HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [04] Apr 17
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council for the City ofSt. Joseph met in
regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 1997 in City Hall.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert,
Mary Niedenfuer, Ken T\y'it; Clerk/ Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Dave Hinnenkamp, John Scherer, Brad Lindgren,
Dick Taufen, Carol Huling, Ellen Wahlstrom, Bob Wahlstrom, Steve Streng, Art Reber,
Hub Klein, Tom Gustafson, Linda Sniezek, Mark J. Sizer, Traci Green, Tony Sjogren,
Mike Deutz, Jim Graeve, John Forsythe, Bob Herges.
BOARD OF REVIEW
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. as a Board of Review to
reconvene the meeting of April 1, 1997, with Board Members present as follows: Mayor
Hiemenz, Councilors Loso, Ehlert, andNiedenfuer. Councilor T\y'itwas absent due to a
fire call.
# 84 53794.028 - The Board reviewed the recommendations of City Assessor Ollie
Lesnick concerning this property owned by Dorothy Marlding. Niedenfuer made a
motion to accept the Assessor's recommendation to reduce the assessment from $78,000
to $65,300 due to an independent appraisal and the condition of the property; seconded
by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso,Ehlert,Niedenfuer.
Nays: None. T\y'it was absent. Motion carried.
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Loso made a motion to accept the assessment for the City ofSt. Joseph for the 1997 year
with the adjustments approved at the recessed meeting of April I, 1997 and the
adjustment of this session. The motion was seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer.
Nays: None. T\y'itwas absent. Motion carried.
Loso made a motion to adjourn the 1997 Board of Review for the City ofSt. Joseph;
seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer.
Nays: None. Twit was absent. Motion carried.
COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order as a City Council meeting at 7:08 with
Councilors Loso, Ehlert, and Niedenfuer present.
Ken T\y'it arrived at 7:09 p.m.
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AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of City
Engineer Joe Bettendorf; seconded by Niedenfuer,
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Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried,
1996 FINANCIAL AUDIT: Dave Hinnenkamp presented the 1997 Financial Audit and
discussed the various aspects of it. He reviewed the General Fund designations, I
working capital reserves, revenues and expenditures. The Enterprise Funds as well as
the Capital Projects Funds were discussed. Hinnenkamp recommended reviewing I
lease options for actual cost of financing when purchasing equipment. I
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Establishing a fivl! year Capital Improvement plan may be used as a budgeting tool, by
separating it out of the general fund budget. !
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After further discussion and grant requirements including Federal Audit requirements
(Single Audit), Loso made a motion to accept the 1996 Financial Audit; seconded by
Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Twit to approve the consent agenda ~s
follows; seconded by Loso: I
1. Minutes of April 1 and April 3, 1997 as corrected.
2. Amendment to Ordinance 56 - Fence Ordinance.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS TO TIIE AGENDA: Hub Klein stated too many dogs are I
running loose and questioned the enforcement of the animal control ordinance. He also
questioned if the police could use their public address system on their squad cars to I
remind people walking or using roller blades, to move to the side of the road, out of the
vehicle traffic.
Chief Lindgren responded that both the police and maintenance departments pick up
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dogs, and methods of control are being used as well as fines. The police warn I
individuals on roller blades to use the side of the road and they are cited in dangerous
situations.
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Mayor Hiemenz questioned dog pickup procedures. Weyrens and Stapleton
responded that for control, the City will only pay service fees for dogs brought to them
by City personnel. A fax is sent to the radio station describing the dog that was picked
up, for them to advertise as a public service announcement. I
Art Reber questioned the refuse being allowed to gather in front of the "White House"
across the street from his residence. Also he questioned the amount and manner of
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parking vehicles at that residence. Cars are parked on the sidewalk and boulevard as
well as on the vacant lot next to it. '
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Art Reber again encouraged consideration of changing the route of the snowmobile
trail. After short discussion Mayor Hiemenz indicated a need to review possible
changes and begin preparation of a letter requesting to have the trail r~outed.
HEARING ON HOUSING VIOLATION: At 8:02 a hearing was called to order on a
housing violation at 332 Cypress Drive, Apartment 2. Notice was sent to Ralph Turbes,
the property owner informing him of his rights. He did not request an evidentiary
hearing. ¡
Officer Dean Cichy discussed the March 29, 1997 validated noise complaint. He
indicated the apartment occupants were cooperative and immediately turned down the
noise. There were only about five people in the apartment. There was no criminal
citation issued.
Troy Schreifel stated it was his apartment that had the noise violation, and he is also the
manager of the apartment. This level of noise (music) was poor judgement and an
isolated incident.
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Twit indicated Officer Cichy acted appropriately, and this is a flrstviolatlon. Twit
made a motion that the Council acknowledges this was a noise violation and reserve
the right to reconsider this violation with strong enforcement action if a' second
violation should occur; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
The hearing was closed at 8:15 p.m.
BILLS PAY ABLE: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable, call outs
and overtime. After a short discussion of various bills Loso made a motion to approve
the bills payable, check numbers 23910 - 23948 with the exception of Tiremaxx Service
for tires for the grass rig to allow this bill to be reviewed. The motion was seconded by
Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
After a short discussion of the audit recommendation of payroll policies concerning
donated time, the Council agreed to have it calculated for their review and
consideration. Loso made a motion to approve the call outs and overtime as presented
with a correction to Jean Gustin's 110liday hours; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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TREASURER'S REPORT: Weyrens presented the 1997 First Quarter Treasurer's I
Report. She indicated Fund 230 Lake Wobegon Trail is shown as a new special reven~e
fund in this report, as well as $10,000 as designated reserve for Cable Access Channel.
She also discussed the status of several funds. Loso made a motion to accept the
Treasurer's Report as presented¡ seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - Because Twit
indicated he did not have adequate time to review this document he requested to
reserve the right to ask questions about this report at a future meeting.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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MAYOR'S REPORT: 1) The Mayor will be sending a letter to Burlington Northern
Railroad representatives in Texas requesting the railroad property is reserved for sale
only for an extension of the Lake Wobegon Trail. Railroad representatives have
indicated to him they will not be hauling coal another winter.
2) The ground breaking for the Fire Hall was held recently.
3) Planning Commission Chair Hub Klein will be the only City representative at the
April 24 APO meeting (conflicting with a special City Council meeting). I
4) St. Cloud responded to a request for wastewater facility space, use, plans, costs, and
other information. A meeting will be set up with St Cloud with Mayor Hiemenz, Losd,
and City Engineer Joe Bettendorf representing the City. I
Jim Graeve recommended the federal grant monies received for construction of the St. ,
Cloud Wastewater Facility be taken into consideration in allocating cost for additional
space. Mayor Hiemenz stated the cost is based on that grant as one of the elements. i
5) A letter of thanks was received for Council actions at the last meeting, on the Roske I
property. !
6) "Take Back the Night" Rally against violence against women will be held inSt.
Cloud at Barden Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. May 2, 1997.
7) "A River Runs Through It" is a seminar to be held in St Cloud on sustainable
activities and ventures for the St. Cloud area.
8) A closed meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m. to discuss Police
Union negotiations, with an alternate date of April 23 at 8:00 a.m.
COUNCILORS REPORT
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TWIT: 1) The EDA met AprilS, 1997 and scheduled to interview 14 applicants on
April 21.
2) The Personnel Committee met April21, and will be reviewing the current Personnel
Policy.
3) Twit attended a seminar sponsored by the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund on
April 16 discussing funding for assisted housing. A Comprehensive Plan needs to be
adopted and a current housing survey needs to be done.
4) Twit will be attending a finance workshop àt the Radisson Hotel April 18.
S) The City received the proceeds from the Fire Hall Bonds today.
EHLERT: 1) Ehlert attended the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund seminar also, and
will report the information to the Planning Commission.
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2) The welcome sub-committee of CORE has been meeting and working on the packet
of materials.
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LOSO: The Cable Commission met several times working on the franchise ordinance.
One meeting was with the manager of Mark Twain Cable Company. He offered to
donate microwave equipment to the Cil,y that will be needed to set up the government
access channel. Twit made a motion to accept the donated transmission equipment
from Mark Twain Cable Company; seconded by Ehlert. '
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NlEDENFUER: 1) The CORE sub-committee planning the Octoberfest met recently
and did brainstorming on the various aspects of the event. The next meeting will be
April 22, at 4:30 p.m. I
2) Niedenfuer requested to attend an in-depth land use planning workshop in St.
Cloud, registration $99. Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to approve the workshop as
requested; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) The cost of insurance coverage for the
decorative lighting and park benches is $234. After short discussion of the $500
deductible and possible losses Loso made a motion to table the matter to the next
meeting; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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2) Local Performance Aid is allowed to cities that have local performan~e measures in
place. After short discussion Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to certify a system of
performance measures are in place; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
3) The Cil,y received $1,207,790 of Fire Hall bond proceeds today and invested them
from quotes received from financial institutions.
4) Campus Villa management has taken measures to assist in the neighborhood street
parking problems.
STEARNS COUNIY ADULT DIVERSION PROGRAM: Mark Sizer and Teri Green
appeared before the Council to discuss the Stearns Counl,y Adult Diversion Program.
They discussed the requirements and scope of the program as well as area cities
participation and benefits.
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Chief Lindgren and John Scherer discussed the loss of local control and fine revenue.
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PUBLIC USE OF PROPERTY AS ALLEY: This matter was placed on the agenda as;
requested at the Board of Review meeting, April 1, Richard Hansen did notappea.r. I
City Attorney John Scherer stated it is possible to acquire public property by public rtse
over a period of time by the public use and maintenance for a specific purpose. Scheter
indicated options are to 1) maintain the status quo; or 2) relocate the roadway. (If th~
City would wish to relocate the roadway back to the platted area the property currently
in use would have to be vacated.)
Ehlert expressed concern on the valuation of the property; if this use was taken into
account..
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 72 - NON-INTOXICATING LIQUOR: City. i
Attorney John Scherer discussed this amendment and indicated it would allow the sale
of strong beer if certain conditions are met. I
John Forsythe, owner ofBo Diddley's, recommended increasing the required I
percentage of the sale of food and to not charge an additional fee. He would like to I
provide this as an additional service for his customers, rather than be competing with
the liquor establishments. I
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Tony Sjogren, representing CSB, also recommended increasing the requirement for
amount of food sales.
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Mike Deutz discussed the number and allowances for 3.2 beer licenses.
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Jim Graeve felt it would serve our German heritage to encourage the allowance ofbeJr
sales with food in our city. i
Niedenfuer made a motion to approve section 72.2 Subd. 2 b. of the ordinance I
amendment with a requirement that 70% of the gross sales be attributed to food sales,
seconded by Hiemenz. I
Ayes: Hiemenz, Ehlert, Niedenfuer.
Nays: Loso and Twit. Motion carried. I
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The Council agreed liquor liability should be required with this allowance.
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Niedenfuer made a motion to remove the requirement for an extra fee; seconded by I
Mayor Hiemenz. Discussion - Loso indicated liquor establishments are required to pay
a higher fee and this allowance should require a fee also. Twit discussed a possible I
increase in alcohol sales. Niedenfuer indicated this is only allowed with the food sales
and would bring more business into the community as well as providing as service to'
our Heritage. I
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Twit made a motion to substitute a fee of 50% of the current liquor license fee; secondJd
by Loso. Discussion - The total fee including the wine license and non-intoxicating mAlt
liquor license will be one half of the liquor license ($800).
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Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, EMert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Twit made a motion to approve the amendment to Liquor Ordinance Number 72 as
amended; seconded by Loso. '
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried.
BRIAN KLINEFELTER MEMORIAL PARK TRAIL: Loso made a motion to award
the bids as recommended by City Engineer Joe Bettendorf as follows:
Contract A - Custom Surfacing Co. $31,742.75
Contract B - MDI Inc. $33,453 I
The motion was seconded by EMert Discussion - Twit indicated concern approving a
project without secure funding for it Mayor Hiemenz indicated the possibility of
setting up a capital projects fund to allow the capital projects to be funded over several
years. He recommended funding this project over four years. Loso and Ehlert agreed
to add funding it over four years as recommended to the motion.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried.
POND VIEW RIDGE FOUR1H ADDmON: Rick Heid presented a final plat for
Pond View Ridge Fourth Addition. There was discussion of the outlot<¡ and concern for
future control of them. It was generally agreed that they needed to be platted as such
for accurate legal description and filing with the County.
Niedenfuer stated she has concerns and has received concerns on the JetIands and
possible springs by 910' Avenue. (This plat does not extend to thatare~.)
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Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting to 10:15 at ten o'clock.
Mayor Hiemenz discussed problems associated with snow removal and maintenance
on cul-de-sacs and questioned if there was any way to alleviate these p~oblems.
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Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting to 10:30 p.m. at 10:15 p.m.
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City Engineer Joe Bettendorf discussed drainage and that a pipe may be needed to be
installed for adequate drainage. I
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Twit made a motion to accept Pond View Ridge Fourth Addition subject to
1) approval of the plans and specifications, !
2) straighten out 12th Avenue,
3) prohibition of individual ownership of outlot<¡,
4) executed Developers Agreement
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The motion was seconded by Ehlert
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, EMert, Niedenfuer, Twit
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Nays: None.
Motion carried.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORTS
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ANNUAL WATER REPORT: The Annual Water Report received will be deferred
to the next meeting due to the lateness of the hour. !
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WATER Mhl tl<S: Dick Taufen reported that the water meters the city currently I
uses are no longer manfactured. He discussed other types available with various types
of readers and costs, indicating there are still some companies making visual readers:
Taufen will provide a summary of information for the Council to consider at the next
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WATER FILJRATION PROTECT: Taufen discussed the many problems with the I
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functioning of the water filtration system. He stated the flouride pump is not working,
and currently is not able to tell if the chlorine pump is working properly. Also he '
stated we are not be required to add chlorine to our system yet. The Council was in
general agreement to make sure the chlorine pump and system is working and then
adding it to the water could be discontinued.
The new well is not connected to the system electrically, nor does the effluent motor
function. The roof drain dumps in front of the chlorine room causing a major ice
problem in the winter. He stated changing it is estimated at $600; changing the
transducer would cost about $450. The SCADA system is currently turned off because
it has not worked. Taufen will prepare a list for the next meeting. I
WELL CLEANING: Taufen stated well number 3 needs cleaning in the maintenance
schedule. Loso made a motion to have Taufen get two quotes and approve the cleamng
up to a cost of $2,000; seconded by Ehlert. i
Ayes: Hiernenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMPOST AREA: The Council generally agreed to open the Compost Area this
April 18 as recommended by Taufen.
WATER SYSTEM: St. Ben's wants to go on our water system June 1"
for four to six weeks.
EASTERN PARK S1REEI IMPROVEMENT: Joe Bettendorf presented information
on the proposed street improvement in Eastern Park.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 with a motion by Twit; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Rachel Stapleton
Clerk/ Administrator
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