HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.25July 21, 2025
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on
Monday, July 21, 2025, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Kevin Kluesner, Andrew
Mooney, Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Finance Director Lori
Bartlett, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Engineer Randy
Sabart & Bryce, Johnson, Planning Consultant Therese Haffner
Public Comments:
Mike Fandel, 125 97th Ave SE: Fandel just attended the work session regarding the Kuepers Development and
doesn't feel the city shouldn't be jumping through any hoops for developers. Housing is needed, but not higher
density housing.
Approve Agenda: Kluesner moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Beniek and passed
unanimously.
Consent Aqenda: Kluesner moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Scepaniak and passed
unanimously.
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of July 7, 2025.
b. Bills Payable— Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 63111-63129, Payroll &Account
Payable EFT #3759-3773; ACH Accounts Payable #2400439-2400455; Regular Pay Period 14.
c., Financial Report — Requested Action: Accept the 2"d quarter &.June 2025 financial reports as
presented.
d. Donations — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2025-044 accepting donations.
Public Hearinq - Rocktoberfest: The St. Joseph Booster Club submitted an application for Rocktoberfest to
occur on September 27, 2025. The requested street closure would be MN Street from College Avenue to 1st
Ave to the east. Staff is recommending a broader closure which would include having full closure of College
Ave. from MN Street to the northern part of the southernmost entrance of the event parking lot. This would
allow for event parking to still have access to the parking lot. A soft closure would occur at baker street to not
allow thru traffic. A soft closure would also be at the alleyway along 1 It Ave SE in order to allow residents to
have access to their homes.
Scepaniak opened the public hearing.
Chris Yasgar, Event Organizer. Yasgar approached the council to discuss the intent of Rocktoberfest. The
intent is to benefit the St. Joseph Catholic School and is a big annual fundraiser for the school. The event is
completely enclosed. The main concern with blocking off the streets is due to lack of parking and accessibility
for those attending the event.
Yasgar questioned why other events in the downtown area do not have to abide by similar street closure
requirements.
Scepaniak closed the public hearing.
Mooney moved to approve the special event request for Roctoberfest including the staff recommended
street closure and having 2 off -duty officers at the event. The motion was seconded by Kluesner and
passed unanimously.
Rezone, 17 2"d Ave NW: Planning Consultant, Therese Haffner presented the request. The property at 17 2"d
Ave NW has submitted a rezoning request which would rezone the property from R-3 Multi -Family to B-1
Central Business District which is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.
Scepaniak moved to approve Resolution 2025-045 Adopting Findings of Fact Related to a Rezoning
Request from R3 Multi -Family to B1 Central Business District. The motion was seconded by Beniek and
passed unanimously.
July 21, 2025
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Scepaniak moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-008 Establishing the Zoning of Certain Property from R-3
Multi -Family to B-1 Central Business District; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Variance — Height of Accessory Building — 31897 Cedar Ridge Road: Randon and Tracy Eiynck are proposing
to construct a detached pole shed at their property on Cedar Ridge Road. The proposed building height would
be 26', a 6' variance from what the ordinance allows. Typically, in Rural Residential areas, the maximum height
is 40'. A letter of support for the request was received.
Scepaniak moved to approve Resolution 2025-046 Adopting Findings of Fact to Approve a Variance
Application for the Maximum Height Requirement for a Detached Accessory Building within a Rural
Residential Subdivision District; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Zoninq Text Amendment — Bob Ethen: Bob Ethen has submitted a Zoning Text Amendment application where
he is requesting that "minor vehicle sales" be allowed as a conditional use in the L-I Light Industrial District. The
Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request with the following items included in
the definition: max size of the lot is 2.5 acres; no more than 5 vehicles stored or sold on the property at any one
time; and indoor sales/storage only.
Kluesner moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-009 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 502.04 and 502.62;
seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2025-047 Authorizing Summary Publication of Ordinance 2025-
009; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Tourism Coordinator — Proposed Contract Mary Bruno: Mary Bruno has drafted a position profile and updated
rate proposal for the Marketing & Tourism Coordinator Position. The profile outlines job duties as well as
increases the rate of pay from $9,000/year to $14,400/year. The increase in pay would be covered by the EDA.
Scepaniak moved to approve the Marketing & Tourism Coordinator Proposal between the City of St.
Joseph and Mary Bruno; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: Murphy will be out of the office for a couple of weeks at the end of September. Bartlett
will be out of the office next week.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Schnetterl will be attending the Coalition of Greater MN Cities Summer
Conference in Bemidji.
Adjourn: Beniek made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45PM; seconded by Scepaniak and
passed unanimously.
_V,c�,N_ �)_� __
Kayla Klein
City Clerk