HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.07.23August 7t', 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, August 7th, 2023, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso, Adam Scepaniak
Members Absent: Councilmember Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann,
Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Community Development Director Nate
Keller, City Clerk Kayla Klein
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 July 17th and July 25th, 2023.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers'60773-60832, Account Payable
& Payroll EFT # 3095-3111; Regular Pay Period 14, 15 & Fire.
c. - Purchase of Equipment for Millstream Park — Requested Action: Approve the purchase of
bleachers, dugout benches, and scoreboard from BSN Sports in the amount of $10,712.
d. Financial Reports — Requested Action: Approve the June 2023 & 2023 2nd quarter financial
reports as presented.
e. LCCMR Grant Agreement — Requested Action: Adopt the LCCMR Grant agreement for
funding for East Park Improvements.
f. Pay Application No. 7, Final Pay Application and Change Order No. 4, 2021 Street
Improvements — Requested Action: Approve Pay Application 7, Final Payment for 2021
Street Improvements and Change Order No. 4 to C&L Excavating.
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sale of cannabinoid products in the City of St. Joseph: City Administrator David Murphy reminded
Council at the July 25th, 2023, work session this topic was discussed. Council directed staff to draft an
ordinance to rescind the moratorium, effective upon publication, on the sale of cannabinoid products.
Schultz asked what the process will be for businesses who want to apply to sell these products.
Murphy informed the Council that state law requires retailers to register with the MN Department of Health
by October 1st of this year. Once the Office of Cannabis Management OCM is operational (projected to be
January 2025) the state will administer licensing. Murphy informed Council Stearns County is considering
adopting an ordinance at their August 7th board meeting that would prohibit the use of cannabis and low -
potency hemp products in public places; any violations being a petty misdemeanor. This ordinance would
cover the city given that we do not have an ordinance in place.
Loso made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-005 Rescinding the Moratorium on the sale of
cannabinoid products (low -potency hemp) in the City of St. Joseph; seconded by Scepaniak and
passed unanimously.
Engineer Reports:
a. 2023 Street Improvements, Resolution authorizing Advertisement for Bids, Fir Street Extension
City Engineer Randy Sabart explained that staff were approached by C& L excavating about completing
the work separately which is why this portion was not included in the bid advertisement for the rest of the
2023 improvements. Staff reached out to bond counsel to see if this was possible; since the engineer's
projected estimate of the project is greater than $175,000 the city must seek bids for the project.
August 7tt', 2023
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Loso made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-036 authorizing advertisement for bids for the Fir
Street extension; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Xcel Energy Franchise Agreement: City Administrator David Murphy mentioned franchise fees were
discussed at the July 25th work session. There was a consensus to increase the franchise fee; however,
the amount of increase was not discussed. Murphy provided an overview of the current franchise fee
schedule as well as the franchise fee amounts for our neighboring cities. Murphy also noted the current
contract and fees have been in place for the past 20 years.
Staff and Council discussed current franchise fees compared to neighboring cities. Council members
other than Loso agreed the city should mirror Waite Park's franchise fees. Council directed staff to
remove the "therm" charges from the list of fees as well. Murphy noted, once these fees are adopted, they
will apply to the agreement with Stearns Electric as well.
Council directed staff to update the franchise fee schedule and bring it back to the August 21 st City
Council meeting for review and adoption.
Administrator Reports: Murphy informed the Council he plans to have the recap of the July 12th Team
Building Training out this coming week.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Mayor Schultz reported that he recently became the president of
the CGMC at the summer conference that took place in Thief River Falls. Schultz will represent the
CGMC at lobbying efforts and the governor's meetings. If there are schedule conflicts, he may have to
rely on council members to fill in at meetings.
Adiourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn at 6:24PM; seconded by Loso and passed
unanimously.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk