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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 [08] Aug 04 Page 2b14 August 4, 1994 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City I oj:' :=it. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, August 4, 1994 at ï:!ð!ð p. m. in the City Hall. l'f}.;IUn·:US PHI::~Î"~NT: Mayor Donald Bud Heber; Councilors Ross Rieke, Bob Loso, Ken Hiemenz, Stephanie Hazen; Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. UTHI::RS PHI::Sl!:NT: Judy Weyrens, Janelle Schlekloth, Mark Lambert, Karen Erickson, John Scherer, Oda Larsen, Michele Lindlell, Stan Larsen, Stan Weinberger, Steve Dehler, Jean Dehler, Dick Taufen, Alan Rassier. Mayor' Heber called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. AüI:;NDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda to include discussion on sidewalks under Old Business, and move Dick Taufen's Public Works report to the end of the meeting. The motion was seconded by Hieke. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. lULL!:'; PAYABLI::: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable. After discussion of various bills Hazen made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 19919 - 19973; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: He:>ber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I Hieme:>nz made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts as presented; seconded by Hazen. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. KAYUH ' S HI::PUI-n: 1> Mayor Reber presented a letter from TRI-CAP expr'essing an interest in Dale Victor's transportation plan for St. Joseph, f or' the 1996 budget if funding is available. 2) Whitney Senior Center Director Steve Hennes sent a letter requesting to make a presentation at a Council meeting. Council was in general agreement to receive a presentation at a regular meeting. 3) Stearns I::nvironmental Services has sent a resolution for Council consideration on environmental protection through landfill controls. 4) A home in Northland was built too low and needs a sump pump to accommodate the sewer. The construction company wanted to dig up the street to install the sewer. Joe Bettendorf had assured Mayor Reber that the sewer elevations are adequate, but that the basement was too deep to accommodate the sewer. Mayor Reber requested that Joe Bettendorf make recommendations to the Contractor's Agreement to pr'event this type of error from occurring in the future. :,) An addition is being constructed on 91st Avenue which extends six feet beyond the fr'ont yard setback. The Mayor was alerted to the problem, viewed it on site and contacted the Building Official to stop I t.he project. The property owner has since requested a front yard setback variance hearing, scheduled for August 15th, to resolve the matter. b) Mayor Heber reported that he was approached by some youngsters who had built a bike ramp. They are looking for a site for it, and Page 2615 August 4, 1994 qUl:£>stioned i:t: it Gould go in a park. Councilor Loso was directed to I take the matter to the ¡Jark board for recommendation. '/ ) l'layür Reber questioned the status ü:t: the installation of East Minnesota Street lights by Stearns Electric. Stapleton reported that they have received the lights and will schedule installation when the City has secured the easements. B) Mayor- Heber questioned if the Council ever gave authorization for "lhe fire truck to haul water to fill swimming pools. Additionally he stated that 'lhe City denied the request to haul water to the new sod on "lhe 1::;ast Baker street project. Hazen stated that a water credit on the affected residents water bills was allowed for those that watered their boulevar'd sod. C( UNCIL lŒPlJ}·nS HJEKE: stan and Uda Larsen had discussed with Rieke their discomfort with the proposed HHA project, and the condemnation of theil~ dr·iveway. HAZEN: 1) Hazen questioned if the dog kennel for containing dogs picked up on weekends or nights has been set up yet at the Vet Clinic, as she had been appr'oached by a Police Officer. Stapleton stated that she understood that the Police were handling this matter, but she will contact the Vet Clinic to get this situation resolved. 2) The Joint Uperating Fire Board met and a) were informed that the new iir'e truck has been ordered, and expect it to be delivered in about May 1 <;;¡<jt:J. b) All the corrections were not done in the Linnemann Inn. The I S"late }<'ire Narshall gave an ex'lension. c) Cedar Village Apartments II sprinkler system problem has been resolved and approved by the State. d) Stearns County Electric has given the Fire Department a $1,00Ø gx'ant Lo be used toward the purchase of a manifold along with $1,5Ø0 from the Fire Fund to be used with the Jaws of Life. e) The Township fire contr'ac"ls are due in 19<:¡6. Mid summer of next year negotiation will begin. f) r'irefighter' recertification has been completed with all passing it. g) An additional grant has been received from Champion Papex' Mill. '!'he Fire Department applied for this funding for the pur'chase of three motion sensors for' air packs at about $30Ø each. h) Chief '¡'au1en will discuss the new sprinkler system law, later in the meeting. i) The 1<j<jt:J Fire Budget was approved by the Board with an e.~% increase. 1.miU: 1) '!'he cement work in parks is completed and the bleachers will arx·i ve soon. 2) Loso discussed the plans to install an entrance to Morningside Park and made a motion to approve the entrance at approximate cost 01 $4,000 with the funding to be the Cloverdale r'ou:c development money, $3, t:Jr¿¡ï. t:J4, and "lhe balance out of Park Development. Joe Bettendorf of S!:;H will be directed to proceed with the project. The motion was seconded by Hieke. Discussion -Mayor Heber clarified that this is just 'lhe entrance and not the proposed parking lot. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. I Nayes: None. Motion carried. ::Ji Loso made a motion to abolish the policy of the designation of exempt/non-exempt employees effective, September 1, 1994, and to Page 2&1& August 4, 1994 reinstate a policy that all meetings will be paid or comp time, time at rate o£ actual time. If this time :falls into an overtime situation the rate would be accordingly. Also addressing the 43 hour mark o:f uomputation for Department Heads would cease, and revert back to 4Ø hours. Hazen stated that the 43 hour requirement is not :for Department Heads but for law enforcement. Hiemenz made a motion to table the motion and have it reviewed with the personnel package along with recommendations which would be reviewed be:fore the Council takes action. Rieke stated that Loso's motion which is on the :floor needs a second, hence Rieke seconded the motion to abolish the change in policy of exempt non-exempt employees. Hiemenz repeated his motion to table the motion and have it reviewed the personnel package along with re~ommendations. Hazen seconded Hiemenz's motion to table the matter. Mayor Reber called for discussion on Loso's motion prior to vote. Hiemenz discussed order of motions, pointing out his motion has precedence over the motion and a vote needs to be taken on his motion to table. If this :fails then a vote can be taken on the :first motion. Reber said if the motion to amend was made that would be voted on :first but not the motion you are making which is a motion of' your own. Rieke discussed the animosity created by the change and Loso stated that he is seeking relief from the employee discontent. Rieke also asked i:f the City is required to follow the "book" or can set dif':ferent limits. Hiemenz stated that the in:formation given to the personnel committee required that some things were required to be implemented, and the City uan get away with not doing certain things and will until someone :files a complaint. Reber made a motion to amend Loso's motion to get legal advice :from our City Attor'ney; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Vote on the amended motion. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso. Nayes: Hazen, Hiemenz. Motion carr n carried. Discussion on the motion to table - Rieke asked if the motion to table is still relevant, and Hiemenz stated that it is not. Reber then addressed motion Hiemenz had on the iloor as seconded by Hazen. Hiemenz again stated his motion had precedence over the motion we just voted on. R~ber disagreed saying we had a motion on the iloor, we had a second to that motion, we vote on it. An Amendment, we vote on the amendment, then the original motion. You have made a motion and we have a second on the iloor. Any further discussion? Rieke commented the motion was such that it's no longer relevant and Hiemenz agreed saying that's why his motion to table had precedence over the motion that was on the floor. Loso stated the motion to table, you second it, and there is no discussion, you vote on it. Reber stopped all discussion and moved on. Hll::l'tJ:::NZ: 1> The Planning Commission approved a proposal presented by the owners of the Linnemann Inn to install a step system :fire escape. They also approved a 4 way flashing light at College Avenue and 11innesota Street intersection and recommended a study to consider a 1lashing light at the entrance to the colle>ge on West Minnesota Stree>t. Pa£1e 2b 1 'I August 4 19'::J4 ~, Rieke made a motion to ask the County to consider a four way stop at the intersection of :.3rd Avenue and West 11innesota Street at the college en trance, and install a flashing red light at the existing four way stop at the intersection of Minnesota Street and College Avenue; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: Nune. Motion ca:r~ried. 2) APU met and Nay or- keber and Hiemenz attended. NayoI" Heber stated that they ar'E:-' attempting to preserve the 33r"d Street corridor, in St. Cloud, although ther'e is much opposition to it. This is in the 2015 I'uad plafl. 3) APU also discussed proposed bicycle pedestrian routes. Concerns cj-"p:r'€:'ssed we:r'e that they are proposed in heavy traffic streets, and 'Lhat they ar'e being px'oposed as exeI'cise and recreation routes, and not as alternative transportation routes to and frum work. 1'Iayor Heber s-Lated -Lhat bike paths should be planned in all city street upgrades. 4) S-Lar' City Cummission is requesting authol'ization to allow the Ninnesut.a Design 'ream to come to our city, for community and µrofessilJf1al evaluation. Hiemenz made a motion -La approve undel~wri ting the $:3,000 cost for' the Design 'ream with part of the cost to be rei 1ill.lursed by community organizations. The motion was seconded by Hazen. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Notion carried. ~) The par'king lot plan íor- the water tower property, as proposed by !'lark Lamber't has been discarded. He has made a lease arrangement with -Lhe Hailroad to use all railroad :cight of way p:r-'operty for overflow pal king 10r his apartments. NENTAL HUU~lNG INSP~CTUH HEPUHTS: Alan Rassier, Hental Housing Inspector, I'epor-Led on the status of the rental housing inspections. He stated that most of the properties are licensed for the coming year but the following pr'oI-H:rties need an extension to complete the required cOITecticHIS; :32 Fir'st Avenue N1::, Peter Umann, owner :¿l Fir'st Avenue NW, City of St. Joseph l~.~ \'1. Ninnesota SL, I\urt Schneider, owner 120 2nd Avenue NW, Bill Gohman, owner Tbe Council was supportive of the Housing Inspector giving appropriate extensions, if the property owner is making progress on the improvements. Hassier asked if the Council would support him in his n::>quirements for licensing. Hieke asked about the paper trail for verification. Hassie-r stated that the owner receives a copy of the inspection report which shows what corrections are needed. Council agreed that cCJrrections and repairs which involve safety are the most urgen-L. Hassie:c stated that he will file the extensions with Stapleton. Additionally, next year he intends to require more cUITectiuns the outside of the proper-Lies, an asked ' J: the Council on ~.l. would support him. Hieke stated that the paper trail and City Ordinances and pCJlicies would be supported. Nay or Heber stated that Page 2b2Ø August 4, 1<;;1<;;14 Council asked Scherer's opinion i:f the City should assume any costs o:f homeowners changing their addresses to the new addresses assigned by the City. Scherer stated that he did not believe the City would. ::)} Questioned was i:f it is allowable to revert to the previous policy :for exempt and non-exempt employees. Scherer stated that as long as it complies with FLSA it is allowable. J::ssentially you are asking i:f exempt employees can be given the same bene:fits and non-exempt, and this is allowable. PUHLIG WUkKS Dlk1:;GTUk REPURTS: Dick Taufen, Public Works Director, appeared before the Council to give his report. 1} Mayor Reber asked if Taufen authorized hauling of water to the Township to :fill a swimming pool with the fire truck about two years ago. Mayor Reber also stated that hauling water to the new sod on East Baker street was not allowed at that time. Taufen responded that he had allowed a ~irefighter's request to haul bulk water, because of the circumstances and assurance of payment for the water. Mayor Reber stated that any further requests be brought to the Council table :for approval. Additionally Mayor Heber asked how much of the chain link fence do we have which was removed from the park. Taufen stated that there is about 1~Ø to 1'/~ feet of fence. 2) 'raufen presented a proposal from Hardrives to repair the roadway to 'lhe City Shop area at a cost of $2,~12. This would include removing old bituminous, replace and compact up to 4 inches of class ~ gravel, and place and compact a two inch mat. This would be from inside the ience to the end of the maintenance shop. Taufen also presented a quote of $820 to repair an alley between Birch and Ash streets, west íram College Avenue, where it washes out. Mayor Reber recommended installation of an apron on the north side of the maintenance shop. Tauíen agreed that this would be helpíul. Hiemenz made a motion to approve the proposal for the roadway repair, alley repair and installation oí a 80 íoot apron as presented; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Heber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. 3) Dan Marin is a property owner of the former 8-plex, has asked Hardrives to install a driveway in conjunction with the OH 52 project, and has indicated to Hardrives, that the 20 :foot strip oí boulevard area is city responsibility. Council was in agreement that it is the responsibility of the property owner who is installing the driveway to pay íar the boulevard area of the driveway also. 4) The Council has considered the new sprinkler law requirement for reviewal of plans for building construction. It was discussed at the Mutual Aid meeting, and Taufen recommended that the City turn the requirements over to the State. Tauíen also stated that the City Building Official would like to meet with representatives of the area cities to discuss this matter. Hazen made a motion to turn the requirements of the new sprinkler law over to the State of Minnesota, con'lingent on Taufen's response írom the area meeting; seconded by Hieke. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. ¡'age 2b2j August 4, 19~4 BOY :ìCUUT llUILUlNG: Bob Kroll of NSP does not :cecommend separate gas lines being run to the Boy Scout building but to tap off: from the meter at the city maintenance shop. We would have to hire another company to install the line because NSP does not do that work. We would save on the minimum monthly bills for the building. Hiemenz made a motion to get a quote for installation and bring it back the Council under Old Business. The motion was seconded by Hazen. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hazen. Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. HEYUEST TU VACATE ALLEYS: Taufen stated that St. Ben's main sewer line comes out behind the Lab :3chool. Additionally the Lab School is installing some equipment behind the school and fire truck access needs to be considered. keber' asked when the budget would be ready. Stapleton stated that she had planned t.o get it out on Monday. Hazen and other Members of the Council indicated that they would like to have it on Friday but Nonday WCJ1..Üd be acceptable. Stapleton indicated that her staff would try to get it out on Friday. lÜeke made a motion to adjourn at ':1:45 p. m. ; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Heber, Hieke, Loso, Hazen, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Hachel Staplet n Clerk/Administrator