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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.04.22April 4, 2022 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, April 4, 2022, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Jon Hazen, Bob Loso Absent: Councilmember Kelly Beniek City Representatives Present: Administrator Therese Haffner, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, City Clerk Kayla Klein Public Comments: Evelyn DeSmet, 1704 Dale St E, longtime resident shared her frustration. She did not receive her utility bill and was charged a late fee. She said she did not blame the City for the bill not being mailed. She is frustrated with the postal system. As a senior citizen, and a person who typically pays her bills on time, she feels the City should refund her late charge. She has done some research with other cities. She asked the Council what they plan to do. Mayor Schultz replied that the Council does not respond directly to public comments and they will take it under advisement. Approve Agenda: Loso motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve consent agenda items; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of March 21, 2022 and March 22, 2022. b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 058864-058910; Payroll EFT 112213-112218, Account Payable EFT 002035-002036, Regular Pay Period 6. c. Police Officer Hire — Requested Action: Authorize the hire of Nathan Vossen as a full-time Police Officer, at Grade 9, Step 1 at $24.97 per hour on the wage scale. d. EDA Appointment — Requested Action: Approve the appointment of Joe Bye to the Economic Development Authority. e. Cellular Water Meters — Requested Action: Approve cellular meter purchase from Metering and Technology Solutions not to exceed $40,000 from ARPA Funds. Approve Installation contract with Midwest Testing LLC not to exceed $39,000 from the Water Fund. f. Payment Application No. 5 — Requested Action: Approve application for payment no. 5 in the amount of $83,244.88 to C&L Excavating, Inc. for the 2021 Street & Utility Improvement Project. Public Hearing, La Jam: City Clerk Kayla Klein stated that a special event permit request was submitted by the owners of the La Playette Bar for their La Jam event proposed to be held downtown on August 26, in their parking lot and in the public alley. A band is scheduled to perform from 8:30PM—11:30PM. The request includes the ability to play after 9:30PM up until 11:30PM and to close the alley north of the La Playette parking lot from Noon on 8/26 to 6AM on 8/27. The outdoor area would be fenced off and the stage would face southwest. La Jam attracts a large crowd and last year there were multiple noise complaints received. The application has been reviewed by the Chief of Police, Public Works Director, and Fire Chief and their main concerns were noise and evacuation plan. Staff and Mayor Schultz met with applicants' March 31st and addressed the concerns. Klein reminded the Council that they can put conditions on any permits. Schultz opened the public hearing. Clerk Kayla Klein read the public comment that had come in earlier in the day from Kay Lemke. Kay Lemke, 33 Ash St. E., expressed her concerns regarding the noise levels of the event. She is not opposing the event, but is suggesting the music be turned down by 10:00 p.m. and the event be shut down by 11:30 p.m. April 4, 2022 Page 2 of 2 Shawn & Ann Riesner, owners of the La Playette Bar, informed the Council that they reached out to the band regarding the volume and bass level and made them aware that issues with volume would not only result in then not being invited back; but would potentially jeopardizes the La Playette from future events. The Reisner's met with the police department and implemented emergency exits to be marked brightly, added an entrance/exit and have reached out to the Stearns County Sheriff to be sure another Sheriff vehicle would be present to send the right message on safety and security. As no one wished to speak on the matter, Schultz closed the public hearing. Council discussed the concerns with occupancy, noise and safety. The consensus was that the Reisner's have made plans to address those concerns. The Council asked the Reisner's to consider changing the music from 8:30PM to 11:30PM to 8:OOPM to 11:OOPM, to which they complied. Loso moved to Approve the Special Event Permit submitted by the La Playette for La Jam to be held on August 26, 2022, with the condition that the hours for music are modified to start at 8:OOPM and end at 11:OOPM; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Fire Contract: Administrator Therese Haffner reminded the Council that the Fire Contract between the City of St; Joseph, Township of St. Joseph and St. Wendel expires on July 15t of this year. In reviewing the existing fire contract, staff and legal counsel are recommending new separate service contracts with St. Joseph Township and St. Wendel Township. Staff has contacted both Townships. Staff would work with legal counsel on drafting new service contracts and determining ownership of fire hall and equipment. Council discussed disbanding of fire board and impact on operations and procedures. Loso moved to Authorize Administrator and City Attorney to draft new fire service contracts and present to St. Joseph and St. Wendel Townships seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Engineer Reports 2022 Street Improvements: City Engineer Randy Sabart, informed the Council that work has progressed on the 2022 Street Improvement plans and considering meeting cycle it was important to bring forth the resolution to authorize the advertisement for bids for the project. Bid opening will occur at 11AM on April 28th and bid results will come before the Council on May 16th. Hazen moved to Approve Resolution 2022-018 Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the 2022 Street Improvements; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Sabart informed the Council that the congressional delegation has listed their spending application, would like direction from the Council on whether to move forward with submitting the funding requests. Council discussed the limitations and eligibility of the applications. Sabart believes that this will become an annual activity with the congressional delegation spending application. Consensus from the Council is to move forward. Commission/Board Reports: Per Mayor Schultz the boards are full at this time. Mayor Reports: Schultz reminded the Council and staff of upcoming conferences and shared the online, interactive survey for the Region 7W Long Range Transportation Plan. Adjourn: Hazen made a motion to adjourn at 6:32PM; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. �grla lein City Clerk