BLUE EARTH– The Blue Earth City Council rang in 2022 with a brisk Monday night meeting.

The pandemic continued to be a relevant topic of discussion for the new year. The council received an update regarding the city’s plans if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s COVID-19 mandatory vaccine or testing policy is implemented in the upcoming months.

The policy, if it passes the scrutiny of the United States Supreme Court, will necessitate compliance from employers of 100 or more individuals.

”As of Nov. 5, we were below 100 (employees),  said mayor Rick Scholtes of Blue Earth’s city staff. ”We’re going to work very hard to keep that there. “

The policy’s future is uncertain, but Scholtes acknowledged the city needs to be prepared to meet the policy’s requirements in the event that it is passed, and if Blue Earth’s number of city employees inches above 100.

”If we get to the point where we go over 100 (employees), we need to seriously look at the policy. We could get fined up to $14,000 per violation,”  Scholtes concluded.

The Blue Earth City Council also addressed the following agenda items:

— Approved the election of Steve Brown as chief of the Blue Earth Fire Department and Jim Wirkus as the department s captain. Both will be elected to serve a two-year term.

— Entered into a closed session, during which the council approved the sale of two city lots to James Lozinski and Mike Fox. Each of the lots, located at 102 and 106 Bluestem Drive, will be sold for the amount of $17,500. The first reading of the ordinance concerning the sale will take place at the next City Council meeting on Jan. 18.

— Accepted Scholtes’s appointment of members to Blue Earth’s boards, commissions, and standing committees for the upcoming year. No notable changes occurred, other than a vacancy on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) board, as chairman Lars Bierly has resigned his position.

— Scheduled a public code enforcement hearing at 5:05 p.m. on Jan. 18 for a property owned by Matthew Bartz.