Enterprise Dispatch

Serving the communities of Dassel, Cokato, Darwin, MN, and the surrounding area

Council considers new city hall


Cokato Fire Chief Hutch Erickson expressed support for an increase in ambulance stipends, which he initially advised the council to re-examine after the fire department’s were raised. Photo BY Jennifer Von Ohlen

Cokato Fire Chief Hutch Erickson expressed support for an increase in ambulance stipends, which he initially advised the council to re-examine after the fire department’s were raised.
Photo BY Jennifer Von Ohlen

COKATO, MN – During a previous meeting, city staff informed the council that the present city hall building was due for several repairs in order to meet code regulations, which was again addressed before the council last Monday.

City Administrator Annita Smythe informed the council that the fire department had to respond to an elevator rescue at the building about three weeks ago. The episode occurred around 1 a.m. when a custodian became stuck while cleaning up after a weekend event.

Council member Paul Boger acknowledged that the situation then becomes a liability issue.

Smythe also stated that the elevator has been known to not fully reach the same level as a floor of its destination, raising the risk for users to fall into the elevator cab.

Fire Chief Hutch Erickson commented that individuals falling into the elevator is more concerning than them becoming trapped.

Smythe added that whenever maintenance comes to fix the elevator, they always say, “It’s only a matter of time.”

Replacing the elevator’s computer would cost an estimated $75,000, to which Mayor Gordy Erickson added the machine would still not be up to code.

Considering the price of a new elevator as well as other “overdue” update costs, the council authorized city staff to look into alternative options for city hall, whether it is relocation or construction.

Ambulance stipends increase

At last month’s meeting, the council raised the fire department’s stipends, to which Erickson further advised the council to review the ambulance stipends. Which had been as follows:

• director – $1,000

• assistant director – none

• secretary/treasurer – $800

• training officer #1 – none

• training officer #2 – none

At Monday’s meeting, Erickson said, “There’s no reason their stipends shouldn’t match ours.”

Council Member Jarod Sebring, who is also a member of the fire department, stated that some of the training officers’ teachings involve advanced work, such as IVs – a service Howard Lake does not have a variance to offer.

“If it weren’t for these training officers teaching us how to do IVs, we wouldn’t even have that. So, that makes us a better ambulance service, because of what we can do because of our training officers,” he said.

Following discussion, the council raised the ambulance stipends to match the fire department’s. The adjusted amounts are:

• director – $2,500

• assistant director – $1,500

• secretary/treasurer – $800

• training officer #1 – $700

• training officer #2 – $600.

Read the full coverage in the March 20 edition of the Enterprise Dispatch. Click here to subscribe to the print or online edition.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.