HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes
October 17, 2016
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of Joseph met in regular session on
Monday, October 17, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Matt Killam, Bob Loso, City Administrator Judy
Weyrens. Members Absent: Renee Symanietz and Dale Wick
City Representatives Present: Police Chief Joel Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, City Engineer Randy
Sabart, Community Development Director Therese Haffner, Public Works Director Terry Thene.
Others Present: Brad Sinn
Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by
Killam and passed unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Killam and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes –Approved the minutes of October 3, 2016.
b. Bills Payable –Approved check numbers 051126-051188, Payroll EFT #001260-001265 and
Accounts Payables EFT #001751-001755.
c. Financial Report – Accepted the Financial Report as presented.
Public Hearing – Vacation of Drainage & Utility Easement: Mayor Schultz opened the public hearing and
stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider the vacation of a utility easement recorded within the
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College 2 Addition Plat. It is anticipated that the easement will be redefined in the plat for the
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development of the Athletic Fields for CSB, relocated to Outlot A, College 4 Addn. Weyrens clarified that
once an easement is dedicated to the public, it can only be vacated through the public hearing process
and the Council must determine it is in the best interest of the public to vacate the easement. Since the
public utility easement can be used by any utility company, staff contact them to assure they did not need
the easement area for service. Weyrens stated staff is recommending approval of the vacation of the
drainage and utility easement as submitted by the College of St. Benedict.
As no one present wished to be heard, Schultz closed the public hearing.
Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2016-054
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Vacating a Drainage and Utility easement over Outlot C, College 2 Addition. The motion was
seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
Public Hearing – Sewer Usage Fee: Mayor Schultz opened the public hearing to which Weyrens stated
the purpose of the hearing is to consider increasing the sewer rates. Finance Director, Lori Bartlett, had
previously informed the Council that the sewer fund is showing a deficit in the cash balance and
regulations governing municipal accounting require all funds to reflect a positive fund balance at the year
end. Therefore, there are two options: 1) use reserve funds or 2) increase the sewer rates. Earlier in
2017 the Council reviewed a rate study as prepared by Carl Brown. This report indicated that rates would
need to be increased. During discussion at that time, the Council agreed to adjust the rates incrementally
and then review again in September to gauge if development would reduce the need to increase the
rates.
Weyrens stated that she did receive a comment from a resident requesting the City not bill winter
snowbirds the minimum charges for utilities while they are gone. Weyrens clarified that residents are only
charged the line charges and usage is based on the meter readings. She further stated that the majority
of city’s charge a minimum fee as service is available to the property and it can be utilized. The Council
concurred to leave the minimum charge in place.
As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing.
October 17, 2016
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Loso questioned why St. Joseph charges the highest rates of the area cities that are also on the same
systems. Finance Director Bartlett stated that some of the other cities increased their rates earlier than
St. Joseph and that they also may charge different development fees.
Schultz agreed with Loso regarding the concerns with the continued increases in the utility rates. Schultz
questioned if there is any way for the City to have any influence in the amount that St. Cloud charges.
Sabart stated that the area public works directors meet monthly and discuss the system and operations.
In addition, once a year the finance directors meet to review the proposed budget and summary of
expenses. These meetings are where the area cities can have input
Bartlett stated that the improvements to the system, along with the plan expansion and upgrade has
created the need to increase the rates, and all contracting cities are experiencing the cost burden. Sabart
added that when repairs are needed, the contracting cities flowing through the infrastructure needing
repair share in the cost. The recent infrastructure failures have involved St. Joseph and due to the length
of the system to St. Joseph, the costs are higher.
When questioned what options the City has for relieving the rates, Weyrens stated that the only option
would be through the Levy, and it would still have the same impact to the residents. The debt and
improvement costs are financial obligations of the City.
Loso made a motion adopting the proposed 2016 adjusted sewer rate, $ 5.80/1000 gallons of water
used, effective with the September billing and to review the impact of the adjusted rate with the
proposed 2017 rates at the December public hearing. The motion was seconded by Schultz and
passed unanimously by those present.
2017 Proposed Enterprise Budget: Bartlett presented the Council with the proposed 2017 enterprise
budget which includes: water, sewer, refuse/compost, storm water and street light utilities. The funds
operate similar to a commercial business where fees charged for the service typically cover all expenses
of the funds, including depreciation. Bartlett stated there are a couple projects that are included for
water/sewer. One is the filter replacement and tank refurbishment at the original water treatment plan well
as a generator at the Baker Street Left Station. Another planned project is a sewer lining project abutting
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1 Ave NE.
Loso questioned if televising equipment would be a good investment for the City rather than paying a
company to provide the service. Thene stated purchasing the equipment is costly and could run between
30-50K.
Additional items touched on by Bartlett included: the refuse contract runs through 2017 and Xcel Energy
changed all the street lights in the city to LED, reducing the operation cost to the City.
Schultz questioned the need for the generator at the Baker Street Lift Station. Thene stated the amount of
use at the Baker Street lift station is continuously being added to; especially with the Graceview 5
development, and Fortitude Senior Housing complex. If the station would fail, and you had to transport a
generator, by the time the generator was transported and connected, there could be significant damage.
A stationary generator would provide immediate power.
Engineer Reports
Field Street Agreement: Sabart stated the Council has previously accepted the bids for the Field Street
project and authorized the construction of the road. Therefore, the final agreement for the project is the
engineering construction services between the City and SEH. Loso made a motion authorizing the
execution of the Engineering Services Agreement for the 2016 Field Street Improvement. The
motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
October 17, 2016
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Committee Reports
Planning Commission: Schultz reported the Planning Commission met to discuss a possible bed and
breakfast in the Central Business District. Cory Ehlert and Joe Prostrollo attended the Planning
Commission for discussion on turning a property on MN Street to a bed and breakfast. Currently, a bed
and breakfast in the Central Business District (CBD) is prohibited per City Ordinances. Schultz stated the
Planning Commission agreed to conduct a public hearing to consider amending the Ordinance to allow
for a Bed and Breakfast in the CBD.
Haffner stated that Ehlert and Prostrollo would have to formally request the amendment to the Ordinance
and go through the Ordinance amendment process. The application has not yet been received.
Loso stated he has been to a few bed and breakfasts and they were owner occupied and is unsure of
how a B&B would fit in the downtown. Loso questioned if the area is part of the redevelopment area to
which Weyrens stated it is.
Administrator Reports
Whitney Senior Center: Weyrens stated the City received a letter from the City of St. Cloud asking for the
City’s participation in subsidizing a basic $50 membership fee for residents using the Whitney Senior
Center. Each City would pay $40.00 for each resident using the facility and the resident would pay
$10.00. Members would receive a card and reduced rates for use of certain additional facilities.
Schultz questioned how many people from St. Joseph use the facility. Weyrens stated that after speaking
with staff from St. Cloud they would estimate fewer than 50 people. General consensus of the Council
was to table discussion.
Mayor Reports: Schultz reported that the Coalition of Greater MN Cities finished their annexation and
land use meetings and will be proposing some legislative changes.
New Business: Loso questioned the process for initiating the 2017 proposed alley improvements.
Weyrens stated that the improvements are part of the 2017 budget; therefore, the budget should be
approved before the project begins. Loso stated that he had been approached by a business owner
regarding the vacation of an alley. When questioned which alleys he was referring to, her responded the
north/south alley between MN Market and Rock Studio and the north/south alley west of Sal’s Bar.
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Loso stated he would like to have the alley improvements completed prior to the 4 of July. Sabart stated
it could be possible if there is early spring, but it would be close. Loso wants the discussions on the alley
improvements to begin now rather than in January and February.
Killam reported that the stakes are still out at the proposed dog park location. Additional discussion will be
held at the next council meeting. Loso stated that the Park Board does not need Council approval for the
location of the dog park, just the dollar amount if over $3,000.
Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 PM; seconded by Killam and passed
unanimously by those present.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator