HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.03.23April 3rd , 2023
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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, April 31d, 2023, at 6:00PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso, Kelly Beniek
Absent: Councilmember Adam Scepaniak
City Representatives Present: Interim City Administrator Jeff O'Neill, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public
Works Director Ryan Wensmann, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City
Engineers_ Randy Sabart and ,Bryce Johnson; City Attorney Sue Dege
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Mayor Schultz asked to move item six to the number five as the City Attorney has
another engagement to attend.
Loso motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously by those
present.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda items a - e and g; seconded
by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda:
a. Minutes - Requested Action: Approve the minutes of March6, 2023.
b. Bills Payable - Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 060209-060330, Account
Payable EFT #2142-2151, 3001;,Payroll EFT #1123011-1123016. 3002-3007;.Regular Pay
Period 5 & 6; Council Pay Period 3.
c. Extension of Fire Contract with St. Joseph Township - Requested Action: Approve
amendment to fire contract extending it to August 30, 2023, between the City of St. Joseph
and St. Joseph Township for fire services.
d.. Approval, of purchase of John Deere Mower - Requested Action: Approve the quote for a
new John Deere mower in the amount of $34,395.00.
e. Pay Equity - Requested Action: Approve the Pay Equity Report prepared by Flaherty &
Hood completed in compliance with MN pay equity law.
Approve the 3.2 on sale liqueF liG8RGe for the St. jeseph Baseball tearn for the period May 1
2023 to August 1, 2023.
g. Approve purchase of Skid Loader - Requested Action: Approve the purchase of a new
11 Holland skid loader in the amount of $39,272.00.
h. Approve quote feF dugeuts at Millstr P-01 Requested AGtiow Approve the quote fo
Schultz asked Staff if the City provided insurance in 2022 when the St. Joseph Baseball team's 3.2 On
Sale Liquor License was approved.
Dege explained that the City is listed as an additional insured on their policy. In the event of a claim, their
insurance policy would defend the City.
Kluesner asked Staff for clarification regarding the bids that were submitted for the dugouts at Millstream
Park.
Wensmann shared the Simmons bid includes only the concrete, portion of the dugouts. The Schlangen
Construction Co, Inc. bid includes building the entire dugouts. Wensmann explained he and the
Recreation Director are seeking the approval of the Simmons bid which came in at $17,160. The City has
those funds left over from the Klinefelter Park bathroom addition. The Recreation Director will seek
outside funding for the remaining portion of the dugouts. At this time, the goal is to get the concrete
portion of the dugouts built as the recreations departments youth summer ball programs will begin soon.
April 3' , 2023
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Kluesner made a motion to approve the 3.2 On -Sale Liquor License for St. Joseph Baseball team
and the quote for the new concrete dugouts for the east field in Millstream Park to Simmons
Construction for $17,160.00; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Consideration of approval of Ordinance 1014 Excessive Service Calls and approval of amendments to
Section 505.12 Penalty, Violations and Termination of Rental License: Dege explained the changes made
to the ordinances referenced above after receiving direction from Council at the March 6th City Council
meeting.,
Beniek make a motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-002 Establishing Ordinance 1014 Excessive
Nuisance Calls and Ordinance 2023-003 Amending Ordinance 505, Section 505.12; seconded by
Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2023-016 Directing Summary Publication of Ordinance
2023-002 Establishing Ordinance 1014 Excessive Service Calls; seconded by Loso and passed
unanimously.
Consideration of adoption of Resolution 2023-015 Approving Agreement memorandum of Understanding
for 2023-2025 between the City of St. Joseph and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees (AFSCME) Council 65: O'Neill shared the Council is asked to consider approving the
AFSCME contract. The contract has been signed. The proposed pay scale for AFSCME mirrors the
recently approved LELS agreement as follows:
2022 Base pay scale to be adjusted for 2023 as follows:
• Drop two steps and add one step — go from 8 to 7 step
• Shift the entire scale up 4% to equalize for 2022
• Additional 3% Jan 1, 2023 to keep pace for 2023
• Future adjustments — 2024 3%, 2025 3%, notwithstanding non -union base pay
Back pay will be provided to January 1, 2023. No pay increase with the compensation study will be paid
for 2022.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2023-015 Approving Labor Agreement and Memorandum
of Understanding between the City of St. Joseph and (AFSCME); seconded by Beniek and passed
unanimously.
Consideration of approval of Resolution 2023-014 Accepting the Report and Calling for Hearing on
Improvements for the 2023 and 2024 street Improvements: Sabart and Johnson presented the findings of
the Feasibility Report for the 2023 Street Improvements and 2024 Elm Street Improvements. The 2023
street improvements include portions of Iris Lane NE, 13th Avenue NE, 5th Avenue NE, 7th Avenue NE, Fir
Street E, Gumtree Street E, Gumtree Court, Northland Drive, Ash Street E, 2nd Avenue NE, Block 11 Alley
Ways and Fir Street E. The 2024 Street Improvements consist of Elm Street E & 8th Ave NE. The
improvements overlays, curb, and gutter, reconstructing sanitary sewer main, and new street
construction. The estimated cost of the projects is $3,133,900.00 with a portion funded through special
assessments. The proposed improvements hearing date is April 17th, 2023, at St. Joseph Government
Center at 6:OOPM.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2023-014 Receiving Report and Calling for Improvement
Hearing; seconded by Schultz and approved unanimously.
Consideration of adoption of Body Camera Policy: Pfannenstein reminded Council that the policy has
been modeled after surrounding area police departments. The City's legal team has looked at the policy
from a civil attorney's point of view and a prosecuting attorney's point of view and have no issues.
Beniek made a motion to Approve Police Body Camera Policy; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
Enaineer Reports: None.
Administrator Reports:
April 311, 2023
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Community Center/YMCA Discussion — O'Neill shared the recent scheduled workshop was
cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Since time is of the essence with this project O'Neill shared,
Staff will proceed to work with YMCA on finalizing an operations agreement covering operation of
the full build facility (Est $143M) Campaign effort. O'Neill shared the immediate goal will be for
Staff to bring an agreement for adoption at the next City Council meeting. After discussion with
Dege, O'Neill believes this timeline is possible.
The sales tax initiative missed the deadline, but our lobbyist has noted that it can be inserted as
an amendment — O'Neill shared the one-half cent sale tax initiative is active and currently
included in the Senate Bill. O'Neill thanked Senator Putnam for sponsoring the bill and the
amendment that pulled out the Public Safety Facility and the Regional trails projects from the
original request. O'Neill reminded the Council the current proposal includes $11M for phase II of
the Community Center and $6M for Regional Parks — East Park and Millstream.
O'Neill informed the Council that the LMC reported the House will not be hearing any of the local
sales tax proposals introduced this year. It has been noted in the Omnibus Bill it could come back
and settle without the house review. The house and senate need to get together on the bill and it
is possible the house will get bypassed in the process.
SF 1806, St. Joseph Sewer Main Bond Bill — O'Neill shared the bonding bill may not occur this
session; the bonding bill was voted down. A separate Capital Bill using cash is moving forward.
O'Neill is hopeful Senator Putnam will be successful in adding the St. Joseph Sewer Main project
(Gateway Lift Station) into the bill.
Congressional Directed Spending Opportunity —Applications submitted as requested by the City
Council — O'Neill informed the Council Staff was successful in meeting the deadline to apply for
funds to support construction of the Community Center. A $7M request was submitted to Senator
Klobuchar and Senator Smith. A second application was submitted to Tom Emmer's office for
funding of the Gateway lift station and sanitary sewer project. O'Neill thanked Keller, Klein,
Bartlett, Sabart and the SEH staff for their efforts in completing competitive and well -articulated
applications within the deadline. Funding awards will be announced October 2023.
Community Development Department Coverage Update — O'Neill shared Staff has prepared a
plan to distribute duties while Community Development Director Keller is out on leave. City Clerk
Kayla Klein will accept inquires, evaluate them, and distribute those inquires accordingly. Some
requests may need to be compiled and provided to SEH planners for response. Formal land use
applications will be handled by SEH planners who will be available for assisting the Planning
Commission and Council. The EDA may need to postpone one or two meetings during this time.
Staff is confident they will be able to assist residents in a timely manner.
David Murph's Orientation — O'Neill shared his last day is April 4t" and David Murphy's first day is
April 24t". O'Neill is confident after conversations with Murphy and a highly experienced staff the
transition will go smoothly. As occurred under O'Neill's tenure the weekly leadership meetings will
continue with Klein preparing the agenda and tracking follow up. O'Neill compiled a list of items
for Murphy as part of his orientation.
Farewell to a wonderful Mayor, City Council and Crew — O'Neill thanked the Council for the
wonderful experience working with St. Joseph. He shared those that he has met in St. Joseph
have expressed a positive and wonderful sense of pride and rightly so. O'Neill shared optimism
for the future was a common chord as well as a shared vision as to what St. Joseph should
become among those he met while here. O'Neill expressed his best wishes on continued efforts
meeting challenges and seizing opportunities for the betterment of St. Joseph.
Council expressed their gratitude and thanked O'Neill for the efforts he made while serving as the
Interim City Administrator.
April 3rd , 2023
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Mayor and Council Reports and Miscellaneous Business: Shultz shared he and Councilmember Beniek
were invited to a strategic planning meeting which also involved a Q & A held at CSB/SJU. Schultz and
Beniek felt the joint session was refreshing and look forward to what may come out of the meeting.
Adjourn: Loso made a motion o adjourn at 7:50PM; seconded by Kluesner and passed
u nimously.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk