Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Development District No. 1 and Establishment of Tax Increment Financing District <br />No. 20 (Trident) Within Development District No. 1 and Approving the Tax <br />Increment Financing Plan Therefor <br />5:12: Adopt Resolution #26-132 Approving First Amendment to Purchase Agreement <br />for Sale of Lot 1, Block 7, Waterfront Village: Roers Ramsey Apartments I LLC <br />5:13: Adopt Resolution #26-133 Approving Cash Disbursements Made and Authorizing <br />Payment of Accounts Payable Invoicing Received During the Period of May 7, <br />2026, through May 20, 2026 <br />5:14: Adopt Resolution #26-134 Authorizing Solicitation of Requests for Proposals for a <br />Well Sitting Study for Wells #9 and #10 <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Buscher, Olson, Peters, Riley, <br />Specht, and Stewart. Voting No: None. <br />6. PUBLIC HEARING <br />7. COUNCIL BUSINESS <br />7.01: Authorization to Hire a Part-Time Communications Specialist <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen explained that the City Council is being asked to consider authorizing <br />the hiring of a part-time Communications Specialist position included in the 2026 budget. He <br />explained the position is needed to support the City’s growing communications workload, provide <br />backup for the Communications Coordinator, assist with elections, manage social media and <br />website content, and improve continuity across communication platforms. Following a <br />competitive recruitment process, staff recommended hiring Rachel Lahlum, noting that she had <br />completed the required background checks and would be subject to the AFSCME contract and <br />probationary requirements. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Buscher, to hire Ms. Rachel <br />Lahlum as part-time Communications Specialist, effective on or near June 15, 2026, at $30.803 <br />per hour (step one of the 2026 wage scale). <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley explained he opposed creating the part-time Communications Specialist <br />position, emphasizing his opposition was not directed at the individual recommended for hire. He <br />noted he has consistently opposed expanding the City’s communications staffing. He recalled that <br />only a few years earlier, the communications role had been combined with event coordination <br />duties before becoming a standalone communications position. He indicated he does not believe <br />an additional communications position is necessary. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht indicated he would not support the new Communications Specialist <br />position, emphasizing his comments were not directed at the individual recommended for hire. He <br />explained his concern centered on the City’s budget and stated he does not believe the City can <br />afford the additional position while trying to keep the budget in line. <br /> <br /> <br />City Council /May 26, 2026 <br />Page 5 of 19 <br /> <br />