cause.”

Additionally, the council reviewed and approved two contracts with Brunton Architects for renovations at the former Wells Fargo building, which is the future site of Blue Earth City Hall.

In light of certain improvements required at the building – including the replacement of the electrical panels – Brunton recommended that the city hire them not only for architectural and engineering services, but also for construction management and advisory services.

“Everything would still be competitively bid, and offered to local contractors, but this would ensure that the plans they provide are being bid out apples to apples,” Kennedy explained. “The contractors will know exactly what to bid on, and it will be reviewed by a professional.”

She added, “This takes the responsibility of managing an extensive project off of us (city employees).”

The council approved both contracts – one to engage Brunton for architectural and engineering services, and one to engage the firm for construction management services.

Next, the council reviewed and approved an updated version of Kennedy’s contract. The original contract was set to expire at the end of 2025, but the updated version will expire in 2028.

The updated contract also includes a pay raise. Kennedy’s annual salary will increase to $115,000, effective Feb. 5. She will receive an annual pay increase of $3,000 on July 6 each year, contingent on her satisfactory completion of her job duties.

Finally, the council approved an updated Wellness and Medical Leave/Earned Safe and Sick Time (ESST) Policy for city employees.

“Due to conflicting proposals from collective bargaining units, the Personnel Committee further reviewed the city’s Wellness/Medical Leave and ESST Policies, and has made the recommendation to adopt a uniform policy for all city employees,” she explained.

Previously, the Wellness and Medical Leave Policy and ESST Policy had existed as two separate policies. The amended policy combines the policies, while still meeting the state’s new ESST requirements.

“It has all of the language from the state that was in the previous ESST policy,” Kennedy assured the council.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

• Engaged BakerTilly for advisory services this year.

“We do this prior to every bond issuance,” Kennedy explained. “It allows us to work with Doug Green as we get ready for our street project.”

• Conducted a first reading of an ordinance to convey property at the Prairie View Subdivision to Jared Bruellman for $5,000.

The council scheduled a public hearing for the ordinance at the next City Council meeting, which will be held on Feb. 20.

• Increased the salary of Devin Greenside, the maintenance person at the Ag Center and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s properties.

“Devin has done some outstanding work,” Kennedy said. “He is prideful in his work and I think that should be recognized and compensated.”

Effective immediately, Greenside’s hourly wage will increase from $19.67 to $20.15. Effective Oct. 26, his hourly wage will increase to $20.83.

• Went into closed session to discuss pending litigation of two matters. One is regarding the special assessment appeal for the 2022 street improvement project, and the other is associated with the Riverside Heights annexation proceedings.

“No action was taken,” city attorney David Frundt reported.

• Approved an event request from the Blue Dirt Road band to kick off their Color Town Tour at the Giant Welcome Center parking lot on June 21.

• Approved the Blue Earth Fire Department’s request for several members to travel to a conference on April 17-20.

• Approved a raffle permit for the Faribault County Humane Society for a fundraising event to be held on March 17.

The event will offer an estimated $1,000 cash prize.