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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [01] Jan 04 Page 3834 January 4, 2001 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. ~oseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Councilors Ken Twit, Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Mary Niedenfuer. Clerk/Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Audrey Twit, Steve Niedenfuer, Police Chief Gary Will, Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Ben Poepping, Mary Ann Poepping, Jane Reber, Bud Reber, Herb Bechtold, Don Schneider, Gladys Schneider, Joel Vogel, Diane Schneider Approve Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda as 'presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. Discussion: Twit questioned the purpose of the closed meeting portion of the agenda. Loso stated that the new Council members need to be updated on the ASFME contract negotiations and a second negotiator from the Council will need be selected as Ken Hiemenz will no longer be able to function in that capacity. Twit stated it is his opinion that the Council can only close the meeting to discuss strategy, and felt the appointment of a new negotiator and updating the Council could be discussed at the open meeting. The motion was passed unanimously. Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of December 18, 2000 with corrections; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously. I Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the minutes of December 21,2000 with corrections; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously. Bills Payable: Loso made a motion to approve the Bills Payable as presented, check number 29232 through 29270; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously. Overtime and Callouts: Loso made a motion to approve the Overtime and Callouts as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer and passed unanimously. Terms and Conditions of Police Chief Emplovment: Weyrens stated that some confusion has arisen with regard to the terms and conditions of the Police Chief's employment. No documentation can be found as to the actual terms agreed upon. Police Chief Gary Will stated that he and the former Administrator had e-mailed correspondence and stated he accepted the position with the following understanding: " Will would be paid $ 47,000 per year with an annual increase of 5% per year on his anniversary date of employment. Further, on January first of each year he would be granted a cost of living adjustment (COLA) equal to the adjustment granted to the Patrol Officers through the LELS contract. In addition, Will understood that he would receive the same benefits afforded the Patrol Officers through the LELS contract. I Hiemenz stated that he does not recall linking the benefits in the LELS Contract with the terms of employment offered to Will. Further, the Council did not agree to adjust Will's salary by the COLA granted the Police Officers through the LELS Contract. Hiemenz understood the terms of employment to be as follows: Page 3835 January 4, 2001 Starting Salary: $ 47,000 with a five percent annual adjustment on the anniversary date of employment. Employment Status: Exempt Employment Guidelines: St. Joseph Personnel Policy Manual I Hiemenz further stated that he discussed this matler with former Administrator Cari Schmidt and she stated that the terms of employment offered Will did not include a COLA adjustment. Will stated that he did e-mail Schmidt whereby it was agreed that he would start at $ 47,000 per year with a five percent adjustment on his employment anniversary date, COLA adjustment on January 1st of each year and all benefits as sitated in the LELS contract. Will stated that before Cari Schmidt left, he reviewed his personnel file and he thought it contained the e-mail outlined above. Weyrens stated the only e-mail in Will's file is the first offer from Will whereby he requested $ 48,000 per year with an annual salary increase of fIVe percent The email did not include any mention of other benefits. Twit stated the Council did not want to link the employment of the Police Chief with the LELS contract, as that document is negotiated at least every three years. The Council was adamant that the Police Chief would be employed as an exempt employee governed by the Personnel Policy Manual. Loso and Ehlert concurred with Twit. Loso made a motion to reaffirm the employment terms for Police Chief Will, to include the following: Annual Salary. $ 47,000 with a five percent increase each year for fIVe years, The adjustment is to be made on the employment anniversary date of April 17, 2000, I Moving Expense. $ 2,500.00 Vacation Hours: 80 hours the first year, each year thereafter as stated in the City of st. Joseph Personnel Policy Manual. Uniform: Same as the Officer's annual allowance. Holidays, Sick Leave, Funeral Leave, Ml7itary Leave, Insurance, Resignation, Retirement, and Tuition Reimbursement: As stated in the Personnel Policy. Memberships: $100 per year -International Chiefs of Police: $ 75.00 per year MN Assoc. Chiefs of Police Conference: States Chiefs Association annually. International Chiefs Conference when possible. Miscellaneous: All provisions not listed above will follow the guidelines as stated in the City of st. Joseph Personnel Policy Manual. The motion was seconded by Niedeofuer and passed unanimously. Mayor Reports I Borresch Re-zonina Reauest: Hiemenz reported that he has received numerous calls regarding the upcoming public hearing for Tim Borresch. Borresch is requesting to I Page 3836 January 4, 2001 rezone a parcel of land from R-1 to R-3. Hiemenz stated the callers defined the request as spot zoning and an attempt to circumvent the Zoning Ordinances. TranspOrtation Alliance: Hiemenz attended the Transportation Alliance Meeting on December 27,2000 where road funding was discussed. Representatives from the St. Cloud area will be flying to Washington DC to lobby road funds. New City Hall: Hiemenz reported that he, along with City Staff, performed a walk through of the new City Office/Police Facility. The elevator is scheduled to be installed beginning on January 8, 2001. At this time the anticipated move in date is the last week in January. At this time Mayor Hiemenz thanked the members of the community for all their support over the past eight years and he was honored to serve as Mayor for the last four years. Hiemenz further thanked the Commissions and Boards for their dedication and . contributions to the community of St. Joseph. Hiemenz stated the City will be facing many tough issues in the next year and wished the new Council well. Councilor Reports ~J~ Niedenfuer thanked the Council and community for support over the past four years and stated it has been a pleasure and honor to serve the community of St. Joseph. I ~ Twit also thanked the Council and community for their support over the past four years and stated that he could not have performed his duties without the assistance of the City staff. The staff was cooperative and provided sufficient information to aid the Council in making sound decisions. Twit stated that St. Joseph is experiencing a growth spurt and Council of 2001 will be faced with many challenges. He encouraged the Council to make the best decisions possible for the community and to not let personal interest cloud the process. Further, Twit stated the City is the largest business in the City and should be managed as such. He encouraged the Council to make decisions as if the City were their own business. , Adiourn: Ehlert made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously. 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000, At this time the meeting was re-opened with the following Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Council Members Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider. , I City Clerk/Administrator Judy Weyrens administered the following Oath of Office to Larry Hosch, AI Rassier and Kyle Schneider. The above solemnly swore to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota and to discharge the office of Mayor and Councilor of the City of St. Joseph to the best of their abilities. Page 3837 January 4, 2001 Community Service Awards: Mayor Hosch presented Kenneth J. Hiemenz, Ken Twit and Mary Niedenfuer with a Community Service Award and thanked them for their contributions to the City of St. Joseph and encouraged them to continue to be active in the community. I Public Comments to the Agenda Steve Dehler: State Representative Steve Dehler approached the Council and wished the new Council well. He stated that he is always available to help the City and the Council should not hesitate to contact him. Dehler also reminded the Council that when they make a decision they make it as a body and must support the decisions that are made. Joel Voael: Joel Vogel approached the Council expressing frustration with the skating rink hours. He sitated that the hockey and skating Rink were closed on New Years Eve and Day. In his opinion the holiday vacation is one of the busiest times for the rink and it should be open during this time He further stated that St. Joseph needs to have programs available to keep the children and young adults busy. Gladys Schneider: Gladys Schneider stated it is her opinion that thle City does not have to provide organized activities for children. In past years children have found things to do and everything should not be so structured. Ben Poeppino: Poepping questioned if members appointed to the commissions or boards need to be residents of the City of St. Joseph. Loso stated that Planning Commission members can live within two mile radius of the City limits while Park Board members must live in the City. I Mavor AppOintments: Hosch presented the Council with the proposed Mayoral Appointments for the year 2001. Hosch stated that he used the format of the prior year and board/commission openings were published in the St. Joseph Newsleader. Loso made a motion to accept the 2001 Mayor Appointments as presented by Mayor Hosch. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously by those present. MAYOR REPORTS Resource Meetina: The City Attorney, Engineer and Bond Counsel have offered to provide resource information to the Council. Upon Hosch requesting a meeting date from the Council, they agreed to conduct the meeting on January 17, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. Weyrens will check the City facility calendars and contact the City Council as to the location of the meeting. Rules of Order - Council Meetinas: Hosch presented a portion of Roberts Rules of Order and stated that he will conduct meetings according to those rules. Hosch stated he would like to assure that order is kept during the meeting and Councilors are not interrupted while speaking. The rules would require a Council Member to receive the floor before speaking. The Council agreed to review this matter and work with the procedure presented. I Page 3838 January 4, 2001 COUNCIL REPORTS I ~ Family Fun Day: Schneider reported the Park Board is sponsoring the annual Family Fun Day at the skating rink on Saturday, January 12, 2001 between 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The event will include sledding, skating, food and door prizes. ... No Report .. No Report -- No Report I ASFME Union Contract: Loso reported that he and former Mayor Hiemenz have been negotiating with ASFME. At this time the Council will need to appoint a replacement for Hiemenz. Loso requested that the Council appoint Councilor Ehlert as he was invoived in the formation of the original offer to the ASFME union. Rassier made a motion to appoint Cory Ehlert to the negotiating committee for the ASFME contract; seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. Loso stated that each Councilor should have received a copy of the proposed contract as of the end of the last mediation session. At this time Loso stated the Council needs to discuss strategy. Loso made a motion to adjourn to a closed meeting at 8:06 for purpose of discussing strategy for the mediation scheduled on January 19, 2001. I The motion was seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. I Adiourn: At 9:45 p.m. the Council opened the closed meeting with Loso making a motion to adjourn and Ehlert seconding. The motion passed unanimously. ~q~AOd Ju eyrens Cler Administrator I