HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [03] Mar 01
Page 3855
March 1, 2001
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular
session on Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert,' Kyle Schneider, AI
Rassier. Clerk/Administrator Judy Weyrens.
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Others Present: Police Chief Gary Will, Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Ed Kacures,
Margaret Hosch, Greg Hosch, Karen Hosch, Nick Pahl.
Approve Agenda: Ehlert made a motion to approve the agenda with the elimination of item
#5, Pond View Ridge 6 Developers Agreement, which will be addressed at the next
meeting. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously.
Consent Aaenda: Ehlert made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows,
eliminating item "E", Application for Payment # 6, City Hall, to allow for further
discussion. The motion was seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously.
a. Bills Payable and Overtime, Check Numbers 29424 - 29490
b. Minutes - February 15, 2001
c. St. Joseph Fire Department, Exemption for Lawful Gambling for an event to be
held on April 20, 2001 at the EI Paso.
d. Close 12'" Avenue SE between Minnesota Street and Able Street on March 10,
2001 from 7:00 AM to noon to conduct a house burn drill on the corner of 12'"
Avenue SE and Minnesota Street E.
Application for Payment #6. City Hall Proiect: The Council reviewed Application for Payment #6
for the City Hall project. Gopher State Contractors is requesting payment in the amount of $
47,709.90. Ehlert stated that he would like to discuss the project with both the architect and
contractor present as the project did not finish within the timeframes stated in the contract. Hosc
stated the Council will be meeting on Monday, March 12, 2001 at 5:00 PM to discuss sewer I
capacity issues and they could meet one hour earlier with the architect and contractor. The
Council agreed to schedule a meeting for March 12,2001 at 4:00 PM with the architect and
contractor for discussion regarding the completion of the City Hall project.
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Interview Buildina Inspectors: Weyrens reported the Council needs to establish a time to
interview the two firms who submitted proposals to provide building inspection services for the
City of St. Joseph. The Council agreed to interview the two firms on Thursday, March 15, 2001 at
6:30 PM, allowing 15 minutes for each interview.
Public Comments: Ed Kacures appeared before the Council to discuss concerns he has
regarding dogs in the City of St. Joseph. Kacures presented the Council with pictures depicting
injuries received when he was attacked by dogs while in Texas. Kacures stated it is his opinion
that students and children in the community are in danger of rotwieler dogs, which he feels have,
an unpredictable nature and may attack people. Further, Kacures stated that he has warned th~
daycare near the resident were the dogs reside. Kacures urged the Council to review the breeds
of dogs allowed in the City and prohibit dogs that present a danger to the community. Hosch I
stated that while he understands Kacures' concerns, the Council is not in a position to take any I
action at this meeting. !
Department Head Reports
POLICE CHIEF
Towina Policy: Police Chief Will stated that he has been approached by a local towing company
to provide towing services to travelers needing assistance. The present policy requires that the I
officer providing assistance questions the individual if helshe has a preference for a particular !
towing company. If the individual does not, the police department contacts Stearns County I
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March 1, 2001
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Dispatch for the name of a towing company selected at random from a list prepared by the
County. Loso stated that until recently Stueve's Garage providing services, and this has only
become an issue since Stueve's Garage has closed. The Council recommended the individual
requesting to provide towing services for the City contact the Stearns County Sheriffs Office to be
included on the list of providers.
Souad Car Damage: Will stated the 1996 squad car was struck by a drunk driver, and the
assessment of damage is still in process. Will stated the new car will need approximately $ 2,700
of new equipment as not all the equipment in the '96 squad was salvageable. Since the
accident, Will has contacted the State regarding delivery status of the squad car ordered in 2000.
The State is trying to assist the City and expedite the delivery of the new squad. At this time it is
unknown how much equipment was damaged in the accident. Wili is requesting authorization to
expend the necessary funds to equip the new squad car when it arrives and estimates the cost of
the.equipment to be $ 3,000.00. Weyrens stated the City will be reimbursed for the equipment
damaged in the accident. Further, proceeds received for the car from the insurance company
can be used to further offset the equipment cost. Loso made a motion authorizing the
expenditure of up to $ 3,000.00 to equip the new squad car with the understanding that the
funds expended will be offset by the insurance funds received. The motion was
seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously.
Februarv Police Reoort: Will presented the February 2001 monthly Police Activity Report.
PUBLIC WORKS
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Televisino Sewer System: Public Works Director Dick Taufen reported that he, along with Waste
Water Operator Jim Marthaler and City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, have finished viewing the tapes
of the sewer system. The televising indicated that one section of the sewer system along Date
Street is in need of repair. The most economical way to fix the area is to open the road and
replace the piping. Taufen stated the City Engineer is in the process of preparing a report to the
Council along with projected costs for the repair of sewer piping under Date Street.
Clean Storm Sewers: Taufen reported the storm sewer catch basins appear to have difficulty
handling water well after rainfalls, and feels there could be considerable dirt in the drainage
system which would slow down the system. Taufen stated that he and the City Engineer are
investigating the possibility of cleaning the system, as weli as a drainage outlet in the future if the
problem persists. Schneider questioned how often storm sewers are cleaned and when St.
Joseph last did so. Taufen reported that to the best of his knowledge, the storms sewers have
never been cleaned. Hosch questioned when the system would be cleaned, to which Taufen
responded sometime late summer or eariy fall.
Water Meter Readina: Taufen requested the Council consider estimating the meter readings for ,
the January/February utility bill. The Maintenance Department has not been able to read meters I
because of the recent snow storm and shortage of staff. Hosch made a motion to estimate the'
water meter readings for the January/February utility bill as requested; seconded by I
Schneider and passed unanimously. !
The Council expressed their thanks to the Maintenance Department for the excellent job
performed during the recent snow storm.
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Noise Ordinance Discussion: The Council reviewed Information received from the City Attorney
regarding enforcement of the Noise Ordinance. Recently, the City lost a court case for a noise
violation which occurred in 2000. The judge ruled that the Ordinance requires the complaint be
filed by someone living in the neighborhood. Although in this recent case the Police Department
received a complaint from a nearby resident, the Officer acted as the complainant. Since the
Officer did not reside in the neighborhood the judge dismissed the case. City Attorney John
Scherer presented information on amending the Ordinance, alleviating this problem in the future.
Ehlert encouraged Will to instruct the Officers to take a proactive §tance regarding noise
Page 3857
March 1, 2001
violations and warn residents before a situation warrants filing of a complaint. Will responded
that the department is currently doing such. Loso made a motion authorizing the City
Attorney to draft the necessary Ordinance Amendment to St. JoseDh Code of Ordinances
No. 102.5 Subdivision 2 as recommended. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and
passed unanimously.
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MAYOR REPORTS
Half Cent Sales Tax: Hosch stated on March 2nd he will be meeting with the area Mayors and
State Representative Jim Knoblach Dehler regarding the half cent sales tax. Hosch encouraged
the Council to begin thinking of projects to be funded with the proposed additional income. Hosch
stated that all sales tax income must be used on regional projects such as parks, roads or a
community center.
Governor's Tax Bill: Hosch stated he also attended a meeting with the area Mayors as well as
State Officials regarding the Governor's Tax Plan. While the meeting was informative, the bill will
be revised before final approval.
Youth Council: Hosch stated that while viewing the Cable Access Channel he noticed an
advertisement for the establishment of a Youth Council. While he feels it is important to listen to
all constituents, he requested that if a Youth Council is formed in St. Joseph, the City Council
should be approached for assistance and implementation.
COUNCIL REPORTS
LOSO
Elected Officials Conference: Loso reported that he attended the League sponsored conference
for elected officials and he found to be beneficial and insightful.
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RASSIER
CORE: Rassier reported that the CORE Committee met recently and discussed the Noise
Ordinance. One of the landlords presented information regarding the use of decibel readers.
The readers could be used as a tool for the Police Department in enforcing the Noise Ordinance.
Will responded that while he supports the concept of using the decibel re'aders, it would not be
practical and would require considerable training. The next meeting of tlhe CORE Committee is
March 14,2001 at which the main discussion will be the Senior Farewell Party, formerly known as
Disorientation.
EHLERT
Elected Officials Conference: Ehlert reported that he too attended the League sponsored
conference for elected officials and found it to be very informative.
SCHNEIDER
Park Board - Buettner Park Contribution: Schneider reported the Park Board discussed the park
dedication fees of the Buettner Business Park Plat. The Developer's Agreement allowed
Buettner to relocate trees in lieu of payment of park dedication fee with a deadline of December
2000. Since the deadline has passed, the Park Board is requesting the dedication fees to be paid
in full. Weyrens reported that a letter has been sent to Leo Buettner requesting payment in full
within 30 days. The Council agreed to pursue the matter as Buettner failed to comply with the
terms and conditions stated in the Developers Agreement.
Park Board - Northland Plat 5: Schneider reported the Park Board has concerns regarding the
proposed plat and will be discussing them at a later meeting.
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March 1, 2001
CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
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Taping of Meetinas: Weyrens requested the Council review the policy regarding the audio taping'
of Council meetings. Prior to video taping the meetings, the Couhcil adopted a policy requiring aU
City Council meetings ta be taped and retain the tapes for a period of twa years. Weyrens stated'
that once minutes are approved they serve as the official record of the meeting. Therefore, :
Weyrens requested the Council adopt a policy to retain the video tapes of all Council meetings fo!
a period 3 months and discontinue audio taping meetings. The exception to the policy are I
meetings which require permanent retention of tapes. Ehlert made a motion to discontinue
audio taping of meetings and to retain the video tapes of meetings for a period of three i
months unless otherwise required. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed I
unanimously. I
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Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 PM; seconded by Hosch and passed
unanimously.
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Ju\£vWeyrens
Cierk Adminstrator