HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [04] Apr 03
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Pursuant to due call and notice there of the City Council for the City of St.
Joseph met in regular session April 3, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. in City Hall.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert,
Mary Niedenfuer, Ken Twit. Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bradley Lindgren, Judy Weyrens, Bud Reber, Erin Conulle, Janna
Jenson, Dave Harrison, Gary P. Heltemes, Steve Streng, Art Hiemenz, Edith
Hiemenz, Nancy McDarby, Madeline 'Beaumont, Mary Ann Graeve, Donna J. MaIm,
Bernie Evans, Jody Terhaar, Ken Heinen, Dave Douvier, Rita Douvier, Ray
Brandenberger, Ellen Wahlstrom, Bob Wahlstrom, Mark Lambert, Joe Bechtold, Linda
Sniezek, Ray Loehlein, Dave Theisen, Tony Sjogren, Isaac Connolly OSB, Diane
Schneider, Mark Zimmer, Jerome Salzer, Clarence Rueter, Greg Rupp, Carol Rupp,
Tim Weisbrich, Ann Rieschl.
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with all Councilors
present.
CONSENT AGENDA:
I. Minutes of the March 3, 1997 and March 20, 1997 meetings. Mayor Hiemenz
offered the following corrections to the minutes: March 3 - The Park Board be
listed as absent; March 20 - (third page) The Park Board Appointment _ filling
the vacant term expiring in 1998. The last paragraph on the same page _ change
four year term to three year term. (Park Board terms are three year terms.)
Loso made a motion to approve the corrections as presented; seconded by
Niedenfuer.
Ayes:
Nays:
Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
None. Motion carried.
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2. On-sale Retail Non-Intoxicating special event (4th of July) License for the
Church of St. Joseph.
3. Exemption from Gambling License for the Church of St. Joseph for the 4th of
July event.
4. Purchase and Installation of four Star City signs - 84 feet by 18 feet at $71
each ($284 total).
Loso made a
Ayes:
Nays:
motion to
Hiemenz¡
None.
approve the consent agenda; seconded
Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Motion carried.
by Ehlert.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No one from the public made comments.
MAYOR REPORTS
PARK BOARD MEMBER: Mayor Hiemenz received a letter of resignation from Park
Board Chair John Anderson and stated the Joe Braun, Vice Chair, has taken over
the duties of the Chair temporarily. Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to advertise
and receive applications to fill the remaining term which expires in 1999. The
Mayor and Vice Chair will review the applications. The motion was seconded by
Ehlert. Discussion - A notice to the public will become part of the procedure
for filling vacancies in Board positions.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuerl Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Ayes:
Nays:
Hiemenz, Loso. Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
None. Motion carried.
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Park
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APO EXECUTIVE MEETING: The proposed State Comprehensive Plan was discussed,
~containing development. allowances along with agriculture preservation. The'bill
also provides for regional planning rather than local planning. I
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STEARNS COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Mayor attended an Urban Core Meeti~g
with Stearns County Environmental Services. This plan provides for protected
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lands and agriculture preservation. There is another meetlng at St. Stephen on
this issue this evening. !
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Twit made a motion to accept the resignation of John Anderson from the
Board; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PROPOSED RAILROAD PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT - STUDENT HOUSING: Mark Lambert is:
proposing to develop railroad property by the water tower with student housing.
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~STUDENT STUDY GROUPs: Two study groups from St. Cloud State Unlverslty ar~
studying 1) senior housing and use of open spaces, and 2) retaining the German
heritage through a local museum. A class presentation will be held on Mayl 15.
The students are inviting attendance by City Officials.
COUNCILORS REPORT
~ 1) The EDA Board will meetoD April 9 to evaluate the thirty resumes
received for the EDA Director position and select three to five applicants! for
interviews. I
2) The Investment Committee will meet on April 22 and the Personnel Committee
will meet on April 9. I
EHLERT: A subcommittee of CORE met to consider welcome packets to students as a
method of opening communication. Thirty three businesses will be approachèd for
input as well as a letter from the Mayor and Chief of Police. I
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LOSO: The Cable commission held an organizational meeting to begin the cable
~hise renewal process. The Commission requested funding from the City i
Council to receive public input through a survey. Loso made a motion to set a
budget of $500 to conduct this survey; seconded by Niedenfuer. Discussion' - The
proposed survey will come back to the Council prior to sending it. !
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. !
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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NIEDENFUER: 1) Community Day plans have been expanded to celebrate our herltage
with an October fest. Plans include German bands, authentic food and beer,!
clothing, polka music and souvenirs. The event will be held on family weekend
(at the Colleges). Plans will include student interests to encourage them to
participate in this event. The beer will be served with food. Plans incl~de
adequate security. The City will be asked to be the supporter of this evertt,
with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations invited to participat'e.
2) Niedenfuer requested to attend a Land Use Planning Workshop in St. Cloud with
a registration fee of $89. No action taken.
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CHIEF OF POLICE REPORTS
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT: Chief Lindgren presented a mutual aid agreement with
Sartell. After short discussion Loso made a motion to approve the Mutual Aid
Agreement Between the City of St. Joseph and the City of Sartell; seconded by
Ehlert. Discussion - Potential for increased costs was discussed. Lindgren
stated it will not change they way the department currently operates. Mayor
Hiemenz indicated he fully supports this concept.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Chief Lindgren questioned if the City should seek out agreements with other
cooperating area cities. Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to approve offering the
agreement to Waite Park, Cold Spring, Sauk Rapids and Avon; ; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
POLICE POLICY: Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the revision,to the Police
Policy Section 2.04 Mutual Aid as presented; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
STREET SIGNS: The Council reviewed a list of street signs that need to be
installed or replaced, as received from the Chief of Police. L050 made a mati n
to have the signs installed or replaced within 30 days; secondedlby Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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PINESTOCK AND GRADUATION: Chief Lindgren asked if the Council wished additional
police coverage for Pine stock and the Disorientation party before graduation.
After short discussion Ehlert made a motion to schedule ten hours overtime for
each event (total of twenty hours); seconded by Loso. Discussion - Cou.~cil
requested a letter be sent to the colleges asking financial support for this
additional police service.
Ayes: Hiemenz¡ L030, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
QUARTERLY REPORT: Chief Lindgren indicated he had extra copies of his report
for the public. He discussed his report with the Council. Questions were
raised by the Council concerning specifics in the report. Chief'Lindgren
discussed the duties of the Officers including the Co~~unity Police Officer,
intangibles, warnings given, and other duties.
RESERVE OFFICERS: The new Reserve Officers, Dave Windels and Pat :Cruze, were
introduced by Chief Lindgren for Officer Dean Cichy who is the Police Officer
charge of the Reserve Officers.
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CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
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SAFETY SIGNING FOR DEAF CHILDREN: Twit made a motion to approve the
installation of signs indicating "deaf children" in Clinton Village on
NW; seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Avenue
6th
SUB-GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM: Twit ,made a motion to
approve a Resolution authorizing the execution of a sub-grant agreement with the'
Division of Emergency Management in the Minnesota Department of Public Saféty
for the program entitled Infrastructure Program for FEMA 11S8-DR-MINNESOTA) for
emergency assistance due to conditions from the snow storms in January. The
motion was seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMPOST AREA: The compost area operation was discussed. It was agreed to open
April 11 weather permitting. Hours of operation will be ª p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. St. Joseph
Township has agreed to participate in t.he funding of this service to allow I their
residence to use it. St. Wendel Township will be sent a letter of requestlto
assure their financial participation with a response in 30 days, in order to
allow their residents to use the compost area. :_
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a seminar
alloJ¡ two
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GIS TRAINING SEMINAR: The City Engineering firm (SEH) is sponsoring
on GIS at St. John's. Cost is $6.00 (lunch). Ehlert made a motion to
City staff to attend the seminar; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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The Council generally agreed to allow Councilors interested in attending this
seminar to attend at their own expense. ,
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CODE OF ORDINANCES: St.apleton presented the attorney's bill for costs of I
updating the code of ordinances clarifying the cost of updating the ordinance
books and other ordinance research and preparation.
CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT
BRIAN KLINEFELTER MEMORIAL PARK TRAIL BIDS: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf
presented the bids as opened at 11:00 a.m. on March 26, 1997 for the park trail.
There were two separate bids for the project, with the low bids totaling I
$6S,195.75. Low bid for Contract A, Bituminous Trail Construction, was I
submitted by Custom Surfacing Co. of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota in the amount of
$31,H2.7S. The low bid for Contract B, pedestrian Bridge construction, wð.s
submitted by MDI Inc. of St. Cloud, Minnesota. I
Loso presented and discussed the proposed funding for this project, including a
$25,000 Department of Natural Resources grant_ The Council further discussed
other possible sources of funding, including the Brian Klihefelter Memorial
Fund. ,I
Twit made a motion to table the matter to the next regular meeting to reVlew the
budget and available funds; seconded by Ehlert. I
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. ,
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Nays: None.
Motion carried.
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EASTERN PARK STREETS: Bettendorf stated he would be scheduling the on site
inspection of the Eastern Park streets soon.
GAMBLING LICENSE: Ken Heinen appeared before t.he Council to present an
application for Gambling License for the St. Joseph Rod and Gun 'Club. Twit m de
a motion to approve the Gambling License for the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club ~t
Sal's Bar and Grill as presented; seconded by Ehlert. '... l
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Council received the draft of the updated Comprehensve
Plan. Joe Bechtold, representing St. Joseph Township, presented resolutions,
minutes and other documents relating to the annexation of the College of St.
Benedict requiring that property be subject to the Long Range Road Plan
previously adopted by St. Joseph Township and A. P. O. He requested this
information be considered along with the Comprehensive Pl~~ and'incorporated
into the Public Hearing information.
Steve Frank recommended taking at least a year to update the plan and to brin
in an outside consultant.
Mayor Hiemenz stated this is an update of the current plan incorporating the
Star City goals and plans along with other updates, to proceed to a public
hearing.
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Loso stated the Comp Plan has been finalized with the exception'of the
transportation plan.
There was further discussion to hold public hearings until all interested
persons have had an opportunity to present their views. Copies of the draft
Comprehensive Plan will be available in the City Office with out cost. Twit
made a motion to set the Public Hearing date for May 13th at 7:00 P.M. ~~d to
continued as necessary; seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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STRONG BEER ALLOWANCE WITH 3.2 BEER LICENSE AND WINE LICENSE: Tony Sjogren.
representing the College of St. Benedict, appeared before the Council to request
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consideration of their proposal to allow strong beer sales in cOn]unctlon Wl 'h
their 3.2 beer and wine licenses, as is provided for in state statute, wTIere at
least 60% of the sales are attributable to food. He stated this would not b
used for student functions, only for internal conferences and s~~er events.
Mark Zimmer questioned if beer sales would be allowed in their pub area?
Sjogren stated it would not, as the pub area was designed as a non-alcoholic pub
and this policy is intended to continue. He also indicated the' College does not
intend to promote wedding receptions, but allow it as a service' to al~~i an
staff.
There was discussion on fee structure for this type of allowance.
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Twit moved to have an ordinance amendment prepared by the City Attorney for lthis
allowance along with fee structure considerations for Council consideration at
the next meeting; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
LAND USE PLANS: Ellen Wahlstrom appeared before the Council to present her
concerns with the proposed plan to sell a portion of the Roske property for, the
development of apartments. She discussed inadequate access to the property,
safety concerns of the increased traffic, the original listed amount for the
property in relation to the offered amount in the purchase agreement. I
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Brother Isaac stated St. John's wants to maintain 95% occupancy of their
students on St. John's campus and expect St. Ben's to follow. He expects
number of students living off campus to decrease.
Wahlstrom stated the competition on Highway 75 will affect the existing
businesses. She urged the City to take time in planning for the area.
ROSKE PROPERTY PURCHASE OFFER: Council reviewed the purchase offer for an
eastern lot of the Roske Addition. Mayor Hiemenz stated he received many
contacts urging not to sell.
Niedenfuer indicated she received similar feedback.
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Loso recommended preparing a plan for this property, and for it to be done in a
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timely manner. I
allowingl
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Ehlert favored retaining the land, although there is a process for
construction of an apartment complex.
Twit stat.ed many people approached him about this proposal. Safet.y would be a
major concern. That intersection is not suited to that level of traffic.
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Clarence Rueter, Realtor, stated the Council previously asked hlm to brlng them
~;lt~:f;~~~er~~~ Council may impose land use controls prior to the develoPíent
Joe Bechtold requested the City actively pursue building plans. The Township
has no use for the property but has no objection to holding it if the City ?as
plans for future use of it.
Ellen Wahlstrom indicated the people want senior housing. She also felt the
City is not abiding by its ordinances in considering selling property
it being platted.
Mark Zimmer stated the City has had several major improvements
impact on the tax rate. He would recommend planning, but slow
development projects in order to slow the increase in taxes.
Pri0í to
that had a ~arge
down the City
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Mayor Hiemenz stated a meet.ing has been set for April 24 at 7:30 p.m. to review
and establish capital improvement needs and priorities. Included subjects Iwill
be planning and joint use for the old Fire Hall when it is vacated; plans for
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City Hall and City Administration Center or Government Center or Recreatlon
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Center. The Klinefelter Foundation
He also indicated a student group is
the community.
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is currently considering some proposalS]
doing a study on locating senior housin in
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Loso made a motion to
Addition; seconded by
Ayes: Hiemenz,
Nays: None.
not accept the purchase offer for one lot' of the Roske
Twit.
L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Motion carried.
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BILLS PAYABLE: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable. Afte
short review Loso made a motion to approve the bills payable as presented chJck
numbers 23837 - 23900; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Twit moved to allow payment of the utility bills prior to Council approval, ~f
they are with in the normal range, in order to prevent penalties for delinquent
payment. The motion was seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuerl Twit.
'Nays: None. Motion carried.
CALL OUTS AND OVERTIME: After short discussion of overtime, and a proposed
change in allowances for employees using holiday hours (minimum increment of
hours will be established), Twit made a motion to approve the call outs ~~d
overtime as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Weyrens informed the Council that per diem is now handled as wages rather than
travel and conference due to tax reporting requirements. After short discusdion
Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to retain the budget amounts as they were I
established. When travel and conference budgeted amounts are expended the
adjustment will be as a withdrawal from travel and conference. I The motion was
seconded by Niedenfuer. ,j
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Weyrens presented the capital outlay budget balances as rollover amounts to e
included in the current budget.
The Mayor extended the meeting fifteen minutes at 10:00 p.m.
Council reviewed and discussed the report. The amount needed to fund the
rollover capital outlay accounts is a deficit of revenue balance from the 19 6
budget by ($38,226.75). The options of handing this deficit we're discussed,
including reducing all the rollover accounts by a percent amount; review and
change priorities by reducing some of the accounts; or fund the deficit from the
general fund balance, thereby reducing that fund balance.
Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting to 10:30 p.m. at 10:15 p.m.
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Twit made a motion to delay action on the deficit fund balance 'for rollover
accounts until after the Auditors have presented the 1996 audit at the next
meeting; seconded by Loso.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
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Nays: None.
MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT ITEMS:
on the next agenda.
ADJOURN: Niedenfuer made a
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso,
Nays: None.
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A noise complaint was received and will be
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Motion carried.
Twit.
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motion to adjourn at 10:25 p.m.; seconded by
Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Motion carried.
Rachel Staple on
Clerk/Administrator