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with contractors moving around the City facilities. He noted that they also contracted out the snow <br />removal at the municipal center and it was a failure and the contractor did not show up. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff stated that of all of the positions, he thinks this is the one that he is <br />least in agreement of. He noted that Councilmember Specht made some good points about <br />contracting out services. He said that hearing the security concerns makes this a little more <br />difficult. He stated that he is generically in favor of this but could easily be swayed when <br />comparing this to the rest of the requested positions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she had requested more information from City <br />Engineer/Public Works Director Westby concerning the cost benefit ratio of having this new <br />worker versus contracted work. She shared that she is more in support of this position after hearing <br />the other Staff’s demand in regard to vacation time. She stated that she would support this position. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson noted that there seems to be a need for growth in the department to treat <br />the current workers better. He added that the fact that this is also an election year makes this good <br />timing as the City will also be continuing to grow. He stated that he would also be in support of <br />this position. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley asked if there would be an interest in a mid-year hire for this position. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen added that there will be three elections next year with the first election <br />being in March. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley asked if the Council was in favor of this position. <br /> <br />The Council was in agreement. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen reviewed the request for three new streets maintenance workers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson asked if adding three new employees would cause a shortage of equipment. <br /> <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby explained that they have some equipment requested <br />as part of their capital equipment which would give them enough equipment. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley stated that they have contracted out a very large amount of work this year. He <br />asked if the three new workers would have a decreasing effect on the amount that is currently being <br />contracted out. <br /> <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby shared that over $1,100,000 was spent this year on <br />contracted services. He noted that generally three workers will make up a crew. He stated that <br />having the three additional workers would make up a second crew to go out and maintain the <br />streets. He noted that one crew could be out pothole patching and the other could be street <br />sweeping. He stated that it would have a huge impact on not needing to go out for these contracted <br />services. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 22, 2023 <br />Page 6 of 12 <br /> <br />