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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 [01] Jan 16 I I I I i I January 16, 2003 Page 1: of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular sessiln on Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. I , I , Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke. Administrator Judy Weyrens. I I I I Approve Aaenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of 9 (b) Meeting Schedule and removing the following items from the consent agenda: 3 (b) December 4 and i December 10, 2002 minutes; 3 (e) Liquor License - Bill Nelson. The motion was seconded by I Rieke and passed unanimously. i I Consent Aaenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. City Representatives Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Police Ghief Pete Jansky Others Present: Bill Nelson, Tom Borresch, Paul Ampe, Robby Robinson a. Approve bills payable, check numbers 32308 - 32385. b. Approve the minutes of January 3, 2003. c. Affirm the Gable Franchise Agreement for US Gable. d. Authorize the Administrator to execute the revised Deferred Gompensation Plan accommodating the 2002 Tax Reform Statutes. e. Removed. I f. Accept the recommendations of the Planning Gommission and grant a 15% variance 6n the exterior requirements in a 82 Zoning District and a Special Use Permit to aI/ow I industrial warehousing in the same zoning district. : g. Accept the recommendations of the Planning Gommission and approve the Final Plat for Buettner Business Park Park 1/ creating two three acre parcels. I , , Minutes - 2002: Schneider made a motion to approve the minutes of December 4 and Decembe~ 10,2002 as presented. The motion was seconded by Rassier. ¡ Ayes: Hosch, Rassier, Schneider Nays: None. Abstain: Rieke, Wick Motion Carried 3:0:2 Liauor License: Bill Nelson appeared before the Council to request an On Sale Liquor License. Nelson stated that he has recently purchased property adjacent to 88th Avenue and County Road 75 and is i planning on constructing a steak house similar to the Timber Lodge or Outback. However, before he tan close on the property and begin architectural drawings, he is looking for approval of a liquor license. i Weyrens reported that the required background check has been completed and the Police Chief is I recommending approval of the license. i I Wick made a motion authorizing the issuance of an Sale Liquor License to Bill Nelson to operate a Steak House. The motion is contingent upon Nelson providing proof of insurance and submitting the required license fees. The motion was seconded by Rassier. I Ayes: Hosch, Rassier, Wick, Rieke Nays: None. Abstain: Schneider Motion Carried 4:0:1 Public Comments to the Aaenda: No one present wished to speak. City Engineer Reports Transportation Plannina: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the Council with two resolutions of support for requesting federal funding for two corridor studies. Bettendorf stated that an open house was conducted on January 13, 2003 at which time two future east/west corridors were discussed. One I corridor is located south of Kennedy School and is known as Field Street. The second corridor is located January 16, 2003 Page 2 of 4 north of County Road 75 and will connect to County Road 133. As stated at the open house, the City is experiencing rapid growth and if growth is to be orderly, transportation corridors must be reviewed. Federal funding regulations have recently changed and corridor studies are now eligible for federal funding. Bettendorf clarified that federal funding for transportation is competitive and the City is competing for funding for the year 2006. If the City is successful in securing funding, it would be advisable to consider advance funding so the corridor studies could be conducted immediately. I Rassier made a motion to adopt Resolution 2003-01 supporting the north east-west corridor study which will begin at CSAH 3 northwest of the City, proceeding easterly around the north side of St. Joseph. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Rassier made a motion to adopt Resolution 2003-02 supporting the south east-west corridor study which will begin at CSAH 2 southwest of the City, proceeding easterly around the south side of Sl Joseph. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Bettendorf stated the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the St. Cloud APO will make a recommendation to the APO full board. Projects that are successful at the full board will be placed in the federal funding bill for the St. Cloud Area and funding must then be received federally. It is common for projects receiving approval at the full board level to be federally funded. MNDOT Contract for Services: Bettendorf presented the Council with a partnership contract between Mn/DOT and St. Joseph whereby the City can have MnDOT perform certain services over a five (5) year period. The services include but are not limited to: plant inspection and laboratory analysis. This contract would only apply to projects where State-Aid funding is involved. Bettendorf stated that by entering into the submitted agreement it does not require the City to use MnDOT to perform the services, rather provides an opportunity. Wick made a motion adopting resolution 2003-03, authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Partnership Agreement between MnDot and the City of Sl Joseph to provide transportation services. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. I Street Beautification Proiect: Bettendorf reported that Design Electric has indicated the first 20 lights have arrived for College Avenue. Bettendorf questioned if there is a location preference for the light poles as the remaining lights will not arrive until early Spring. Rassier stated that the location of electrical wires will determine where the lights will be placed. He stated it is his understanding that the electricity is only extended to the cemetery. Therefore, it would seem reasonable to start the lights on College Avenue North. Hosch stated that he has received a concern regarding the safety of College Avenue South. At the present time the last street light is located at East Baker Street, leaving the sidewalk area along the College dark. Hosch questioned if a portion of the lighting could be placed south of East Baker Street to provide safety for residents walking to the College entrance. Rassier responded that the location of the lights will be determined by where electricity is available. The Council referred this matter to Bettendorf, Rassier and the Public Works Director. Mayor Reports Mavor Appointments: Hosch reported that he not completed the Mayor's Appointments as there are still vacancies on the following Boards/Committees: Park Board, Ethics Committee, School Board Committee and Downtown Theme Committee. Hosch stated that anticipates presenting the Council with the annual appointments on February 6, 2003. Racial Harmonv Committee: Hosch reported that he recently attended a meeting with the Police Chief I regarding Racial Harmony. The City of St. Cloud is hosting monthly meetings with the area Police Chiefs, Mayors and interested groups to promote racial harmony. I I I ~"..""",.....".~..,,,--^,.., I I January 16, 2003 Page 30f 4 Council Reports RIEKE I Miscellaneous: Rieke stated he is excited to be part of the Council again and looks forward to workind with the Mayor, Councilors and City Staff. Rieke stated that he previously served on the Council from I 1984 to 1996. I RASSIER Junk Car Ordinance: Rassier requested the Council reconsider the Amendmen't to the Junk Car Ordinance. Rassier stated that he has been approached by a business owner who indicated the Ordinance as adopted may cause problems for some businesses. Rassier further stated that he understands the intent of the Ordinance is to provide enforcement authority, but feels the Council should review the Ordinance further. Hosch disagreed with Rassier and stated that the Council has discussed the Junk Car Ordinance for the past six weeks and a decision has been made. Unless new information is available the Council needs to enforce the action taken previousiy by the Council. Plannina Commission: Rassier stated the Planning Commission discussed the use of the St. Joseph Newsleader as the official paper for legal publications. As the paper is only published once a week, developers can be required to wait an additional 30 days before the Planning Commission can consider action on a request. The Commission requested the Council consider appointing the St. Cloud Times I and St. Joseph Newsleader as the official paper so that developers are not delayed. The Council agr~ed to consider this matter at a later time. ' WICK - No Report SCHNEIDER Council Resianation: Schneider regretfully informed the Council that he is resigning from the Council effective immediately. Schneider stated that he needs to spend time with his family and indicated that resigning at this time, before projects begin would be in the best interest of the City. Schneider furthe~ stated that he enjoyed his tenure as Council and thanked those present for their support. I , , Hosch thanked Schneider for serving on the Council for the past two years and requested that Schneider remain on the Wobegon Committee and the Park Board, to which Schneider agreed. Hosch stated the Council needs to consider how to fill the vacant Council position. Weyrens stated that the Council ha'1 three options: 1) Election; 2) Appointment by application; 3) Appointment based on the November 20q2 Election. Weyrens clarified that conducting an election would be cost prohibitive and the Council should consider some method of appointment. I I Hosch stated that since the most recent election is within 60 days, he would consider appointing the third highest candidate. Hosch stated that since the Council appointment must be representative of the I Community and the third highest candidate on the November Election received considerable write-in I votes. In his opinion a candidate receiving considerable write-in votes is representative of the people ;'IS a box is simply not checked, the voter must take the initiative to write-in a namj' I Rieke stated that it is his opinion that the City should seek applications to fill the Council vacancy as hè has heard residents express interest in serving the City. He further stated that while he does not disagree with Hosch, but if the third candidate does not have an interest in serving on the Council will it then be' offered to the fourth candidate? Rieke stated that he recalls many write-in candidates on the electionl , summary. ' Rassier and Wick concurred with Rieke and requested the Council vacancy be filled only after applications are accepted and the Council interviews all candidates. The Council agreed to fill the i I I "'T I I '·6ci;. January 16, 2003 Page 4 of 4 Council vacancy immediately, accepting applications until 5:00 PM January 30, 2003 and interviewing all candidates on February 4, 2003. I Schneider stepped down from his chair at 7:50 PM Police Chief Reports Leased Sauad Cars: Police Chief Pete Jansky requested authorization to execute the agreements to return the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria and lease a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The lease agreement is between the State of Minnesota, Travel Management with a monthly lease cost of $ 765.63 including gasoline and oil. Jansky stated that leasing the squad cars has been determined to be cost effective and allows the vehicles to be traded after three years without taking a loss on the vehicle. Jansky further stated that most agencies in Stearns County have converted from owning squad cars to leasing. Rieke made a motion authorizing the Administrator to execute the lease agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Minnesota Travel Management for the lease of a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria and to return the 1999 leased squad. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Janksy clarified that additional equipment for the car may be required and he would provide information to the Council at a later time. Administrator Reports Pav Eauitv Report: Weyrens reported that the City must submit the 2002 Pay Equity Report. Each municipality is required to report to the Department of Employee Relations certification verifying equal pay between male and female classes. Based on the software provided by DOER, it appears as the City will not be incompliance with the Pay Equity Act. As a proactive measure Weyrens stated that she will send I notification along with the required report that the City of St. Joseph will review the pay equity and make the necessary corrections to be in compliance with the pay equity act. Weyrens requested the Council consult with the League of Minnesota Cities or an independent firm to complete the pay equity analysis and make recommendations to the City Council. Rieke made a motion to accept the Pay Equity report, authorizing the Mayor to execute the necessary documents and authorizing the Administrator to seek proposals to complete a pay equity study if necessary to place the City in compliance with the Pay Equity requirements. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Temporarv Help: Weyrens reported that the Secretary/Receptionist is currently on medical leave and is anticipated to be on leave for three to six weeks. Weyrens requested authorization to hire temporary help as needed during the medical leave. Rassier made a motion authorizing the Administrator to fill the SecretarylReceptionist position with temporary help during the medical leave of the current employee. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 PM; seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. ~e~~ ~~s~rator I