HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 [11] Nov 21
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November 21, 1985 _0~J
Pursuant to due calland notice thereof the City Council of the City of st.
Joseph met in session on Thursday, November 21, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Mike Loso; Councilmen Bud Reber, steve Dehler, Leo Sadlo,
Ross Rieke; city Clerk, Bob Johnson (8:15 p.m.).
Others Present: Art Reber; Kathy Bruns, Courier Editor; Donna Blanchette, Chairperson,
Parks Commission; David Hollander; Hope and Charles Klocker.
7:30 p.m. - utility Delinquency Hearings: Three delinquent utility accounts had been
notified of hearing. No one appeared.
A motion was made by Dehler seconded by Sadlo to certify delinquent accounts to
County Auditor for attachment to tax statements.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Council Minutes: Council minutes of the November 17, 1985 meeting were approved on
motion by Sadlo seconded by Reber.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Election Boundaries: A motion was made by Reber seconded by Rieke to approve and
adopt the City election boundaries recommended and approved by the state
Planning Agency.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
8:00 p.m. - Cable Hearing continued: Persons Present: Kathy Bruns, Courier editor;
Art Reber.
The westel Cable Systems, Inc. hearing to consider proposed rate increases, held
on November 7, 1985 at 8:30 p.m. and continued to this meeting on November 21,
1985, was opened by Mayor Loso. Westel Cable Systems, Inc. was not represented
at this continued hearing and no one else appeared to speak in favor of the rate
increase as requested.
Cable Rate Increase Motion: A motion was made by Dehler seconded by Reber to deny the
Westel, Inc. request for rate increase at this time for the following reasons:
1) The current rate is comparable to Paynesville, Albany, Melrose and
st. Cloud in this area.
2) The current basic rate is below state average.
3) Substantial hookup scheduled for completion in October, 1984, was not
achieved until mid-summer of 1985.
4) Most cable subscribers have not had cable service for a full year.
5) Many billing problems such as double billing and no billing for a perid
of months were reported.
6 ) The closing of the office in the City without prior notice and relocating
to a site two miles north at the headend site was at least a disappoint-
ing and un-business-like action.
7) All service calls now must be made to Norwood, Minnesota, therefore,
response to complaints within, 24 hours seems unlikely.
8) Accounting statements submitted do not provide a true picture of local
operating costs. High start-up costs should have been anticipated and
certainly not expected to be recovered in the first year of operation.
9) City Cable Board members have strongly voiced opposition to a rate
increase at this time.
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The motion to deny the rate increase request was approved unanimously on vote
by: Councilmen Sadlo, Reber, Rieke, Dehler and Mayor Loso.
Hearing was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Historical Tape Purchase: A motion was made by Rieke seconded by Reber to purchase
a second tape (History of st. Joseph - Part 1). The first tape was presented
to the City without charge.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
street Lighting Update: The Council received revised copies of City street lighting
system from NSP along with new rate schedule. NSP plans call for a changeover
of street lighting from mercury vapor to hi-pressure sodium units with changes
approved by the Council after review and study.
8:40 p.m. - City Budget Hearing: The 1986 City Budget Hearing was opened by Mayor
Loso: Council reviewed budget matters - general operating and Capital Outlay.
The following allocations were proposed by the City Council:
Revenue Sharing
street Maintenance Fund transfer --------- 10,000.00
Senior Citizen (RSVP) -------------------- 1,000.00
City Hall Renovation --------------------- 10,000.00
City Historical Preservation ------------- 2,000.00
Parks Improvement ------------------------ 8,000.00
Police Vehicle --------------------------- 9,000.00
Total ----------------- 40,000.00
Capital Improvements
Maintenance Equipment Fund --------------- 10,000.00
Sewer Project Contingency Fund ----------- 15,000.00
Water System Improvement ----------------- 9,000.00
Hockey Rink Improvement ------------------ 3,000.00
Departmental Capital Outlay:
a. Administration --------- 7,000.00
b. Fire ------------------- 3,500.00
c. Police ----------------- 4,000.00
d. Wastewater plant ------- 1,400.00
e. Water Fund ------------- 12,000.00
f. Maintenance ------------ 25,232.00
g. Maintenance Equip. Fund- 6,000.00 59,132.00
96,132.00
Budget hearing closed at 9:30 p.m. (Council recess 9:32 - Council reconvened
at 9:43 p.m..)
9:30 p.m. - Engineer/Sewer Grant Matters: Engineer Bettendorf presented sewer
project grant application and preliminary cost breakdown data.
A motion was made by Dehler seconded Rieke to submit grant application to
Minnesota pollution Control Agency (~IPCA) and authorize Mayor and Clerk to
sign official documents.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Engineer also presented a copy of the construction engineering agreement. A
copy to be submitted to City Attorney for review. Sewer use agreement (with
changes) ready to be submitted to st. Cloud.
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Parks Commission plans: Donna Blanchette, Parks Commission Chairperson,
appeared before the Council and presented a Parks Commission 4-phase plan for
City parks improvement. Total cost of improvement plans listed at $31,500.
Project depends on available funding.
I The Parks Commission plan to construct a skating rink in Centennial Park met
with some Council opposition. A safety question was raised due to abutting
Birch street and 2nd Avenue Northwest that might result in youngsters moving
across these streets, especially Birch street to sliding area. The shelter
building is currently used extensively for winter storage of vehicles, equip-
ment, etc. by Maintenance Department. The skating rink matter is to receive
further survey attention.
Expenditure of funds and park changes or improvements require Council decision.
Council representative Dehler will present plans and other park related matters
to Council.
4-Way stop - Minnesota street: The 4-way stop area to receive review and examination
to improve visibility at intersection on College Avenue and Minnesota street.
Maintenance to contact Police Chief Bill Lorentz and County Engineer's office.
Dick Taufen - Maintenance: El Paso ditch project reviewed. County request - prior
to refunding $100.00 deposit for restoration.
A motion was made by Dehler seconded by Reber to notify County restoration is
not satisfactory.
Voting for motion: Dehler, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke.
Voting against motion: Loso. Motion carried.
I Hockey rink ready for installation of boards. Second rink boards have been
removed.
Baseball Park fence and warning track projects have been completed.
Snow plowing policy - to continue as in past.
Water pumping loss believed to be 100,000 gallons per day. Engineer advised
to obtain data on meter rental for system check on motion by Rieke
seconded by Sadlo. Gate valve system to be updated for greater area control
and replacement of defective units.
Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
Council Reports: (Rieke) Reviewed Planning Commission minutes.
Mayor Loso closed meeting at 11:08 p.m. to consider litigation and police
matters. Police matters review included a citizen complaint. Meeting to be
scheduled.
Adjournment: Ayes: Loso, Reber, Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke at 11:25 p.m.
Nayes: None Motion carried.
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