Stewartville City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Story
Stewartville approves traffic signal, tech policies unanimously
Technology Policy Adoption (Cybersecurity and Disaster Recovery)
Personnel Policy Updates and Employee Benefits
Public Works Infrastructure and Maintenance
Community Events and Local Projects
Votes (4)
Highway 63 Drive Northwest Traffic Signal Bid Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor John Kane [0:05:07] · Seconded by Council person Josh [0:05:08]
The city discussed the single bid received from Egan company for the installation of a traffic signal light system at the intersection of US63 and Schuman Drive Northwest. The bid amount was $726,118.50. It was noted that a single bid was not unusual for this specialized service outside the Twin Cities, and the bid was considered favorable against the engineer's estimate. Work is expected to start this summer and finish by year-end.
Cyber Security Policy Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Council person Josh [0:10:43] · Seconded by Council person Craig Anderson [0:10:46]
The council approved the proposed Cyber Security Policy, developed with the city's IT technician and the League of Cities. The policy aims to reduce cyber risks and protect city information and technology systems by establishing formal standards and procedures. Discussion covered the policy's development and its alignment with existing safeguards.
Computer and Records Disaster Recovery Plan Adoption
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor John Kane [0:11:58] · Seconded by Council person Craig Anderson [0:12:03]
The council adopted Resolution 2026, which outlines a framework for restoring critical technology systems and records. This plan is designed to ensure continuity of operations following cyber attacks, natural disasters, hardware failures, or other disruptive events. It was confirmed that cloud storage is utilized for off-site backups to enhance recovery capabilities.
Updated Resolution 78-14 Personnel Policy
Dissent: Mayor John Kane (voiced strong opposition to several aspects, particularly the voluntary drug/alcohol admission policy, but made the amended motion; one unidentified Nay vote recorded).
Moved by Mayor John Kane [0:29:41] · Seconded by Council person Craig Anderson [0:30:08]
The council debated and approved several changes to the city's personnel policy. A key amendment modified PTO accrual during state paid leave to 50% of the normal rate, as proposed by the Mayor. The council decided to continue short-term disability benefits for the remainder of the year, with a decision on future employee contributions or elimination deferred to the 2027 budget workshop. The policy also updated CDL wording for license suspensions and adopted a controversial League of Minnesota Cities' non-DOT policy, mandating city payment for treatment of employees who voluntarily admit substance misuse before job performance is affected, a point of strong contention for the Mayor.
Notable Quotes (8)
Well, this is kind of a specialty service um with signal. It's it's not actually um and this is a local um portion of Eden out of Rochester. And I think if we were in the Twin Cities, we would have got more than one, but so far away, but they the bid did come in favorably compared to our engineers estimate and what we get for pricing on these cities.
As a city continues to rely on technology to provide essential services, protect section of information, maintain public records, it is important to establish formal policies and procedures that hope to reduce cyber security risk and ensure continuing continuing operations.
We utilize both um uh PC applications. So Dave Gleason um who's our IT technician and then we utilize the league's insurance people, insurance risk people. And so a lot of it's based on League of Cities uh policy and then Dave gave it his once over as it concerns us because he helps us with with our recoveries.
I do not agree with uh allowing the employee to occur PTO as if they were on PTO or on medical leave on their own. I could possibly stand with a half rate on that because this is something that was forced onto the taxpayers, onto the city, and onto the employees.
I'm also I'm very honest with y'all. I'm not in favor of continuing the short-term disability.
I mean, I know what none of your doing, but it's just I can't swallow it. It just doesn't work for me as a taxpayer, not just as the mayor. It just doesn't work as a taxpayer.
It's got to be based on a statute. That's why I think they've said it it's needs to be added, but we can try to reference what the statute was.
I wouldn't want to hurt I wouldn't want to hurt the deal what they're when they're on their leave, their take home pay. Because as far as acrewing, I I don't have a problem arguing that like, hey, I've been off work for 12 weeks and I got six more weeks of PTO because I acred it while I was out, you know.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Resolution for adopting a Computer and Records Disaster Recovery Plan.
Resolution establishing the city's personnel policy, subject to updated language and changes.
Previous city policy referenced for commercial driver's license (CDL) wording regarding employment actions.
Guideline incorporated into the city's personnel policy, detailing non-discrimination for voluntary disclosures of substance misuse.
Proposed policy establishing standards for appropriate use and protection of the city's information and technology systems.
Proposed plan providing a framework for restoring critical technology systems and records after disruptive events.