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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes 4-17-14 April 17, 2014 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, April 17, 2014 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Bob Loso, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Chief Joel Klein, Public Works Director Terry Thene Others Present: Irene Reber, Bud Reber, Bob Wahlstrom, Ellen Wahlstrom, Margaret Wurn Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the deletions of items 8 Approval of the Agenda: and 9b. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and carried unanimously by those present. Discussion: Weyrens added that items 8 and 9b will be removed from the agenda. Both will be scheduled for the next Council Meeting. Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda with a correction on the Consent Agenda: Capital Purchase lease agreement from a rate of $399 down to $368. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed by those present. a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of April 3, 2014. b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 047667 – 047730; payroll EFT # 000909 – 000913 and accounts payable EFT # 001647-001648. st c. Financial Report – Approved 1 Quarter 2014 & March 2014 Financial Reports d. Economic Development District – Reaffirmed Public Hearing Date for May 1, 2014 e. Capital Purchase – Authorized entering into lease agreement for new folder 2013 Annual Audit, KDV Janel Bitzen/Kern DeWenter Viere: Janel Bitzen, Audit Manager of KDV, came before the Council to present the 2013 audit. The following is a summary of her presentation:  Audit reports included: an unmodified opinion on the financial statements which is the highest opinion that can be received on the statements, no compliance findings on the Minnesota Legal Compliance test report, and one internal finding (lack of segregation of duties of internal controls) on the Government Auditing Standards of audit, and the communications letter. Bitzen added that with the addition of the full-time receptionist, the segregation of duties in the accounting areas will improve.  There was one change to the reporting in 2013. Previously the deferred revenue account was an offset to the special assessments, being showed as a liability. GASB 65 created a new category called deferred inflow. It is the same account, but named differently, and will no longer be considered a liability as monies are not owed.  Budgeted revenues of $2.5 M compared to $2.5 M of actual revenues; budgeted expenditures of $2.5 M compared to $2.6 M of actual expenditures; budgeted decrease in Fund Balance of $6,000, compared to actual increase in fund balance of $16,000; and year-end fund balance of $1.7 M.  Overall, the fund balance has remained stable. The unassigned funds are funds that have not been set aside for specific distributions. The city is right in line where there is about 4-6 months of expenditures accrued for coverage.  Revenues decrease by .7%, expenditures down 2.7%. The City has experienced a 3.7% increase in fund balance from 2009 to 2013.  Since 2009, revenues have decreased about $170,000 mostly due to licensing and the economy. Additionally, federal funding to the local cities has impacted the revenue fund as less funding was being provided. April 17, 2014 Page 2 of 4  Compared to 2012, 2013 saw a decrease in construction in the City. Offsetting the decrease, the tax levy did increase. The intergovernmental revenue increased by $109,000 due to the deed monies and fire grant received through federal funding. These are typically 1 time distributions.  The decrease in capacity, with the slight increase in the tax levy, caused an increase to the tax rate. A good sign is that the city has a 97% return rate on taxes.  Revenues were over budget by 3.6% with the main increase coming from the intergovernmental revenues.  Expenditures have been decreased by $200,000 with the largest component of that in the Public Safety category. In 2013, the expenditures decreased by $76,000.  48-54% increase in the Public Safety portion of the general fund. This accounts for additional retirement payouts and the hiring of a new officer.  Water fund revenues did increase which resulted in a decreased loss for the overall fund. The decrease in 2013 was about $20,000 whereas in 2012 it was about $120,000.  Sanitary sewer fund also had an increase in rate which increased the revenue. There was an operating loss of $99,000. The overall net deposition of the account decreased by about $286,000. Schultz asked if the city will always be running at a deficit. Finance Director, Lori Bartlett stated that the ultimate goal is to get 100% of that depreciation covered, but you cannot continue to keep raising the rates. Weyrens added that she does not expect the city to ever cover the entire depreciation costs.  Refuse Fund experienced an increase in expenses due to the new compost site.  Storm Water Fund has been consistent over the past 5 years seeing not much of a change.  Street Utility Fund is a new fund for 2013. Funds were previously recorded in the general fund. Schultz made a motion to accept the 2013 audit. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Willie Jett, District 742 School Superintendent: Mayor Schultz stated that he invited ISD 742 Superintendent Will Jett to the Council meeting to introduce himself and provide an update on district activities. Jett stated that he became part of IDS 742 in July and has previously worked in Anoka, Osseo, Hopkins, Minneapolis, and St. Paul school districts. He and his family have moved to the St. Cloud area and have overwhelmed with support. Jett stated that the main goal is student achievement. Loso asked what the plan is for St. Cloud Tech as far as any plans for construction. Jett stated that there is not a definite plan. Construction is needed, but time is also needed to figure out where the new building will be and whether there will be one or two high schools. Loso asked if the new Kennedy School is being considered for a possible high school site. Jett stated that it is being considered and there are many factors that play into the decision. Wick asked if there were thoughts of having smaller high schools that are more community based. Jett stated that at this time there are thoughts geared towards one or two high schools. As district administration, they will be putting in a recommendation to the board. That recommendation has not yet been decided on. Schultz stated that one of the strategic objectives of the district is to enhance the communication between cities and the schools. Outdoor Music Events: Weyrens stated that the City Council has annually approved the outdoor liquor th events for the St. Joseph Parish 4 of July Celebration and the Senior Farewell event for CSB/SJU. Based on past experience, both events are well managed. The parish had requested initially to close both a section of Minnesota Street West and College Avenue South on the Fourth of July. After st discussions with Police Chief Joel Klein, the parish will not close MN Street between College Ave and 1 Ave; rather College Ave/CR121 between MN Street and the east/west ally will be closed. The closed streets will still be fenced of as in past years. Loso asked if that would create a safety issues from the traffic on MN St. Klein stated that that is why they are trying it out this year. April 17, 2014 Page 3 of 4 rd Richard Schwegel, Concert Committee Chair: Schwegel added that the concert on July 3 will be held in the parish’s east parking lot. College Ave will be closed between the east parking lot and the church and school grounds. The concert will start at 6:00PM and end at 12:00 Midnight. No food or beverage will be allowed in the ground and no food or beverage will be allowed outside the grounds. After the concert is completed, they have a clean-up crew to clean the closed off area. Symanietz noticed last year the number of volunteers and the safety measures that were implemented to make the event successful. Schwegel added that last year the no backpack rule was implemented and that will continue for this year’s events as well. Schultz opened the public hearing for the St. Joseph Parish Festival and the Senior Farewell at Sal’s Bar. Being as no one was present to speak, Schultz closed the Public Hearing. Schultz made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Temporary Outside Liquor License for Sal’s Bar for an event to be held on May 17, 2014 between the hours of 9:00 PM and Midnight. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Temporary Out 3 0.side Liquor License for St. Joseph’s Parish for an event to be held on July 3, 2014 between 6:00 PM and Midnight; and to approve the temporary road closures for July 3 and July 4, 2014. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. City Engineer Reports Bid Results – Water Tower: City Engineer, Randy Sabart, reported that bids were taken on the water tower reconditioning. The lowest bid came from Classic Protective Coatings from Menomonie, Wisconsin. The low bid came in slightly higher than the final engineer estimate but came in at the range that was provided for in the budget. The bid came in at $487,150.00. Sabart stated that the College has requested the City delay the start of the project to May 19, after which the students have graduated. It is anticipated the project will extend over 10 weeks. Wick asked if any of the residents will be experiencing any differences in their water during the construction. Sabart responded that the residents should not have any issues. Loso made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute a contract agreement with Classic Protective Coating for the 2014 Water Tower Reconditioning Project in the amount of $487,150.00. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Administrator Reports Amendment to Development Agreement: Weyrens presented the Council with an amendment to the Development Agreement from June 27, 2012 regarding the Millstream Villages. The Development Agreement provided for a PUD development consisting of an eight unit care facility and different styles of housing units. It was recently discovered that the Development Agreement prohibits rental of the single family units; however the property is zoned R4 and rental is allowed provided the tenant is 55+. Weyrens stated in reviewing the application for development it did include the intent that the single family units would be a combination of ownership and rental. Therefore, the provision in the development agreement appears to be an error and to correct the error an executed amendment to the must be recorded. e owner occupied. Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the amendment to the Development Agreement for the Millstream Villages. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. April 17, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Mayor Reports th APO: Interviews for Senior Transportation Planner begin April 25. There are 3 candidates with the conclusion of those interviews being Friday. At the Executive Committee Meeting: There are changes being made to the benefits regarding sick leave and recommendations will be going to the board for approval. New Business Schultz stated that there was an agreement made to have an additional open house on the new Government Center. Post cards will be sent to all residents. The meeting will mainly be dialogue. The th meeting will be Monday, April 28 at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to be discussion. th A Mayor town hall meeting will be held at the fire hall on April 26 at 9AM. rd Wick added that there will be an EDA meeting on April 23 at 5:00PM at City Hall. Schultz stated that the trees from Bodera will be coming at the end of May and suggested the Park Board make a decision on planting. There will be a weeks’ notice on when the trees will be distributed and Schultz will let both Thene and Loso know once the notice has been received. Symanietz stated that the Joint Planning Board met on the township property down CR 121, almost right across from Kennedy School. At this point American Heritage Bank owns the property and is looking to divide it into 6 lots. The land is currently in the township and is agricultural. Symanietz added that they are looking at ghost platting. If someone were to purchase one lot, they would be able to divide that lot further down the road. The bank also owns the land across the river, which is on the Waite Park side and would be small-business type property. Symanietz stated that she would like the opinion of Stearns County and the Sauk Rapids Watershed to make sure the land is good for homeowners down the road. The meeting was for informational purposes only and no action was taken. American Heritage Bank will be coming back with additional information down the road. Motion made by Schultz to adjourn at 7:23 PM; seconded by Loso and passed Adjourn: unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator