HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [10] Oct 17
October 17, 1996
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Council £or the City
October 17, 19961at
Pursuant to due call and notice thereo£, the City
o£ st. Joseph mt in regular session on Thursday,
7,00 P.M. in the City Hall.
MEMBERS PRESEBT, Mayor Donald Bud Reber; Councilors Ross Rieke, Bob
,
Loso, Ken Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert; Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
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OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Bradley Lindgren, Ellen Wahlstrom, ßob
Wahlstrom, Steve Streng, Dick Tau£en, Mary Ann Graeve, Mike Deutz,
Dave Theisen. I
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Mayor Reber called the meeting to order at 7,00 P.M. with Councilors
Loso, and Hiemenz present.
AGENDA: Loso made a motion to
seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes, Reber, Loso, Hiemenz.
Nayes, None.
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approve the agenda as present~d;
Motion carried.
CONSENT AGEBDA: Hiemenz made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda
as £ollows; seconded by Loso. !
1. Minutes o£ the October 3, 1996 meeting
2. Resolution setting East Minnesota Street Assessment
November 7 at 8,00 P.M.
3. Street light installation in Pond View Ridge
4. Payroll Seminar - Judy Weyrens to attend seminar at St.
University.
Hearing
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John's
Ayes, Reber, Loso, Hiemenz.
Hayes, Hone.
Motion carried.
Rieke arrived at 7,01 p.m.
BILLS PAYABLE: A£ter review and a short discussion, Hiemenz made a
motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 23120 through 23167
as presented by Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens; seconded by Loso.
Ayes, Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz.
Hayes, Hone. Motion carried.
Cory Ehlert arrived at 7,04 p.m.
Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and call outs as presented;
seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes, Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Hayes, Hone. Motion carried.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
1) Councilor Hiemenz will report on the Stearns
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October 17, 1996
Page 3036
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County League meeting attended by him and the Mayor.
2) Notification was received from the Department of Trade and Ecoinomic
Development that the City of St. Joseph has attained Star City st~tus.
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3) The St. Cloud Economic Development Partnership reported on the
deficiencies of the area for attracting economic development.
COUNCILORS REPORT
RIEKE: The
the Council
recommended
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expanded CORE Committee made several recommendations for
to consider concerning harmony in the community. Rieke
the Council review their minutes and consider them soon.
EHLERT: Matters discussed at the Planning Commission meeting: I
1) The Planning Commission supported City Attorhey John Sche~er's
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recommendations on setbacks for non-permanent storage sheds. Council
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discussed the proposal, and generally agreed a public hearing be set
for the Planning Commission to receive public input on this zoning
issue and consider the ordinance at it. i
2) They considered revisions to the fence ordinance. After discussion
of the Planning Commissions recommendation and the City Attorney's
proposal, Hiemenz made a motion to support and adopt the Planning
Commissions recommendations to amend the fence ordinance by inclÙding
language in it that would allow a maintenance freeifence to be pi aced
on the property line. The motion was seconded by Loso. Discussion-
This would include all maintenance free fencing materials sudh as
chain link and redwood. The fence materials allowed to be placed on
the property line, but not go over it, includes anchoring materials
for the poles. Rieke asked the Council to consider greater release of
the regulations of the fence ordinance. He asked them to consider
what degree of regulation by the City is appropriate, and what are
private property issues. I
Ayes, Reber, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Hayes, Rieke. Motion carried. I
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Loso made a motion to require the maintenance free fence tö be
installed at least two inches above the ground to allow vegetative
maintenance. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes, Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Hayes, Hone. Motion carried.!
The Planning Commission supports the Council in clarifying the
enforcing of zoning issues.
Ehlert also reported that student representatives of the rental houses
have set a meeting to discuss their responsibility and proposed
responses to increasing harmony in the community. I I
LOSO: Loso will report on Fire Board matters late~ in the meeting.
October 17, 1996
Page 3037
HIEJtENZ: 1} The Star City award and celebration will be at the
Chamber of Commerce Winter event.
2} Hiemenz questioned the status of the street lights in Northland.
Stapleton stated NSP has scheduled installation of them.
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3} The Stearns County Municipal League was held in Rockville.
Discussed at it were transportation studies, state building code and
insurance rating updates, certification of Building Inspectors, solid
waste study and the sheriff's annual report.
4} Hiemenz attended the League of Cities Regional meeting at Upsala
and reported on proposed technology uses for cities, a new league
handbook, and legislation on right of way controls.
DEPARTftEHT HEAD REPORTS - BRAD LINDGREN: Chief Lindgren presented his
quarterly report and noted
1} Super America recently had an armed robbery.
2}The local DNR will work with the Police Department on snowmobile
control.
3} The unlicensed trucks stored on private property on the western
edge of the city have nearly all been taken care of.
4} Lindgren discussed the quarterly report, indicating many problems I
with juveniles recently, and neighbor disputes.
Rieke stated the students at the CORE Committee expressed concern of
an attitude of fear. Lindgren indicated his department is not seeing
that attitude in the individuals they deal with. The law must be
applied equally to all.
Lindgren requested permission only to apply for a federal grant for
secretarial or administrative support. If the grant is awarded
Lindgren will bring the matter to the Council for further
consideration and to deal with it at that time. ,Lindgren stated if
the grant is received and the Council wishes to use it for
administrative or secretarial support it could save several thousand
dollars. Loso made a motion to allow Lindgren to apply for the grant
as proposed; seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Lindgren stated there is not enough funds left in his budget to
purchase a cam corder this year. Also the still camera was stolen and
needs to be replaced. Hiemenz made a motion to approve replacement of
the still camera for $89.00; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. I
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
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pagel 3038
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O££icer Dean Cichy discussed the reserve o££icer program I and
introduced John Bonacci as the newest reserve o££icer. Cichy £urther
discussed the reserve o£ficer budget of $1,000. Past policy req~ired
any reserve officer money earned was deposited with the city fo~ the
reserve program. He requested allowing the reserve officers to
personally keep any money earned as off duty officers. Loso made a
motion to change the policy thereby allowing reserve o££icers to'keep
the money they earn as o££ duty officers for special events; sec6nded
by Reber. 'I
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.' I
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October 17,
1996
Hiemenz made a motion to approve expanding the reserve officer prbgram
from four offiders to a maximum of eight officers; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
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CITY EHGINEER REPORTS. Joe Bettendorf, City Engineer, reported on the
status of the East Minnesota Street project. He discussed fence
removal and the need to reinstall the fence located at 707 Minnésota
Street East. Hiemenz made a motion to approve Bettend6rf's
2recommendation to make a payment of $219.42 to Gary Sunderman,
property owner, for his costs for reinstalling the fence. The motion
was seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
A temporary fence is needed to protect the holding þonds. A revi~w of
rental costs has been done. It would be most cost effective fOr the
city to purchase and install the fence. Installation could be done by
the summer worker. Hiemenz made a motion to approve the Icity
purchasing and installing fence around the holding ponds, and retain
the summer employee £or this need. The motion was seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. i '
Nayes: None. Motion carried. i
Bettendorf discussed elevation problems of a new house on East Eiaker
Street. The contractor is requesting to cut into the new stre~t to
make a new connection to the sewer. The Council was in general
agreement to not allow such cut into the new street. The problem is
with the construction of the house and can be taken care of with re-
plumbing and a sump pump in the basement. Bettendorf also recomm~nded
including a notatior. for checking elevation on the building peirmit
£orm, £or both the plumber and the builder. I
Loso questioned if street lighting was included in the plans I for
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construction of 4th Avenue. Street lighting was not included, and
normally is installed with building construction in the a'rea.
Bettendorf indicated street striping may help.
OP~N TO THE PUBLIC. There was no public input.
October 17, 1996
Page 3039
Loso made a motion to recess £or ten minutes at 8:30 p.m.; seconded by
Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Mayor reconvened the meeting at 8;44 p.m.
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BE"-"R LICENSE APPLICATION: Linda Schema appeared be£ore the Council to
request an on sale non-intoxicating malt liquor license £or PaPa
Guiseppe's at 11 College Avenue North. Mayor Reber made a motion to
approve the license pending an acceptable background check report;
seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
FIRE CHIEF REPORTS: Chie£ Dave Theisen 1) requested approval £rom the
Council £or hiring three new £ire£ighters as approved by the Fire
Board. Hiemenz made a motion to approve hiring Justin Honer, Je££
Tau£en, and Mark Gross; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
2) Chie£ Theisen presented quotes received £or a new grass rig, as
were presented to the Fire Advisory Board as £ollows: Reiss Chevrolet,
Cold Spring MN - $21,900 and Superior Ford, Plymouth MN - $21,045.
Loso made a motion to approve the quote o£ Reiss Chevrolet o£ $21,900
because the Ford did not meet the speci£ication requirement £or a I
galvanized steel body, and the need £or quick response £or service
could be provided by Reiss. The motion was seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Theisen requested to purchase a used copy machine at $495 with a one
year service contract at $125. Hiemenz made a motion to approve the
copy machine purchase as requested; seconded by Mayor Reber.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Chie£ Theisen stated he called the Stearns County Auditors O££ice to
clari£y counting o£ the votes on the re£erendum. He was questioning
the status o£ a vote i£ that item is not voted on the ballot. He
stated the County Auditor's O££ice re£erred him to the Secretary o£
States O££ice who told him a blank ballot £or the question would not
count either way (not as a ·yes· or a ·no· vote). Mayor Reber
questioned the Fire Chie£ making these contacts without going through
the City Clerk/Administrator. The Clerk/Administrator was directed to
contact the Secretary o£ State's O££ice £or the City to veri£y this
in£ormation.
VARIANCE REQUEST: Mike Deutz appeared be£ore the. Council to request
a i3 £oot variance on the £ront yard set back in an R-3 zone, in order
to construct another unit on Old Highway 52, connecting to the last
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October 17,
1996
struct.ure
has held
variance.
Page 3040
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street. The Planning Commilssion
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and recommended to approve the
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on the western end of that
a hearing on this matter
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Bill Elfering expressed his opposition to allowing the vari~nce,
because it will add additional population to an area already lover
burdened, decrease property values, and increase theft and vandalism.
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After discussion Ehlert made a motion to accept the recommendati1on of
the Planning Commission and approve the 13 foot variance as requekted;
seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Loso abstained. Motion carried.
Hiemenz made a motion to approve the installation of a "Welcome to St.
Joseph" sign, donated by the St. Joseph Lions Club, on property
adjacent to
the western edge of Old Highway 52; seconded by Mayor Reber.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Dick Taufen reported 1) curb and gutter on
First Avenue SE damaged earlier this year, still has not I been
replaced. Also the sod associated with this project is I not
acceptable. . I
2) There are surplus panels from the Water Treatment ProJect to be
disposed of. Council was in general agreement to sell or recycl~ any
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thing of value. i
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3) The completion date for the Water Treatment Facility Projec't to
have it up and running was October 15. There are still very serious
problems. Council was in general agreement to send a letter tb the
contractor stating an intention of imposition of the penalty cl~use.
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4) Taufen discussed the status of the alley to be barricaded. After
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short discussion of snow removal in the alley, Mayor Reber made a
motion to direct the City Maintenance Superintendent not to plow !that
alley; seconded by Hiemenz. I
Ayes: Reber, Hiemenz. I
Nays: Rieke, Loso, Ehlert. Motion failed.
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motion to table the matter to give Taufen, Loso and Reber
out the logistics of the situation. Ehlert seconded the
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Rieke made a
time to work
motion.
Ayes: Reber,
Nayes: None.
Rieke, Loso,
Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Motion carried.
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CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) The Police Officers are in the process
of changing their union by joining a Law Enforcement union.
October 17, 1996
Page 3041
2) The Area Planning Organization recently prepared a traÍÍic study
Íor the eastern part oÍ the City.
3) The Council discussed the drainage plan requirements oÍ Pond View
Ridge Three along with Joe BettendorÍ's recommendations. AÍter short
discussion Hiemenz made a motion to support the Engineer's and
Attorney's recommendations to require Council approval Íor waiver oÍ
the drainage requirement beÍore CertiÍicates oÍ Occupancy will be
issued; seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
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4) Stapleton received a request to have the City upgrade Joseph
Street. Council was in general agreement to look :at this area along
wi th the project that will re-align County Road 133. The Council
realized the need Íor upgrading Joseph Street but intend to do the
work right when they do it.
FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCIATIOH: Loso discussed the proposal brought
to the Fire Advisory Board to increase the yearly pension amount to
$1,100, which would eÍÍect a City contribution' (as administrator
through the Fire Fund) oÍ $2,813 Íor 1997. Loso made a motion to
approve the increase and City contribution as proposed; seconded by
Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Rieke inÍormed the Council the Lake Woebegon Recreation Trail on the I
Íormer railroad bed, Írom Sauk Centre is meeting. He encouraged the
Council to pay attention to this project. It will be eÍÍecting our
community soon.
Rieke also questioned the status oÍ a proposed truck route through our
city. Stapleton will check on the status with the City and County
Engineers.
Ehlert stated the Laundromat sign needs upgrading.
ADJOURH:
Loso.
Ayes: Reber,
Nayes: None.
Ehlert made a motion to adjourn at 9:58 p.m.
seconded by
Rieke,
Loso,.
Hiemenz, Ehlert.
Motion carrÌ' ed.
Racñei ~tap e't:on
Clerk/Administrator
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