HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.05.23June 5th 2023
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, June 5t", 2023, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor, Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso
Absent: Councilmembers Kelly Beniek, Adam Scepaniak
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Engineers
Randy Sabart and Bryce Johnson, Recreation Director Rhonda Juell
Others Present: St. Joseph Fire Fighter Keith Louwagie
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Loso motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and
passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of May 15, 2023.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 60516-60597, Account Payable
& Payroll EFT # 3044-3059; Regular Pay Period 10 and 11.
c. 2023-2024 Liquor Licenses — Requested Action: Approve the 2023-2024 Intoxicating Liquor
Licenses as presented.
d. 2022 Transfers — Requested Action: Approve the 2022 transfers as presented.
e. State Bonding Requests — Requested Action:Approve Resolution 2023-026 supporting
applications for state bonding requests for the Community Center Project and County: Road 2
Sewer Extension Project.
f. 2022 Equity Classifications — Requested Action:; Approve the equity designations as
presented.
St. Joseph Fire Relief Update: St. Joseph Fire Fighter Keith Louwagie presented an update on the St.
Joseph Fire Relief fund. As part of the update, the Relief Association is requesting that an increase to the
benefit level be considered from the current $3200 to $3400 and that the increase take; effect January 1,st
2024.
Schultz asked how much the City donates to the relief fund. Finance Director Bartlett shared the City is
not required to contribute funds; however, the City and the townships have agreed to a minimum of $3000
annually for municipal contribution. Discussion between the Council and Louwagie continued regarding
what the relief fund is used for, who manages the relief fund and how the statements are reviewed.
Kluesner motioned to approve the request to increase the annual contribution from the current
$3200 per year of service per firefighter to $3400 per year of service per firefighter effective
January 1, 2024; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Consideration of approval of Pay Equity Study Amendment: City Administrator David Murphy presented
the Pay Equity Study Amendment with David Drown & Associates (DDA). The previously completed pay
grid calibration used different criteria and is not compatible with current needs. The proposal up for
adoption will allow DDA to prepare a more accurate pay grid calibration which will give the City a precise
prediction of payroll costs for 2024.
Loso motioned to Approve Amendment to 2023 Pay Equity Study with David Drown & Associates;
seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously.
June 5", 2023
Page 2 of 2
Northern Natural Gas Agreement: City Administrator David Murphy shared with the Council that staff has
been working with Northern Natural Gas (NNG) for the past several months to develop an easement to
allow for expansion of the Town Border Station located at the intersection of College Avenue and Field
Street as well as an agreement to access the service road at the site. Currently, the property surrounding
their station is owned by the City. The City Attorney has reviewed, modified, and approved both
agreements. Norther Natural Gas has reviewed the City Attorney's changes and agreed to them. Council
is asked to consider approving the access road agreement and the Pipeline Facility Easement.
Schultz made a motion to approve the Access Road Agreement and Pipeline Facility Easement
between the City of St. Joseph and Northern Natural Gas; seconded by Loso and passed
unanimously.
Engineer Reports: City Engineer Randy Sabart presented to the Council two resolutions related to the
2023 Street Improvement Project. The first resolution schedules the special assessment hearing. The
second resolution is to declare the cost of the assessment. The total estimated cost of the project is
$3,295,800. The portion of the cost to be paid by the City is declared to be $2,409,449; the portion of the
cost for benefiting properties is declared to be $886,351. The proposed interest rate on assessments is
5%.
Kluesner motioned to approve Resolution 2023-027 declaring costs to be assessed and ordering
preparation of proposed assessment and Resolution 2023-028 calling for hearing on proposed
assessment for 2023 Street Improvements; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Administrator Reports: City Administrator David Murphy shared the July 12th, 2023 teambuilding session
for Council and Staff has been confirmed and will be held at CSB.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Mayor Schultz shared the City was able to get legislative action
done on the Local Options Sales Tax; however, did not receive any bonding this session. Schultz would
like to discuss the possibility of working with DeLaforest consulting to lobby for the sewer main line
extension in the future after it is confirmed whether legislators will bond in 2024.
Kluesner asked staff for a status update regarding the applications submitted by the City for federal
monies to Tina Smith, Tom Emmer and Amy Klobuchar's offices for the YMCA and sewer main line
projects. Sabart responded the City received acknowledgement of submittal; however, have not received
whether further consideration has been given to those applications.
Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 6:44PM; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
W�
Kayla ein
City Clerk