HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 [02] Feb 04
February 4 , 1993
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the
City of St. Joseph met in regular session, on Thursday, February I
4, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Donald Bud Reber; Members of the Council
Ross Rieke, Bob Loso, Stephanie Hazen, Ken Hiemenz.
Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Dehler, Judy Weyrens, Dick Taufen, Greg
Reinhart, Joe Bettendorf, Dennis Stueve, Ted Schmid, Stuart
Goldschen, Roman Spanier, David J Hallermann, Elmer Przybilla,
Rollee Mohs, Al Mohs, Arnie Lauer, Judy Barg, Bi 11 Barg.
AGENDA: Hazen made a motion to approve the agenda as corrected, to
include bills payable; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes of the January 21 ,
1993 council meeting. Hazen requested that under agenda approval
the wording is changed from " as increased" to " as amended", and
that the minutes include that Requests for Proposals for the City
audit were sent to the following auditors or audit firms:
Mr. Bill Conboy
Mr. Marlin Boeckmann
Frieler, Habben & Company I
Mr. Tom Murray
Kern, Dewenter, Viere, Ltd.
Hazen made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 21 ,
1993 Council meeting as amended; seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Rieke abstained. Motion carried.
MAYOR REPORTS: 1 ) Our attorney sent a letter denying the claim,
to the attorney who requested that the City pay for costs of
repairing a sewer problem, which to the City, appeared to be a
property owner problem.
2) The Mayor met with representatives of St. Ben , Sister Moira
s.
requested that the City look for a future well site, on property
other than St. Ben , s . The Council concurred and requested that
the Clerk/Administrator send a letter to Sister Moira stating that
the City would be sensitive to St. Ben , wishes and consider
s
property other than St. Ben , first.
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3) Mayor stated he has met with several of the employees. Dick
Taufen agreed to post a work schedule for the maintenance
employees by the week, in advance, so they will know the work
plans for week. Dick also agreed to park the city vehicle behind
Ci ty Hall when he is not working, rather than taking it home. He
also discussed with Dick the manner of taking coffee breaks when
working away from the maintenance building. Coffee breaks should I
be taken at the location where work is being done. The employees
are to bring their refreshments to the job site in their vehicles
rather than each one driving back to the maintenance building.
Many work hours and vehicle miles will be saved over the period of
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February 4, 1993
I a year, which will amount to large dollar savings. The Mayor also
discussed the policy of payment of volunteer firefighters, who are
also city employees. Currently, when on a fire call, during
regular work hours, they draw their city wages plus compensation
for the fire call. The Mayor stated that the need for the Fire
Chief to be at fire calls could allow for him to continue the
current practice. Hiemenz stated that the recent conference he
attended addressed this issue. He will research it and report
back.
4) Art Diedrich, Avon State Bank, offered the Lyman Hull property
to the City, if the City is interested in purchasing it. After
discussion, Loso moved that the Clerk/Administrator send a letter
to Mr. Diedrich stating that the City would only consider this
issue after a certification from PCA that the property is free and
clear of all contaminants. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
5) The Mayor reported that the APO recently discussed adoption of
an official transportation map which would provide official
corridors. The Planning Commission has requested information from
our attorney on the effects of such adoption.
COUNCIL REPORTS - RIEKE: Sidewalks from First Avenue East to
Fourth Avenue West on Minnesota Street need to be looked at in
I relation to the up coming improvement project. Installation,
replacement, alignment, along with the issue of assessments of
sidewalks wi 11 need to be addressed.
HAZEN: The Fire Board met and found some errors and inaccuracies
in the third quarter financial report. The Board requested the
Auditor to report to Fire Board on findings. The Board also
discussed the need for a new building, capital outlay for 1993,
and have applied for grant assistance to join other fire
departments in jointly purchasing an air van truck.
LOSO: 1 ) Loso stated a meeting was held with representatives of
the Boys and Girls Club and the City for initial planning for the
summer recreation program. 2) The skating rinks are now closed
due to the unseasonably warm weather. They may be reflooded if
the condition of the ice allows and weather permitting.
3) The Planning Commission recommended to have the developer
secure land for a park, for phase two of Northland Addition. The
Park Board had previously received a verbal donation of park land
in that area from the property owner, and the Park Board desired
the developer to provide dollars for the park requirement, to
develop this park. The Planning Commission was infringing on Park
Board areas. The Mayor stated the development is the function of
the Planning Commission.
HIEMENZ: Hiemenz discussed the Conference for newly elected
officials which he attended. Matters covered were fire
I departments, public officials gifts, pay raises, liabilities -
building inspectors, open meeting law, data privacy act, planning,
land use and zoning maps, development ratios, salary increases and
fringe benefits, sexual harassment, equal opportunity and ADA
policies.
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February 4~ 1993
2 ) Hiemenz introduced and moved to adopt a sexual harassment I
policy; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
3 ) The League of Minnesota Cities annual conference will be held
in St. Cloud June 8-12.
4) Planning Commission met and considered a building pe rmi t for
Scherer Trucking, property compliance needs to be reviewed; Mike
Deutz had applied for a special use permi t to allow a multi-family
dwelling in a business district - he withdrew his request;
Northland Development Phase Two was approved with many
contingencies; approved a variance regarding accessory
building\size for Ken Twit. The 164 square feet variance allows
Ken Twit to exceed the maximum square footage. Loso stated he
felt 800 square feet IS very limiting for an accessory building.
Hiemenz stated that the Building Inspector recommended no less
than 1 ,000 square feet, but the Planning Commission felt control
through the variance process was important.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Judy Weyrens, Deputy Clerk, gave an
abbreviated treasurer , report. Hazen made a motion to i t
s approve
as presented; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
BILLS PAYABLE: Loso made a motion to approve the bills payable as I
presented; seconded by Hazen.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Residents of 91st Avenue, recently annexed to
the Ci ty and new sewer customers, appeared to discuss the amount
of their sewer bills which were $54.00 for two months. This was
the base amount for anyone on sewer who does not have a water
meter. They stated they are all in the process of getting meters
installed. After discussion Hazen made a motion that the
residents will pay the current bill of $51t, and not be bill ed
again until the May bill is sent. The meters will be read at the
end of February and April. Bills will be pro rated and adjusted
according to their actual use in May. The motion was seconded by
Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Hazen made a motion to recess at 8: 15 p.m. ; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
NORTHLAND DEVELOPMENT PHASE TWO: Ted Schmid presented a letter I
from Pete Rothfork discussing park land for the development.
Considerable discussion followed, concerning donated land and
developers park land requirements. Hazen made a motion to table
this matter until clarification of donated park land and developer
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February 4 , 1993
I requirements for park land IS obtained. The motion was seconded
by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
STAR CITY PROGRAM: Greg Reinhart, President of the Chamber of
Commerce, discussed the Star City program with the Council. Loso
made a motion to transfer the budgeted $5,000 from Economic
Development, to the Star City program. The motion was seconded by
Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
The names of possible individuals to be on the Commission are to
be considered at the next council meeting.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT: Greg Reinhart and Dennis Stueve discussed
with the Council and City Engineer the proposed beautification
project for Minnesota Street in conjunction with the Minnesota
Street Improvement.
HOOKUP FEES: Joe Bettendorf presented a proposal for hookup fees
as discussed previously by a committee. Hiemenz made a motion to
adopt the following proposal for new construction:
Establishing hook-up fee for commercial\industrial operations
I based on flow.
One unit = 500 gallons per day. Hook-up fee is currently
$800.00 per unit.
DBL\MCO currently generates a flow of 9,000 gallons per day.
Based on the above considerations, DBL\MCO would pay the
following hook-up fee:
9,000 gallons 500 = 18 units
18 units x $800.00 ::: $14,400.00
The motion was seconded by Hazen.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
The Council discussed with Mr. Bettendorf, the proposal for
renovation\expansion of existing business and referred it to the
City Attorney for incorporation into the ordinance.
NORTHLAND ADDITION: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf stated that his
recommendations have been incorporated in plans and spec for phase
two. Loso made a motion to approve the incorporation of the City
Engineers recommendations into Northland Phase Two plat; seconded
by Hazen.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
I SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORTS: Dick Taufen 1 ) presented
the annual water report. He stated that the City is at a 90%
water pumped to amount billed. He stated that this is considered
very good. 2) He also presented the snow plowing policy. After
discussion Loso made a motion to remove the snow from around JR's
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February It , 1993
Mobil and the south side of the EI Paso. Also snow removal will
be from the central business district, established as the square I
within the area of College Avenue to Birch Street to Second Avenue
West to Minnesota Street. Mr. Taufen may use his judgement In
plowing to the center of the street. The motion was seconded by
Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
The Mayor extended the meeting 15 minutes at 10:00 p.m.
3 ) Dick Taufen discussed the need to make city facilities
accessible to the handicapped and to comply with the ADA Act.
L¡. ) He also presented a claim of mailbox damage from snowplowing.
The Council has a policy on what is allowed and requirements for
mailboxes. This mailbox does not meet the established policy.
Reber made a motion to deny the claim because it does not comply
with the established policy) and the Clerk/Administrator is to
send a letter stating the Council's decision along with a copy of
the policy; seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL POLICY - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PACKAGE: Council will address
this when there is more time. Hiemenz offered a vacation\leave
proposal for consideration at a future time. I
AUDIT PROPOSALS FOR 1993: Clerk\Administrator stated that the
City only received one quote for the audit, and presented the
quote from Kern, Dewenter, Viere, Ltd. Loso made a motion to
accept the quote of Kern, Dewenter, Viere, Ltd. for the 1992
annual audit; seconded by Hazen.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, I-I i emenz .
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
After discussion Hazen made a motion to accept the three year
quote of Kern, Dewenter, Viere, Ltd. for the years ending 1992,
1993 and 1994 of $6,200, $6,500 and $6,800 respectively; seconded
by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
CONSULTANT FOR WATER AND SEWER: Leo Sadlo I proposal for water
s
and sewer was considered. The Council requested that he write a
description of what his duties would be, for Council consideration
at the next meeting.
ST. JOSEPH V. KACURES: Council discussed the status of this
matter. Rieke stated that he feels the Council and attorney are
taking this matter too lightly. Reber and Loso stated that they I
feel that the City should pursue the matter.
MINUTES FORM: Reber discussed if the Council wished to adopt a
standard form. Necessary are a 11 the actions of the meeting.
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February 4, 1993
I Rieke will research taping mechanics. Loso stated that all the
meetings are now recorded and any Council member may listen to it
at any time. Rieke discussed an uninterrupted taping of the
meetings. Hazen stated she would agree with this. He will
research taping mechanics. Loso made a motion to continue with
the minutes as they are with a little more emphasis on the
discussion in relation to the motions; seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Loso made a motion to adjourn at 10: 15 p.m. ; seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Q
Rachel Stapleton
Clerk/Administrator
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