Wage increase approved for Harris firefighters

Posted 8/23/01

Wage increase approved for Harris firefighters

By Danielle Strenke
Members of the Harris Fire Department will receive a wage increase for time spent fighting fires, after approval of the increase by the Harris City Council Monday, Aug. 20.
Fire Chief John Pelant requested the increase to keep in line with other area fire departments, which pay department members anywhere from $8 to $10 an hour. Harris firefighters will earn $9 as of Jan. 1, 2002. They currently earn minimum wage.
Pelant also briefly discussed the departmentís budget with the council members present, councilmen Wayne Buisman and Dan Walton were absent.
The budget for 2002, Pelant said, would probably increase about $11,000 over this yearís. ìThe main hike is the pay increase, and increased prices for heat and medical expenses,î he said.
The departmentís budget will come in around $41,000, he said.
Pelant had asked the council in July to consider applying part of the cost of a new pumper truck to the 2002 budget. The council held a brief budget meeting following its regular meeting Monday night.
Developments discussed
The council approved the preliminary plat of a development for Denny Gustafson, and a final plat of a development for Roger Peterson.
It also approved Dave Andersonís request to split nearly six acres of property next to I-35. Anderson will keep the land containing the Fish Lake Bait store, and sell just over four acres of land for future development.
Mayor Richard Hanson voiced several concerns over a proposed retail building, to be constructed at the intersection of 437th St. and Hwy. 30. The property is being developed by Leonard Smykalski, who was seeking concept approval from the council.
Mayor Hanson was particularly concerned over the lack of space for parking and other issues associated with the space crunch.
ìThe parking goes directly up to 437th St.ñ where is snow going to go when the city plows, and where will you put the snow when you plow the lot?î he asked.
Mayor Hanson and council members Lyle Holmstrom and David Christianson discussed whether the dozen parking spaces was enough for an office complex that would have five different offices. ìI would like to see at least 15 spaces,î Hanson said.
The council tabled the issue, until a revised plan could be drawn up with the recommendations from the council. Smykalski said he would try to have it ready for the councilís next meeting.