HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.25 Work SessionJuly 21, 2025
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a workshop
setting on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 5:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Kevin Kluesner, Andrew
Mooney, Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Police Chief Dwight
Pfannenstein, Recreation Director Rhonda Juell, City Clerk Kayla Klein
2026 Budget: Bartlett presented memberships and dues to the council for their review and comments.
Currently, the operational budgets are with the Department Heads for review and input. Overall, council
was not agreeable with renewing the RSVP membership for 2026.
Councilmember Kluesner would like to keep the levy increase less than 8%.
Police Chief Pfannenstein discussed the open police officer position and potential incentives to hire an
officer. General consensus was to move forward with offering incentives limiting it to $5,000 or under.
Red Pine Group Agreement: Joe Sathe, Attorney with Kennedy & Graven, provided an overview of the
draft agreement with Red Pine Group regarding the municipal cannabis operation. Sathe asked whether
the city would want to own the building. The council did not want the city to own the building. Red Pine
Group is proposing an exit fee in the event the city opts out of the agreement. The exit fee would be in the
amount of $1.25M. Council asked why we would pay an exit fee and if Sathe can work to get that reduced
or eliminated. The term of the agreement is slated for 10 years, and council thought the term should be
for less. Sathe will take the comments provided this evening and will work with Red Pine Group and their
attorneys.
The work session was adjourned at 5:53 PM.
ayl�a Klein
City Clerk