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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-08January 3, 2008 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor AI Rassier, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Steve Frank, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Finance Director Lon Bartlett. Others Present: Katherine Kraft, Grace Donovan Public Comments to the Agenda: No one present wished to comment Approve Agenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions/deletions: Add 7 Police Report for Bar Violation, La Playette Change 4a Remove the minutes of November 29 and December 13, 2007 Delete 4f The selected candidate chose not to accept the position of permanent part-time Records Specialist. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows with items a, d and a moved to Administrator Reports per Councilor Frank. a. Moved to Administrator Reports b. Bills Payable -Approve check numbers 039710-039786. c. Transfers -Authorize the transfers relating to a closing of completed construction and bond funds and to correct an operating transfer from October 2007. d. Moved to Administrator Reports e. Moved to Administrator Reports f. Deleted The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. MAYOR REPORTS 2008 Mayor Appointments: Rassier stated that he understands that there were some concerns about the appointments as they were presented to the Councilors. He spoke with the City Attorney and was advised that the Acting Mayor cannot be appointed by the Mayor; rather the Acting Mayor must be chosen by the entire Council. MN State 412.121 states that at the first meeting in January the Council must elect an acting Mayor. Previously the acting Mayor was placed under the Mayor's appointments, ratified by the City Council. Therefore, the Council will act separately on the Mayor Appointments and then the Acting Mayor. Frank spoke up with reference to the appointments. He stated that he received an email from Councilor Schultz asking that the appointments be delayed until the next meeting as he could not attend this meeting. He also questioned why Councilor Schultz was removed from the Park Board and replaced by Symanietz as he has the expertise in parks and recreation. Further, Schultz is a member of the Recreation Association and in his opinion the same Council person should be representing the Park Board and Recreation Association. According to Schultz's email, Frank stated that 76% of the appointments are held by Rassier, Wick and Symanietz with only 24% being appointed to Frank and Schultz. Frank stated that he understands that Mayor Rassier is appointed to several of the committees simply because he is the mayor and he is required by statute to serve on that committee or due to the makeup of the committee. January 3, 2008 Page 2 of 4 After looking at the different committees that each of the Councilors are appointed to, he questioned why he only has one appointment other than that of the hiring committee which all council members are appointed. Rassier stated that he was told by Frank that he was unable to attend certain meetings due to his schedule. Frank; however, stated that his schedule has changed since that conversation. Rassier then added that generally when a Council person is appointed as a liaison to a certain committee; they remain the Council liaison until their term expires. He also added that some committees go hand and hand resulting in more appointments for some council members. Frank again questioned why Schultz was removed from the Park Board and replaced by Symanietz. Frank expressed his frustrations with the appointments to the different committees. It seems as if the same people are being appointed over and over again. According to Frank, many citizens are unaware of the openings on the different boards/commissions. Weyrens stated that it was put in the Newsletter that all citizens received along with their utility bills. For example, Frank stated that it seems as if the Planning Commission is made up of mostly those involved in construction and development which he believes is wrong if the committee is made up of mostly individuals with the same interest. Frank continued to state that the same people continue to be appointed to the different committees and had he known that there was only one applicant for the Planning Commission, he would have tried to find others who would have been interested in serving. Frank also stated that he was taken off of the area cities meetings to which Rassier indicated that it was not listed as all members are asked to attend. Rassier clarified that Frank was not removed from any Committees. Rassier stated that he spent considerable time reviewing the appoints, talking to Board/Commission members, community members and staff members. He further stated that members of the Community have volunteered to be on various committees. With regard to the same people being appointed to the Boards and Commissions, Rassier stated that all volunteers with expiring terms were asked to re-apply if they were interested. Appointments were not made because a term was up and they were already on the committee. Frank stated that he is not questioning the ability of anyone volunteer, rather he is frustrated with the process and does not feel he has been given the opportunity to serve on any Boards/Commissions. Rassier made a motion to accept the 2008 Mayor Appointments with the exception of the Acting Mayor. The motion was seconded by Symanietr. Discussion: Wick advised Weyrens that there were some errors with the terms for some of the positions and the dates for some of the committee meetings. Weyrens stated that she would correct the errors. Ayes: Rassier, Symanietr, Wick Nays: Frank Motion Carried 3:1:0 Actin4 Mayor Appointment: Frank stated that he would be abstaining from the discussion. Wick questioned whether Frank will continue to abstain from future Council decision making. Frank responded that he is only abstaining from the appointment issue. Rassier questioned Frank as to whether or not he felt that his opinion was not important. According to Frank, he just stated he would not be participating in the appointments. Wick made a motion to nominate Rick Schultr as the Acting Mayor. The motion was seconded by Rassier. Discussion: Rassier questioned Wick as to where that nomination came from. Wick replied that he nominated Shultz to move the process along. It seems apparent that no one currently at the table will receive support therefore Schultz is the alternative. He also stated it is important to move forward and not dwell on this issue. Ayes: Rassier, Wick Nays: Symanietr Abstain: Frank Motion Carried 2:1:1 January 3, 2008 Page 3 of 4 Project Updates: Rassier reported that the signal lights along CR75 at 4th Avenue are up and working. He also added that the water meter replacement will begin this month. Representatives from Midwest Testing will be knocking on doors to replace the water meters in residents' homes. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ LMC Plannin4 Board: Symanietr reported that they are working on finalizing their topics for the annual LMC conference which will be held in Rochester. WICK - No Report FRANK - No Report ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Public Works Director Hiring Update: Weyrens advised the Council that the application deadline for the Public Works Director ended on December 28, 2007 and 16 applications were received. Of the sixteen applications, nine applicants have been chosen for an interview. These interviews will take place on January 8 and 9 and the Hiring Committee, which consists of the entire Council, will be present. Council Workshop: According to Weyrens, the Council Workshop is scheduled for January 29, 2007 and it will take place at the new Water Filtration Plant in the meeting room. 4(a) -Minutes: Frank stated that he pulled the minutes from November 15, 2007 for discussion based on a letter that the Council received from the St. Joseph Action Group. He stated that they would like the letter that they submitted to be attached to the minutes for the final draft. Weyrens stated that the minutes accurately capture what happened at that meeting and the letter is received after the meeting. She stated that in reviewing letter and the minutes, it appears as they are consistent. Frank concurred that the minutes are similar. Weyrens stated that the Resolution adopted by the Council will include an illustration which can be forward for review. Rassier stated that the letter from the Action Group will be placed in the Field Street file. Symanietr made a motion to approve the minutes of November 15, 2007. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. 4(d) -Contract Renewal: Frank pulled this item from the Consent Agenda and stated that he does not see any changes that are necessary. Rassier stated that the EDA has requested that when the City hires a permanent Community Development Director, MDG would continue to work with them for 20 hours. Wick made a motion to approve the Contract Renewal between the City of St. Joseph and Municipal Development Group (MDG) to provide economic development services. he motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. EDA Annual Report: Frank questioned the EDA Annual Report provided to the Council for review. On page 6 of the document, there was a table illustrating the change in tax base composition over the past five years. It appears that there was a decrease for the Homestead Residential properties and an increase in farmland. He questioned whether that was due to work done by the EDA or annexation of township properties. Wick stated that the table was included as a snapshot to show where the City is sitting based on different tax bases. He also added that Frank was correct in stating that the farm percentage did increase due to recent annexations. Weyrens stated with regard to work completed by the EDA, they were instrumental in the development of the Buettner Business Park which is near build out. Frank made a motion to accept the 2007 EDA Annual Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. January 3, 2008 Page 4 of 4 del - Gamblina Application: Frank stated that he requested this item be pulled from the consent agenda as he is unfamiliar with the Thunderin Tom's. Taufen clarified that they are a turkey hunting group. Wick made a motion to approve the Lawful Gambling Application for Exempt Permit submitted by the Stearns County Thunderin' Toms for an event to be held at Trobec's Event Center on March 29, 2008. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Liauor Violation - La Plavette: The Council was provided information for a recent liquor violation that occurred at the La Playette. Frank questioned why the Police only arrested six minors as from the Police Report it appeared there were many more minors in the establishment. Rassier stated that when the Police arrive to conduct bar checks the minors generally try to escape exit out the back door. He added that the Police cannot check ID's of everyone in the establishment, so it is up to their discretion. Rassier stated that the night of the violation, the establishment held an "Ugliest Christmas Sweater Contest". Frank then stated that they need to re-think the name of the contest as some may be offended by it being called the "Ugliest Christmas Sweater Contest". Frank questioned how the fine amount was determined to which Weyrens stated that it was based on the alcohol matrix that was put in place for these types of situations. He also questioned why the bar was not shut down as there was no bouncer and the owner was unavailable by phone. Weyrens assured Frank that the owner is taking this very seriously and that he has been in to speak with the Police Chief regarding the situation. Frank questioned whether or not that 12 months starts after the violation or at the beginning of the calendar year, to which Weyrens stated from the date of the violation. Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. ~_~~, l~~' , ~' J~(d l e rens ~~~ Y Y fled nistrator