By MaryHelen Swanson

A special work session was held at North Branch City Hall Monday night to discuss the hiring of a full-time engineering position.
It was supposed to be a special council meeting, but because it was not advertised as such, the council could not take any vote.
But as the session went on it became evident that a vote might not have come out of that meeting anyway. City Administrator Joe Lynch was ready with a recommendation to hire Julie Dresel who is currently under contract with the city for engineering services four days a week. He noted that there had been 6 applicants for the position and 3 had been interviewed.

He recommended Dresel because of her familiarity with city projects, her present involvement with other staff and because she had made strides in customer service.

ìWe have a person who is capable,î Lynch said, adding even if some council members may not always agree with her approach.
But councilwomen Amy Oehlers and Theresa Furman were not pleased that there had not been more applicants and asked about re-advertising the position. There was some discussion about whether the city has to hire the full-time position now.

Mayor Gloria Karsky said the question at this time is not if there will be an engineer, but who. ìWe agreed to have the position,î she said.

There was a question as to if they had to abide by a former councilís desires.

Lynch said on June 13, the council will need to complete the process that is before them - the hiring of the position.

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