Hagenson shares frustrations

For us it’s starting to get old and irritating because every time we do something good, we don’t get a ‘Hey, good job’, we get a ‘Hey you guys did this wrong.’ We get a slap in the face.”

Stanley Fire Chief Korey Hagenson

As the July 3 Stanley City Council meeting began, council member Laurie Foster commented that the new water meters currently being installed are helpful as her newly installed meter alerted the city of a water leak in her home that she might have missed. “That new water system really makes a difference,” she said.

Fire Chief Korey Hagenson informed the council of a parking complaint at the Marketplace on South Broadway Street. Hagenson referred to the parking situation when auctions are being held.

“You can’t get through there. It’s such a safety violation,” he began and further expressed that per fire code, the city needs to decide who is going to set occupancy loads. “I guarantee you that is way over it. If somebody dies in a fire, who is liable? If we have a fire down there, there’s no way we are getting a truck down there,” Hagenson stated. “We’d have to try fighting it from the street.”

Council member Mark Fitzsimmons asked if Hagenson inspected the building to which Hagenson responded, “during hours when they’re not there.”

Foster mentioned that she thought the back of the banquet area could only house 100 people. “It’s not a whole lot,” she said.

Council member Jacob Huff asked, “Have you talked to them at all?”

Hagenson answered, “I tried talking to them and I basically got ignored.”

Mayor Al Haas informed Hagenson that he needs to speak with the owner of the building, Dan Acker, as the council discussed if the owner or renter would be responsible for the issue.

Hagenson was asked if anyone else had complained about this and he informed the council that there were two to three other complaints. Council member Jason Meyer asked City Clerk Nicole Pilgrim if anyone had complained about the building inspector.

“A couple,” she said. “It depends on who you are talking to.” She further mentioned that there are people who complain about how things are set up in the city but don’t mention him by name.

The council approved the gravel proposal for four-tenths of a mile of 345th Street in the amount of $19,000.00

Another council member mentioned that this is just a temporary fix until the funds can be found to rebuild the road.

The city council approved a new home for the Smokey the Bear Fire Danger sign currently housed in the window of the Stanley Fire Station. With limited availabilities due to power lines, Hagenson found a suitable location on Maple Street, on the city right of way west of Wundrow Auto Repair and both adjacent property owners approved.

Foster expressed her concern that the location isn’t a high traffic area and people won’t see it.

“You’ll never get it in a place where everybody will see it,” Haas said.

“I think it’s a good spot,” Huff joined in.

The Council voted to approve this location and the sign will be installed as soon as possible.

City council members shared their safety concerns with Hagenson in reference to the donated workout equipment currently housed at the fire station that members of the fire department use.

Holly Kitchell said that as the city didn’t purchase the equipment or place it there, the city’s insurance policy doesn’t cover if someone gets injured while using it.

“Our concern is someone getting hurt,” Haas remarked. “The city did not purchase it which is one thing, but we are looking at workman’s comp. If it stated that you had to exercise, then its city sanctioned then it would be covered under workman’s comp. It’s not in your job description, workman’s comp will not cover it.”

Pilgrim added, “You’d have to put a sign up that said at your own risk.”

“Then I’ll do that,” Hagenson answered.

Haas said that even for that there would have to be waivers signed and that doesn’t hold up in court. He added that it doesn’t matter if it was bought or donated but the liability and the fact that workman’s comp will not cover it since it’s not in the description of their job to exercise in that facility.

“If they’re not on the clock, they can’t claim workman’s comp,” Huff stated.

Hagenson mentioned that it gets used frequently as Fitzsimmons said, “Our biggest concern is injury to somebody.”

“I don’t see any problem with it. We just have to make sure that we are not liable,” Huff said when Hagenson asked if the insurance company could be contacted to see what steps need to be followed so the firefighters can use the donated equipment.

The council determined that the city clerk will contact the insurance company to see what would be required for the firefighters to use the donated equipment.

Another safety concern brought up by the council was concerning pictures taken of someone standing on top of a fire truck at the Stanley Truck Pull right before a fire call came in.

Hagenson said that the reason the individual stood on top of the truck in one of the photos was because the individual saw a fire. He stated that the fire department always has a fire truck staged on the north end of the track and on the south end of the truck pull track.

“It doesn’t look professional,” Haas remarked regarding the individuals standing on the trucks.

“Standing on the cab, yes, I get that. But every single one of the trucks has a walkway on it,” Hagenson said. “And if he’s standing on the walkway, I’m not going to yell at him because that’s what it’s meant for.”  

Council members expressed their concern for someone being injured. 

“You’re kind of responsible for those guys the whole time you are there, “Fitzsimmons addressed Hagenson. “You’re the chief. You’re the oversight.”

He added, “You will feel horrible for the rest of your life if somebody falls off of that thing that you could have prevented, that somebody could have prevented.”

It was questioned if the fire trucks could be positioned somewhere else at the truck pull and Hagenson responded that it was the only space available with the ability to respond to emergencies.

Kitchell told Hagenson that the council knows that the fire department does a lot for the community and that no one disputes that. 

“For us it’s starting to get old and irritating because every time we do something good, we don’t get a ‘Hey, good job’, we get a ‘Hey you guys did this wrong.’ We get a slap in the face,” Hagenson remarked.

Mayor Haas answered, “We’re not slapping you in the face. If there’s something we’re seeing that’s not being done correctly, we’ve got to ask the question or we’re not doing our job.”

“But it’s constant with us,” Hagenson said . “It seems like we don’t get the support like other parts of the municipality do. And I see it a hundred percent.”

The council responded that it’s an unfortunate part of being in the public eye and that someone will always criticize you no matter what but at the end of the day, you have to feel good with what you do in it.

Huff said, “I’ll say right now I appreciate you guys and you guys do a good job. There’s always room for growth of all of us. None of us make all the right decisions. I’ll make a public thing right now. I appreciate you guys. Korey, I think you’ve come a long way since you took over.”

The final complaint regarding the fire department was the issue of non-employees riding in the city vehicles.

Hagenson said that he investigated it and as long as he gives the okay, they are covered under the insurance. Haas added that it is covered under the insurance if they are riding in the vehicle during a non-emergency. 

“If we are going to get a complaint, and we’re going to check on it, we are going to check all the departments,” Haas said adding that he also questioned another city employee regarding the complaint. It was further discussed that any city employee using their personal vehicle for city business should have their personal auto insurance on file with the city clerk.