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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 [12] Dec 03 December 3, 2018 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, December 3, 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, Troy Goracke. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Members Absent: Bob Loso, Anne Buckvold. City Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Therese Haffner, Public Works Director Terry Thene, City Engineer Randy Sabart. Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Approve Apenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Aqenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present. a. Minutes—Approved the minutes of October 15, November 19, and November 19, 2018 Joint Meeting b. Bills Payable—Approved check numbers 054091-054150 and Payroll EFT#111592-111598 c. Memorandum of Understanding—Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of St. Joseph and CLC regarding the development of the East Industrial Park. d. Pay Application—Authorized the Mayor to execute Pay application 2 for the MN Street Trail, and authorize payment to RL Larson in the amount of$220,323.19. e. UtilitylDrainage Easement—Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute a permanent Drainage Easement in Buettner Business Park. f. Final Plat—Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-057 approving the final plat of S & H Townhomes of Graceview Plat 2. g. Liquor License—Issued Malt liquor, cigarette and amusement licenses based on the attached list for the license period January 1 2019 through December 31, 2019 2019 Truth in Taxation and 2019 Fee Schedule: Mayor Schultz called the Public Hearing to order and stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider the final 2019 Budget and 2019 Fee Schedule. Weyrens presented a brief overview of the budget to include: • Budget process began in June with the Department heads and the Council received the preliminary budget in August, adopting September 17, 2018. The Council had continuous budget discussions during the following months. • The budget includes adding a PT Custodian, FT Finance Technician and some temporary seasonal employees for recreation. The budget also includes some funding estimating the impact of the Organizational Study. • Reviewed the budget in a tiered breakdown to include: Wages/Benefits, Repair/Professional , Services and Capital Out4ay. • Reviewed the Capital Equipment and Capital Projects • Impact of the proposed budget as it relates to the City and the overall tax statement which include the County and School District. • The budget as presented would reduce the tax rate of the City from 61.46°lo to 60.74%. Therefore, if a property did not realize an increase in taxable market value, the St. Joseph tax would be reduced. With regard to the utility fees, Finance Director Lori Bartlett stated the proposed fee schedule has minimal increases. The water rates will remain the same in 2019, the sewer rates increase 1%, the storm water fees are increased to cover the reduction that occurred in previous years and the refuse rates will be divided into refuse and recycling. The purpose for the splitting of fees is to save residents sales tax as recycling is not taxed. December 3, 2018 Page 2 of 2 Since no one present wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Weyrens stated that staff is aware that the Council still has some concerns on some of the capital funding. She stated that the implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan provides for a five year planning of needed equipment and facilities. The approval of the budget does not authorize purchase of any equipment as that will occur when it is ready for purchase. Unfortunately most of the public works equipment is very expensive, it is for that reason the City has historically purchased used equipment. With regard to the Mainfenance facility Weyrens presented the Council with the budget impact if the amount was reduced in the budget. Wick stated that while he understands the need to plan for the future and look at adding some type of maintenance facility, he has some concerns that the tax payers have not had a chance to benefit from the tax growth. Each year the increased tax growth is consumed in the budget. He presented the Council with a table illustrating the various departments' budget impact for 2018 and proposed 2019. Public Works has the largest increase. He would not want to fund a project just because the levy from the existing building is expiring; therefore we need to construct additional space. The Council acknowledged that the staff has provided some information on the need, but plans have not been brought forward as to what type or size of building is proposed. There only being three of the five Council persons present at the meeting, Schultz made a motion to table approval of the 2019 budget to the December 17 Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. As there are no outstanding issues on the fee schedule and the Council previously reviewed the adjustments, Schultz made a motion to adopt the 2019 Fee Schedule as presented; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Committee Report—Communitv Center: Schultz reported that the Community Center Committee has been meeting to discuss ways to advance the Jacob Wetterling Community Center. The Committee acknowledges that 6 M in funding needs to be raised before they can begin. Therefore, they meet with a company entitled Four Winds Consulting who assists organizations with raising funds. The first step in the process is conducting a positioning study which will determine if the Community has the ability to raise the needed funds. The estimated cost for the study is$25,000 and the Committee is recommending the City enter into an agreement for services with Four Wnds Consulting. Weyrens stated that she has had the City Attorney review the proposal for services and the proposed expenditure is a permitted public purpose expenditure. With regard to financing, the City has the ability use either sales tax funding as it is part of the capital cost of the project or excess revenue. When questioned if the sales tax funding received is meeting projections, Bartlett stated that they project the City will receive and additional million from the original estimate. Wick made a motion authorizing execution of an agreement for a positioning study with Four Winds Consulting and approving an expenditure of up to$25,000. The Study will be funded through the Sales Tax Funds. The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present. Committee Reqort—Park Board: Schultz reported that John Anderson has announced he is resigning from the Park Board so they will be looking for a new chair. The Board also discussed the development of East Park and the planting were delayed one year. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 6:45 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. - � �y���� Judy eyrens � Adm� istrator