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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 [03] Mar 04 Page 3484 March 4, 1999' I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special and regular session on Thursday, March 4, 1999 in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Mayor Kenneth J. Híemenz.CouncilorsBob Loso. Ken Twit, Mary Niedenfuer. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: . Jim Brimeyer, PamJMmdertuch,Dlck.Taufen,.Jae.BettendoIf, Clarence Ruetter, Chad Carlson. Mayor Hiemenz opened the special session of the City Council at 6:00 p.m.. and stated the purpose of the meeting was to consider the proposal of Brimeyer Executive Search Inc. to assist the City of St. Joseph in the hiling of an Administrator. Jim Brimeyer spoke on his own behalf. He stated that he formed Brtmeyer Executive Search in 1991 after a long career in municipal management. Brimeyer Executive Search assists communities in hiring employees that not only have administrative experience, but will fit into the community as well. The search process includes identifying what type of management sty1e the City is looking for, office clerical or offICe management EWher, lJeforeltsearcb-ean begin the City needs to determine how and where the City Is growing and what the administrator's role is with that growth in mind. For example jf lbe~ity-wiJlbe .expeliencing .urban growth, the administrator should be an individual with a strong planning background. I Blimeyer di~cussed wíthJhe Councíl1he-11ífferentJitles of municipal management and informed the Council that as the governing body they can describe and empower and Administrator to fit the needs of St. Joseph. Brímeyer stated that the fee for his service is based on the time spent prepàring. the position profile and the.extent.of ge.ograp/1ic areausedlor lbe March. When questioned .8510 the fee for St. Joseph Brimeyer responded that he would need to prepare a contract but estimated the I service to be $12,000 plus expenses. 1 loso made a motion to retain the services of Brimeyer Executive Search Consultants to assist the' City with hiring a Clerk/Administrator. Thismotion.alsüBUthorizestheMayor 10 execute.an i agreement with Brimeyer Executive Search contingent upon all Councilors receiving a copy of the' proposed contract. The motion wasseconded-ÞyT.wìt. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 4:0:0 Mayor Hiemenz called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:00 p.m.. MaYOr's Recocnition Award: Mayor Híemenz stated that he would like to thank Linda Sniezek for the seven (7) years she has served the City of St. Joseph on the Planning Commission. Amber Víehauser accepted the certificate oobeba!f DUrer mother, who was absentdueioJllness. Víehauser stated that her Mom wanted to thank the City for the opportunity and support she has been given. I ADDrove Acenda: Twit made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, LOSO,_Twit,Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carned 4:0:0 Aoorove Minutes: Twit made a motion tOllppfDve1heminutesofFebruary 18. 1999wíth1he following coITeclions: Consent Acenda: Twit made a motion to approve the following consent agenda as follows: Page 3485 March 4, 1999 a. Watab Creek Whitetails exemption from Lawful Gamblin" License for an event to be held on May 3, 1999 at the La Playette I The motion was seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion CarIied 4:0:0 Bills Pavable: Loso made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 26540 - 26575 as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 4:0:0 Overtime and Callouts: Loso made a motion to approve the overtime as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. ' Discussion: Twit questioned the policy on sick leave and if an employee is required to call in each day s/he is sick or if an employee can call in sick for an entire week. Twit stated that the Personnel Committee will be reviewing the situation. Twit also questÍOned why an employee is anowed to cany a negative number in Compensatory Time. ~yrens stated that the Mayor is reviewing the comp time of the effected employee and if the comp ärne claimed is not allowable, vacation time will be used. Ayes: Hiemenz, loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion CarIied 4:0:0 Personnel Issue: Hiemenz reported that he was contacted ~ the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Attomey with regard to the settlement with Rachel Stapleton. Beede stated that Stapleton is challenging the vacation balance as listed by the City and is ll'equesting a change in insurance. Through negotiations Stapleton has agreed to covered by COBRA restrictions which would allow her to continue insurance coverage under the current City policy for a peIiod of not to exceed 18 months. At the end of the 18 months Stapleton is requesting to be paid the cash difference between the insurance paid overthe past eighteen months and the agreed upon maximum benefit of $ 6,558,48. Twit made a motion to offer Stapleton insurance benefits as regulated through COBRA and at the end of 18 months Stapleton wiU be paid the difference between the insurance premiums paid andllJeagr.eecLupon ""nAfit of $ 6.558.48. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. MnfinnC.arried 4:0:0 I Treasurer's Report Housina Gqmt Weyrensrepnrtedthat the.city -Yl8S awan!.a grantby lhe Central Minnesota Initiative Fund in the amount of $ 3,750.00 for the housing study to be completed with AdMart. Resources. Recreation Association: Weyrens reported that the Recreation Association decided to wort. with the St. Jo~ptLChamber of Commerce for lheconstruction of the concessjonstand. Therefore, the City must retum funds received from the Recreation Association to the Recreation Association. The amount received-by the City lIS nftbis meeting is $40,000. Twit made a motion to retum funding received from the Recreation Association as requested; seconded ~ loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Losn, .Twit, J\liedeofuer Nays: None. . Motion Carried 4:0:0 DeD8rtment Head Reoorts - Public Works Director: Public Works Director Dick Taufen presented a revised HjgbwayMaíDtenanceAgœ.ement asdraf!edbyßte.ams Cnunty_ Stearns County has proposed that St. Joseph expand the maintenance agreement ~ maintaining the following roads: I ODen to thePJJbJic: .No ooe-PrBsentJNisb.ed ÍO speak. Page 3486 March 4, 1999' I- . CR 133 from CR 133 to CSAH 75, approximately .23 miles . CR 134 from the East City Limits to CSAH 75, approximately 1.34 As in the past, Steams County wiUreimburse the Cjty $1~jOOper Jane mile. Taufen stated that the additional road maintenance will not be a problem, but questioned if the City will be responsible for marking the turn Janes wfth.arrows. TwH made lImotionauthorizing the Mayor and Deputy Clerk to execute the Road Maintenance Agreement between the City of SI. Joseph and Steams County as recommended by Taufen.JJ1emotion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None _Motion Canied4:.D:O Mav Bowie License: Weyrens stated the City Offices have received a completed Temporary Liquor LicenseApplication and have.. re.ceiYed botb the Insurance Certificate.and appr.oval from the Police Chief. May Bowie will be held on May 1, 1999 at the Haehn Campus Center at the College of SI. Benedict. Smce the event wilLcontinuepastmidnigbtthe applicantlsrF!qll"5ting a two day liquor permit. loso made a motion to approve the two day liquor license as requested for May 1 and May 2, 1999. Tbemotion was seconded~y Niedellfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None-MotionCanied 4:0:0 I ComDost Area - Tom Dullinaer. Tom Dullinger of Reliable Rolloff appeared before the Council to request a pr~osaUo assist with the.oper.atíon oftbe compost area. Dllllinger's ~ro.posal includes placing three dumpsters at the compost site where residents could dispose of fumiture and appliançes.ResidentsJJSing 1he-5eIYice.would~ayD.ullingeu¡t the time-Of.disposing the unwanted items. Dullinger stated that the dumpsters would only be at the compost area during open hours. _Further, the City wouJdllaYeno responsibilitym .collecting money or attending the dumpster. However, he stated that if the compost attendant cannot be at the site on specific days he would bE¡~ngtoserveasasubstítute._TJ1eCouIlCilclarifJedtbatthe City-Dl1lyJIlCUfS a cost if Dullinger is acting in the place of the compost attendant. Taufen stat~d that hF! supportstbe-COIlCepLandJeellberesidents of the City .and TDWßship ofSL Joseph and St Wendel Township would benefit without creating additional costs. Dullinger stated that ~eJs..wiUínglo .commitlo-Dney.earandhewjILadYedisetbeJJew services. Loso made a motion to expand the service at the compost area, accepting the proposal of Tom Dullinger dt¡aReliableRoU _Off.t(l~ovìde-CJumpste1'S altbe compost site JorJumiture, appJiances and construction material. Further, this motion clarifies that the additional service will be of no cost to the City. Ihemotion wassecondedby Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None -Motion Carried 4:0:0 Twit made a motion to increase the hourly wage for compost attendant to $6.25 per hour. Further, in the absenceoflheCity compost lIttendant ReliableRolloff will be compensated attbe same hourly rate of $ 6.25. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Tw.i1,Nie.denfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 1 Clarerence Ruetter -Dlscussion onexoansion of Citvlimits:CommercíalRealator Clar.ence Ruetter appeared before the Council to discuss future planning and extension of services. He stated that he is working withacliemwhoJsJnter.este.dJn cleYeloping the-Pf!)pel1y west oftbe Sauk River and north of CR 75. At this time services are not available and his client is requesting a commitmE¡ntffDm the City lIslo when 5erIIk:es will be_available. Ihe1Y-Penf .development ls yet to be determined but due to the location it is anticipated to be commercial or industrial. The total acreage of ¡be property Js lIppfDximately4511Cres. City Engineer Joe Bettendorf stated that while services are not currently available it is possible to service the area.- Io-5eNícetbe-Brea.wi!h-sew.er,_atbirrUift "'atinnwouJdJJeecLtnbe-constructecl Page 3487 March 4, 1999 The questions that arises are the cost and cost participation. If the propelty is to be developed industrially, the City could TIF the area and recoup some of the cost. However, if it is developed commercially it may be a financial burden to the City. Bettendorf also stated that the property is currently in st. Joseph Township and would need to be annexed before services could be provided. Further, any property annexed must be contiguous so additional property may have to be annexed. 1 Council Members concurred that before the Council can react to a proposal, the zoning will need to be determined. In addition, tbe.cost of the project will need to be calculated illustrating the City's obligation. Ruetter requested the Council autholize the City Engineer to prepare a preliminary cost of serving the area. During the discussion on the cost of prepaling such a report, Ruetter agreed to pay the engineering costs innvolved. Therefore, loso made a motion authorizing the City Engineer to prepare preliminary costs for the extension of service and to meet with Mr. Ruetter to review such cost. Further, this motion clarifies thatMLRuetter will reimburse the City for all costs associated with the engineering report. The motion was seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiernenz,l.osa, Twit Nays: Niedenfuer Motion Carried 3:1:0 Comprehensive Plan - St. JoseM TownshiD: Bettendorfquestioned if the CityllasIe\'iewed the Comprehensive Plan of St. Joseph Township and prepared comments. Hliemenz stated that the City Council and Planning Commission will be meeting jointly Dn March 1 ~, 1999 at the Meeting Grounds to review the plan and prepare comments for St. Joseph Township. Hiemenz requested Bettendorf to attend the meeting as well. Joseph Street ImDrovement: Bettendorf reported that he, Mayor Hiemenz, EDA Director Car1son and City Assessor OIIie.l.esnickmet to discuss proposed assessments for Joseph street. Lesnick is in the process of researching whether the property on Joseph Street can support the assessment~ BettendorLrequested tbe Council authorize tbe-public improvemenLhearing for Joseph Street provided the affected properties can support the assessments. I loso made amotion to approvelheResolutianReceiving Report and Call1ing Hearing on Improvement; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hliemenz, loso, Twit,-Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 Resolution Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement WHEREAS, pursuant to resolution ofthe Council adopted March 4,1999, a report has been prepared by Joe Bettendorf DfSbortElliotJ::Jenclríckson Jnc. with refe,rence to the improvement of Joseph Street between East Elm Street and County Road 133 ~ constructing sanitary sewec,Btorrn sewer.water main,~aruLbituminpusstreet with concrete curb and gutter, and this report was received by the Council on November 5, 1998, and WHEREAS, the-reporLprovides jnformation regarding whe1ber-1be~roposed ¥Oject.ís necessary, cost-effective, and feasible. . NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ST. JOSEPH, MINNESOTA: 1. The Council will consider the improvement of such street in accordance with the report and the assessment of abutting property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the improvement of $ 855,OillL 1 1 Page 3488 March 4, 1999 1 2. A public healing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 23'd day of March, ! 1999, in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall at 7:00 p.m. , and the clerk shall give mailed! and published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law. 4th Avenue Feasibility Reoort: Bettendodstated that Amy Schaeffer of SEH will present the feasibility report to the City Council on March 18, 1.999 regarding 4th Avenue NE. Citv Facil~ies - First State Bank: Carlson stated that the First State Bank of St. Joseph and the City of St. Joseph have signed a letter of intent regarding the relocating of the City Offices in the First State Bank Building and the bank constructing a new facility on the Roske Property. In order to move fOlWard, the City needs to authorize an appraisal ofthe bank which will cost approximately $3,000 to $5,000. Carlson stated that the Board of Directors at the bank have tö secure an-appraisal oftheirown to assist with the negotiation of the sale. Twit stated as the bank building appears to be the most viable option, he moved to authorize the hiring of an independent appraiser and authorize the Mayor to execute such agreement. The motion was seconded by Niedenfuer. Discussion: Loso questioned the funding source for the appraisal. Weyrens stated that since the amount is smaD it can he taken from the Building Fund. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carded 4:.0:0 I Central MN Events Center: Hiemenz stated the task force for the Events Center is seeking commitment from the surrounding cities. At this tiffiethe City will not be obligating any funds nor will the City be making a financial comm~ment. Loso questioned if the City approves to be part of the Events Center and the Center is noUinanciallyselfsupporting couJd the City be responsible in part for the shortfall. Hiemenz responded that he is uncertain as to the financial commitment. Twit stated \hat he r.eviewedthe_rnateriaLpresented and _calculated the potential retum on investment. The Center is being marketed as an investment and according to the projections the City of St. Joseph will have a retum on investment of 28% Niedenfuer stated that she objects to the same issue being brought to the table without resolutions. She stated it Isner recolleclion that.thisisllie thin:Uimethis matterhas been brought before the Council and the same questions have never been answered. Twit requested that Hiemenz ask the Committee jfllie City of SLJosephis to .accept the checkorwrilethe check. Loso requested this matter be tabled until further information is available. Hiemenz received general consensus that the Council supported the .concept oflhe Events Center, butlhe City will not make a comm~ment at this time. Mavor ReDorts: No Report Council Report TWIT Personnel Committee: Twit reported that Ehlert met with the non union, non contract employees to discuss wage and benefrtproposals for j999.IwiLpresented a proposal which was divided into two categolies, Primary Issues and Secondary Issues. The Primary Issues are as follows: 1. Vacation Carry oller 2. Wage Increase I The Personnel Committee has discussed a proposal whereby the employees would be allowed to carry fOlWard a maximum of 160 hours of combined compensatory time and vacation time. In addition, the Personnel Committee is proposing to carryfolWard the dollar value of the vacation rather than the hours, as carrying fOlWard the hours is a greater cost to the City. Hiemenz Page 3489 March 4, 1999 questioned the legality of such proposal and requested Weyrens contact the League of MN Cities regarding this matter. W~h regard to the wage proposal, the Personnel Committee is requesting the wages for 1999 for oon union employees be adjusted by 2.5 percent While this is higher thaI! the CPI, the Personnel Committee is attempting to keep wages on a level increase. If the CPt raises significantly in the future, the City can offset that cost by increasing wages at a steady rate. Some of the Secondary Issues include: Personnel Policy review, replacing the Birthday Holiday for the day after Thanksgiving, employee training and rotating schedules ill the City Office. Loso requested that the Primary Issues be placed on the agenda for March 18, 1999. LOSO Refuse ComDlaint: loso stated that he received a complaint from a landlord who is requesting .relief from the City's refuse service policy for rental properties. The landlord owns a restaurant and a rental unit on adjacent property and does not feel they should have to pay adãrtionally for refuse service. The Council reiterated the refuse policy for service to renllal property will be enforced as established. NIEDENFUER Minnesota Proiect: Niedenfuer reported that the intem working with the Mlinnesota Project is in the process of writing a grant to assist with the financing of special projects. Sustainabilitv Committee: The intem working with the City on developing a bike trail has finished the project and is in the process of researching aitemative funding methods for implementation. Flowers on Minnesota Street: Niedenfuer discussed the cost of planting flowers along Minnesota Street and stated the cost Dfsucb is .approximately $100..00_ Last year !he st Joseph Chamber and City provided the necessary funding. Niedenfuer made a motion to assist with funding for the flowers on Minnesota Street as in the past. The motion was seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 Miscellaneous: Niedenfuer encouraged Councilors to attend the one day seminar sponsored in part by the St. Joseph Sustain ability Project.. The seminar is hosting Michael Kinsley who will speak on 'Practical Ways to Make Communities More Sustainable". Adioum: Twit made a motion to adjoum at 9:15p.m.; seconded by loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, loso, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 1J~~vUA4 Judy Weyrens . Deupty ClerX . 1 I I