HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.22.23 Work SessionAugust 22, 2023
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a workshop
setting on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 5:30PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz; Councilmembers Kelly Beniek, Kevin Kluesner, Adam Scepaniak
Absent: Councilmember Bob Loso
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Police
Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Recreation Director Rhonda Juell, City Engineer Bryce Johnson
2024 Budget: Finance Director Lori Bartlett presented an overview of where the budget is at. Bartlett
anticipates a reduction in the debt levy as well as an increase in the tax revenue due to the city recouping
more of the Industrial Park East taxes as a result of the annexation. The City will also receive around a
$200,000 increase in Local Government Aid (LGA). Public Safety Aid, a one-time aid for cities for a public
safety purpose, in the amount of $312,921, will be sent on December 26, 2023. There is not a deadline to
use the funds so the city has time to figure out where to best use the aid.
Elm Street Alignment: Staff presented alternate options for the Elm Street East alignment. Council
consensus was to move forward with the original design proposed. Schultz requested that SEH look into
moving the road slightly north to avoid impacting additional property owners to the south, but also
potentially not having to impact parking spaces on the northern property.
Baker Street Drainage: Councilmember Beniek was approached by a resident that is having drainage
problems in the rear yard. This issue has been brought to council before and the City does not fix
drainage issues on private property. There is a drain that could be lowered by the City; however, the
property owner would need to adequately fix the drainage problem in order for the drain lowering to be
effective.
Scheduling of Visioning Session & Strategic Planning Session: The visioning session will take place on
September 261h from 4-7:30PM. The Strategic Planning session will take place on October 3rd from 4-
7:30PM.
Grant Prioritization: Community Development Director Nate Keller sought feedback from council on grant
priorities. Some ideas included: Trail extension along CR121 connecting to East Park; Business
Development Public Infrastructure Grant — Industrial Park Phase 2; Local Housing Aid for Greater MN
Cities. Schultz noted that the city is not ready for the Industrial Park Phase 2 project. Additional grant
ideas will be flushed out as part of the upcoming strategic planning sessions.
Lobbying Contract Services for County Road 2 Sewer Main Extension: The lobbying contract with Chris
DeLaforest has expired. Flaherty .& Hood also provides lobbying services and can be considered as well.
The services would focus on the County Road 2 Sewer Main Extension project. Council directed staff to
obtain a quote from Flaherty & Hood and bring back to a future meeting.
Other: Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann stated he received a call from the owners of the La
Playette asking if they could block off parking spots in front of Bad Habit Brewing Co. whom they are
partnering with for St. John's University home football games to shuttle people back and forth. There are
3 or 4 home games and the parking spots would be blocked off for a good portion of the day. Council
discussed and determined that the bus can pick people up off of Ash Street or in the alley north of the La
Playette.
Sch Itz adjourned the meeting at 6:28 PM.
r.
K61aKlern
City Clerk