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Home My WebLink About2000 [02] Feb 17 Page 3698 February 17, 2000 I City of Sl Joseph City Council Meeting 2/17/00, 1:00 PM I I I 1. Call to Order. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met on Thursday, February 17, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. 2. Members Present: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz, Bob Loso, Mary Niedenfuer, and Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Members absent: Ken Twit. Others Present: AI Rassier, Steve Johnson, Fire Chief Dave Theisen and Steve Streng. 3. Approve Agenda. Ehlert made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Loso. The motion passed unanimously by those present. ' 4. Consent Agenda - a. The Cadillac Dinner - Fire Department Fundraiser- April 28, 2000 b. Fire Dept. Fall Fundraiser- La Playette-August 18, 2000 c. Pay Equity report d. Authorization to change Gary Donabauer from part time to full time e. Resolution Initiating Process for Approval of Redevelopment Project -Area ! Loso stated that he would like items c and d removed for discussion; Loso asked if we are in compliance with pay equity. Weyrens indicated that we are in compliance with the tests and that we should be in futl compliance with the state. I Loso stated that he has a problem with item d - the Authorization to change Gary Donabauer from part time to full time.' He llas no problem with the employee, but does have a problem with the process. The full time position should have been opened up to the public. Niedenfuer stated that it is not uncommon to promote part time employees to full time employees. Hiemenz stated that Gary Donabauer is an excellent employee, but added too that he also did not know that the employee had already gone full time. This should have been brought to the council. Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Niedenfuer. The motion passed unanimously by those present. 5. Approve Minutes -Ehlert made a motion to approve the minutes of February 3, 2000. Loso seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by those present. I I i 6. Bills Payable and Overtime/Callouts - Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the bills payable 27943 through 27977. Loso seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by those present.. Weyrens reported the tape backup units in the City Office Computers are not working as a result ofY2K issues. The cost to replace the tape units is approximately $ 2,100.00. Weyrens stated that she has submitted a claim to the League of MN Cities for reimbursement if possible. I I Page 3699 February 17, 2000 Ehlert made a motion to approve the overtime and cal/outs, seconded by Niedenfuer. The motion passed unanimously by those present. 7. Public Comments on the Agenda - There were no public comments on the agenda. 8. Relief Association Report - Steve Johnson of the St. Joseph Relief Association addressed the Council. Johnson reported that due to the success of the investments that the Relief Association made, a contribution is not required for the years of 1999 and 2000. However, the Relief Association is requesting a minimum contribution of $100.00 per fire fighter based on 30 fire fighters per year in order to maintain positive growth of the departments pension plan. This would be a gesture by the district to show their support of the fire fighters. The Fire Board already approved this. In addition, the Fire Board budgets $5,000 per year for this fund. They are merely asking for $3,000. Hiemenz stated that he supports the $100 per fire fighter. This will help keep the fund solvent I and keep the investments growing. Ehlert also expressed his support and stated that St. Joseph only pays 38% of the fire budget so this increase of $3,000 will be split between the City and the Township. I Hiemenz made a motion to approve the contribution of $3,000 to the Relief Association. Johnson stated that the Relief Association will still come back every year. It was asked what- happens to the excess funds. Johnson replied that the excess goes into the fund and helps it grow. ay creating this excess, it makes it easier to budget for the future. Hiemenz amended hìs inotìan establishing a minimum annual fire pension contribution of$1oo per active fire fighter as recommended by the fire board. Ehlert seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by those present. 9. Personnel Manual - Loso made a motion to move this item to the next meeting so that Council member Twit could be present. Ehlert seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by those present. 10. Police Chief Interview Schedule - Hiemenz stated that one change has been made to the schedule in that from..I:3Q.- 2:3Qj/1e public will be invited to come and meet the candidates at the La Playette. The interviews will immediately follow. 11. Mayors Report - Hiemenz reported that the Affordable Housing Task Force met and that Chad is attending as the City representative. The task force is requesting municipalities to accept the mission statement and goals. The mission statement of the task for is as f01lows: The Mission Qf the Central Minnesota TaSK Force on AffqrQ¡¡þle HQ\!sing is t9 inve&tigilte the laCk of affQrdaÞI~ ttou!ìing in .the. J'lgion, ~Q e1juç<¡te are" leaders and the publiC. and, to propose poliClès 'ånd praêt'lcies t6Idói\llIri~ 9fq9Y~mmih~ th~rVt!!Ÿlq m9Ÿìi them ' toward a coordinated and cooperative solutiòn tò the þrobièm. " "" Loso made a motion to adopt the mission statement as stated above and the goals outlined I in the literature provided by the Central Minnesota Task Force. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously by those present. I Ehlert questioned the benefrt of participating in the Task Force and if it was a good use of staff time. He further stated that in his opinion St. Joseph already has a good mix of housing types and affordable housing is not an issue. Hiemenz stated that it is his opinion that St. Joseph should be involved as it is a regional project. Page 3700 Febmary 17,2000 I Hiemenz also discussed the Joint Planning Board and that the area City Clerks/Administrators will be meeting to coordinate the mission of the Board and set goals. 12. Council Reports - Niedenfuer reported that they had a Farmers Market meeting with the growers. They have received a great commitment from them. They are also implementing en education and entertainment component that should make it very fun. . Niedenfuer reported that she attended the CORE meeting last week. They talked for an hour and a half about the off campus liaison position. They are screening forthis position now which would work with CORE and help the students be more aware. They will start with one student as a pilot project and eventually have two students off campus. They also discussed disorientation and would like to hold a separate meeting with the police, City Council and bar owners to talk about the issues surrounding Senior Disorientation. Finally. they discussed the draft of a warning system that she and Council member Ehlert have been working on. They are hoping to have it implemented before Spring. Niedenfuer indicated that they also briefly discussed the moratorium. Niedenfuer reported that there will be a meeting with the Healthy Communities Partnership and the EDA on Tuesday in room 9 of the Main Building at the CoJleg'e of St. Benedicts. Niedenfuer asked if a letter had been sent to the owners of the quansit hut where the abandoned cars are parked. Loso had no report Ehlert reported that he has received an overwhelming number of snowmobile complaints. He has contacted the Snow Joes and they are willing to help with the problem. I 13. Clerk Administrator Reports - Weyrens reported that Officer Paul Schley is interested in pursing funding for the mobile police computers. The Council supported the efforts of Officer Schley. Weyrens reported the Board of Review meeting has been set for Apnl 18, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall. Hiemenz reported that a joint' meeting with the Council and the Planning Commission has been set for March 9. If anyone has any items to discuss, they should send them to the CitY Administrator 50 that they can be placed on the agenda. 14. Miscellaneous and Announcement Items - There were no miscellaneous items to discuss. 15. Adjourn - 8:30 Loso made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ehlert. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Cs~ Cari Schmidt Clerk/Administrator City of Sl Joseph I