HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.01.25December 1, 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, December 1, 2025, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph, Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Andrew Mooney, Kevin
Kluesner
City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Community
Development Director Nate Keller
Public Comments: None
Approve Agenda: Kluesner moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mooney and passed
unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Schnettler moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of November 17, 2025.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 63316-63322, Payroll & Account
Payable EFT #3879-3895; ACH Accounts Payable #2400723-2400744.
c. 2026 Meeting Calendar — Requested Action; Approve the 2026 meeting calendar as presented.
d. Approval of Tobacco, Amusement Device, 3.2 off -sale Licenses for 2026 — Requested Action:
Approve the license renewals for year 2026 as presented.
e. MN Housing Participation Agreement — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2025-072
Approving Participation in MN Housing Finance Agency MN City Participation Program.
f. League of MN Cities Liability Insurance Waiver — Requested Action: Execute the Liability
Coverage — Waiver form indicating that the city does not waive the tort liability limits.
Public Hearing — Truth in Taxation 2026 Budget and Levy Adoption:. Bartlett reported that the final tax levy and
budget are the same as what was approved for the preliminary levy and budget in September. Residents
should have received their preliminary tax statement for 2026. Bartlett provided the timeline for how the budget
got to where it's at today. The city is still negotiating contracts for both labor unions. The COLA increase in the
budget is 3.5% and there are proposed increases to the insurance contribution for employees. An additional
required benefit is the MN Paid Leave. The city is opting to go with a private firm for this benefit and that will
start January 1, 2026. The general levies are proposed to increase $267,454 which is a 5.8%. The debt levies
will increase $234,905, a 5% increase. The overall levy is proposed to increase $502,356, a 10.8% increase.
Mayor Scepaniak opened the Truth in Taxation Hearing. As no one present wished to speak, Scepaniak closed
the public hearing.
Scepaniak spoke with Councilmember Beniek and she is supportive of the budget as presented.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2025-073 Adopting the Final 2026 Budget, Five -Year Capital
Plans and Final 2025 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2026; seconded by Mooney and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing — Adopting the 2026 Fee Schedule: Bartlett presented the suggested changes to the 2026 Fee
Schedule.
Mayor Scepaniak opened the public hearing for the 2026 Fee Schedule. As no one presented wished to speak,
Scepaniak closed the public hearing.
Mooney moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-012 An Ordinance Amending City Fee Schedule; seconded by
Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Scepaniak moved to approve Resolution 2025-074 Directing Summary Publication of Ordinance No.
2025-012 Amending the City's Fee Schedule; seconded by Schnettler and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: Keller reported that the Kueper's Development broke ground today.
December 1, 2025
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Kluesner asked if curb and gutter improvements are paid by the city or by the homeowner. Sabart responded
that the curb and gutter costs are rolled into the overall assessment and is partially paid by the city and by the
resident. Cost of street signs are also included into the assessment amount.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates:
Kluesner expressed frustration with the video/audio in the council chambers and council consensus was to get
the equipment up and running.
Adjourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:43PM; seconded by Mooney and
passed unanimously.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk