HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 [02] Feb 24
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February 24, 1998
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session øn'
Tuesday, February 24, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall. i
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Mary
Niedenfuer, Ken Twit. Clerk! Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
OTHERS PRESENT: Kathleen Murphy, Judy Weyrens, Mary Generous.
Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with all Councilors present to discuss the
pay equity status.
Mayor Hiemenz discussed a letter he received from the City of St. Cloud relating to three sections in St.
Joseph Township included in the Orderly Annexation Agreement which are in St. Cloud's sewer service
area. He also presented a survey on St. Wendel Township homeowners utility needs, which was
distn'buted at a recent St. Wendel Township meeting concerning homeowners utility needs.
Representatives of St. Wendel Township may be contacting St. Joseph to discuss providing them with
sewer service.
PAY EQUITY: Kathleen Murphy, Personnel Consultant, discussed the pay equity law, its requirements
and implications. Statistical analysis is done on the required complete and accurate payroll data
submitted. She discussed the various tests for compliance and particnlarly St. Joseph's situation. The
1992 report (which was in compliance) included a male dominated laborer position that kept the City in
compliance. All positions that work at least 67 days a year and 14 hours per week must be reported,
although all jobs may be reported. She stated the City may wish to report the recreation positions as well.
Murphy recommended the City purchase software to test the status of the City prior to submitting reports.
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A revised report was submitted by the City in August 1997 with current data. From that report the State
Department of Employee Relations (DOER) determined the City was out of compliance. The Council
reviewed the options (based on the compliance tests) suggested by DOER to bring the City into
compliance, namely increase the wages offemale dominated positions of Deputy Clerk and/or
Administrative Assistant.
Murphy stated the City has a classic pay step system and it is a flulœ that it is out of compliance. The
Council felt any modification of it would upset the balance of the system.
The EDA Director position was discussed, and if the City should be including thai position in its report.
Murphy stated the entity that has fin;¡l budgetary authority has the reporting responsibility. The EDA
Director is in a Class 9 wage scale.
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Murphy will contact DOER to obtain a detennination if the EDA Director should be included in the City'SI
report. Murphy will also review the results of the August 1997 report with the EDA Director included in
it.
PROPERTIES AVAILABLE: Mayor Hiemenz stated representatives for the sale of the Roth property
(a<ljacent to the Roske Property) and the old bank building are interested in negotiating on the properties,
and asked if the Council wanted to pursue either property.
OLD BANK BUILDING:
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loso stated the Historical Society is not in place nor is parking available for the old bank building.
Niedenfner stated parking is not anticipated to be a problem for a museum, and the building is important
to save. The property owners are willing to negotiate and would consider a contract for deed. She also
rhetorically questioned which comes first, the Historical Society or the reason for it (a museum). She also
suggested the EDA purchase the building.
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February 24, 1998
Mayor Hiemenz stated if the City would turn the building over to a Historical Society as a non-profit
organization, there would always be some expense to the City.
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Twit felt the cost of the property as wen as maintenance costs make the property prohibitive. He also
suggested Stearns County Historical Society could work with the City.
Ehlert would like to see a financial plan for purchasing the bank building as weB as plans for a mnseom,
before committing support.
ROTH PROPERTY:
Loso stated the Council has not yet decided on the use of the Roske property on Minnesota StreeL
Twit felt the Roth property would make the adjacent City and Township property more marlœtable, and
supported pursuing negotiations on this property. Loso and Ehlert also stated they supported that
position.
Twit questioned the source of the funding for both properties. Niedenfuer stated there are other funding
sources available for a museum.
Steve Dehler stated Mike Deutz is planning on demolishing the old house on the northeast corner of
Minnesota Street and First Avenue NW. He stated this property could be considered for a museum as a
portion of it was built about 1860.
Twit made a motion to pursue negotiations on the Roth prope1!y at a value range up to $55,000; seconded
by Niedenfuer. Discussion - Mayor Hiemenz will negotiate and bring the matter back to the table.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:36 p.rn.; seconded by Niedenfuer.
Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit
Nays: None, Motion carried.
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Rachel Stapleton
Clerk! Administrator
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