The meeting began with a detailed public comments segment, where concerns about employee retention within the public works department were brought to the forefront by Lee Piy and Scott Dubang. Piy highlighted the turnover rate, noting three departures since his hiring—one due to retirement, another for better wages, and a third for advancement opportunities in a neighboring city. Emphasizing the need for wage adjustments and structured pay scales, Piy implored the council, “I just ask that you make Lonsdale a place where people are waiting for a job to open up.”

Scott Dubang, with nearly 25 years of service, underscored the financial burden of retraining new staff and stressed the value of retaining the current team. He noted that he had witnessed 13 employees resign while only one retired, attributing this trend to inadequate compensation and benefits. Dubang’s plea, “I want to retire here,” resonated with the council, who acknowledged the dedication of city staff and the importance of improving employee satisfaction.

In response to these concerns, the council discussed ongoing efforts to boost morale and retain employees, including a planned wage study to ensure competitive salaries across various departments. This study, although coincidental to recent discussions about police wages, had been in the works for several years. The council also considered non-monetary improvements, such as better facilities and modern equipment, to enhance job satisfaction.

Moving on to new business, the council approved the final payment for the 2023 Trail Improvement project to MW Black Topping LLC, amounting to $7,499.188. City Engineer Shabani Bison detailed the project’s scope, which included trail improvements in Trenda Park and other locations. Despite an original contract of approximately $207,000, the final cost was reduced to about $150,000 due to modifications in the work required. The council approved the payment without further discussion.

The council also approved a payment of $585,785 to William Mueller and Sons for the 2024 Mill and Overlay project. This project, completed in July, involved full-width milling and overlaying in various segments. Bison noted that there were no significant punch list items, and public works planned to seal the newly paved streets in a few years.

In another vital decision, the council approved conditional job offers for two police positions. Gabriel Trout was offered a full-time position at $36.80 per hour, pending a background check, psychological evaluation, and physical examination. Alexander Clob was extended a part-time offer at $13.59 per hour. The urgency in filling these positions was stressed by Chief Schmidt, given the department’s need for adequate staffing.

The council further discussed a revised job description for a part-time liquor store position, lowering the minimum age requirement from 21 to 19 years old to expand the applicant pool. This adjustment aimed to mitigate overtime costs by ensuring adequate staffing.

Budget discussions were extensive, with the council reviewing the fiscal year 2025 preliminary budget and property tax levy. Despite this increase, the tax rate had decreased over 9% since 2019. The budget included provisions for health insurance rate increases, projected revenues, and departmental budgets. Specific funding was allocated for police equipment, such as encrypted radios, with grant applications submitted to cover these costs.

The council also addressed a small cities program grant for housing rehabilitation, with 11 openings available for residents. This program could fund projects up to $25,000 for various improvements. Additionally, library funding from Rice County and the city’s minimum contribution requirement were discussed, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining operational budgets across departments.

Infrastructure updates included progress on the trail project on Ash Street Northeast and 8th Avenue Southwest, with gravel installation completed and concrete work scheduled. The booster station project was set to begin in October, and the Wellhead protection plan was advancing with the preparation of drinking water management area maps.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude towards various departments, particularly public works and the police, acknowledging their efforts and the community’s appreciation. The council members emphasized the importance of hearing positive feedback directly from residents rather than through social media or rumors.