At its Feb. 16 meeting, the Wyoming City Council unanimously authorized city staff to advertise a request for proposals to determine municipal facility space needs.
City Administrator Craig Mattson reviewed recent history regarding a considered purchase of the RiverBank building and determining renovations of existing City Hall space for the Police Department. A referendum about the bank building purchase was defeated. At the time, a building needs assessment was recommended.
Mattson also referred to the recent repairs to the police facility that needed to be made. He said the city should not be in the position of needing new or larger spaces and having objections or being rushed because there is no plan in place.
Councilwoman Linda Nanko-Yeager asked where funds would come from to pay for the project. Mattson said that while the city does have an amount budgeted for the request for proposals, the amount would not be revealed in the bids. The contracted services and contingency funds were identified as sources that could pay for the assessment.
The city must look to the future to determine what services are needed in utilities, public safety and administration, Mattson said. A study would also identify what is needed for offices, garages, technology and work spaces.
Nanko-Yeager also asked about how long a facilities needs plan can be set before it is “stale.” She wondered how the city would pay for any new buildings. She was also concerned that a building needs assessment would signal a stop to road projects.
Mattson explained that the advertisements would be published in League of Minnesota publications, trade publications, Architect Digest and newspapers. He anticipates three to five proposals.
A big concern expressed by Councilwoman Lisa Iverson was a desire for transparency in the process. She requested that council members all receive copies of the proposals which are given to the prospective bidders. City staff will supply these.
Iverson also requested a task force be formed to review the request for proposals. Again, transparency of the process was the reason given. This body is to be formed of one local business owner, a resident (not on a city commission), at least two council members, and an Economic Development Authority member.
Officer
After the council authorized the hiring of a full-time police officer on Feb. 2, members discussed the proposal from Public Safety Director Paul Hoppe to hire to full time officer Anthony Zerwas, Councilman Joe Zerwas’s grandson who has been working part time at the department.
On May 15, 2015, the City Council authorized Hoppe to make employment offers to two candidates for part-time positions as police officers, one of whom was Zerwas.
Iverson asked about criteria used to evaluate candidates and how many other candidates had been considered. Hoppe said that of those eligible within the department, one recently accepted a position with Pine County. He has not looked beyond the third person.
Hoppe said that Zerwas is the strongest intra-departmental candidate. He listed the academic and experiential qualifications that support him as the preferred candidate. He has two years’ experience as a community service officer with the city of Woodbury, eight years as a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard and will have completed requirements for a master’s degree in public safety from St. Mary’s University by the July 1 start date.
Nanko-Yeager agreed that Zerwas was a good candidate, but was cautious about the hire because of possible public perceptions of influence by Councilman Zerwas. She said she didn’t believe the city should not hire a relative of a council member.
In 2015, Hoppe said, Anthony Zerwas did not identify himself as a relative of Joe Zerwas, nor did he list his name as a reference. In addition, Councilman Zerwas did not know his grandson had applied for the position. In 2015, the council approved the action by a vote of 4-0, with Councilman Zerwas abstaining.
“If Joe weren’t on the council, we’d hire him (Anthony) in a minute,” Councilwoman Claire Luger observed.
“If he is the most qualified, it would be wrong to disqualify (him) based on his surname,” she added.
By a vote of 3-1 the council voted to change officer Zerwas’ status from part time to full time as of July 1. Nanko-Yeager voted against the motion. Zerwas abstained.
In other business, the council:
– Rescheduled its next regular council meeting to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, to avoid conflict with precinct caucuses.
– Authorized disposal of surplus vehicles through online auction.
– Declared listed items of surplus property and authorized the Public Safety Department to dispose of items though public auction or other disposal process.
– Learned that building permit valuation in 2015 was higher than the previous year, but revenue was down. There was an increase in permits for roofing, siding and window replacement; these all have a flat fee of $80.