BLUE EARTH– Approval for the purchase of new portable radios for the Blue Earth Fire Department was top of the agenda at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday.

Fire chief Steve Brown and fire captain Ryan Vereide, who were both present at the meeting, presented the council with a quote from Alpha Wireless for the purchase of new radios for use by the Blue Earth Fire Department.

“Alpha Wireless has provided us with good equipment in the past, so all we need from the council is approval of the quote,” Brown explained.

Council Member Ann Hanna raised a question about the quantity and type of equipment being purchased, pointing out that the listed equipment on the quote did not match what was originally planned for purchase.

“In your original plan, you stated that you wanted to purchase 15 truck radios and 10 portable radios,” Hanna recalled. “This quote says you’ll be purchasing 22 portable radios, and no truck radios. Why the discrepancy?”

“After taking a look at our current equipment, it was decided that our truck radios didn’t require replacements, so we were able to use that money to purchase more portable radios instead,” Vereide answered. “Our portable radios tend to be exposed to the elements more, so replacing them before they fail is never a bad idea.”

“We actually came in under budget by not purchasing any truck radios, which allows us to buy more portable ones,” Brown added. “It worked out really nicely that way.”

Following some further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the quote from Alpha Wireless in the amount of $103,791.14. The motion was passed unanimously by the council.

Other items on the agenda at the City Council meeting included:

— The council entered a closed session to discuss the final details of the employment agreement for new Blue Earth city administrator Dawn Collins. After re-opening the meeting to the public, a motion was made and seconded to approve the finalized employment agreement. The motion was passed unanimously.

— Council member John Huisman requested that the council reconsider its previous decision regarding not having a police presence at City Council meetings. The issue was tabled, and will be added as an item for further discussion at the next council meeting on July 7.

— A Minnesota Middle Nine Mutual Aid Agreement for the Blue Earth Fire Department was unanimously approved. This agreement will be in place for 10 years, and will be reviewed by the Middle Nine Mutual Aid Association after five years.

— An event permit for American Legion Post 89 to host their upcoming Legion darts tournament was unanimously approved.

— A permit for Granada Gardens was approved unanimously.

— The hiring of Katie Stoddard for the position of part-time library assistant was unanimously approved.

— The resignation notice of Mark Heenan from the Public Works Department was unanimously approved. He has served the Public Works Department for 15 years, and his last day will be Friday, June 27.