HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 [02] Feb 05
February 5, 2004
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. JOseJh met in regular sessiln
on Thursday, February 5, 2004 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
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Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Gary Utsch, AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke.
Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Citv ReDresentatives Present: Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Police Chief Pete Jansky.
Others Present: Pat Gangl, Herman Gangl, AI Krey
ApDrove AQenda: Ustch made a motion to approve the agenda with removing 3(h) EDA Annual
Report from the consent agenda and placing it with the Mayor's Report. The motion was
seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
Consent AQenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Rieke and passed unanimously.
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Bills Payable -Approve check numbers 33715 - 33819 i.' I
Minutes - Approve as presented, '
Ordinance Amendment - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator t~ execute the Amendment to
Ordinance 80, Regulation of Privafe Streets. The amendment clarifies the time that snow must be
removed. I
Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for payment No, 6 foithe
SE Utility Extension and authorize payment in the amount of $ 14,297.25 to Kueckle Underground,
Application for Payment- Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for payment No, 5 and
authorize payment in the amount of $ 2,318.00 to R. L. Larson Excavating. i
APO Federal Funding Resolution- Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution
2004-_ Supporting the Federal Fiscal T ransportafion priority list. I
Lawful Gambling Exemption - Accept the Gambling Application of the St. Joseph Fire
Department for an event to be held on April 23, 2004 at the Lighthouse.
EDA 2003 Annual Report - Remove for discussion
Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment NO.5 for the
improvements for Liberty Pointe and authorize payment in the amount of $ 78,880.27 to RL I
Larson Excavating.
Change Order - Authorize the Mayor to execute Change Order No, 4 for the Liberty Pointe i
Improvements increasing the contract $ 7,885.00. The change order added Rock Bedding and
compensated the contractor for installing utility crossings. I
Taser Policy - Adopt the Taser Policy as presented by the Police Chief.
Public Comments to the AQenda: No one present wished to speak.
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St. JoseDh CvclinQ Club: Michael Doyle and Ernie Diedrich appeared before the Council on behalf of the
St. Joseph Cycling Club. Ernie Diedrich stated that the St. Joseph Cyciing club formed one year ago and
have completed several bicycle journeys including the Wobegon Trail. Doyle and Diedrich presented the
Council with information on becoming a Bike-Friendly Community. Doyle presented the Council with the
following information regarding the Bike-Friendly Community: , I
· The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign was created by the League of American Bicyclist I
dedicated to promoting bicyciing as a fun recreational activity and as an alternative form of I
transportation.
· Represents over 42 million cyclists nationwide, with a current membership of 300,000 cyclists
actively affiliated with the organization. League members work to promote bicycle friendly I
communities.
· The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a reward program that rewards communities which
have taken active steps to increase bike friendliness in 'their communities. I
· Bicycle Friendly Communities Promote: a safe aiternative form of transportation; reduction in i
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traffic levels and air pollution; improved public health through increased recreation and fitnesr a
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February 5, 2004
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strong sense of community; economic growth through increased levels of tourism; and overail
increase in the quality of life.
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Wick stated that he has reviewed the process for becoming a Bike Friendly Community and it includes
two parts: 1) Inventory of the general community profile and 2) detailed audit of the engineering,
education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation efforts of the community's work to promote
bicycling. Wick stated that he has received the application and has starting completing the inventory.
Utsch stated the before he could agree to participation he would need to know if the program requires a
financial commitment from the City. Wick responded that he has reviewed the application process and he
is unaware of any financial cost to the City. The Bike Friendly program is more of an award program that
supports bicyciing providing publicity to participating communities. Once recognition is received, the
program must be renewed every two years,
Rieke made a motion to support the application process to become a Bicycle Friendly Community
with Councilor Wick working with the 51. Joseph Cycling Club. The motion was seconded by
Wick and passed unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORTS
CaDital Purchase Request: Public Works Director Dick Taufen appeared before the Council to request
additional funding to purchase equipment for the Maintenance Facility. Taufen stated that the Council
had previously authorized the expenditure of $ 40,000 to be used for equipment for the new facility.
Taufen stated that the new shop is still in need of a welder, fuel tank and tools and tool box. Taufen
estimated that an additional $ 10,000 will be needed to purchase the remaining items. Future purchases
will be financed through the budget process.
Utsch expressed concern that a capital purchase item that the Council rated as a low priority was I
purchased and questioned who authorizes the purchases of capital equipment. Utsch was specifically
concerned about the radio base station that was purchased while the Public Works Director was on
vacation. Taufen stated that two members of the Maintenance Staff and himself all purchased items for
the new facility.
Rassier concurred with Utsch and expressed frustration that the one item the Council specifically
requested to be purchased has not been purchased and now additional funding is being requested.
Rassier stated it is important to abide by the established budget. Weyrens stated that if the Council
approves the additional funding it will be expended from the rollover funds designated for street
equipment. Rieke stated that as stewards of the taxpayers money it is important for the Council and staff
to spend money wisely and effectively. Hosch made a motion authorizing the expenditure of an
additional $ 10,000 to be used to purchase the fuel tank, wire feed welder and tools for the new
maintenance facility, allowing a total of $ 50,000 for capital expenditures. The additional $ 10,000
will be expended from the rollover funds for the Maintenance Department. The motion was
seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously.
Water Vulnerability ReDort: Taufen reported that the City must submit a water system vulnerability report
to the State of Minnesota no later than June 30, 2004. Minnesota Rural Water has provided
municipalities with a template for completing such and questioned if the Council wished to contract this
service to SEH. Weyrens stated that the City Office Staff will review the requirements and determine if
the report can be compieted internally. If the report cannot be completed by City Staff, Weyrens will
contact SEH for an estimate to complete the report and report to the Council at the February 11, 2004
Council meeting,
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February 5, 2004
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MAYOR REPORTS ; i I
Fire Board: The Fire Board meet on January 28, 2004 and discussed the sale of the surplus tanker truck.
The truck will be advertised in the League of Minnesota Cities Bulletin with a minimum bid of $ 2,500. Iln
addition, the truck will be advertised in a Township publication, '
Fire Hall Communitv Room Rental Fee: The Fire Board discussed the use of the Community Room at the
Fire Hall and the revenue received. It was the anticipation of the Fire Board that the rental fee collected
would fund replacement of the carpeting and tables as needed. Currently the City is only collecting I
enough revenue to clean the facility. The Fire Board discussed the use of the Fire Hall and is reques\ing
that the rental fee be increased from $ 25.00 to $ 50.00. Hopefully increasing the fee will raise enough
revenue to install new carpeting. Before the fee can be increased, St. Joseph Township will need to I
approve the increase as well. I
As the Fire Hall is used almost every weekend, the Fire Board has requested that the Maintenance Staff
check the Fire Hall each weekend morning and if the facility needs to be cleaned the on-call cleaner i
would be contacted. If the cleaner is required to clean on a weekend the party creating the callout wo'uld
be charged a minimum fee of $ 40.00. This change in fee structure will be placed on the reservation '
form. '
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Rassier made a motion to accept the recommendation and increase the rental fee for the St.
Joseph Community Fire Hall from $ 25.00 to $ 50.00 effective March 1, 2004. This change is
contingent upon St. Joseph Township accepting the same recommendation. The motion was
seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously. '
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EDA Annual ReDort: Hosch reported the EDA met recently and accepted the 2003 annual report. The
annual report includes the following: 2003 appointments; meeting dates; mission statement: 2003 I
prospects/technical assistance/coordination; building permit comparison for five years; diversification of
the tax base; estimated annual increase in new municipal taxes; additional projects undertaken and goals
for 2004. I
The 2004 Officers for the EDA are as follows: Chair - Ross Rieke; Vice Chair - Larry Hosch; Treasurßr-
Mike Deutz; Secretary- Bruce Gohman.
Utsch made a motion to accept the 2003 Annual EDA Report as presented; seconded by Rassier
and passed unanimously. i
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School Committee: Hosch reported the School Committee has been meeting rkgularly on the 1" and b'd
Tuesday of each month. The Committee is still in need of members and are looking to increase the I
membership from 6 to 12. The Committee is in the process of developing a needs assessment survey.
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Area PianninQ OrQanization: The APO Executive Board has recently met and will be requesting the Full
Board approve the 2030 Transportation Plan. In additional the funding requests for 2006/2007 have been
submitted to the Technical Advisory Board and they will be meeting on February 12, 2004 to select I
projects for funding. Hosch reminded the Council that the City has submitted an application for funding to
complete a Transportation Study for two cooridors.
COUNCILOR REPORTS
RIEKE
EDA Teieconference: Rieke reported that he participated in a teleconference on Economic Development
Issues. The event was sponsored in part by the Partnership in St. Cloud. Rieke stated that he would I
make available the information to anyone who is interested. i
February 5, 2004
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Area City LeQislative MeetinQ: Rieke reported that he participated in the area Cities meeting with the
Legislators on Saturday, January 31,2004. The meeting was spent discussing items of mutual concern
such as declining local government aid and sales tax opportunities.
RASSIER
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Stearns County Municipal LeaQue: Rassier reported that he attended the recent Stearns County
Municipal League Meeting where the County Attorney was the guest speaker. Rassier stated that the
League meets quarterly and each meeting includes a guest speaker.
Area City LeQislative MeetinQ: Rassier stated that he too attended the area Cities meeting. In addition to
discussing revenue losses the Cities also discussed business retention.
WICK
Park Board: The Park Board has recently met and appointed Bruce Berghorst as the new Chairperson.
In addition, the Park Board has moved their meeting to the fourth Monday of each month.
Librarv Committee: Wick reported that he attended a listening session for the Great River Regional
Library and they will be discussing the feedback on February 12, 2004.
UTSCH
PlanninQ Commission: The Planning Commission recently met and reviewed a concept plan for
Morningside Acres. The proposed development will include townhomes and single family homes,
ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Fire Mutual Aid AQreement: The Fire Board discussed a recent request of the Foley Fire Department to I
become a member of the Central Minnesota Mutual Aid Association. Foley is the last community in the
area that is not part of the mutual aid agreement. The Central MN Mutual Aid Association has reviewed
the request and is recommending each participating jurisdiction to approve the inclusion of the Foley Fire
Department. The Fire Board is recommending approval of such. Rieke made a motion authorizing the
Mayor and Administrator to execute the amendment to the Mutual Aid Agreement to allow the
participation of the Foley Fire Department. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed
unanimously.
CaDital EQuiDment Purchase: Weyrens reported that the City Office Secretary has found chairs for the
Council Chambers at a cost of $ 40.00 per chair after rebates. If approved the funds would be expended
from the Administration Capital purchase rollover. Rassier made a motion to approve the capital
purchase request authorizing the purchase of 8 chairs for the Council Chambers and 2 chairs for
the Conference room. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously.
Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 PM; seconded by Rassier and passed
unanimously.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator
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