HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 [11] Nov 21
Page 1994
November 21, 1991
I
Pursuant to due ca I I and notice thereof, the City Counc i I for the City
of St. ,] oseph met in regular session on Thursday, November 21, 1991 at
7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hal I.
Members Present: Mayor Steve Dehler. Members of the Counc i I Leo Sadlo,
Ross Rieke (arrived at 7: 10 p. m. ) , Bob Loso, Stephanie Hazen. Clerk/
Administrël.tor Rachel Stapleton.
Others Present: Deputy ClerK Judy \-Jeyrens, Eddie Och, Nelda Lampher,
Jerry Johnson, Thomas Symanietz, Lee Kapsne r, Steve Frank, Mike Hazen,
Hugo Weyrens, Art Reber, Daniel Nierenga.rt.en, Deborah Reber, G I a.dys
Schneider, Don Schneider, Bud Reber, DicK Taufen, Dennie Stueve, Donna
& Larry Rademacher, Ron Kostreba., Mike Loso, Hub Klein, Ronald V.
Eiynck, Edmund Kreme r, i>1 r . l" f'1rs. Aloys D.c I" Jr. Merl Gretsch,
, lël.nnensr-eln,
Gerry Klaphke, Leon Hoffma.nn, Terry Skoczen, Peggy La Due.
t1ayo r Dehler call ed the meeting to order a. t 7:00 p. m. and opened the
truth in taxation budget a.nd levy hea.r i ng. He discussed the proposed
levy, and the advertised 31.3% proposed tax increase, as required by
stël.te truth in taxël. t i on ma.nda. te.
.Judy I,.,leyrens, Deputy Clerk, discussed the proposed budget for 1992 in
relation to the current budge t, which included the following:
** The need to 1.1S8 existing budget reserves to balance the budget I
due to the decrease in sta.t.e local government a.id.
** The budget does not provide a contingency fund for 1992.
** The effect the i ncrea.se wi I 1 ha.ve on va.r i ous levels of homes
and how the loss of local government aid affects levy limits.
** The difference between the property tax amount ëI.nd the levy
amoun t.
** The total property tax for a.ll the + . .¡. . and the city's
en-Jl'Jles
portion.
** The percentage amounts of proposed increase and the actual
affect on property.
** The proposed levy for 1992 is $228,112 and the proposed
property tax is $127,166.
** Enterprise fund revenues a.nd expenditures and the increase in
water and sewer.
Question: Steve Fr.3.nk: On the ta.x stat.ement the tota.l tax for 1991 and I
1992, there are different figures than is shown in the proposed tax
levy in the proposed budget for 1991 or 1992. \-Jhy aren't the figures
the same?
An::n.¡er- ~ We don't r·eee i ve OUr' taxes until the end of the yea r, and
therefore the year to date amount does not include a I 1 the taxes.
A 1 SC) the tax I e¡·l.~l includes HACA and equalization aid.
PB.S8 lÇ!Ç!S
Steve Frank: What is the difference between the $228,112 on levy and
the $127,166 on the ta.x statement?
Answer~ The differeI1I:Je between those numbers is est i ma. t e d stõJte a.i d
of HAC A of $81~Q74 and EqwaLi~ation aid of $38~972~ These amounts
are added to the amount on the tax s tël. tement to Gomprise the City ta. x
levy. We do not Know if these figures are going to stay the same or
not. Also the City must levy dollars, so the amount of dollars we
received is estël.bl ished, unless state aid a.mounts change.
Steve Fra.nK: \ole ·:;I.re hurting because of the loss of state ëI. i d but I
don't see a.ny reflect.ion of the ëldded one half percent i ncrea.se in
sël.les tax which you people passed (under protest, eël.rlier. Why isn't
t hël. t reflected in here?
Answer: Thël. t sales tax is being set aside in a. fund, by the state,
des i gnël. ted to be used for property tax relief.
G I ëI.dys Schneider: I s the proposed i ncrea.se just something which you do
eël.ch year and is it every yea.r such a big raise? I didn't think
finances were a problem in St. Joseph, since we esta.blished a reserve
ëI.mount.
Ans\....er: As with everything else our costs escalate each yeëlT,
ëI.lthough we try to keep it in check. I t is necessary to keep a
reserve ëI.moun t for designated future pla.ns, in order to ma.ke them an
ëI.ctuël.1 ity in the future. I t is hea.l thy economically to plan
financially for the future.
Also, we do not get our tax revenue or local government aid until
our budget yea.r is one ha.l f over, so \....13 need to hël. v e enough reserve
to cëI.sh flow until \'..'8 receive the ta.xes a.nd LGA.
Gladys Schneider: Shouldn't we be living within our means?
Answer: Thël. t is wha.t we are attempting to do.
t1ë1. ny questions followed as to the ëI.mount of home tax d.nd how much the
tël.X i ncrea.se \....ou I d be on eël.ch home.
Bud Reber stated that our legisla.tors better be made a\....ar e of the fact
that the information sent out to residents is not understandable to the
average person, even ëI.ttorneys, and less confusion would be created if
i nforma.t i on \....ou I d be sent out in an understanda.b I e fël.shion. People
compare the va.r i ous locaL government a.nd don't under s ta.nd why one hël.s a
large increase and a.nother mël.y decrease it. But the increase or
decrease may not be in proportion to the comparison of increase or
decrease in budgets.
The Clerk explained tha.t local government a. id is to é3.ssist cities in
their va.r i ous needs. st. .Joseph receives a larger proportion than mël.ny
other cities because of our 10\.... tax ba.se a.nd lël.rge amount of non-
taxable property. Also, we have very I it tIe i ndustr iël.l and commerciël.l
taxable property. Therefore, any change in stël.te ëI. i d ëI.ffects St.
Joseph more than some of the other a.rea. cities.
Also discussed were taxable valuation and increases in the Ci ty.
Pa.g8 199(5
í1r. Frank: R8iterat8d t h.;:; t. 1: n l:=' i ,- a. we II run City, out \'.ld. "C. 8 I' '-0/. S e \,¡ e r
'"
is going up, along with taxes. Other area cities are not increasing
taxes at this leve I. A I so, most employees of t' a.rea. ·~.r8 receivirig
" ne
only .. I s3.1 a.ry increêlses if êI.ny. Th i:3 is ,~. S8'·/8re receSSIon, put
m 1 n 1 ma. ,
all things that are not necessary un hold, any increases in services or
equipment..
Answer: Some of the differences In the budget are due to mandates of
the Sta.te, including Pa.y 8quity, and next year we wi I I be f'8quired to
h.;:;ve ;..J 1 .'
e&eCJ:l0ns~
Gladys Schneider felt that .L' City employe8s should get a raise and
,~ne
tha t they a.re doing a. good job. She did not \.¡i sh to see a cut in
services but to hold the line on spending. ~,J e wish to keep a sound
financial City. She a 1 so sa. i d that she didn't feel that the ta. xes
should .go up. Senior citizens don't get an i ncrea.se, except inflation
adjustment and medicaTe increases t a. k e up a.ny increase we get. A I so,
other people are not getting an Increase.
Steve Frank stated that he knows the City is \-/e 1 ì run and .L' ~
opera 1.·1 ni;>
efficiently but does not liKe the proposed increase of 31.3%. He also
d i sCl_~ssed th.3.t the City should not ta. x for pi a.nned needs for the
future.
Several people asked on the different a.moun t s be tI'¡een the proposed tax
levy and the proposed tax; also al I the different percentage amounts
and w ha t they mean. They stated that there is much confusion and that
the system seems more confusing each yeaT.
t'1 i ke Loso stated that he is asking for the levy to be reduced and to
look at the budget a.nd \-/ha. t is 11;:) t currently needed, taKe out and
reserve for future years.
Steve Fra.nk: Tax wisely and. spend wisely·.
11 i ke Loso: The levy shouldn't be increased a.ny more than 12%.
Hub Klein: If the 18\/)/ is reduced \·,rou I d the City be penal iZ8d in future
yea.rs, by lessening the amount of levy a. I lo\.¡ed by the State?
Answer: Las t yea-.r" s levy reduction reduced the a.djusted levy I i m it
base for this year. Bob Loso sta.ted that \-,re didn't rea 1 I y reduced
services because of it.
Question: \~ i I I state aid be cut. a.ga i n next )-' e ð. [' ?
Answer: We don't kno\>,1 '.ç . J \.¡ i I I be cut for the 1882 budget, or in
1 " 1 I,
the y eaT s fo! lo\·,ring.
A letter \,.'as received from Robert Gama.des protesting r..ne proposed "7 Q/
¡ /1;1
increase in taxes and requesting tha.t the increase be a.t a. more
realistic level.
Loso made a. motion to i Dered.S8 1 3.S t. vea. I' s ta. x 1 e v:.¡ by only 12.5%., which
would be $217,055; seconded by Ha.zen.
Ayes: Loso, da.zen.
NS)feS; S2àlC1~ De h ¡ e r, Rieke. Motiun failed.
Fa.ge 1887
Dehler me-.de a. motion to reduce the proposed 1992 levy by the a.moun t
state aid was cut in the or i g i na. I cut In 1981 of $8,125, which would
result in .::1, levy of $218,857, seconded by S.~.d I 0.
Discussion: We aTe n;:)t In ëI.n)' different s ha.pe now th.3.n 1-3.st. ye,31. r
and 'I/a.nt to remain ø. sound finø.nciaI City. \.]e do not
wish to d r a s t. i Cël. I I y reduce our levy limit base for the
future years.
Ayes: Sadlo, De h l e r , Ha.zen, Rieke.
NëI.yes: Loso.. Motion carried.
Question: With growth of t.he City and increase in property vëI.I ues, YO!J.
wi II receive more tax dollars anY\I/a.y.
Answer: No, we levy do I I ar ëI.moun t s and t h a. t is whël.t. we receive.
t1ayo r Dehler stated t. hël. t this e-.pproved budget a.nd levy information, ëI.nd
last years a.ud it is ëI.vai la.ble at the ClerK's Office, a.nd m,31.y be
purcha.sed or checked out by anyone \I/ho wishes to do so.
The hearing was closed a.t 9:37 p.m. with a. motion by Sadlo; seconded. by
Rieke.
Ayes: Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke, Hazen, Loso.
Na.ye s : None. Motion carried.
Loso made ëI. motion to recess for fifteen minutes; seconded by Ha.zen.
Ayes: SëI.d 10, Rieke, Ha.zen, Loso.
Nayes: De hie r. Motion carried.
A~enda. Approva I : Rieke made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by
Hazen.
Ayes: Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke, Hazen, Loso.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Minutes: Loso ma.de ·3 motion to .3.ppr ove the minutes of the October 28,
November 5 and November 7 meeting with ëI. correction to the third pël.ge
of November 7 under Snow Haul ing; the motion \I/as seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: De hIe 1', SëI.dlo, Rieke, Ha.zen, Loso.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
t1ayo r Reports: No report.
Counc i I Reports
Rieke: No Report.
Sadlo: No Report.
Loso: Requested to discuss the fence behind Ed !<a.cures' property,
adjël.cent to David t1ehr's property, a. t the next meeting with the City
Attorney,
Ha.zen: Received a. compla.int on the traffic speed on 9th Ave SEt The
Chief stated tha.t tickets cannot be prosecuted in court under 11 mi I es ,
over the stël.ted speed limit. Hazen stated that she feels if 1 mi I es per
hour is too f a. s t for sa.fet.y" in d. residentia.I zone, a.nel ha.s a.s ked the
Chief to warn drivers going over 33 mph.
Page 1996
Auction C·osts~ Sa.d Ì 0 made ·3. motion t.o 3.pprov8 the a.d··./er-tising costs of
$229.20, to Black Diamond Auctions for the proposed auction, which wa.s
Cd.nce I led due to the Ha I loween storm; seconded by LosCl.
,il\)les: De hie [. ¡ S8-dlo~ Rieke, Ha:::en, Loso.
Nayes: None. r·1 0 t ion carried.
Audio ~. t Rieke made a. motion tC} approve $575 to Audio, Etc. ,
~qu I pmen·, :
for equipment ònd installation of the d.mpl ifica.tion system In the C~ i 1:. 'y'
H.d 1 I ; seconded bv Sa.d I o.
oJ
Ayes: Dehler, Sadlo, 1:" , Hazen, Loso.
L\.18K8,
Nd.yes: None. t-1otion ca.rried.
Discussion of refuse rates \'.'3.5 deferred unt i I t.he next. meeting.
Presidentia.1 Primary; Sa.d! 0 ma.de -. motion t.o approve a. resolu.t.iGn,
joint Stearns County in urging the Sta.te Legislature to repeal prior
legis13tion \.J h i c h est.a.bl ished a. Presidentia.l Primary; seconded 0)"- LOSO.
^ .., 0 r- " [Jehler, Sa.d 1 0, Rieke, H ·3. z: ell, Loso.
n,) '..J.;;}"
Na.yes: None. 1'1 <;) t ion carried..
C·¡;)d8 of Ord i n3.nce Book~ SCi.d.l0 suggest.ed tha t the book De s e pa. r 3. t 8 d . l..
In '.0
several books by ca. t ego r y .
City Engineer Report.s: .Joe Bett.endorf, City Engineer, reported that
there would be changes \,rithin his firm (Pauly, Olsen, Bet.tendorf,
Eas t\·¡ood and Assoc.). The firm ha.s come to a.n agreement of Intent to
ì'1erge with the . . firm Short., Ei 1 iot., Hendrickson, \'!ithin the
engIneerIng
nea.r future. This is a. much larger J:: . \./ it h more areas of expertise.
1 I I'm,
Rates a.re not expected to cha.nge any more than in pas t year s.
C I overda. I e Estates Fifth Addition: Sa.d I 0 made a motion to send Dale
Salo a letter expla.ining t ha. t the ¡--'. +- IS denying h; ~ request for a.
,--,1 ,_,)/ L ""
refund of $2,000 for inspection fees, for C I overda.! e - t ' Fifth
~s ~a."tes
Addition; seconded by Rieke.
A'JQ~' De h ì e r, r_ '1 Rieke, Hazen, Loso.
_, ',,1 Q .. .:>O.Q ¡ 0,
Nayes: None. ì'iotion carried.
Gambling Permit Application: Peggy LaDue of Central ¡'1N S 8 X U-3. i Assau It
Center, presented a.nd requested that the Counc i I consider a t1 i nnesota
La....¡fu I Gambling application to conduct gambling at the La Playette Bar
a.nd Res taura.n t. Hazen made a motion to a.pprave the Gambling
Appì ication as presented; seconded b" Loso.
. )'
Ayes: Deh I er, Sadlo, Rieke, Hazen, Loso.
Nayes: None. ì1otion carried.
Adjourn: Sadlo made a motion tu a.djourn at 10:24- p. ni. ; seconded by
H8zen.
Ayes: Dehler, Sadlo, Rieke, Hazen, I...oso.
Nayes: None. ¡'1otion caTried.
Q
Rachel Stapleton
City Clerk/Administrator