HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes, June 18
June 18, 2018
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session
on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge of
allegiance.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke, Anne Buckvold,
Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Casey O’Malley, Dave Demars
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community
Development Director Therese Haffner, Public Works Director Terry Thene
Public Comments: No one present wished to speak.
Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by
Schultz and passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Schultz made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was
seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of June 4, 2018.
b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 053512-053560, Payroll EFT #001515-001520 and
Accounts Payables EFT #001833-001836
c. Donations & Contributions – Accepted the donations and their purposes as presented.
d. Treasurer’s Report – Accepted the May 2018 Treasurer’s Report as presented.
e. Zoning Text Amendment – Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolutions 2018-
028 and 2018-029 amending Ordinance 502 and authorizing summary publication.
f. Minnesota 4M Fund – Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-030
authorizing membership in the 4M Fund.
g. Official Newspaper – Designated the St. Cloud Times as the official Newspaper.
City Engineer Reports: No report
Committee Update, Planning Commission: Goracke reported that the Planning Commission held two
public hearings. The first was regarding a zoning text amendment to the B2 zoning district to allow for pet
boarding as a conditional use. The amendment was recommended for approval. The second hearing was
a hearing for the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission tabled approval of the plan as numerous
comments were received in the meeting and some can be incorporated into the plan. The plan will be
brought back to the Planning Commission at their next meeting for approval.
Committee Update, Personnel Committee: Schultz reported the personnel committee met to discuss the
Police Chief position. Rather than go through posting to appoint a Police Chief, the Personnel Committee
recommends the City offer the Police Chief position to Interim Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein.
Buckvold questioned whether a formal hiring process would be better and would gain trust with the
community. She clarified that she would not have a problem offering the position to Pfannenstein, she is
only questioning the process.
Loso stated he would like to see the position open up externally. Loso noted Pfannenstein has filed to run
for Stearns County Sherriff and stated a new face to the Police Department would be good for the City.
The City would accept applications and the process would be the same as when Joel Klein was hired;
Pfannenstein could apply if he is interested.
Buckvold added that her concerns are in no way against Officer Pfannenstein. She would like to see the
process be an open and fair process, open for all to apply and qualify. Schultz stated if offered the
position, the City would ask that Pfannenstein withdraw from the Sheriff’s race.
June 18, 2018
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Loso made a motion to open the hiring process for the Police Chief to internal and external
candidates. The motion was seconded by Wick.
Aye: Loso, Goracke
Nay: Schultz, Wick, Buckvold Motion Failed: 2:3
Discussion: Goracke suggested having one hiring process for the Police Chief and Police Officer.
Wick added that process would not work as those applying for the Police Chief are applying for that
specific position only.
Weyrens stated that it is not unusual for departments to promote internally as other area cities have done
the same. Buckvold asked Schultz and Wick, as members of the personnel committee, the following
question: What are three reasons why Pfannenstein would be a good Police Chief?
Wick stated Pfannenstein scored highly when he applied for the position 4 years ago. Additionally,
Pfannenstein has stepped up to the plate as the Interim Police Chief during a difficult time and has done a
good job. Finally, Wick stated he knows the community.
Schultz stated Pfannenstein’ s willingness to accept the role during a hectic time and his ability to calm
down the staff in the Police Department. Schultz added the department is working well as a unit again
because of Pfannenstein.
Schultz made a motion promoting Interim Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein to Police Chief
contingent upon Pfannenstein removing himself from the Stearns County Sheriffs race as well as
having the discussions regarding his current businesses. The motion was seconded by Wick.
Aye: Schultz, Wick, Goracke, Buckvold
Nay: Loso Motion Carried 4:1
Committee Update, Park Board: Schultz reported the Park Board met to discuss survey results regarding
East Park. The survey came back with people wanting a disc golf course, although developing the course
would be outside the City’s budget. SEH will come back with further designs and costs relating to walking
trails.
Administrator Reports, Cable Franchise – Charter Communications: Weyrens reported the cable
franchise agreement with Charter has been in negotiations since 2015 and the draft is included in the
packet. The draft ordinance will be posted on the website for 10 days and will be on the agenda for July 2,
2018 for approval and adoption. Buckvold questioned the agreement to gain a better understanding.
Weyrens stated that the agreement is actually a franchise agreement that defines the responsibilities of
both the City and Cable Company.
Administrator Reports, 2019 Budget: Weyrens requested the Council start the budget process for 2019.
To help the process Weyrens presented the list of projects that have been discussed for inclusion in the
budget for the next three years. One of the projects scheduled for 2019 is the Cold Storage Facility for
the Maintenance Department. Weyrens presented a map illustrating all the current facilities where
equipment is stored for the Maintenance Department. Staff is looking for direction on whether to move
forward with the facility. The city has funds budgeted for the schematics.
Other projects include street overlays. Areas up for improvement include Pond View 2019, Northland in
th
2020, and areas along 4 Avenue and along the frontage road. The improvements would include
resurfacing the streets. Staff would like feedback from the Council as to whether these projects would be
moving forward.
June 18, 2018
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Wick stated he prefers to have increment increases, such as two or three percent, than decreasing one
year only in increase the next. Loso stated he would like department heads to meet and be conservative
with the budget. For projects, Loso would like to see the next phase of the alley paving project completed
in 2019.
Wick stated there are issues with drainage in the softball fields and the fence has been knocked down
due to the drainage issue. During the irrigation fix, the cord was cut to the scoreboards.
Goracke would like to see bathrooms in Klinefelter Park.
Buckvold would like to see a skate park for youth as the City had a skate park at one time. Thene stated
the skate park equipment the City currently has is not in the best shape and staff has to move it twice a
year. Wick questioned the meaning behind “not in good shape”. Thene stated that bolts are missing,
paint is bad, etc.. Schultz stated he would like the equipment to be out for the community to use. He as
well as other councilmembers have received calls on why the skate equipment is not out.
Schultz questioned what would be stored in the proposed cold storage facility. Thene stated the items
that are currently stored in Centennial Park would be moved over. Other storage areas are so packed
with equipment that pieces are hard to get to.
Wick suggested having a community center meeting as there has not been one in a while. The second
Tuesday of each month at 6PM was determined for the recurring meetings.
Mayor Reports: Schultz reported the League of MN Cities has their summer conference coming up in St.
Cloud.
Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 PM; seconded by Goracke and passed
unanimously.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator