The Faribault City Council conducted their first meeting of 2021 Tuesday night.  Council members selected Tom Spooner Vice-Mayor after Janna Viscomi held the position the past two years.

The vice-mayor steps in to do mayoral duties when the mayor is absent.  Council members cited Spooner's years of service on the planning commission has good reason for the appointment.

The council members also did a thumbs up during the ZOOM meeting when City Administrator Tim Murray suggested Police Chief Andy Bohlen be appointed the Deputy City Administrator.

The deputy city administrator does the duties of the administrator when they are gone.  Murray said, "He's been with the city over eight years.  He's head of the police department and I guess I have no qualms handing that off when I'm going to be gone.  I am planning on taking vacations this year right?  Hopefully we'll all be able to go somewhere."

The council also kept the city administrator spending authority at $10,000.  This allows him to spend up to that amount without prior council approval.

Murray explained, "A couple years ago the spending authority for the city administrator from you was put at $10,000, previously it was $5,000. That limit seems to be working well for us. It's eliminated just a few council actions.  I'm not recommending we increase or decrease that, I'm recommending we keep it the same."

No objections were voiced.

Murray suggested eliminating the Technology Committee and Senior Advisory Committee.

Council Member Viscomi asked, "Can we consider Parks and Rec to be an add on for council members to be on?"

Murray responded, "Yep. I got asked that the other day.  The council is the one that establishes the boards and commissions.  Some of them might have some statutory constraints like the EDA and things like that for example.  But no the Parks and Rec Board it's up to the Council if you want to change the composition."

The matter will be brought before the Council for a vote at their regular meeting on Tuesday along with the Vice-Mayor and Deputy City Administrator appointments.

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