At Monday’s meeting the Blue Earth City Council heard a proposal for rebranding the Blue Earth Community Library into a library/fossil type museum. Chuck Hunt, President of the Blue Earth Library Board, gave a presentation of a proposal that would involve renaming the library as The Blue Earth Library and Fossil Discovery Center. The center, in turn, would be promoted at the Giant Visitors center as a means of giving tourists, particularly those with children, another reason to stay and spend money in the community. Council Member John Huisman noted that the Blue Earth Community Foundation Board had expressed some interest in the proposal, but also felt more research was needed before any permanent decisions are made by the City or the Foundation Board.
Norm Hall approached the Council about the 25th Annual KBEW/Darling International You Can Make a Difference Campout being held December 2nd-4th at Juba’s in downtown Blue Earth. The event is designed to help raise money and donations for the Faribault County Food Shelf, as well as new toys for the Western Faribault County Toy Drive.
The Council also approved a change in the current benefit level for the Blue Earth Fire Department, raising the current benefit level amount from $2,500 to $2,600 per service year. After a review of the year end reports, it was found that the department was sufficiently funded to support the increase.
City Administrator Mary Kennedy provided the Council with a general overview of the Blue Earth Campground’s 2021 camping season. It was noted that the campground had a very successful season, with an outstanding financial summary being reported.
Kennedy also in formed the Council that OSHA has released an Emergency Temporary Standard that requires employers with 100 or more employees to undergo regular testing or vaccination requirements for employees. Kennedy further indicated that Minnesota OSHA has up to 30 days after the date the ETS is published in the Federal Register to adopt the ETS for Minnesota employers, including cities. Kennedy noted that as the City of Blue Earth awaits the state’s decision on the matter, 30% of the City’s workforce will be eligible for retirement, which will leave many openings to fill as the City looks toward the immediate future.