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Staff Report <br />To:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br />From:Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager <br />Bill Dircks, Public Works Director <br />Date: February 25, 2026 <br />Re:Approve Hire of Jordan Discher – Public Works Apprentice <br />Action To Be Considered: <br />Motion to approve the following: <br />The hiring of Jordan Discher as Public Works Apprentice, subject to a satisfactory <br />physical exam and background and driver’s license checks. <br />Background: <br />The Apprentice position has been vacant since Jim Mayer was promoted to Maintenance I last <br />year. The Apprentice has become a very valuable position for the city. There have been very <br />good candidates who have used the position to be promoted in Little Canada or to move to a <br />different city. Filling the Apprentice position along with the Maintenance I position would result <br />in a fully staffed department for the first time since the department was reorganized, including an <br />extra position. This position was budgeted for in the 2026 budget. <br />The position was advertised for three weeks in January, and 35 applications were received. Six <br />were chosen for interviews and five were interviewed by the Public Works Director, the Utilities <br />Supervisor, and the Streets Supervisor. Following the interviews, an offer was made to Jordan <br />Discher. Mr. Discher is currently working as a seasonal worker for the City of Burnsville. He has <br />his CDL permit, but will need to obtain his Commercial Driver’s License, which will include <br />taking classes funded by the city. He is a recent graduate of Creighton University with a degree <br />in Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions and a minor in Behavioral and Cognitive <br />Neuroscience. He has decided that he wants to pursue a career in Public Works and thought the <br />Apprentice position was his best way to gain experience and grow into a bigger role. <br />State statute for Plan A cities states that the City Council appoints all city personnel. <br />Staff would like to welcome Mr. Discher on Monday, March 9, 2026. <br />Staff Recommendations: <br />Staff recommends hiring Jordan Discher as a Public Works Apprentice, subject to a satisfactory <br />physical exam and background and driver’s license checks.