Nisswa firefighters and first responders recognized for saving woman's life

NISSWA — Eight Nisswa firefighters and emergency medical technicians received lifesaving awards during the June 21 regular Nisswa City Council meeting for their part in helping a resident who was in cardiac arrest.

Kevin Lee, of North Ambulance, presented Life Saver Award certificates. He said only 15% of people in cardiac arrest are resuscitated and survive.

“This doesn't happen very often where we get someone resuscitated and they walk out of the hospital,” Lee said.

Nisswa firefighters responded to a private residence March 30, “certainly saving her life before the ambulance arrived,” Lee said.

“I can’t thank you enough,” an emotional Bob Schweiss, the patient’s husband, told the council.

Receiving the awards were Nick Potzmann, Josh Waagmeester, Fire Chief Shawn Bailey, Richard Geike, Justin Stahnke, Matt Jorgens, Chandra Jorgens and Diane Townsend.

In other public safety matters, firefighters reported three storm cleanups in June, including 17 firefighters clearing roads for four hours and protecting the public from downed power lines. Other activity included 24 EMS calls, three grass fires and four fire alarms.

In April, firefighters had 45 calls: 43 EMC calls, one fire alarm and one electrical fire.

Police reported the following activity in May: 16 agency assists, 221 calls for service, 22 traffic citations, 137 traffic warnings, nine arrests, 10 emergency medical services calls and four alarms.

Nisswa city staff will draft an ordinance amendment to update city code to align with the new liquor legislation the state Legislature recently passed that allows breweries to expand their off-sale packaging sizes to include cans of various sizes.

Roundhouse Brewery requested the ordinance change to align with the new state law. A public hearing will be part of the July 19 city council meeting to review and adopt the new ordinance language.

In a May 26 meeting that was continued from May 17, the council reversed a decision to deny the preliminary plat of Roy’s Landing, with additional findings and conditions, according to meeting minutes.

City Attorney Tom Pearson explained the difficulty in developing findings to deny the plat.

Pearson said that contrary to accusations of advocating for this developer and for this plat, he has no stake in this decision and he is not advocating for the developer or for those who oppose the development.

Pearson said he is advocating for the best decision by the council and one that is legally supported.

Roy’s Landing is a proposed development of six single-family residential building sites on 26.5 acres. No new roads are being proposed at this time and the development would be served from Roy Lane and Bass Lake Road.

Nearby residents have vehemently opposed the preliminary plat, specifically an easement for a future connection between Roy Lane and Bass Lake Road and an easement for an access path.

Council member Mark Utzinger was absent June 21.

In other business June 21, the council:

• Heard an annual report from Parks and Recreation Director Amber Moon Peterson.
• Appointed election judges for the August primary and November general elections.
• Removed Jeff Heroux from a six-month probationary status as parks maintenance technician with the Parks and Recreation Department effective July 18.
• Accepted a $200 donation from Faith Harms for the police department, $150 from Forward Group and $25 from Betty Fischer for the cemetery.
• Agreed to donate $25,000 to the Lakes Area Food Shelf from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
• Adjourned to closed session to consider an offer to buy 13 property parcels for land acquisition needs for the Gull Lake Trail extension.

Find recordings of Nisswa City Council meetings on the city's YouTube channel.
Nancy Vogt, editor, may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com . Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.