HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-31-08January 31, 2008
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session
on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor AI Rassier. Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank.
Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Police Chief Pete
Jansky, Finance Director Lori Bartlett.
Common Legislative Issues: Weyrens presented the Council with a revised resolution advocating support
for common legislative issues. At the January 29, 2008 Intergovernmental Meeting the Area Cities
discussed the importance of lobbying as a group for common items. The items include: Local
Government Aid; Levy Limits; Bio Science Zones; North Star Commuter Rail; Local Option Sales Tax
Authority; Sauk Rapids Bridge; St. Cloud Civic Center Expansion; Regional Parks and Trails; St. Cloud
Regional Airport Land Acquisition; Transportation; Growth Management and Annexation; and
Environment.
Mayor Rassier stated that the Resolution has been modified slightly since the January 29 meeting. All
Cities agreed to consider the revised resolution at their next regular scheduled meeting. Wick stated that
based on his understanding the City is agreeing to support and advocate for the projects, it does not state
whether or not the City approves the projects. Rassier concurred with Wick and stated that some of the
projects do not have a direct bearing to St. Joseph.
Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2008-002, a
Joint Resolution of the Central MN Cities of St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Joseph, St.
Augusta and Rockville Advocating Support for Certain Legislative Issues and Proposals of
Common Interest or Concern to the Central Minnesota Region. The motion was seconded by
Symanietz and passed unanimously.
Public Works Director Hire: Weyrens reported that she contacted the applicant selected by the Council
and he has requested a higher compensation that originally agreed to by the Council. Due to the
experience the candidate has requested to be compensated at the top of the step system for the job
classification. After considerable discussion the Council requested Weyrens contact the applicant one
more time to see if he would accept the position at step 5 or 6 of the scale.
2008 Equipment Certificate: The City Council reviewed the request of Department Heads for the
equipment purchase in 2008. As a means stabilizing budget affects from large equipment purchases the
City over the past years has been issuing equipment certificates. As an equipment certificate expires a
new certificate is issued near the same level. Department Heads are requested to plan for five years,
including staff, equipment and space. As equipment certificates are paid through tax levies, by waiting
until one expires, a stable levy is provided for capital purchases.
Weyrens informed the Council that Monte Eastvold of Northland Securities will be at the next Council
meeting to present the Council with a refinancing option for two bond issues. With the Federal Reserve
dropping the prime rate, bond rates have declined. After the first rate drop, the City would save
approximately $ 88,000 in interest payments if the bond issues were refinanced. If the City is ready to
issue the equipment certificate on February 7, the City can save the issuance expenses, refinancing the
bond issues and issues the new debt at the same time. A revised equipment list will be provided to the
Council at the next regularly scheduled Council Meeting for possible adoption.
Capital Improvements: City Engineer Randy Sabart presented the Council with the five year capital
improvement plan. The purpose of the plan is to inventory infrastructure needs and plan for replacement
and maintenance. There was a question as to whether or not the CSAH 75 Relief Storm Sewer Repair is
needed at this time. The impact if not repaired would be the possible water backup affecting a couple of
January 31, 2008
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residents. Weyrens stated that when the City developed the Storm Water Utility and Development Fee,
the revenue collected would maintain the system without additional tax burden. Therefore, the revenue
stream for the Storm Water Repairs will be the fees collected.
Frank questioned the sidewalk on 2"d Avenue NW and the need to continue providing sidewalks along
streets. While additional lighting will help with safety on 2"d Avenue NW, sidewalk should also be
considered. Sabart discussed the building impediments along 2"d Avenue NW, but stated a sidewalk can
be engineered, it may be costly. The Council discussed the need to prepare a feasibility report which will
identify all impediments and detail costs. After the feasibility report is complete the Council can then
discuss the improvement.
Wick and Rassier expressed concern with the expenditure of the sidewalk as CR 2 will be relocated in
2009 and the traffic will be changed significantly. A road that now handles a large amount of traffic will
function more as a residential street. Wick also stated that the Park Board should review the sidewalk to
determine how or if it falls within the St. Joseph Trail plan. Frank stated that the sidewalk is different that
a trail, but he does not have an issue with sending the matter to the Park Board.
Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 PM; seconded by Symanietz and passed
unanimously.
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