Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [08] Aug 25August 25, 2010 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the St. Joseph met in regular session on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 5:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Al Rassier, Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, Bob Loso, and City Administrator Judy Weyrens. City Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene and Police Chief Pete Jansky. Others Present: Brad Ireland, Eric Sandrock CSB Sewer Billing: Weyrens presented a final draft of a letter to the College /Monastery of St. Benedict outlining the position of the City regarding the draft sewer use agreement. The letter is a summary of the Council discussion at the August 5, 2010 City Council meeting, again clarifying the desire to enter into a sewer use agreement whereby they are billed in the same method as the residents of St. Joseph. Council Frank stated that he objected to the format of the meeting and suggested that this matter be moved to the next regular Council meeting as it does not appear that the City is being transparent. Wick and Rassier stated that the letter is a summary of what was discussed at the last Council meeting and the staff is requesting the City Council sign the letter so that it can be forwarded to St. Benedict. The matter cannot wait until the next meeting as the sub committee is meeting before that and the draft letter outlines the position of the City. Frank clarified that while he may not disagree with the contents of the letter he is merely opposed to the format of the meeting. It was the consensus of the Council that the letter clarified the position of the City and those Council members who chose signed the letter. American Burger Bar, Liquor License: Weyrens presented the Council with an on -sale intoxicating liquor license for the American Burger Bar. The American Burger Bar is opening in the former Stonehouse Restaurant, 213 CR 75. Weyrens stated that the application has been submitted by Brad Ireland and the Police Chief has completed the background check on the officers. Police Chief Jansky stated that his department did complete and background check and he recommends the Council accept the application and issue an on -sale liquor license as requested. He stated that his background check included contacting the Police Departments in Woodbury and St. Paul, where Ireland has restaurants with liquor licenses and neither department had negative comments. Symanietz made a motion to issue an on -sale liquor license to the American Burger Bar, 213 CR 75 as requested; the motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rassier, Wick, Symanietz, Loso Nayes; None Abstain: Frank Motion Carried 4:0:1 Loso questioned Frank as to why he abstained to which he responded that he does not agree with the format of this meeting. Budget. 2011: Weyrens stated that at the August 11, 2011 Budget meeting the City Council requested an inventory of services provided by the City. The list of services was requested to gain a better understanding of the different functions provided by each department in relation to the budget submitted. Therefore, Weyrens presented a summary of each function provided with a brief discussion. The Council discussed proposed cuts to building inspection, prosecution services, skating hours, snow removal and cable operations. Weyrens stated that the budget can be reduced further by removing some one time expenditures that have been included. For example, the Police budget includes a$ 10,000 expenditure to review and revise the police polices. In 2009 the City Council budgeted for capital expenditures, but froze capital spending to prepare for proposed reductions in Local Government Aid (LGA). As a result of the proactive decision of the Council, the City showed a surplus of revenue for the year 2009. Therefore, if the City allocated approximately 50% of the surplus to fund one time expenditures, the 2010 budget could be reduced. The remaining surplus could be designated reserve balance to increase the reserve balance to August 25, 2010 Page 2 of 2 prepare for continuing reduced aids. Finance Officer Lori Bartlett presented the Council with a list of projects that totaled $ 92,000, all of which could be funded through the 2009 surplus. One of the projects on the list included dredging of the Millstream Pond. Their was some discussion on whether the project was needed or could be delayed. The Council agreed to place the transfer of $ 92,000 to the capital fund on the September 2, 2010 City Council agenda and requested staff provide additional information on the dredging project. Bartlett stated that she had contacted the Stearns County Auditors Office and they were able to provide very preliminary data regarding St. Joseph's growth. It is anticipated that the net tax capacity for the budget year 2011 will decrease approximately 4.2 %. In addition, the tax records indicate that uncollectible taxes have increased approximately 1 %, with St. Joseph collecting 96.4% of the total taxes payable. When questioned if the proposed preliminary budget included levying the maximum allowed, Bartlett responded it does not. The current legislation allows the City to levy back the LGA that has previously been un- allocated by the Governor, the proposed budget does not recapture all of the loss. The Council concurred that since the budget at this time is preliminary and the City can reduce the budget once the final growth numbers are available, the preliminary budget should be established at the limit established by the Department of Revenue. The Council reaffirmed that the budget will be reduced once the impact can be determined. Staff was directed to prepare the preliminary budget resolution for the September 2, 2010 Council meeting. American Burger Bar: American Burger Bar owners Brad Ireland and Eric Sandrock, approached the Council to introduce themselves and discuss their restaurant. Ireland stated the American Burger Bar is the third restaurant his company has opened and they offer a limited menu, but all items are homemade including all dressing, sauces and marinades. The establishment is a restaurant first and bar seconded and is scheduled to open on September 2, 2010. The restaurant will have approximately 25 employees with 5 being full time. Ireland stated that they will be open seven days a week and offer brunch on Sunday mornings. The Council welcomed Ireland and Sandrock to the St. Joseph Community. Shared Services Resolution: Weyrens stated that she has met with the City of Waite Park regarding opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. Waite Park has prepared a resolution showing intent to study and review potential opportunities. The Council reviewed the proposed resolution and requested that the resolution be amended to remove the section detailing the services that could be reviewed, as they felt that the Administrators were aware of the opportunites and they did not need to be deatiled. With that deletion, Wick made a motion authorizing the Administrator and Mayor to execute resolution 2010 -021, Reviewing Shared Services with the City of Waite Park. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unaimously. Ad'ourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Ju y We rens A inistrator