HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 [11] Nov 07
November 7, 1985 1 Q t'=;: 1
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council of the City of st. Joseph
met in session on Thursday, Nov~mber 7, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.
Members Present: Bud Reber, Acting Mayor; Councilmen: steve Dehler, Leo Sadlo,
Ross Rieke; City Clerk, Bob Johnson; City Treasurer, David Weyrens.
(Absent: Mayor Mike Loso, out of town.)
others Present: Greg Kacures; Al Schloemer; Tillie Wasner; Herb Dehler; Kathy Bruns,
Courier Editor; Vera Schloemer; Roman Reber, Building Inspector; Dick Manderfeld;
Charles Eckroth; Ed Kacures; Donna Blanchette; Hugo Weyrens, Mayor(ret.);
Charles Klocker.
Treasurer Report: A motion was made by Sadlo seconded by Dehler to approve City
Treasurer David Weyrens report as presented.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Minutes: City COQDcil meeting minutes of October 17, 1985, were approved on motion
by Dehler seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Bills: A motion was made by Sadlo seconded by Dehler to pay bills as presented.
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Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
street Lighting: Street lighting change-over from MV to Hi pressure sodium will receive
further review and upgrading after receipt of a corrected NSP plan.
Confidential Legal Matters: Current information, insurance company reports and
Attorney recommendations on pending litigation presented to Council for review.
8:00 p.m. Hearing - Al Schloemer: Al Schloemer and a group (6 - 8) senior citizens
appeared before the Council for the following reasons:
a) A report on proposed wall-door project for City Hall. The project has been
delayed for several reasons: 1) several months delay in obtaining a second
quote; 2) the contractor awarded on a low bid, Tom Backes Construction, indi-
cated some problem in obtaining the custom built door.
b) Schloemer questioned building security - a number of items were missing
from kitchen; PA system has been damaged several times. More storage room needed.
c) Council members questioned the lack of programming at senior center and
informed seniors building was not designed for some of the activities, etc.
discussed.
Motion - Storage Room: On motion by Rieke seconded by Dehler, the seniors were granted
permission to use the abutting room for storage and are to be issued a key.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Westel, Inc. Cable Rate Hearing: The Westel Cable Systems, Inc. hearing to consider
a request for rate changes opened at 8:30 p.m. The cable franchisee has sub-
mitted a request for the following rate increases effective December 1, 1985 :
Basic - 9.95 to 10.95 (10%)
Remote - 3.00 to 4.00 ( 33%)
Additional Outlets - to 2.00
FM Service - to ?;OO
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Jim Decker, Westel, Inc. , City Cable franchisee, reported cable rates had
been deregulated by the Federal 1984 Cable Act. New regulations allowed a
5% rate increase for 1986 with total deregulation in 1987, according to Decker.
Decker presented an accounting statement for the period January 1 through
August 31, 1985. Westel, Inc. billing statement received November 1, 1985
included notice of rate increase effective December 1, 1985.
Closed office in city of st. Joseph on July 1, 1985 to cut overhead. Notified
City of office closing on July 11, 1985 (letter) . Technicians to be located
at tower site - two miles north of st. Joseph. Service calls must be directed
to Norwood, MN - 800-642-5509. Monday and Thursday are designated service days
for st. Joseph.
Average cost of basic rate in state currently at $11.11, according to Decker.
A number of persons cited billing problems: double billings/no billings.
Concern raised regards company survival even with a rate increase. Decker
indicated company has right to take 5% increase but company does not wish to
use this method. Not many subscribers have had cable a year. Decker to
provide area rates comparison and copy of the 1984 Cable Act.
Hearing continued to next meeting on December 5, 1985.
(Letter from Rick and Karen Ahles read and presented. (Karen Ahles - member
of City Cable Board). Other members of Cable Board spoke in opposition to
the Westel, Inc. rate increase request.)
Franchise fees (3%) payable reports show $10.62 for December, 1984 as fi rst
payment to City. Total fees received by City through September, 1985 (3rd
quarter) were $667.96.
The Cable Franchise Ordinance #1984-A became effective \1ith publication on
June 15, 1984.
The hearing was scheduled for continuation at the next Council meeting on
November 21, 1985 on motion by Sadlo seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None ]"lotion carried.
Council recessed at 9:25 p.m. and reconvened at 9:30 p.m.
9:30 Engineer Bettendorf: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the st. Cloud
Sewer Use Agreeement for final Council review. The following changes and
corrections will be made in the proposed agreement, for st. Cloud consideration,
as moved by Rieke seconded by Dehler:
1) Change: #3 d. page 4 to include all of st. Benedicts in City service area.
2 ) Change: #8 c. page 8 - maintenance costs for interceptors determined
separately (detail).
3) Change: #8 f. 1. page 9 - time period change for payment of maintenance
fee (prepaid) .
4) Change: paragraph #10 page 11-12 language change and add table based on
capacity instead of flow.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
N aye s : None r.lotion carried.
Council to act on document passage at next meeting on November 21, 1985.
Park Terrace Imp. Final Estimate: Engineer Bettendorf presented final pay estimate
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for Park Terrace street Imp. Project in the amount of $70,614.01. Engineer
recommended payment upon resolution of 3 items listed briefly here:
1. No assessment against contractor for late completion due to weather
conditions.
2. Several clean-up items are not completed and State withholding form must
be submitted by contractor.
3 . settlement of fence post damage dispute between contractor and property
owner Ed Kacures Sr. in the amount of $152.69 must be completed. The
contractor had previously refused to participate in claim indicating
(a) post had been damaged previous to project (b) post was tightened when
driveway repairs were made.
Motion of Approval: A motion was made by Rieke seconded by Dehler to approve final
payment upon resolution of all items listed above by engineer as unresolved.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Mr. Kacures was present to provide Council with his version of case and copy
of repair bill in amount of $152.69, the amount Mr. Kacures stated he would
accept for final settlement of case.
stop Lights Project: Engineer indicated a preliminary engineering report of the
proposed stop light project at the intersection of County Road #75 and County
Road #2 would be ready in 30 days. Engineer recommended keeping proposed plans
simple and confined to intersection for improved chances of funding by the
Federal government. Possibility of power station move to be discussed with NSP.
Suburban Rate Authority: A motion was made by Rieke seconded by Dehler to approve
City joining the Minneapolis Suburban Rate Authority in its effort to oppose
NSP's request for a $129,000,000 increase in electric rates - (a 15% hike).
The cost to the City is estimated at $157.00.
Voting for motion: Rieke, Reber.
Voting against motion: Dehler, Sadlo. Tie vote - motion failed.
The City had joined the Suburban Rate Authority in 1975-76 to successfully
oppose an NSP proposed rate increase at that time.
Police Vehicle Tire Purchase: A request to purchase 2 tires for police vehicle was
approved on motion by Rieke seconded by Sadlo.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Parks Commission Student worker: The City Parks Commission submitted a written
request for City hire of a student worker (College of st. Benedict) to work in
City parks during summer. Due to Federal budget cuts, the federally funded
program would no longer be available. The request also included a job description
of the position. Program period to cover 12 weeks at 30 hours per week. Council
to review matter for early spring action.
Snowmobile Permit Matters: A request from the Sno Joes, Inc. for a snowmobile trail
permit to establish and maintain a trail through Millstream Park, dated Nov. 1,
1985, has been reviewed by Council and City Attorney. The Council on Nov. 7,
1985 directed City Clerk to reply to Sno Joes, Inc. requesting documentation,
and compliance with changes and stipulations as recommended by City Attorney's
office, to allow approval and issuance of the permit. (Copy of communications
on file.)
Council Reports: (Rieke) - Planning Commission met on November 4, 1985. Question of
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rental housing unit in a business district reviewed. Use of special use permit
and other requirements to be reviewed.
Pundsack property, Minnesota st. East, body shop use reported. Operating shop
at night. Complaint received.
Appointments to Commission to be scheduled for January 2, 1986 meeting.
(Dehler) - Report of Parks Commission meeting. Commission reviewing 5-year
park proposal for development. New Millstream Park fund designation to be
considered for January 1, 1986 start.
Ajournment: 11:10 p.m.
Ayes: Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Cable Hearing Attendance Roster:
James E. Decker; Charles A. Eckroth; Arlene Strickler; Greg Kacures; Richard
Manderfeld; Herb Dehl er; Ti 11 ie Wasner; Marcellus schneider; Edward Sinclair;
Hugo B. Weyrens.
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City Clerk