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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [02] Feb 15 Page 3851 February 15, 2001 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council for the City of SI. Joseph met in regular session on February 15, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the SI. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch, councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Alan Rassier, Kyle Schneider. Clerk/Administrator Judy Weyrens. I Others Present: Chad Carlson, Dick Taufen, Nick Pahl, Donald and Gladys Schneider, S. Miriam Ardolf. Mayor Hosch opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Aoorove Aoenda: Council member Loso moved to approve the agenda with the addition to the consent agenda item 3 (e) to provide funding to fix the City of 51. Joseph's street sweeper. The motion was seconded by Council member Schneider. The motion passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Council member Loso moved to approve the consent agenda as follows. The motion was seconded by Mayor Hosch. The motion passed unanimously. a. Increase sewer rates from current $1.30 per 100 cubic foot to $1.35 per 100 cubic fool. b. Appointment of Police Commissioner Larry Hosch and Councilor Bob Loso to a sub committee for Police Chief Review. c. Approval of minutes from February 1, 2001 council meeting. d. Approvai of overtime and callouts. e. Providing $4,742.60 to fix the City of SI. Joseph's street sweeper Proposals for buildino inspections and City attorney services: Mayor Hosch opened discussion for the advertisement regarding lawyer services. Council member Ehlert stated there was one response from Kundrat Law Office, but they would not provide prosecution services and the cost would be $100.00 per hour. Ehlert stated that since he was not interested in meeting all of the requirements of the position, the council should not entertain the idea of this offer. Ehlert stated they were hoping for more proposals and questioned whether this was the norm. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated the effort was not very aggressive, if there were mailings done in addition to the advertisement, there may have been more proposals. Council member Loso moved to retain Rajkowski Hansmeier L TD for attorney services. The motion was seconded by Council member Ehlert; and passed unanimously. I Public Comments to the Aoenda: There were none. Mayor Hosch opened discussion regarding the advertisement for Building Inspector services. Mayor Hosch stated AIISpec Services, LLC met with him regarding a proposal, which has since been revised. Mayor Hosch stated the difference is the contractor's commission was dropped from 75% of the cost to 65%. Council member Ehlert questioned whether a resubmission of a proposal was legal and/or fair to Great Northern Building, Inc. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens cautioned against the contractor always being able to keep their commission lower, or could be deceiving and would iike to sit down and discuss the contract with AIISpec Services LLC. Mayo( Hosch suggested to wait until the next council meeting and decide then after finding morel' information on the contracl. Council member Loso stated he feels AIISpec is undercutting the present building inspector, which is not something the council should endorse. Council member I Ehlert agrees. Council member Rassier suggested at the next council meeting both contractors Osubmit new proposals at which time the council could interview them, Council member Ehlert I concurred and adds there should be a format determined so each contractor gets an equal i opportunity to present their proposals. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated it is a good idea to get to know the contractors better before they are approved. Council member Rassier moved to establish an interview rate for each contractor and request they bring a one page rate I I I I Page 3852 February 15, 2001 summary. Each interview will be 15 miuutes. Council member Loso seconds; the motiou passed unanimously. Mayor ReDorts: Mayor Hosch would like to establish a quarterly meeting with each department To entertain comments and suggestions. Each department would rotate on the last Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. Council member Loso questions who would attend, all employees from the department, or just department heads. Mayor Hosch stated he would like the department heads in attendance and other employees would be encouraged to attend. Each department would meet on the last Thursday of their assigned month: Police Department: January, April, July, and October Maintenance Department: February, May, August and November Administration: March, June, September, and December Mayor Horsh made a motion to meet with each department quarterly accepted. The motion was seconded by Council member Ehlert; and passed unanimously. Mayor Hosch also stated he will be attending a half cent sales tax meeting with Jim Knoblauch and Larry Meyer at a later date and will have more information in the future, Councilor Reports Loso: Council member Loso had nothing to report. Rassier. Plannina Commission: Council member Rassier stated the Planning Commission met II on the 5th of February and discussed the street parking near the SI. Joseph Laundromat, . regarding the yellow curb. They questioned whether it couid be removed to allow more parking i~ the area. The matter will be referred to the Public Works Director. Central Ditchinç¡: The Plannihg Commission would like to require that all utilities use one common Trench for lines. At this time Stearns Cooperative Electric trenches separately. EDA Director Carlson also stated the Pond View area is very wooded and the developers will tray and save as many trees as possible. Council member Loso feels the company can't be forced to share the i same ditching, but would like to have some clarification. I Lock Boxes: Council member Rassier also reported the Planning Commission would like to look' Into reouirina all businesses to store a lock box that would be built into thewall for fire access. Council member Schneider questioned whether this is common for businesses to have this. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated all new buildings have this, and are encouraged to be in buildings, but are not mandatory. CORE: Council member Rassier stated there will be a CORE Meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at the fire hall regarding the noise ordinance. Ehlert: Council member Ehlert has nothing to report. Schneider: Council member Schneider stated the Park Board will be moving to Monday, February 26, 2001 because of President's Day. , Clerk/Administrator Reports i , Board of Review: Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated April 1 0, 2001 at 6:30 the Board of Revie1 and Equalization has been scheduled. C:'1 I , I ';,<~:., ""<'~"'~' ! Page 3853 February 15, 2001 Departrnent Head Reports Water Reaulator: Dick Taufen Public Works Director reported one regulator for the water line in the new city hall heating system and is covitating. There is a concern that it could ruin the pump, which was just replaced at a cost of $1 ,900. Taufen stated the cost to replace the new pump would be $540. Council member Loso motioned to replace the damaged regulator. The motion was seconded by Mayor Hosch. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated the cost would go into the capital expenditures of the building. Taufen also added the regulator is needed to balance the system so it can function properly. The motion passed unanimously. I Water Control: Taufen then stated the water treatment plant Is having water level control problems for the last year to year and a half. The contractors have come up with a solution to better regulate the iron content. Taufen stated the cost 0 f the replacement would be $1,846.00 and the service would be performed by Tonka Equipment. Council member Loso motioned to approve the replacement part for the water system. The motion was, seconded by council member Ehlert. Council member Ehlert questions Tonka Equipment and their service in the past. Taufen stated this is a good deal, and it is a custom part for the water tower, and to switch contractors now would disrupt the process. Council member Loso clarifies the new modifications will monitor the iron level and the overall water level. Council member Rassier questions if other companies could do this as well. Taufen stated this is the only sales and setup company he knows of, most others will just sell or repair. Also, since this is a special product for the water system situation here, it would be important to stick with this company. Mayor Hosch questioned the funding to which Taufen stated it should be in the water fund. The motion passed unanimously. Council member Ehlert complimented the maintenance department on the excellent snow removal the past few days. I Caoitollmprovement: Taufen stated he is also trying to make a recommendation for the City of St. Joseph's future plans for capitol improvement. Taufen stated West Minnesota Street is in need of repair and seal coating. He stated the County would supply the resources, since it is a County Road, but added the City of St. Joseph is responsible for the center of the road. Taufen stated in 2003 the road is scheduled to be overlaid to eliminate the problem of bad seams. Council member Rassier questioned why there has been such a problem in the past. Taufen stated it was probably just a bad roll, or it could have been cold and rainy which makes the roll extremely difficult to work with. Police Chief Reports Lock Out Policy: The council received a request to change the policy regarding lock out assistance, whereby the St. Joseph Police Department would no longer unlock doors. Mayor Hosch questions whether it is legal to refer all business to one contractor. Clerk/Administrator Weyrens stated it is not, but contractors can be recommended. Police Chief Will submitted information where three officers had died from this procedure last year. Rassier stated the City of St. Joseph should not put our officers at this risk when another company is willing to do this. Council member Ehlert questions whether there would be a 24 hour service or would the police have to provide this service when businesses do not, and whether there is a disclaimer that is signed by the customer. Jay O'Donnell, locksmith vendor, stated his business has a 24 hour help line, and would be able to address all calls, and there is a disclaimer that is signed by the customer which is standard procedure throughout the business. Mayor Hosch motions to allow private businesses to provide this service, unless there is an extenuating circumstances. Council member Ehlert seconds. Council members Loso stated it should be the officers discretion whether or not they would like to open the car door, if they feel iit is too dangerous, or they are dealing with other business, they can refer the call to another vendor. Council member Ehlert stated there should be a list of companies the Police Department can refer people to when I I Page 3854 February 15, 2001 I this service is needed, and agreed with council member Loso. Mayor Hosch stated the current policy should be kept, but to encourage the use of outside businesses. The motion failed 5:0:0 Conference Reouest: Officer Jean Gustin would like funding to attend an evidence training seminar in October. Council member Rassier motions to send Officer Gustin. He feels it is important to store evidence accurately, as long as there is an officer willing to do it, the Councii shouid promote them Council member Ehlert seconded the motion. Mayor Hosch questions how much money is left in the budget for seminars, and if the cost included all expenses. Clerk/Administrator stated there is $1,034 left, which is enough for two nights in a hotel as well, Council member Rasssier stated that it is not mandatory to star for two nights, and that one night will suffice. Mayor Hosch agrees. The motion to pay for Officer Gustin to attend the conference and one night star at a hotel passed unanimously. COPS MORE Grant: Police Chief Gary Will is requesting permission to apply for the COPS More 2001 technology grant. The City of St. Joseph would have to match 25% of the grant. Chief Will I would like to use the money to provide mobile digital computers in all three cars plus the hardware for connecting to the Stearns County Records Management System. Council member: Loso moved to approve Police Chief Will to apply for the COPS MORE Grant. The motion i is seconded by council member Ehlert. Council member Loso requested that prior to i ,accepting the grant the commitment of the City of St. Joseph should be researched further. Council member Rassier cautioned the council regarding the city's ability to comply with the 25% matching funds. Motion passed unanimously. I The Council feels Ted Schmidt of Avon Lumber One, and City Engineer Joe Bettendorf should be, present for discussion of plans for the proposed deveiopment of Northland IV> Council member I Loso moved to table the discussion until another date when Ted Schmidt is present with data. Mayor Hosch seconds the motion. Motion passed unanimously. There being no further business Mayor Hosch motioned to adjourn at 8:25 P.M. The motion was seconded by Council member Rassier. The motion passed unanimously. '(far[;2~ I