HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 [02] Feb 18
February 18, 2020
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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, February 18, 2020 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge
of allegiance.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Anne Buckvold, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke, Brian
Theisen, Administrator Kris Ambuehl.
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Public
Works Director Terry Thene, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Therese
Haffner, Deputy Clerk Kayla Klein
Others Present: Tony Kirchner, Bryce Kirchner, Sienna Cherrico, Joel Cherrico, Madeline Beard, Yulissa
Salazar, Connor McCarthy, Michelle Simms
Public Comments: NA
Approve Agenda: Theisen made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of items 4f.
Hiring Cable Commission and 4g. Mayoral Appointment, Planning Commission; seconded by
Loso 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 February 3, 2020.
b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 055668-055741 and Payroll EFT # 111816-111822 and
Accounts Payable EFT #001915.
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c. Treasurer’s Report – Accepted the 4 quarter gambling report as presented.
d. Donations – Accepted the donations and their contributions as presented.
e. Hiring Cable Commission – Approved the hiring of Emily Wallen to record city council and
planning commission meetings.
f. Mayoral Appointment, Planning Commission – Approved the appointment of Anne Meyer Jarrell to
serve on the Planning Commission, term 2/18/20 to 12/31/22.
Dog License Special Permit: The City received a request to allow for a third dog to reside at 1212
Callaway Street. City Ordinance requires Council approval.
Tony Kirchner, 1212 Callaway St E: The third dog will be long to Kirchner’s son and it will be temporary
until he finds his own place to live. Kirchner noted that his other dog is nearing the end of life as well.
Loso made a motion approving the special dog license for 1212 Callaway ST E. The motion was
seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously.
Ordinance 615 Amendment Request: Staff received a request to amend Ordinance 615 increasing the
length of a mobile food truck from 25 feet to 40 feet. The EDA discussed the matter at their meeting and
recommended to deny the amendment request.
Loso moved to table further discussion on the amendment until staff has time to review the
regulations in other neighboring cities. The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed
unanimously.
Special Home Occupation, Cherrico Pottery: Joel and Sienna Cherrico have requested a special home
occupation permit to operate their pottery business at 29055 County Road 121. An art studio is a
permitted home occupation provided that only the residents own the property, and one additional
employee operate the home occupation. Operation of the home occupation is to be conducted in the
house rather than an accessory structure. The request is to have the home occupation in a detached
heated shop.
February 18, 2020
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Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2020-005
Adopting Findings of Fact and granting a special home occupation permit for an art studio. The
motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously.
Solar Garden, Novel Energy Solutions & U.S. Solar Corporation: Representatives from Novel Energy
Solutions and U.S. Solar Corporation presented their company’s position on solar energy. Both
presentations were similar in their content and there was no discussion by the Council on the
presentations.
COPS Grant: Applications for the COPs grant are due by March 11, 2020. If successful in securing the
grant, the Cops Hiring Program would reimburse the City for 75% of the officer’s wage and benefit
package the first year, 50% the second year, and 25% the third year. The position must be fully
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subsidized and retained for the 4 year without the help of the grant.
Loso made a motion authorizing the Police Chief and Administrator to apply for the 2020 COPS
Grant. The motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously.
Engineer Reports: No Report
Administration Report: Staff is working on coordinating elections for the 2020 Presidential Nomination
Primary. Ambuehl met with OPG3 and an audit will be completed in order for the City to maximize storage
and workflows. Union discussions are ongoing.
Community Development Report: The Planning Commission recommended approval of the special home
occupation permit that the Council just approved. BR&E visits are being held with local businesses.
Upcoming meetings include a staff meeting to discuss the MN Streetscape Plan.
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Finance Report: Preliminary audit work was completed on February 6. The audit is scheduled for the
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week of March 16. Finance staff is assisting with elections.
Police Report: The department has been busy over the past month with two more notable calls. Both
included search warrants and drug seizures. Pfannenstein is pleased with how his department handled
both situations and it took efforts from the entire department.
Public Works Report: Public Works is busy with snow removal, equipment repairs, and planning for
Spring. Three staff members were sent to boiler training.
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Mayor Reports: Schultz reported that March 11 is National Lobby Day.
Adjourn: Theisen made a motion to adjourn at 6:58 PM; seconded by Buckvold and passed
unanimously.
Kris Ambuehl
Administrator