HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUG 2021_MinutesCEC Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2021
Present: James Speiker, Kim Churchill, Jessica Weber, Dick Felch, Lucy Kender, Wade
Larson, Kimberly Clauson, Avery Fowble, Owen Baum
Excused:
Unexcused:
Pat Heaney
Tom Driscoll, Marcia Diers
I. Spirit of Prior Lake Award
The committee reviewed the proposed annual Cora McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake award, which
will honor a resident for outstanding service to the community. The committee approved the
proposed plan to have the CEC select the winner of the annual award each year starting in 2022. A
suggestion was made to include, in addition to a personal memento, a plaque at city hall with the
name of the winner each year. It was also suggested that information about Cora McQuestion,
Prior Lake’s first female mayor, be included in press releases and other communications when the
winner is announced each year.
II Staffing update and 2022-2026 Personnel Plan
Assistant City Manager Olson updated the committee on several open positions with the city and
the status of their hiring. She then reviewed the city’s 2022-2026 personnel plan, highlighting each
city department’s specific needs. Olson gave information relating to the city’s total staffing levels
compared to similarly sized metro cities and noted that Prior Lake is below the average number of
FTEs. Because the information regarding a full-time fire department will be presented at this
year’s October CEC meeting, most of the conversation involved police staffing. A question was
asked about other ways to pay for police services besides the tax levy. The committee suggested
that having the police chief attend a future meeting would be informative.
III. City Council Update
Councilmember Churchill provided an update, including the following:
(1) the new tobacco ordinance goes into effect on Sunday;
(2) the city is receiving interest from several developers on both the property next to city hall and
on the VFW site; and
(3) Night to Unite was very successful Night to Unite with 30 neighborhood parties.
IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.
Next meeting is September 16 in at City Hall.