A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Tim Peterson, the city's top candidate for the Cloquet City Administrator job, answers a question from councilors during a second interview Tuesday. Peterson was the only one of the three finalists for the job who was asked to come for a second interview.
Only one of three candidates for the Cloquet City Administrator job - Tim Peterson - made it to a second interview, held prior to the City Council work session Tuesday.
Peterson, the current city administrator in Moose Lake and previously deputy clerk in Proctor, displayed a good understanding of both the issues and strengths of Cloquet, in a question and answer session with councilors that went both ways.
Peterson asked councilors what they see as priority projects for the city. Answers ranged from water treatment, to fixing the ice arenas, digging into the police study, asking the Legislature (and voters) for another sales tax for the entire Pine Valley complex, including but not limited to hockey.
When Ward 2 Councilor Lamb talked later about wanting more attractions for families like a place to play laser tag, Peterson said he thought the city's recent investments in parks and trails also serves family, and puts the city on a good path moving forward.
Peterson worked with both Proctor and Moose Lake to get a sales tax passed, and with the city of Cloquet on animal control issues.
When Mayor Roger Maki asked if Peterson had any hesitations about accepting an offer from Cloquet, Peterson said he had to ask his wife first.
Human Resources director and interim city administrator James Barclay said the council asked him to negotiate with Peterson, and he hopes to bring a contract back for approval at the meeting Dec. 2. Peterson could start as soon as January if he works out a 30-day notice with Moose Lake.
Peterson is from west central Wisconsin and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he met his wife. They have two children.
In other matters Tuesday:
• Councilors heard from assistant public works director Tim Johnson about the city's plans for an inflow and infiltration program to address clean, mostly water that enters the sewer system, required by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District of all its member communities. As proposed, the new program would require an inspection of all homes for illegally connected sump pumps and other issues when a home is sold. The public works department also proposed starting a matching grant program for homeowners who need to upgrade or repair leaky or decaying lateral sewer lines running from the home to the main sewer line under the road. They hope the grants will incentivise people to make the repairs without being forced to.
• Mayor Maki proclaimed Nov. 30 as Small Business Saturday.
