HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [09] Sep 04
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September 4, 1997 Page 3194
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council for the City of si. Joseph met in regula!-
session at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 1997 in City Hall. .
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth 1. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Maiy
Niedenfuer, Ken Twit; Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. !
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OTHERS PRESENT: JudyWeyrens, Dick Taufen, Chad Carlson, Jeff Young, Joe Bettendorf,
John Scherer, Alan Rassier, Steve Streng, Franz Kitzberger, Ellen & Bob Wahlstrom, Art Rebet,
Vincent L. Dixon, Genevieve Dixon, Mark Magney, Mark Zimmer. i
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors Loso, Ehlert,
Niedenfuer,and Twit present. . I
AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agen~ with a Recess after the City Engineer I
Reports and remove Item 17, relattng to a proposed Minnesota Histoncal Grant. The motIon was
seconded by Ehlert. '
Ayes: Hiemenz, Lose, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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CONSENT AGENDA: After a short discussion Loso made a motion to approve the consent
agenda as follows:
a) Approve Minutes _ August 20d> and August 21" with corrections to August 21 st
minutes as follows from Page 6
3. Fence: A maintenance free fence deflecting noise, excessive traffic, ruJes
odors etc. Consisting of at least six feet height from top to ground, nmning on the soUth
side of the lot according to the proposed plan (35 feet). .
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4. Noise generated from the car wash: Enclose car wash as much as possible
and must meet the State MPCA standards. delete (exit door is closed the entire wiIsh
and dry cycle),
b) Application for Payment No.5, $111,818.00 - W. Gohman Construction Co. for
Fire Hall, as reviewed and recommended by the Architects.
The motion was seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
DELINOUENT UTILITY BILL HEARING: The Delinquent Utility Bill Hearing was I
opened No one appeared before the Council for the delinquent utility bill hearing. The hearing
was closed. !
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PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE AGENDA: No one presented any public comments to the
agenda. I
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BILLS PAYABLE. CALLOUTS AND OVERTIME: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented
the bills payable, call outs and overtime. Discussed were the benefits of the engineering service
to the property owners and City as well as anticipated costs (right of way acquisition, acquiring a
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railroad crossing and direct project costs) associated with the proposed realignment of County
Road 133. Twit made a motion to approve the bills payable as presented, check mnnbers 23761
245 I 4; seconded by Ehlert. ~
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Twit noted Brad Meyer did not claim time for attendance at the budget meeting and requested
checking if this was an oversight. Twit made a motion to approve the call outs :and overtime as
submitted; seconded by Ehlert. ¡
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
MAYOR REPORTS: 1) Mayor Hiemenz presented a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of
Agreement between the St. Joseph Police Department, Waite Park Police Depa¡1ment and the
Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety for the project entitled Safe and
Sober Communities during the period from October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998. Direct
costs to the City include patrol car use and workers compo This is a grant of $11,000, with 15%
of it allowable for discretionary use. Loso made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing
the agreement and approve the City of St. Joseph provide the Financial Officer of Deputy Clerk
Judy Weyrens; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
2) The new Police Officer, Joel Bill will begin his position with the City on September 9, 1997.
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3) The Mayor, Police Chief and Councilor Ehlert welcomed the students ~ student
orientation, and discussed the community expectations and laws affecting studellts.
4) At the monthly meeting at the College of St. Benedict, college officials:
a) requested the City consider prohibiting parking on College Avenue, from the
Administration Building to the new cemetery on both sides of the street. This matter will be
reviewed further. '
b) are preparing to address their campus for 911 system identification. They hope use the
existing City grid system in this project. ¡
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c) indicated a desire for additional lighting on College Avenue South. The Mayor told
them the street lighting needs will be considered when the street is rebuilt in 2001.
5) The Community Activity Center committee met and gathered input from community members.
The Committee will consider the needs and interests and proceed with planning. SEH, designer
of Becker's community center, has expressed interest in the design of the proposed center.
COUNCILORS REPORT
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TWIT: I) The EDA Director will give the report on the EDA meeting.
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2) The Investment Committee met and reviewed the Investment Schedule.: Also discussed was a !
proposed agreement from Juran & Moody offering an Agreement for Dissemination Agent I
Services Related to Bond Issue Continuing Disclosure. This federally unfunded reporting is
required of all bond issues over $1,000,000, with a charge of $1 ,250 for the service. The City I
Auditor felt the cost for these services is appropriate. This reporting affects only the Fire Station
Bond Issue and costs will be allocated to that fund. Twit made a motion to approve the
agreement as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
3) The Personnel Committee will meet with Judy to prepare a draft of the proposed changes to
the Personnel Policy. Office equipment suppliers are being contacted concerning time clocks.
EHLERT: 1) The Personnel Committee intends to work with the Department Heads on the
Personnel Policy. Current procedures conforming to actual policy are being reviewed also.
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2) The Steering Committee for the Community Center is continuing to gather information to
determine their needs and will be viewing other community centers. CSB and sm are supporting
the committee. I
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3) Ehlert received favomble comments from the public on the Council's handling of the car waSh
wsue. ¡
4) The Planning Commission's public hearing on the momtorium on land use was held with I
comments received from the public. Concerns expressed were methods of accommodating current
use of property while planning for future use. Other concerns were how far to the future the
vision should extend, and periodic review every five to ten years. The momtorium will be
extended 30 days to accommodate meeting dates.
LOSO: 1) The St. Joseph Community Halloween Committee is seeking funding for the
community Halloween party. Loso recommended a donation to this safety promoting event.
Council agreed to consult with the City Attorney when he arrives on this matter.
2) Loso expressed concern on discussions the Police Chief had with thè St. Cloud Times
indicating elimination of a budget request for additional police support staff. The Council
reiterated this was due to the limited funding for the budget.
3) The hockey rink is 90% completed. The amount of volunteer help was light but much
appreciated. Installation oflights will be the next part of the project.
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NIEDENFUER: Further information received from the Minnesota Historical Society indicted
the City may not have much chance to receive a grant for the purchase of the Bank Building for a
museum. They recommended establishing a local historical society who would create a set of !
objectives and plans. Niedenfuer will advertise for interested persons and consult with the City
Attorney to establish the society.
EDA DIRECTOR REPORTS: Chad Carlson, EDA Director reported on the status of Bob
Brophy's housing proposal. He felt the access problem could be alleviated by purchasing the
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property (available soon), adjacent to it, cOlmecting to First Avenue NW. Brophy is considering
purchasing the property, to dedicate it to roadway right-of-way in return for possible relief from
utility charges (hookup fees).
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2) At the last Chamber of Commerce meeting it was agreed that Carlson would work with Chair
Hub Klein to provide more recognition of new businesses. i
3) In honor of Manufactures Week, co-sponsored by Minn. Technology and Dept. of Trade and
Economic Development,. two St. Joseph industries will be holding open house in celebration of
the event. .
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4) A cartography business is interested in a lot in the Roske Addition to relocate and combine his
two offices. The owner anticipates expanding to forty jobs and planning for 60 in five years,
while currently seeking financing options. He also anticipates establishing a future print shop in
the area. I
5) A Joint EDA and Council meeting has been for September 9, 1997 to discus~: Industrial Park
plans along with the Capital Improvement Program. i
CLERK! ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: I) Stapleton presented a proposal with two options
for review of street lighting submitted by NSP.
OPTION 1 - The City of St. Joseph can use the map identifYing areas of concern and
work with NSP St. Cloud to add standard Cobrahead fixtures on existing poles that would light
the darker areas. (There would be no charge for design services for this option,· only the standard
NSP installation charge for the fixtures. I
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OPTION 2 - Two NSP representatives will take foot candle measuremerlts of all or as
many locations as possible in one evening. These measurements will be documented on the map
provided by the City, and returned to the city. With the map, NSP will submit, a report which
will include:
· the lES recommended light levels for street lighting
· identification of the top priority areas
· recommendations for lighting these areas.
Option 2 includes design services provided for a fee of $770.
Loso made a motion to approve Option 2 as presented; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
2) Complaints concerning control of dogs have been received, as well as the need to make people
aware of the ordinances concerning their control. Loso stated the cable access channel will be an
excellent tool for dispersal of infonnation such as this.
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FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION: Ken Twit, Treasurer of the Fire Relief Association stepped
down from his Council chair to approach to COIlllcil. He presented the 1996 Audit and Schedule
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September 4,1997 Page 3198
I-II proposals for the City contribution to the Fire Relief Association. The fund is fully funded it
the current pension annual level of $1,100. Vesting is in two stages, 10 years for partial vestin&
with 20 years to be fully vested Twit presented proposals for annual pension levels of $1,200'
and $1,250 for the Council's information. The Advisory Fire Board will review and consider thb
matter. The impact of pension levels as well as no contribution by the City was discussed. '
CITY ENGINEER REPORTS: I) Joe Bettendorf reported the Brian Klinefelter Memorial
Park trail project is nearly completed Some low spots are being corrected. Bettendorf
recommended seeding the edges of the trail this fall.
2) Also discussed was the status of the drainage controls in Pond View Ridge, including the silt
fences. Mayor Hiemenz stated part of it washed out again, depositing more residue on the street.
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3) Bettendorf will contact the developer on the drainage problem on Hickory Street in Northland
Addition.
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INCREASED FEES: . Mark Zimmer appeared before the Council to discuss the increase in I'
certain fees. He felt the outdoor liquor fee increase from $50 to $100 is unfair. He also
questioned the increase to the amusement licenses. After Council discussion of the various fees
Niedenfuer made a motion to reduce the Outdoor Liquor License to $75 per event; seconded by
Loso. Further discussion - Ehlert recommended amortizing the increase over five years and felt
this was too large an increase in one year. '
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: Ehlert. Motion carried. i
CITY ATTO&"ŒY REPORTS: Council requested a recommendation on a proposal to donlte
to the Community Halloween Party Fund. John Scherer advised such dOnations are allowable if
the donation will provide broad community benefit. If a donation will not provide such benefi¿
city funds may not be used for it. Niedenfuer made a motion to donate $300 to the St. Joseph
Community Halloween fund; seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Hiemenz declared a ten minute recess at 9:20 p.m.
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting back to order at 9:30 p.m.
WATER TREATMENT FACILITY: Mark Magney, General Contractor for the Water
Treatment Facility, appeared before the Council to request final payment. He indicated he felt he
has provided all the requirements of the contract.
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City Attorney John Scherer stated the City received many customer complaints and took the
chlorine system out of service. Scherer stated he understood the chlorine equipment had been i
installed and then taken out of service. He concurred with the contractor that the equipment I
probably could not be resold as new equipment. i
Public Works Superintendent Richard Taufen stated the equipment had been up and running, but
he could not get the residual chlorine at an acceptable level. There were many problems with the
system. '
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Page 3199
After further discussion that although there were many problems with the system, City Officials
can not say there is anything specifically wrong with the equipment, and the supplier of the
equipment supplies to about 70% of all of this type of projects, and the equipment is considered
in the industry to be "top of the line". i
Bettendorf stated we do not need the equipment now because the requirement tlO chlorinate has
been pushed back to 2001. !
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Magney recommended having the supplier of the equipment (Vessco) come to the site and
properly shut it down for storage.
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Loso made a motion to make final payment to Magney Construction Company, seconded by
Ehlert. Discussion - h was clarified that Vessco will probably require payment to prepare the
equipment for storage.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried.
RECONSTRUCTION: ALLEY Mayor Hiemenz reported on the status of the alley (crossing
the Krebsbach property where the garage and gas station fonnerly were located)., and restoration
requirements. He stated in the course of removing the gas tanks part of the bituminous alley was
removed. The property owners are questioning what restomtion will be requireci After Council
discussion Loso made a motion to require Class 2 granite in the excavated area' land leave the
existing bituminous areas intact. If drainage causes washing onto Minnesota Street the City
reserves the right to require bituminous replacement throughout the alley excav.,ttion area. The
motion was seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried
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MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT ITEMS: I) A request was reœived to keep
the compost area open one hour longer on October 13th for the St. Joseph Lab School
W orkathon. Mayor Hiemenz made a motion to approve the request; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None. Motion carried.
2) Mayor Hiemenz reported that Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens was elevated front Step 9 to Step 10
on her anniversary date.
3) Mayor Hiemenz indicated he plans to attend an infonnational meeting being held by the St.
Wendel Township Board, concerning sewer and water for portions of St Wende,l Township on
September 11, 1997.
Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
4) Recently the City has received notice of application for authority to provide local telephone
service in our community, in competition with US West Council recommended comparison of
costs and services.
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September 4, 1997
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 with a motion by Loso; seconded by Twit.
Ayes: Hiemenz, L050, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried,
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Clerkl Administrator
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