The South St. Paul City Council postponed approval of a new contract with an odor consulting service at its Jan. 16 meeting, opting to wait for odor data to arrive in February.
Foul smells are nothing new to South St. Paul, the former home of several large stockyards. Related industries remain, including a compost site, meat processors and leather makers.
The city had a contract with Short, Elliot and Hendrickson to monitor the city's scent through the end of 2017. The contract renewal, for $28,450, appeared on the council's consent agenda before Council Member Todd Podgorski had it be removed for discussion.
Podgorski questioned a provision of the contract that allowed for investigation of up to 40 odor complaints a year. He said that number allowed for fewer than one a week. He also wanted to focus on monitoring the two or three businesses that have historically smelled the worst, rather than the five businesses specified in the contract.
The city has committed to addressing odor problems that continue to prompt complaints, Podgorski said.
"We say something's important, I want to have this document be improved to show that we are taking odor more seriously," he said.
The council voted to withhold contract approval until results from last year's odor complaints come in, which are expected in February.
One goal of hiring the consulting firm is to provide an "unbiased third party monitoring service" if the city is challenged in court, said Council Member Tom Seaberg. In 2017, the city was sued by Sanimax, a company that collects animal hides, skins, meat by-products and discarded oils and grease for various processes. Sanimax argued that the odor ordinance was too vague and that the Nasal Ranger device, which the city uses to measure odor, couldn't determine the origin of the odor. Sanimax dropped the suit after the city withdrew its designation of the company as a Significant Odor Generator, thereby eliminating any penalties.
Erin Adler
Shakopee
Romansky honored by school board group
The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) recognized Shakopee Public Schools Board Member Mary Romansky at its annual luncheon this week for 20 years of service to her community.
Romansky has served on the Shakopee governing board since 1997. She's also sat on the board for the Southwest Metro Educational Cooperative and created the nonprofit "Good to Go Kids," which provides food donations and graduation photos to students who can't afford them. In 2016, she was named to the All State School Board, the MSBA's most prestigious award.
"Mary is a dedicated servant of the community," said acting interim Superintendent Jon McBroom. "We are lucky to have had her on the school board for so long."
Romansky, a former school board chairwoman, is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Russian linguist.
Liz Sawyer
Hastings
Hastings teens save life by performing CPR
Two Hastings High School students saved the life of an unresponsive person on Jan. 12 by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before police officers arrived to the scene.
Sydney Radke and Addie Buck found an unresponsive person in the 1300 block of West 15th St. in Hastings and began giving CPR, according to a city news release.
When officers arrived, they administered a cardiac shock with an automatic external defibrillator (AED) as the ambulance pulled up. The patient was transferred to the ambulance and warmed up as the temperature was 8 degrees below zero. Other lifesaving procedures took place and the patient had a pulse by the time the ambulance left.
While the officers and emergency medical responders helped the patient, Radke and Buck canvassed neighbors to determine the patient's name and other information.
The pair — both hockey players for the high school team — will be recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Erin Adler
Prior Lake
City seeks paid on-call firefighters
Prior Lake has begun accepting applications for paid on-call firefighters to bolster its squad of 45 emergency personnel.
Firefighters earn pay by responding to calls, attending training and responding to fires. After 10 years of service, they are eligible to receive a lump-sum pension from the MN Firefighters Relief Association Pension Program.
Firefighters provide emergency disaster management and planning, fire prevention and suppression, rescue, code enforcement and public education.
Successful applicants must:
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Live near Fire Station 1 (16776 Fish Point Road SE) or Fire Station 2 (3906 Station Place NW);
• Respond to at least 35 percent of all calls;
• Attend three-fourths of the training sessions and maintenance meetings;
• Possess a valid driver's license;
• Pass a criminal-background check, physical agility test, medical physical, and a drug screen.
Those interested should visit the city's website to learn more and download an application.
Liz Sawyer
Savage
City awarded $30K for park improvements
Dan Patch Days, Inc., presented a $30,000 check Tuesday to the City Council to thank the city for its longtime support and to help offset costs incurred for the installation of electricity at Community Park.
Liz Sawyer
