Jacobson joins New Richland council

During the Sept. 9 meeting of the New Richland city council, Brandy Jacobson was sworn in as the newest council member. She replaced council member Janda Ferguson who became acting mayor after Loren Skelton stepped down for health reasons.  Resident John Mrozek was appointed to the city’s housing and redevelopment authority; he will serve a five-year term.

 

City ambulance director Sarah Sundve was not present at the meeting, but submitted a report letting council members know a mock crash has been scheduled for the morning of Sept. 20 along Ash Avenue South, near the secondary school. Participating agencies will include the New Richland ambulance, the city police, the county sheriff’s office, and North Ambulance service. The event will even include a mock helicopter transport. 

 

Sundve’s report also recommended changes to her department’s policy manual. She suggested new expectations for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working for the service should now require them to work a minimum of 60 hours a month; 30 hours to be scheduled on weekdays, 30 on weekends: EMTs would also be expected to work at least 60 hours on designated holidays each year.  Each team member would be required to sign up for their hours by the first day of each month. 

 

City police chief Tanyce Bruegger let council members know her staff responded to 147 calls in August. Total calls for August: 1,653. She classified the “Night to Unite” as a big success, mentioning nearly all the give-away items were distributed. Print paper was purchased for the squad cars. Bruegger requested that the department receive funding to purchase three or four “Taser 10” weapons in 2025 at an estimated cost of about $16,522. The price includes an instructor sent to certify officers in Taser 10 use. These tasers have a shooting distance of about 45 feet, almost double the 25 feet of current equipment.

 

Schwickert’s Tecta America will inspect the roof of every city-owned building in New Richland for $1,900, this is an annual cost. All council members voted in favor of upgrading the city-issued electronic equipment they use. New tablets for all five council members will cost slightly more than $1,775.

 

The next city council meeting will be Monday, Sept. 23. The focus of a September 24 council work session will be the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 24, will be the city’s worker compensation insurance policy.