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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [04] Apr 04 Page 2935 April 4, 1995 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, P.M. in the City Hall. I Council for the Ci:ty April 4, 1996 at i:øø MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Mayor Ross Rieke; Councilors Bob Loso, Ken Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert; Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. Mayor Donald Bud Reber was absent. OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Brad Lindgren, Dick Taufen, Hub Klein,¡ Steve Streng, Jim Graeve, Mary Ann Graeve, Donna Blanchette, Kevin Blanchette, Steve Frank, Nelson Lance, Fred Reber. Acting Mayor Rieke called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with Councilors Loso, Ehlert and Hiemenz present. AGENDA: Hiemenz made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Director of Public Works and Police Chief report; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. ' , Nayes: None. Motion carried. I PUBLIC HEARING - ALLEY VACATION: Acting Mayor Rieke opened a pUblil hearing to consider a petition to vacate the north-south alley of Block 1, Loso's Second Addition, located between Ash Street East and I Minnesota Street East. The public hearing notice was published in the St. Cloud Times and was sent to the affected property owners. I Kevin Blanchette discussed there are a number of young families with children on the block. The alley is used as access to properties oh Ash Street; signage has not been a deterrent. Cars drive into yardè when two-way traffic occurs. Two alleys meet at an uncontrolled ! intersection. I Blanchette further discussed maintenance has been minimal other than snow removal. He recommended vacating it and including closing the! alley entrance on Minnesota Street along with the Minnesota Street ! project. He also discussed precedents and proposed tarring the east- west alley as a compromise. 'I Nelson Lance stated he lives on the east-west alley and is in favor of vacating the alley. He stated traffic visibility is impossible. I I Stapleton introduced letters received from Leonard and Betty Walz and Leon and Joy Birr all protesting the vacation of the alley. They are all property owners or residents in the block and would be affected by , the vacation of the alley. They also indicated other. neighbors wou'ld have access problems to their property should this alley be vacated'. Also discussed was the additional hardship of snow retnoval if th'is I would become a private drive. I Acting Mayor Rieke reiterated that vacation of a public right of way needs to show a public benefit. Councilor Loso questioned garbage pickup locations. Donna Blanchette stated that the garbage truck goes down the alley and also on Minnesota I I I I I I I Page 2937 April 4, 1995 Street. Councilor Hiemenz stated the uncontrolled alley intersection could have stop signs installed for control. He also found it troubling for the Council to vacate when an adjoining property owner is in opposit~on because it would deny access to a certain use of the property. ' Councilor Loso indicated cutting off access a way to solve the problem without vacating concurred. ! to Minnesota Street may the alley, Ehlert be , Blanchettes indicated they would be willing to provide easement kccess , on a portion of their property to the neighbor's garage. ! ! Fred Reber discussed vacation of right of way is permanent and because the future is unknown, could cause future problems. ! ¡ Councilor Ehlert agreed that access from Minnesota Street could be eliminated. I Loso made a motion to vacate the south half of the north-south alley of Block One, Loso's Second Addition and curb the south entrance, all pending a written easement ensuring access to the garage at 117 East , Minnesota Street; seconded by Hiemenz. Discussion - Fred Reber ! questioned how the traffic from this alley would be handled.Thè Council further discussed the matter and Hiemenz made a motion tb amend the motion to continue the hearing at the May 2, 1996 Council meèting to allow time to gather further information on: I matter with other property owners reviewLd and I I serviced. I I 1. Traffic 2. Access easement prepared. 3. Review the impact on how the other properties are The amended motion was seconded by Loso. Vote on the amended motion: Ayes: Rìeke~ Loso, Hiemenz, Nayes: None. Ehlert. Motion carried. I ! CONSENT AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the removal of reimbursement resolution for discussion; seconded by Hiemenz. I , 1996 , I 2. Attendance of Dick Taufen at a MPCA Hazardous Waste Generator I Workshop to be held in St. Cloud on May 7, with registration of $35. ! i Improvements and Preparation of the Plans!for pending the County Board's approval and funding I 1. Minutes of the March 19, March 21, March 25, and March 26, Council meetings. 3. Resolution Ordering East Minnesota Street, for the project. 4. Resolution Approving Plans and Advertisement for Bids for the East , Page 2938 April 4, 1996 Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Nayes: None. Ehlert. Motion carried. I Minnesota Street project, pending the County Board's approval and funding for the project. BILLS PAYABLE: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable. Stapleton asked the Council to notice the Police Employees quarterly uniform allowance checks are included with the bills payable and requested Council approval for payment. Normally these are paid on the first of the month, but were with held because the Police Federation contract is technically expired and the uniform allowance is one of the terms being renegotiated. The Council has indicated its position to approve the uniform allowance increase with all uniform expenses to $500 per year, per officer, to be charged to the city for payment by the city. After short discussion of the Federation contract and terms Hiemenz made a motion to approve the bills payable, Check Numbers 22234 through 22321 including the uniform allowance checks as a good faith effort, but does not change the, Council's position on this issue nor mean it is not a negotiable item; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts as presented; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. I Nayes: None. Motion carried. ACTING MAYOR REPORTS: Acting Mayor Rieke reported on the Water Treatment Project and reported on the work done on the wage step proposals to be discussed later in the meeting. COUNCIL REPORTS EHLERT: The Planning Commission met and: 1} Approved Riverview Builders application for a building permit, on behalf of Tamarack, for construction of a 48' x 100' building. 2} Reaffirmed the residential rental license of Mike Deutz for 33 West Minnesota Street, to include the entire downstairs as one unit. Mayor Reber expressed concern on the sharing of a common kitchen and maximum space allowances. He will have the Rental Housing Inspector review the matter. 3} Reviewed the Transportation Plan submitted by Representatives of St. Benedicta Convent and expressed same concerns. 4} Recommended the Council reconsider the omission of sidewalks in the I East Minnesota Street project for the following reasons: a} cost factor b} Code of Ordinances requires sidewalk c} Pond View Ridge was required to include sidewalk to connect to East Minnesota Street in the future. I I I Page 2939 April 4, 1996 , HIEMENZ: sidewalks project. consider. , Iprovide I I I questioned if the City would remove the snow from Minnesota Street if sidewalks were included in: the generally felt this could be a requirement to ¡ d> The Comprehensive Plan safe recreational areas. pedestrian area. discusses the safety and need to East Minnesota Street is a high Hiemenz on East Council Hiemenz had no other report. LOSO: The Safety Committee met recently and: I I I 2} discussed was consideration by the City, of sharing in the c06t of safety shoes. After short discussion Loso made a motion to reimburse those employees required to wear safety shoes, fifty percent of ~he cost of the up to a maximum of $50 per year per employee, upon I presentation of a receipt or invoice for the purchase. This policy will take effect June 1, with an annual year June 1 through May 31. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - Hiemenz stated the safety shoes should give more than one year of service. ! Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Ehlert. ! Nayes: Hiemenz. Motion carried. i 3} agreed to have employee safety training and meetings once a mhnth. 4} Loso recommended, as is generally procedure in the business I industry, to reward the employees for practicing safety. Loso made a motion to allow the Safety Committee to coordinate a meal (maximum cost $70) for the employees at following their safety meeting, duringitheir lunch break, as a reward to the employees after each four month period that there are no reportable accidents. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Ehlert. Nayes: Hiemenz. 1 } agreed all departments will do a spring safety inspection. Motion carried. , ! Loso recommended and the Council generally agreed, to place the ~Open to the Public" portion of the Council meeting immediately after I "Approve Agenda" for the Council to receive information on any tbpic to be considered. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: later in the meeting during the meeting. i the Public pbrtion , issues discussed Fred Reber recommended leaving to allow the public a voice in Jim Graeve stated the County Commissioners allow public comments after their discussion, prior to Board action. Steve Frank discussed public comments allows discussion of matters other than agenda items. Page 2940 April 4, 1996 Frank also questioned the status of a bus shelter for the College students waiting at the College bus stop. Acting Mayor Rieke indicated I the CORE committee has discussed the matter, and there was indication there may not be bus stops off campus after this year. Frank requested the CORE Committee review this matter and the status of the bus route. Frank recommended allowing the Police Federation contract to continue, and to stay away from the petty anti type attitude. Steve Frank indicated he would like to get on the agenda mailing list. Additionally he offered to assist the City in technical communication, through the Internet with a home page. Acting Mayor Rieke recessed the meeting until 8:45 P.M. POLICE GHIEF REPORTS TRAINING: Chief Brad Lindgren indicated the Police Officers would have scheduling problems participating in the Employee Safety training, but the Officers tend to have their own training. NEW SQUAD CAR: Lindgren indicated the new squad car is expected to arrive soon and requested approval to outfit it. Loso made a motion to approve the proposed cost of $4,79.91 to outfit the new squad car, and a grant for a hand held radio of $275 from Central MN EMS Council. The I motion was seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. MINNESOTA CHIEFS OF POLICE CONFERENCE: Lindgren discussed the upcoming Medal of Honor award being given posthumously to Brian Klinefelter at the MN Chiefs of Police Awards banquet on April 17. He stated the Council members are invited along with our police officers. Loso made a motion to pay the cost of attendance of the Mayor or his designate, and the Police Officers to attend the awards banquet as presented; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. SERGEANT POSITION: Hiemenz made a motion to accept the recommendation of Chief Lindgren and approve the appointment of Officer Jeffrey Young to the position of Police Sergeant effective April 5, 1996 with the pay rate to be determined; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORTS RADIO SCANNER: Dick Taufen requested a replacement scanner for the main~enance shop. Hiemenz made a motion to approve a scanner, maximum cost $150; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I I I I I Page 2~41 April 4, 1996 TRACTOR MOWER: Taufen presented a proposal to purchase a new John Deere mower for $20,348 with a trade-in of $14,135; actual costito City is $6,213. He also discussed the John Deere mower program which would provide a new mower to the City each year at a cost of $5.00 pe~ hour , for use the past year. Loso made a motion to purchase the new mower as ~ , presented, and go w1th the program to have use of a new mower each year. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz. : Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Mayes: None. Motion carried. EQUIPMENT REPAIR: Tau fen presented brake repair needs for the Case ~ ' pay-loader. St. Joseph Equipment Company quoted a brake Job and pump coupling to run in oil $9,306, with the cost to transport the l6ader $00 to $600. After short discussion Hiemenz made a motion to approve the repairs to the loader as needed, not tõ exceed $9,906 and to pursue checking locally with other companies for the repairs. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Nayes: None. Ehlert. Motion carried. i PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION PLAN: The Council reviewed an altern~tile , transportation plan proposed by Representatives of St. Benedicts along with the recommendations of the Planning Commission. The Council generally agreed this issue should be brought before the GSJAC (Joint City/Township Committee). ! A member of the public suggested notice of City meetings could be placed on the Cable information channel. . I CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1} Stapleton presented a request from Steve Dehler to consider relief on the sewer charges due to a w~ter leak in the basement of his building. He indicated there isno floor drain so the water did not go into the sewer but seeped away. After short review of the usage history for the property Loso made a ~otion to give relief for an adjusted average of the past three years usage during thé same billing period. Sewer relief is given for 25,80Ø cubic feet of water upon presentation o£ the invoice for repair of thè problem. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. ! 2) The reimbursement resolution allows the City to make payments for the Water Treatment Facility project prior to issuing bonds. A£ter bonds are issued the City may reimburse those funds with bond pfoceeds. Hiemenz made a motion to approve the resolution; seconded by Loso. Discussion - The Council discussed if there is a need for attor~ey review of the resolution. The resolution will be reviewed by bdnd counsel prior to issuing bonds. !I Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. ! 3) The CORE Committee has proposed a Brian Klinefelter community , service award to be presented annually to a person, business Or !group Page 2942 April 4, 1996 that is nominated for outstanding community service for the College of St. Benedict, St. John's University and the Community of St. Joseph. I The Klinefelter family has approved the proposal. This award will be given by the CORE Committee in early May. WAGE SCALE STEP PROPOSAL: Acting Mayor Rieke discussed the work and activity the Personnel Committee has been doing along with working with the Police Federation and the employee wage scale step system. He then indicated Loso has prepared a proposal. Loso presented a proposal changing the wage scale step system to a ten step system, placing all the employees within the system. The Council discussed the placement of each employee an appropriate step and the impact of such placement. Hiemenz discussed the job duties of heavy equipment operator was not taken into account for the maintenance workers. Hiemenz then made a motion to reclassify the Maintenance Worker position using the following percentages for points from the state job match for this position: Maintenance Worker 7Ø% Heavy Equipment Operator 15% Water/Wastewater Operator 15% This would give the position 161 points. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I Hiemenz made a motion to adopt Proposal E, for the Wage Scale Step System and for Loso to bring the information to the City Office for implementation. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. . Motion carried. Loso made a motion to authorize the Personnel Committee and Councilor Loso along with the City Attorney and any other needed consultants to get the new system implemented for consideration with the Police Officers Federation contract to be considered at the April 18 Council meeting; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. ADJOURN: Hiemenz made a Loso. Ayes: Rieke, Nayes: None. motion to adjourn at 10:30 Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. p.m.; seconded by (2~~ Rachel Stapleton Clerk/Administrator I