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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 [11] Nov 18 November 18, 2019 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, November 18, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge of allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Anne Buckvold, Brian Theisen, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke. City Administrator Kris Ambuehl City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Community Development Director Therese Haffner Others Present: Cindy Kessler, Mark Thompson, Ray Sjogren Public Comments: NA Approve Agenda: Buckvold made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously. a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of November 4, 2019 and November 7, 2019. b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 055338-055396. c. Donations – Accepted the donations and contributions as presented. d. Financial Report – Approved the October 2019 financial report as presented. e. Polling Place Designation – Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2019- 066 designating the polling places for 2020. f. TIF 2-1 (Millstream Shops & Lofts) Assignment Agreements – Approved the reassignment of the TIF 2-1 Millstream Shops & Lofts Revenue Note. rd g. Gambling Report – Accepted the 3 quarter 2019 gambling report as presented. h. Recreation Director Job Description – Created the job description for the Recreation Director allowing the same to be filled. Street Closure Request: Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Street Dance/Road Closure Permit Application as presented to allow the Winter Walk to utilize MN st Street W from College Avenue to 1 Ave NW for an even to be held on December 6, 2019. The motion was seconded by Buckvold and passed unanimously. Ray Sjogren, Event Coordinator: Sjogren invited the Council to attend the event. The event was started ten years ago and has grown significantly since. The reason for the closure request is to make the event safer, allowing pedestrians to cross the street without vehicular traffic. The event will include music, Santa visits, and tree lighting. Union Negotiation Appointments: The Personnel Committee has been reviewing the personnel policy and Schultz recommended having the members of the committee also be part of the union negations. Schultz made a motion appointing him and Anne Buckvold as the Council representatives for the union negotiations. The motion was seconded by Buckvold. Aye: Buckvold, Schultz, Goracke Motion Carried 3:2 Nay: Theisen, Loso 2020 Budget, Draft Enterprise/Capital Equipment Plans: The preliminary tax capacity rate for the general city rate and rural residential rate is an increase of 2.107%. To change the levy by 1%, the levy needs to fluctuate $43,000. The Stearns County and School District levies, along with a comparison to the area cities will be presented at the Truth in Taxation hearing. November 18, 2019 Page 2 of 2 Bartlett presented the draft enterprise budget and it is similar to what was approved in the 2019 budget. The water and sewer funds are stabilizing where rates do not need to increase by double digit percentages. To help promote development and be more in the market with the area cities, staff recommends reducing the WAC fee and slightly increasing the SAC fee. Overall the WAC/SAC fees would be reduced by $1,300. 2020 Budget, Draft Fee Schedule: Bartlett presented the draft fee schedule. Fees in the Joint Planning Area are being finalized as well as the meter fees. Discussion was had regarding the increase in compensation for the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Secretary. The number of calls have been increasing over the past few years and the amount of time dedicated to managing the department has increased as well. Schultz made a motion calling for the fee schedule public hearing to be on December 2, 2019. The motion was seconded by Buckvold and passed unanimously. Engineer Reports: Sabart reported the Industrial Park project and the street improvement projects have been suspended for the year and will continue in spring 2020. Department Reports, Administration: Ambuehl reported he met with the historical society to discuss their current needs and space requirements at the community center. Ambuehl, along with Councilmembers Buckvold and Loso attended the Joint Cities meeting on legislative priorities. The City of Willmar toured the Government Center as they are in the process of building a new facility. Department Reports, Community Development: Haffner reported the Planning Commission continues to review the rental regulations. th New businesses include: The Oaks on 20 plan to open in spring 2020; Strack Office and Warehouse plan to open in December; the Dollar General plan to open in November; Krewe Restaurant and Flower to Flour Bakery plan to open in December; and Barrett’s Music opened up in the former Riff City Guitar space. Haffner also reported on the status of the Sand Companies low income housing request. The decision on whether their application for tax credits will be approved will take on Thursday. Department Reports, Public Works: Thene reported he has been working on budget items. The custodian position was filled by Jacob Reber. The department is prepping for Winter. Department Reports, Police: Pfannenstein reported he and Mayor Schultz met with the student Senate to brainstorm on ideas for how to resolve some of the issues that have arisen between students and residents. th Mayor Reports: Schultz asked whether the Council would meet in a work session on November 25. General consensus was to tentatively keep the work session on the schedule. Schultz met with the governor’s bond counsel to go over the community center bonding request. Clarifying statements will need to be made regarding the request that was submitted. Schultz will draft responses and send to the appropriate personnel. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 6:51 PM; seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously. Kris Ambuehl City Administrator