Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Austin City Council will be voting on the preparation, adoption and publication of a new dental amalgam ordinance during its next regular meeting.

The ordinance, which is designed to limit the amount of mercury discharged into the sanitary sewer system, water supply and watersheds, will impact nine existing dental facilities in Austin. The ordinance would require dental facilities to install, inspect and maintain dental amalgam separators. The installation must be done by July 1, 2020; installed amalgams will have to be able to remove at least 99 percent of the mass of solids from wastewater.

The ordinance would be in compliance with criteria established by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The council will also vote on whether or not to approve exceptional performance pay and an updated contract with Administrative Services Director Tom Dankert.

City Clerk Ann Kasel will discuss this year’s Fourth of July celebration during the council’s work session. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the celebration need to be revised; Kasel will discuss several options with the council.

Zoning and Planning Administrator Holly Wallace will talk to the council about a proposed vacant building registration ordinance during the work session. The ordinance would address regulation of vacant buildings, which tend to be a source of blight in the community, to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare.

The council’s next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The work session will be held immediately following the regular meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin City Hall is currently closed to the general public. The meeting will be broadcasted beginning 5:30 p.m. on Charter Channel 180. Anyone who wishes to address the council must first call City Clerk Ann Kasel at 507-437-9943.

For a complete agenda, visit www.ci.austin.mn.us/city-council.