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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.01.22August 1, 2022 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kelly Beniek, Jon Hazen, Bob Loso, Kevin Kluesner City Representatives Present: Administrator Therese Haffner, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein Approve Agenda: Hazen motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Hazen motioned to approve the consent agenda items a., b., d., e., and f.; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Council discussed reason behind the resignation and commended the employee for her good work. It was noted that benefits were a main reason the employee was leaving. Hazen motioned to approve consent agenda item c.; seconded by Beniek. Motion passed unanimously. a. Minutes Requested Action: Approve the minutes of July 18, 2022. b. Bills Payable - Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 059319-059376, Account Payable EFT #002062-002065; Payroll EFT 112267-112272, Regular Pay Period 15. c. Resignation — Requested Action: Accept the resignation of the Finance Technician and authorize Staff to post the position for hire. d. Transfers — Requested Action: Authorize the 2022 transfers as presented. e. Fire Department Rescue Van Bid Acceptance - Requested Action: Adopt Resolution 2022- 040 Accepting the bid from Saint John's Fire Department for the sale of the 2012 Ford E450 ambulance in the amount of $70,000. f. Klinefelter Park Shelter Addition — Requested Action: Approve Mike Schlangen Construction Co. In. proposal as presented. Northland Securities, Tammy Omdal a. Bond Sale: Tammy Omdal, financial advisor from Northland Securities, presented on the sale of the 2022A bonds noting that the market was very favorable and the City was able to save some money from what was previously estimated in early July. Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2022-039 Issuance and Sale GO Bonds, Series 2022A Standards and Poors Global Bond Rating Summary; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by those present.' b. Debt Management Study: Tammy Omdal, presented an analysis of the outstanding bonds held by the City of St. Joseph. This is an annual presentation prepared with the assistance of the City Finance Director. The debt study provides information of what the required tax levies and other revenue sources should be, what debts might be a candidate to refund or payoff early, how many years remain on each debt, and the summary of the debt costs versus the requirements to pay the total debt. Omdal compared the City's rating vs. other cities in Minnesota. She informed the Council of Staffs due diligence on continuing to monitor the City's debt and the repayment of that debt. Omdal noted that the city has maintained its AA- rating which is a very strong rating. Council discussed existing debt, forecasted debt in the upcoming years, projects, and how our ratings compare to other communities, as well as state auditor recommendations on the amount of reserves a city should have. Bartlett noted that both the state and the city's policy call for a minimum of 4-6 months' worth of expenses in reserve. Special Event Requests: August 1, 2022 Page 2 of 3 a. Millstream Arts Festival Permit Amendment: City Clerk, Kayla Klein informed the Council that the Millstream Arts Festival approached Staff regarding amending their street closure request as part of their event permit. The Council had requested that any amendment of the permit be brought back for approval. The applicant has submitted a revised plan that would include utilizing a portion of the alley between Krewe Restaurant and the La Playette as well as a portion of the La Playette's parking lot to setup a stage for music. Staff reached out to the owners of the La Playette and they have approved the use of that space. Hazen motioned to approve the amendment to the special event permit submitted by Millstream Arts Festival; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously by those present. b. Rock for Alzheimer's: Klein informed the Council that Bad Habit Brewing Company submitted a special event permit for their annual Rock 4 Alzheimer's that will be held on September 11 th from 12PM — 9PM. Staff has reviewed the request and it is required that 1 off -duty officer be present at the event. Chief Pfannenstein noted that there have been no issues with this event in the past. Council discussed having the abutting residential property owners notified of the event. Hazen motioned to approve the special event permit submitted by Bad Habit Brewing Company for Rock 4 Alzheimer's on September 11th; requiring 1 off -duty officer to be present; seconded by Kluesner. Council discussed number of people estimated to attend and how the number of officers required is determined. They also discussed noise and concerns with notifying neighboring properties. Schultz motioned to amend the previous motion to include notification to abutting residential properties; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by those present. Council voted unanimously to approve the previous motion approving the special event permit submitted by Bad Habit Brewing Company for Rock 4 Alzheimer's on September 11t"; requiring 1 off -duty officer to be present. Community Center Campaign Name and Donation: City Administrator Therese Haffner stated that Hartsook Fundraising [who began work on the City's fundraising campaign in January 2022] has completed the first phase of the campaign and presented their report recently. The next steps that need to be determined now are a name for the center for campaign marketing and how and where to donate meaning where the funds are held. The Case Statement prepared by Hartsook for the interviews referenced the facility as the Community Center and YMCA. Respondents who were interviewed were largely supportive of the YMCA operating the center. She shared the options for consideration on where to donate. Staff recommends the name for the campaign be the St. Joseph Community Center YMCA since it is consistent with the case statement messaging that was shared with those interviewed. Hartsook and Staff are recommending donations/pledges be routed to the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA through a separate St. Joseph account since the City would not be charged a fee/interest. City Finance Director Lori Bartlett would monitor financials. Hazen moved to hold the funds through the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA for the St. Joseph Community Center YMCA account; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Hazen moved to name the building the St. Joseph Community Center YMCA for campaigning purposes; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by those present. 2023 Capital Plans/Debt Budget Discussion: Finance Director Lori Bartlett presented the 2023 Capital Equipment Plans from each department and outlined the projects, proposed developments and park board recommendations. Bartlett also reviewed the recommendations from the EDA and CVB for 2023. She stated that the Fire Board will meet on Aug. 16th to review their 2022 budget proposals. Their August 1, 2022 Page 3 of 3 planned equipment purchases for 2023 were discussed, specifically as it relates to the Grass Rig and Rescue Van. Bartlett explained the equipment certificates noting that the next equipment certificate issues are scheduled for 2023 and 2025. The two certificates are issued on a rotating 5-year basis to minimize spikes in the general levy budget. The proposed 2023 certificate is estimated to be $400,000. Bartlett also touched on the debt levy and the potential reduction to the levy from what was presented to the Council due to the August 1 st bond sale. Council Discussed bid amounts as related to projects, the future of the Millstream ball fields, prices of equipment and details of the equipment certificates. The City's rating was also noted and consensus was that the City was in a good place. Downtown Two -Hour Parking: The Council discussed adding two-hour parking on College Ave. N at their work session on June 28, 2022. The Council tabled the item at their meeting on July 18, 2022. The Mayor had received comments from businesses regarding adding two-hour parking to certain areas of downtown. Currently, there is two-hour parking in downtown on portions of MN Street. Subsequently, the Council discussed the item briefly at their work session on July 18, 2022 and asked to discuss again at a future regular city council meeting. Councilmember Beniek walked the downtown area and was hesitant to add more signs. Also, she had spoken with the businesses along College Avenue and they do not have issues with the current parking situation. There is one business that does not have their own designated parking Council discussed 15-minute parking signs, two-hour parking signs and enforcement and placement of signs. They also discussed feedback from businesses and the Post Office. The future of parking as it relates to growth of the St. Joseph. Consensus was to put 15-minute parking signs in front of the Post Office and place two-hour parking signs on College Avenue North. Mayor Reports: • Schultz was contacted about someone digging wildflowers out of one of the holding ponds. He spoke with Haffner and there will be something written in an upcoming city newsletter to educate residents. • Schultz thanked Beniek for taking staff and Council photos • CGMC dues will be increasing • Schultz asked the Council to consider a future system, similar to a ward system, where Councilors represent the ward in which they live. Klusner was opposed to having wards in the city, noting the city is too small to have such a system. Closed Meeting: Hazen moved to have the City Council enter into closed session Pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(c)(3), to develop an offer to purchase real estate located at 13 2"d Ave NW. The motion was seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously by those present. Immediately following, the city council will enter into another closed meeting. Closed Meeting: Hazen moved to have the City Council enter into closed session Pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(c)(3), to consider purchasing a portion of parcel 84.53360.0006. The motion was seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously by those present. Adiourn: Hazen made a motion to adjourn at 7:58PM; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously b those present. Kayl lein City Clerk