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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-07 January 4, 2007 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Tracy Ekola, Public Works Director Dick Taufen Others Present: Barb Wick, Sr. Paula Revier, Margy Hughes, Linda Hutchinson, Brian & Rachel Gerads, Thomasetle Scheeler, Ronnie Carlbom, Shelly Noulin Approve Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following addition: Add 5(a) AFSCME Contract The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Consent Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 038243-038307. b. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Pay Application #10 for the Water Treatment Facility and authorize payment to John T. Jones in the amount of $210,633.04. c. Change Order - Authorize Change Order #7 for additional work and hardware required for the access control system in the amount of $15,233.00.00. d. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Pay Application #6 for the 2006 Street Improvement Project and authorize payment to C & L Excavating in the amount of $29,438.89. e. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute pay Application #3 for the 2006 8th Avenue NE Improvement Project and authorize payment to C & L Excavating in the amount of $11,962.21. f. Patrol Car Replacement - Approve the replacement of the 2003 Crown Vic Patrol Car as the City is on a rotation of 3 years or 90,000 miles. g. EDA Annual Report - Accept the EDA 2006 Annual Report as presented. h. FSA Plan Amendment - Authorize an amendment to the FSA Plan, incorporating a limited FSA Plan. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Comments to the Aaenda: - No one present wished to speak. Transportation Plan: Mayor Carlbom addressed the Council and the public by stating that, although the City may approve the Transportation Plan at this time, this action does not amend the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing before the plan becomes part of the Comprehensive Plan which be scheduled until the current Corridor Studies (North and South east/west corridor studies) are completed. The final results of those studies will be incorporated into the Transportation Plan before final adoption. The plan is being considered as this time so that staff can use the information as a planning guide when meeting with developers. Kate Minier, SEH, approached the Council to discuss the changes that have been made to the Transportation Plan since it was presented in December. She stated that they have changed the design speeds as addressed by Wick so that they are consistent with the APO guidelines. With regard to classification of the Collector Streets such as 12'h Avenue SE, they have not changed since December. Minier stated that although some roadways aren't ideal, the City needs to work around current development within the City when planning roadways. For example, 12'h Avenue connects to CSAH 75 which is a signalized intersection. As such residents will choose that road regardless of the classification January 4, 2007 Page 2 of 3 of the roadway. Miner added that a Transportation Plan is a working document that should be used and updated regularly. Rassier made a motion to accept the Transportation Plan as presented, allowing staff to use the same as a Planning Tool. The motion was seconded by Rieke. Wick stated that he would not vote in favor of accepting the Transportation Plan as people base their lives on how the roads are set up within the City. Changing road classifications can have major implications to the residents abutting the affected streets. Rassier reminded the Council that this is a guide for the City and the committee who worked on this looked at different issues and needs within the City. Ayes: Carlbom, Rassier, Rieke, Symanietz Nays: Wick Motion Carried 4:1:0 AFSCME Contract: Carlbom stated that the negotiating Committee met with representatives of AFSCME to resolve outstanding issues for the 2007 - 2008 Labor Agreement. The Council has previously rejected the proposed contract, as the City could not hire the two new maintenance workers to work on Saturdays and Sundays. The Committee has reached an understanding with AFSCME and the language has been modified that will allow the two workers hired in 2007 to work Thursday through Monday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Further, AFSCME has agreed to meet in January to discuss the implementation of the Springsted Study. Therefore, Carlbom recommended the Council accept the AFSCME Contract as presented. Symanietz made a motion to approve the AFSCME Contract as presented with the ability to hire two new weekend maintenance employees. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Water Treatment Plant Furniture: Ekola stated that recently the City met to review quotes for the furniture at the Water Treatment Plant. The quotes are as follows: Marco KIA Alternative Business System Parameters $ 25,054.30 19,457.81 18,360.18 27,322.40 Staff is recommending acceptance of the quote from Marco as they have submitted a quote for all requested items and they offer Steel Case product. Steel Case product is a high end product that governments purchase at 50% of retail. They would be able to provide the City with tables, chairs, white board, and storage capabilities. The conference room in the new facility will seat 50 and will be data connected. There were some questions as to why it is not recommended to accept the bid from Alternative Business Systems. Ekola stated that Alternative Business offers recycled products and while they are the low quote, the City would not be comparing similar products. Carlbom stated that it is his understanding the decision is not Marco or Alternative Business System, rather new or used furniture. Weyrens added that in addition to the furniture quote, a quote for window coverings has also been provided. The project estimate for furnishings was $ 35,000. Based on the low bid, Weyrens requested that the Council authorize up to $ 30,000 for the furnishings to include window coverings. Rieke made a motion to approve accept the quote of Marco in the amount of $ 25,054.30 and allow up to $30,000 for furnishing the new Water Treatment Plant. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. OUTGOING COUNCIL REPORTS RIEKE - No report January 4, 2007 Page 3 of 3 ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Confirmation of Office Hours: Weyrens advised the Council that the City Office is currently open until 5:00. She stated that she is requesting to change the hours to 8:00-4:30. The change in hours would reduce the lunch hour to 30 minutes. She stated that employees who want to continue to work until 5:00 would have the option to do so; however the office would still close at 4:30 and employees would be required to take the hour lunch. There is a drop box outside for those residents wishing to make payments on their utility bills. Wick made a motion to approve the change in office hours to 8:00-4:30. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Appointment of Public Works Director: Weyrens stated that the City is looking to create a management team, which would include a Public Works Director. As a management position it falls outside of the bargaining units and will not be Union. The position was posted and only one employee, Dick Taufen, requested to be considered for the position. Weyrens stated that at this time it is recommended that Dick Taufen be appointed as the Public Works Director and placed on Step four of the Springsted wage scale. Taufen will also receive the same benefits as afforded the other non-union employees and as outlined in the Personnel Policy. Rassier made a motion to accept the recommendation, appointing Dick Taufen as the Public Works Director and compensating him on Step 4 of the wage scale. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. APO: According to Weyrens, the APO will be meeting next week to review the 4 proposals for the Southwest Beltway. District 742 School Proiect: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission will be reviewing the Concept Plan for the New School on January 8, 2007. They will provide a site plan for approval around March or April. At this time Mayor Carlbom thanked Council Rieke for his service on the City Council. Carlbom stated Rieke posses a sense of community and during his tenure always kept the best interest of the community in mind when making decisions. Carlbom encouraged Rieke to continue his involvement in the community and looks forward to working with him on committees. Members of the Council also expressed their appreciation to Rieke and encouraged him to continue working on City committees. Adiourn: Symanietz made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. ___ /"--. .. ) ~. .\~ .'/ .U';(//j;t1.~r, dy Weyrens / Administrator L/ January 4, 2007 Page 1 of 1 Pursuant to due calland notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, January 4,2007 at 7:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Tracy Ekola, Public Works Director Dick Taufen Others Present: Barb Wick, Sr. Paula Revier, Margy Hughes, Linda Hutchinson, Brian & Rachel Gerads, Thomasette Scheeler, Ronnie Carlbom, Shelly Noulin Oath of Office: Weyrens administered the Oath of Office to the following: · Richard Carlbom - Mayor · Dale Wick - Council · Steve Frank - Council MA VOR REPORTS Appointments: Carlbom stated that he is working on his Mayoral Appointments and will have them soon. He added that he is excited for the next couple of years, as there are a lot of new and exciting things to come. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ Conaratulations: Symanietz congratulated the incoming Mayor and Councilors. WICK Park Board: Wick reported that the Park Board has been working on their Capital Improvement Plan and they will be moving some items around the DNR does not have funding opportunities in 2007/ RASSIER Stearns County: Rassier advised the Council that Stearns County and the State of Minnesota have formed a committee to review farming operations to prevent them from disappearing. Rassier stated that he is looking for ways for St. Joseph to participate. FRANK - No Report ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Council Retreat: Weyrens finalized the date for the 2007 Council Retreat, which is set for February 15, 2007 beginning at 8:30 AM. Ordinance Books: Weyrens advised the Council that the new Ordinance Books will be delivered as soon as the final version is received from the City Attorney. Adiourn: Frank made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously_ .~~ C '/ / ,,/: . 4' 1/ / ' / 4../ ~;~:;;;~Le~J~.~( ~'~, ( ~ministrator