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Home My WebLink About1998 [03] Mar 05 I I I Page 3286 , March 5,1998 Pursuant to due caU and notice thereof the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular I session on Thursday, March 5( 1998 at 7:00 p.rn. in City Hall. , MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Mary Niedenfuer, Ken Twit. Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. Cory Ehlert was absent. OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Chad Carlson, Joe Bettendorf, Ben Stringer, Brian Marchand, Travis Skobily, Jim Graeve, Mark Zimmer, Mike Deutz, Joel Bill, Jason Dahl. Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors Loso, Niedenfuer, and Twit present. AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the ageMa; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. MINUTES: Loso made a motionio approve the minutes ofthe February 19, 1998 meeting with the following corrections; seconded by Twit. Page 4 - Second paragraph - Omit the following (This equipment is used primarily for sweeping streets and snow removal from sidewalks and hockey rinks.) Page 4 - 5th paragraph 3) Add - Mayor Hiemenz stated there is no room for ditches. I CONSENT AGENDA: Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows a. through g; seconded by Twit. i Discussion - Twit discussed the increased cost of item g. "Big Toy' for B. Klinefelter Memorial Park. Because of concems on receiving accurate information for Council meetings a memo will be sent to the subsidiary boards and commissions to provide accurate documentation when presenting requests to the Council. a. Request management training for Sergeant Young 4~urses - tQtal $300. b. Retail on-sale non-intoxicating malt tiquor, Church of St. Joseph for 4th of July Celebration. c. Exemption from Gambling license, Church of St. Joseph for the 4th of July Celebration ' d. Exemption from Gambling license, St. Joseph Volunteer Firefighters, April 17, 1998 at LaPlayette e. Gambling Licenses, St. Joseph Lions Club, Main Street Pub & EI Paso f. 1998 Elgin Sweeper Clinic, March 17, 1998, St. Paul, Registrants Jim Marthaler and Ray Bechtold, cost $40 each. g. "Big Toy' for Brian Klinefelter Memorial Park, revised cost from last meeting increased to $5,239.77. I And the foUowing item from the consent agenda was removed, to allow Dick Taufen to get a second quote and resubmit to the Council. h. Chain link fence proposal for east boundary of maintenance shop area. 320 feet at $5,400. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mike Deutz and Mark Zimmer both appeared before the Council stating they do not support a sales tax in St. Joseph for the proposed Special Events Center, because they felt it will not benefit St. Joseph. Loso stated the Council has not supported any tax proposal for the Events Center. Zimmer and Deutz felt there would be more support for a sales tax if benefit could be shown to St. Joseph. Niedenfuer stated she can not see how a big center would benefit St. Joseph. Zimmer stated his customers are expressing the same thought. Mayor Hiemenz stated the location ofthe events center could make a big impact on St. Joseph Page 3287 March 5, 1998 amended to allow a larger portion of it be retumed to the smaller cities. Twit felt St. Joseph would not support the tax unless the excess tax revenue retum would be based on a per capita basis. BILLS PAYABLE: The Council reviewed the bills payable. callouts and overtime as presented by Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Costs of repairs to the automatic dialer for the water treatment facility was discussed. If these repairs do not correct the problems consideration will be given to replacing the system. Council requested clarification on the extended warranty for fire department pagers. Twit made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 25154- 25191; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I Overtime and callouts were discussed. Police holiday benefit was clarifil:¡d. Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. The Council considered Dick Taufen's request to carry over 21 hours of l(acation time into 1998. He was unable to use all his vacation time due to water system complications aM excess work on East M"mnesota Street. Twit indicated Taufen felt he was not given pmper notification after Twit had reported the situation to the Council. Stapleton stated she had reported the matter at an employee meeting. Mayor Hiemenz recommended notification by memo for documentation. Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the carry over hours as requested; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Niedenfuer. Twit. Nays: Loso. Motion carried. Weyrens recommeMed transferring $70,000 from the designated Street Improvements Reserve Fund to the Street Maintenance Fund to give the fuM a positive balance,. Loso made a motion to approve the recommended fund transfer effective December 31, 1997; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I CITY ENGINEER REPORTS ENGINEERING FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANS: Joe Bettendorf present.ed a draft development proposal for future subdivision in St. Joseph. The City Engineer would provide the engineer services, with the project being bid as a City project. Council requested input from the developers while looking after the best interests of the City. BetteMorf vÆI work with Stapleton in contacting the developers for input. 1998 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: BetteMorf presented a pmposed schedule for the 1998 Street Improvement Projects as follows: Complete plans and specifications Advertise for Bids Open Bids Consider Award Begin construction Complete construction March 113 March 113, 20, 27 April 3 April 16 May 15 June 3C1 Loso stated he is having second thoughts on the decision to remove a portion of the Cloverdale area from the project. BetteMorf stated that removing certain streets from a project wimthe intention of doing them at a later date is not necessarily a problem aM ~~at reconsideration of the matter would have to take place at a public hearing. Loso made a motion to accept the 1998 Street Improvement schedule and call for bids for the project; secoMed by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, ~denfuer, Twit. N~vc:' Nnnp Mntinn r~rriM I I Page 3288 March 5, 1998 JOSEPH STREET: The Council discussed a survey sent last faIL to the property owners on Joseph Street gathering information on the property owners concems and needs for utilities, drainage, and street improvements. Mayor Hiemenz discussed the current costs to the City in attempting to maintain the street, including hauling in many loads of fill. It will be necessary to establish an assessment policy foriMustrial property. Stapleton and Bettendorf will seek industrial property assessment polices from other cities. Loso made a motion to approve a resolution Ordering Preparation of a Report on the Improvement authorizing Short Elliot Hendrickson to prepare a feasibility report for the Joseph Street improvements (to include water, sewer, drainage and street improvements). The motion was seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. APPRAISAL QUOTES FOR LAND ACQUISITION FOR COUNTY ROAD 133: Chad Carlson presented appraisal quotes for Co. Rd. 133 ROW acquisition as follows: 1. Mike Amo of St. Cloud Appraisal, Inc. $1,450 qualified to be valid only if the appraisal are completed in synthesis with the Steams County portions of the project. i 2. Leigh Lenzmeier, Lenzmeier Real Estate Services - not to exceed $3,775 with assumptions of "before and after" complete analysis requirements, production of appraisal documents, and an oral report to the Council. 3. Kenneth J. Panger, Panger/Benson Appraisal Professionals, $3,000 per parcel for four, parcels ($12,000). . I Loso questioned the funding source for the appraisals. Stapleton stated expenses incurred prior to establishing a construction fund for the project would be self funded through the General Fund. Loso made a motion to accept the was quote of Mike Amo, St. Cloud Appraisal, Inc. contingent upon him getting the County contract; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. PAY EQUITY COMPLIANCE: As Kathleen Murphy had recommended, a determination on the EDA Director position concemirlg Pay Equity reporting has been requested from the State DOER. When such determination has been made an updated report will be prepared with updated data and submitted to DOER as required. COMMUMTY POLICE GRANT: Niedenfuer discussed the Commurlity Police Grant of $10,000 and the grant activities formuIated with Chief Lindgren through the CORE Committee. She requested the City provide the cash match up to $1,112 aM pursue anticipated matching funding through the Universities and Student Senates. Twit made a motion to accept the grant with the City providing the up front matching funds of $1,112, but to continue to pursue the other funding sources; seconded by Niedenfuer Discussion - Twit discussed Committee. or Board review of the grant activities. Mayor Hiemenz discussed tile control and reporting requirements contained in the grant agreement. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I SKID STEER LOADER PAYMENT: Loso made a motion to approve payment of the balance on the Skid Steer loader of $6,737.21 as recommended by Stapleton; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carrìed. REQUEST TO PLACE LIGHT ON EMERGENY SIREN POLE: Mayor Hiemenz stated Mark Lambert wishes to have a Jight placed on the siren pole to light the street between the parking area and his apartment building as a safety precaution. Stapleton reported she had checked with Page 3289 March 5, 1998 the light should not cause any interference, but could not 1ive positive assurance that there would be not interference. Mayor Hiemenz reported the light is intended to be placed below the antenna. Twit made a motion that upon the City receiving an adequate written easement I agreement to accommodate emergency siren needs for that property, approval to place light on emergency siren pole wUl be granted, with the stipulation that the light is subject to removal if it causes interference to the emergency siren system. The motion was sec:onded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried MAYOR REPORTS: 1) Mayor Hiemenz discussed legislation currently being considered to allow area Cities including St. Joseph to impose sales tax, possibly thro~gt} refereMum, for financing a proposed Special Events Center. On Loso's asking ifthe legislation includes an option to impose sales tax for other purposes, Mayor Hiemenz was not sure. 2) Mayor Hiemenz attended a "Speakout" held in St. Cloud on racial problems in the community. He indicated it was quite enlightening, with the ethnic mix within the community. 3) Steams County recently held a "cluster meeting" for St. Joseph City aM Township in the Fire Hall to review Steams County's Comprehensive Plan proposals. They wiill be holding open house type meetings to review the whole County proposal. Open House public input meetings will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following places March 17 - Steams County Administration Center, Room 343 March 18 - Paynesville Senior Center March 18 - St. Stephen City Hall March 24 - Rocori Middle School Room 169 4) The Mayor recently met with St. Benedict College and Monastery officials. They stated a recent survey indicated it is not feasible to build an ice arena. I INTRODUCTION OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS: Officers Joel Bill and Jason Dahl appeared before the Council and introduced themselves. The Council welcomed the new officers and expressed appreciation for the introduction. COUNCILORS REPORT NIEDENFUER: 1) Park Board Chair Joe Braun had contacted Niedenfue,r requesting a light at the 3'" Street entrance to Memorial Park (by the gate). The cost would ~¡ a monthly fee of $8.85. Loso made a motion to approva the light as requested; seconded by Twit Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried: Also a directional light on the sliding hill would have to be installed by a private contractor. Loso indicated that the best location for such a light would be on the building, but there are plans to demolish it soon. 2) Niedenfuer attended a workshop that discussed open space design housing developments, with smaUer lots and open green space. It preserves ag land and saves costs. 3) As part of her campaign promises and to gather citizen input, Niedenfuer will be holding a public meeting at the Meeting Grounds on Saturday, March 14 at 1 :00 p.m. I 4) Dave Ebnet of Steams County Historical Society recommended establishing a Historical Committee to gauge the level of commitment of the members, because Historical Societies requirÆJs a large commitment. Ebnet is on the grant committee for the State aM iMicated grants have to come to the City, not to non-profit organizations. Niedenfuer felt the Bank Building is a valuable commodity to the City but realizes purchasing it may not be possible. I I I I I I Page 3290 March 5, LOSO: Loso attended the Legislative Conference in St. Paul recently. The major legislative topics were the State surplus revenue and levy limits. There does not appear to be any change to the TIF laws this year. He stated email is the most efficient method of contactin1 the legislators. TWIT: 1) Pay equity will need to be addressed when a response is received from the State. 2) The EDA changed its meeting to 8:00 a.m. of the second Monday of each month. 3) The Investment Committee members have not been abfe to meet. CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) Wendy Doyle, .for tihe Community Halloween Committee is looking for a place to store some of their equipment. The Equipment is steel shelves (2 of them 8' x 18' wide) andsboots fOf-miniature golf, Council rerommended checking with Richard Taufen for possible space under water tower, and with Fire Chief for possible space in Fire HaU. 2) The Local Govemment Forum will be held on April 2 at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn for interested officials. 3) Insurance proposal for City Hall Building due to water damage is $3,270 less deductible of $500. 4) Auditors are wrapping up the work field work today. MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT tTEMS: ,1) Mayor Hiemenz attended a receDl meeting concerning St. Wendel sewer needs and future planning. St. Wendel Township officials may contact the City to hold a joint meeting. 2) Mayor Hiemenz is rlegotiating on City purchase of the Roth property. He also recently met . with Mark Lambert conceming lambert's-plaD5 for hispmpedy. 3) A copy of a recent court decision on interpretation of the requirements of the open meeting law will be in your next Coui'lcil packet. 3) Twit recently received a rental housing problem complaint. He indicated a rental property at College Avenue and Minnesota Street had not had heat for threB weeks .aM..possib]y had a h1gb caIDon monoxide level. The Housing Inspector will be contacted to investigate the situation for further action. Mayor Hiem~nz.stated steps can be taken to remedy the situation. 4) A Committee will meet on March 10, 6:30 p.m. to review and finalize proposed Housing Ordinance Amendments for consideration by Council, after final propo.sal is reviewed byJhe City Attomey. 5) On Loso's request to attend the Local Govemment Forum to be held on April 2 at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn, Twit made a motion to approve the request; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Twit made a motion to adjoum at 9:37 p.m.; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Rachel Stapleton