HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.20.25 Work SessionOctober 20, 2025
Page 1 of 1
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a workshop
setting on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Acting Mayor Kelly Beniek, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Kevin Kluesner,
Andrew Mooney
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Police Chief Dwight
Pfannenstein
2026 Fee Schedule: Bartlett provided an overview of the draft 2026 fee schedule. It will be brought back
to the council in November. Discussion was had on the fees charged for special events throughout the
city. Police and Public Works staff are utilizing hours that are not being compensated for during some
events. Council suggested increasing the escrow for events to cover costs.
KAB C.U.P Discussion: Ken Bellicot was present to discuss where they are at with the project. Keller
noted that the current C.U.P. Bellicot has expires on November 20t". Bellicot provided background on the
burden of having to extend water and sewer onsite. The required water/sewer extension would result in
an increase in project cost and jeopardize the feasibility of the project. Having a well and septic on site
would result in the ability to shift the site plan to a better location and allow increased buffer and space to
the neighboring residential property on the Northside of the site. Councilor Beniek asked about reserving
space for future utility hook-ups. Councilor Kluesner stated his concerns in regard to Bellicot's plans on
the subject property. Council members discussed potential options and scenarios in regard to the
concerns outlined by Bellicot and his proposed project.
Arbor Task Force: Raj Chaphalkar, member of the newly created Arbor Task Force, provided background
on the group's objectives. Their goal is to support and advise the Public Works Department while
preserving trees in publicly owned spaces while providing resources to residents. Emerald Ash Borer was
discussed as well as establishing tree and preservation plans. Grants were discussed and it was
determined that next year would be best to apply in order to allow the task force to identify the needs and
costs of creating and implementing the tree and preservation plans.
Church Parking Lot: Bruce Bechtold provided background on the need to repave the church parking lot on
the corner of MN St & College Ave. The college maintains the lot, but the church owns it. The church
wants to explore cost -sharing in order for the lot to be milled and replaced which is estimated to cost
$50,000. The request is for a 50% cost -share with the city. The council is not supportive of the 50/50 split.
The work session was adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk