Stanley Council Member Laurie Foster is on the record for why she abstained from voting on a water operator Oct. 6.
“I wasn’t in on interviews and disagree with pay,” she wrote via email for why she abstained from an Oct. 6 council vote regarding the hiring of a city water operator at $25 per hour.
As things turned out both candidates ultimately declined the offer, meaning the job posting for city water will soon be back out for interested candidates.
In the meantime, the city held a frank discussion in Committee of the Whole Monday, Oct. 20, as to what is needed for operation of the Northwest Water Treatment Plant and water department generally, chief among these being more help. The Northwest Plant is currently operating with two wells, an additional two wells potentially online as of Thursday, pending test results. Currently just one employee (Jeriame Czubakowski) is tasked full time with work at the water department, following the departure of John Hoel. The reduction to one employee has contributed to some strain, the Northwest Water Treatment Plant offline for much of September.
Other city employees have been helping out but also have their own tasks to complete, with overall water department operations overseen by Jon Strand of CBS Squared. The city will be posting to hire a water operator position in the near future. Interested parties should check back for job posting.
In other council related news, the city heard a presentation from CBS Squared during council after 8 p.m., regarding a GIS system that would help the city keep track of work done. The general consensus was that it would see its greatest tracking value in the areas of water and wastewater, but might take up time in the public works department, resulting in less work being accomplished within set hours.
The matter was ultimately tabled for further discussion.