By Aaron Vehling

North Branch residents and city government came together Tuesday night (Aug. 2) at the city hall to celebrate National Night Out. City staff were on-hand with name tags which read, ìAsk me what I do.î The Post Review did just that.

There are many elements of daily life which the average person uses frequently but does not think much of. For example, we all use water and electricity but who ensures that our lights turn on and our drinking water is available? Who plows the streets and enforces codes?

Wayne Blodgett, a line foreman with North Branch Municipal Water and Light, helps maintain water and electrical systems.

He said one daily challenge for the organization is to find viable water sources.

ìWe just have to keep lights on and the water flowing,î he said.

Shawn Williams of North Branch Public Works has worked for the city for 10 years. He mows grass, plows snow and cleans sewers.

ìI like doing it,î he said. ìPlowing snow in the winter can be a real challenge.î

The salt he lays on the street comes from barges in Minneapolis, he said.

ìIt only works over 20 degrees,î he said. ìAnything colder and you have to make a sand and salt mixture.î

Do you plan to build a new deck or add on to your house any time soon? You may encounter Rich Meyer who does building inspection and code enforcement.

He inspects all new construction and also septic tanks in the city. He also enforces codes on such things as junk cars, grass which is too tall and residential building projects.

ìThe idea is safety,î Meyer said.

Julie Dresel is the city engineer. She was a consultant but now is a full-time city employee.

She is involved in public improvement projects, such as the reconstruction of streets, sewer and water design and works with developers.

One staff member residents may meet when they visit city hall is Bridgitte Konrad, the city clerk.

She is in charge of human resources for the city, records the minutes for council meetings and helps city administrator Joe Lynch with projects.

ìI wear all kinds of different hats,î she said.

One North Branch resident, Bob Canada, said he was impressed with the format of the evening.

ìI would like to be part of the community,î he said of his reason for attending the event.

He said the open house format helps keep a dialogue open between residents and the government.

Canada, who moved to North Branch in November from Eagan, said he likes the community.

ìI drove through here on the way to my cabin and I really enjoyed it,î he said.

To contact your city government, call (651) 674-8113. City council meetings are the second and fourth Monday of the month.

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