HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 [06] Jun 15June 15, 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, June 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge of
allegiance.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke, Brian Theisen, Anne Buckvold
City Representatives Present: Administrator Kris Ambuehl, Community Development Director Therese
Haffner, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Public Works Director Terry
Thene, City Engineer Randy Sabart, City Clerk Kayla Klein
Others Present: Shawn Riesner, Mary Bruno, Matt Lindstrom, Ann Riesner, Mike Knaak
Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 4e. Letter of
Support; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Buckvold and
passed unanimously.
a. Minutes – Requested Action: Approve the minutes of June 1, 2020.
b. Bills Payable – Requested Action: Approve check numbers 056295-056351 and Payroll EFT
#001929001931 and Accounts Payables EFT #111883-111889 and Regular Pay Period 11,
11.01, and City Council Pay Period 5.
c. Treasurer’s Report – Requested Action: Accept the May 2020 Treasurer’s Report as presented.
d. Donations – Requested Action: Accept the donations and contributions as presented.
e. Letter of Support – Requested Action: Authorize the Mayor to draft a letter in support of the
Stearns County Housing and Development Authority’s application to MN Housing for the
rehabilitation of 125 10th Ave SE.
Parklet Proposal: St. John’s University Professor Matt Lindstrom spoke to the council regarding a parklet pilot
program. The request is to have a parklet in front of Krewe Restaurant. The grant has been awarded in the
amount of $1,000 and that grant will be matched by the Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy. During the
first week of June, eighteen downtown businesses were notified about the initiative and asked their opinion. All
of the respondents were supportive of downtown parklets. Parklet signage would note that the parklet is a
public space and not an extension of any business.
Schultz proposed having parklets go through an administrative process for approval and requested staff
research options.
Other concerns were costs, storage options, alternate locations, and the elimination of parking spaces.
Schultz moved to table discussion on parklets and directed staff to research the permitting process for
parklets as well as come back with possible designs. The motion was seconded by Loso.
Aye: Schultz, Loso, Theisen Motion Carried 3:2
Nay: Buckvold, Goracke
Outdoor Event – La Playette: The La Playette requested the approval of an outdoor event for Friday, June
19th, 2020. The event would run from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Because the music will cease by 9:30 PM, a
public hearing is not required.
Loso moved to approve the temporary outdoor music/liquor permit for the La Playette to have an
event on June 19, 2020 from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM; seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously.
WAC/SAC Payment Deferral: Jon Petters requested an additional delay in the August 2020 WAC/SAC
payment due to COVID-19. The request is to have the payment made by December 31, 2020.
Loso made a motion authorizing the extension of the WAC/SAC August 2020 payment for the 24
North project to before December 31, 2020. The motion was seconded by Buckvold and passed
unanimously.
June 15, 2020
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Vendor Event Request: Staff was approached by resident Carl Berg who requested approval to have a
vendor event on June 27th, 2020 in the open area to the east of the Community Center. At this point there
are 12 vendors signed up. The event would compliment the City Wide Garage Sales.
Theisen moved to approve the vendor event for June 27, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The
motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Cable/Video Conferencing Upgrades: Ambuehl presented two quotes to the Council regarding the cable
and video conferencing upgrades. In light of changes caused by COVID-19, the need for remote access
for both the Councilmembers and the public have increased. The quote also includes the addition of a
camera for the administration conference room and upgrading an additional spot for staff in the Council
Chambers.
Buckvold moved to approve the purchase and installation of equipment needed for upgrades to
the City of St. Joseph Video and Conferencing System; seconded by Goracke and passed
unanimously.
CR121 Light Pole Repairs: The decorative street light poles along CR121 have heaved this past year.
There are 11 poles that pushed out. To install concrete bases for a permanent repair would be
$19,800.00 and the funds are available in the street light utility fund.
Schultz moved to approve an amount to not exceed $19,800.00 to repair the light poles along
County Road 121; seconded by Buckvold and passed unanimously.
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan: Staff presented the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and request the
Council allow City Hall to open on June 16, 2020.
Loso moved to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and having City Hall open to the public
on June 16, 2020. The motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously.
Outdoor Summer Events: Staff has been working with the CVB to come up with summer events to help
out local businesses. The ev ents would occur each Thursday in July. There will need to be road closures
to ensure the safety of the attendees. Staff recommends having the road closure be done administratively
as opposed to having Council approval for each one.
Theisen made a motion authorizing staff to process road closures administratively for the CVB
summer events in July, 2020. The motion was seconded by Buckvold and passed unanimously.
Benefit Analysis Agreement, 20th Ave SE Improvements: Loso moved to accept the proposal from
Nagell Appraisal & Consulting to complete a benefit analysis of the 20th Ave SE watermain loop
improvements. The motion was seconded by Buckvold.
Aye: Loso, Buckvold, Goracke, Schultz Motion Carried 4:1
Nay: Theisen
Professional Services Agreement, 20th Ave SE Improvements: Sabart presented the Professional
Services Agreement on behalf of SEH for the design and construction phase of the 20th Ave SE
Improvements.
Loso moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement with SEH for the design and
construction of the 20th Ave SE Improvements. The motion was seconded by Schultz.
Aye: Loso, Schultz, Buckvold, Goracke Motion Carried 4:1
Monthly Department Reports
Administration: Ambuehl reported that staff has been working to maintain city operations during the
pandemic.
June 15, 2020
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Community Development: Haffner reported the site plan and building permit review are nearly complete
for the Vista Apartments. An amendment to the Rural Residential District Ordinance was approved by the
Planning Commission and will come before the Council in July. A revolving loan fund application will
come before the Council in July for Jupiter Moon Ice Cream.
Finance: Bartlett has been working with the ClearGov digital budget book. Initial setup is to be completed
by the end of June. The department is working on budget items and normal day-to-day activities.
Police: During this time the department has been working on catching up. Staff worked to document and
process old evidence for proper disposal. The number of ICRs have remained steady even during the
pandemic.
Public Works: Staff distributed 38 picnic tables borrowed from the Sisters and CSB. The tables were well
received from local businesses and residents. Disinfecting the buildings and equipment occurs on a daily
basis.
Mayor Reports: Schultz thanked City Administrator Ambuehl and Councilmember Theisen for their service
with the National Guard and the Stearns County Sherriff’s Department in assisting with the rioting in
Minneapolis.
Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:28 PM; seconded by Theisen and passed
unanimously.
Kris Ambuehl
City Administrator