HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 [06] Jun 04 June 4, 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 4, 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, Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Scott Keho, Amy Braig-Lindstrom, Kimberley Baer, Anne Buckvold, Sam Johnson,
Harriet Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Ingrid Johnson, Francine Johnson, Dave Demars
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community
Development Director Therese Haffner, Public Works Director Terry Thene, City Attorney Tom
Jovanovich
Oath of Office:Weyrens administered the oath of office to Councilor Anne Buckvold.
Public Comments:
Amy Braig-Lindstrom, 20 3rd Ave SE: Braig-Lindstrom approached the Council to welcome Anne Buckvold
to the Council. Braig-Lindstrom stated she has had a hard time finding the Comprehensive Plan
information on the City's website. Additionally, the meeting to present the Plan to the Council and Boards
was not televised. Braig-Lindstrom stated it has been difficult trying to participate in City meetings and
events when in her opinion information is not readily available to residents.
Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Wick and passed
unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes-Approved the minutes of May 21,2018.
b. Bills Payable—Approved check numbers 053471-053511, Payroll EFT#001509-001514
c. Liquor Licenses-Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute the On-Sale Intoxicating ,
Off-Sale Intoxicating, and Wine and Club Liquor Licenses upon submittal of completed
applications.
Public Hearing, Vacation of Drainage & Utility Easements: The City has received a request from CM St.
Joe, LLC to vacate an internal drainage and utility easements between Lots 10 and 11, Block 3, Country
Manor Senior Living Campus. The purpose of the vacation request is to combine two lots into one lot and
to allow structures over the easements. The City Engineer and Public Works Director have reviewed the
request and have verified that the easements requested to be vacated will not be needed and that there
are no utilities within those easements. The utility companies have also been contacted and have verified
that they have no objection to the vacation request.
Schultz opened the public hearing. As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing.
Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-025
vacating internal drainage and utility easements between Lot 10 and 11, Block 2, Country Manor
Senior Living Campus.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those
present.
Debt Management Study, Tammy Omdal, Northland Securities: Tammy Omdal presented the Debt
Management Study to the Council. The City uses the issuance of debt as an important tool for financial
capital. The study is intended to serve as a guide for the City's financial management of its debt
obligations. The following is a summary of the report:
• The City demonstrates strong financial management of its debt obligations. The City should
continue to monitor receipt of special assessments for 2016B bonds and need for other sources
of revenue while assessments remain deferred.
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• The City holds an AA-rating from Standards& Poors which indicates rapid amortization of debt
and strong liquidity and budgetary flexibility.
• The City's main sources of revenue for debt payment include: tax levy 34%, sanitary sewer
revenue 32%, water revenue 20%, sales tax revenue 8%, special assessments 5%, and other
1%.
Buckvold questioned why the ratting is AA-and what can be done to improve it. Omdal stated that any
rating in the AA is very good and there are a lot of measures that are looked at when a rating is given.
The next time the City looks at issuing bonds, Northland Securities will work with City staff to make sure
the City's strong financial management will be reflected in the rating.
City Engineer Reports, Services Agreement— Industrial Park: Sabart stated the City has been working
with representatives of DEED to finalize the award of$1,170,700 in BDPI funding. The City has been
notified that we have a project that is eligible for funding and an award letter will follow once all paperwork
is completed. The EDA has agreed to contribute towards the engineering of the project and SEH will be
the project engineer to include the platting and planning items.
Loso questioned if there is a minimum lot size.Weyrens stated ordinance requirement in the Industrial
Zoning District sites a one acre minimum.
Schultz made a motion authorizing the execution of the services agreement between the City of
St.Joseph and SEH for the survey and platting for the industrial park. The motion was seconded
by Wick and passed unanimously by those present.
Administrator Reports, Proposed Ordinance—Commercial &Noncommercial Handbills: Weyrens stated
the proposed Ordinance regulating Commercial Handbills, such as the Shopping News, was published on
the City Website and no feedback was received. Since the last Council meeting Weyrens questioned the
City Attorney if the publisher of the handbill could be held responsible as well as the carrier, to which he
responded that the Ordinance could be amended to include holding the publisher responsible in addition
to the carrier.
Loso asked whether the ordinance would apply to newspapers such as the St. Cloud Times.Wick stated
there is a difference in that the St. Cloud Times is solicited and other papers as the Shopping News are
unsolicited. Buckvold stated that since the City has been receiving numerous complaints, it would make
sense to pass an ordinance in order to allow enforcement.
Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-026
Adopting Ordinance 612 with the noted changes and Resolution 2018-027 authorizing summary
publication of Ordinance 612.The motion was seconded by Schultz.
Aye: Schultz,Wick, Buckvold
Nay: Loso Motion Carried 3:1:0
Administrator Reports, Amendment to ISD 742 Lease Agreement:Weyrens reported staff had met with
ISD 742. The proposed agreement outlines the school district's exit strategy. Loso made a motion
authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the amendment to the amended Real Estate
Lease Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and ISD 742.The motion was seconded by Wick
and passed unanimously by those present.
Mayor Reports: Mayor Schultz reported the Coalition of Greater MN Cities met to discuss their fee
schedule. Schultz expects a modification to the fee schedule which would include an increase in fees.
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Closed Meeting: Schultz made a motion to move into closed meeting at 6:36 PM pursuant to MN
Statute 13D.05 Subd 2(a)(2)to discuss an Internal Affairs Investigation against Police Chief Joel
Klein.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present.
Schultz reconvened the meeting at 7:14 PM.
Schultz made a motion accepting the resignation of Police Chief Joel Klein effective immediately.
The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present.
Schultz read the following statement:
Chief Joel Klein has been on paid administrative leave since April 19, pending conclusion of an internal
affairs investigation regarding complaints about Chief Klein. The report from that investigation was
delivered to Chief Klein on May 23. His attorney contacted the City Administrator on May 30 and
informed the city that Chief Klein would be resigning from his position as Chief and police officer with the
City of St. Joseph.
The City Administrator received Chief Klein's written resignation on May 31, effective immediately.
Tonight, the city council accepted Chief Klein's resignation. By Law, we are not allowed to release the
internal affairs report. The City cannot comment on the substance of the complaints or the investigation
report. The investigation report is considered private data under the Minnesota Data Practice Act.
As a result of the investigation, the city identified and will address the following areas of concern:
1. Workplace Harassment training
2. Whistleblower and Retaliation policies
3. A Police Audit system to ensure processes and procedures are being followed.
Now that the city has accepted Chief Klein's resignation, we will soon begin the process of selecting a
replacement as quickly as possible.
As we have a tight knit group, this ordeal has not been easy for our police department. St. Joseph is
blessed with a great group of men and women who represent our Police Department professionally every
day. They do a great job serving and protecting our City.
I want to commend them and recognize their resiliency and spirit as we worked through this process.
Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:18 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Judy eyr ns .
Admi istrator
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