HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.16.23October 16th, 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, October 16'h, 2023, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso, Adam Scepaniak,
Absent: Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann,
Community Development Director Nate Keller, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, City
Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Loso motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Kluesner made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Loso and
passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda:
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of October 2, 2023.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 61059-61107, Account Payable and
Payroll EFT #3157-3166, Regular Pay Period 20.
c. Treasurer's Report — Requested Action: Accept the 3rd quarter and September 2023 financial
reports.
d. Donations — Requested Action: Accept the donations as presented.
e. Interim Use Permit Renewal, Heim-Kins —Approve Resolution 2023-057 adopting findings of fact
and approving an interim use permit for the purposes of having outdoor display and sale of
merchandise.
Public Hearing — Delinquent Assessments: Finance Director Lori Bartlett informed the Council there is
over $1200.00 in delinquent invoices. A 14 — day notice of pending assessment was sent to affected
property owners. Property owners will be given until November 15'h to pay their delinquent invoice before
being sent to Stearns County for collection. Accounts paid before November 15'h, 2023 will have the $50
assessment fee waived. A public hearing will be held for those wishing to speak on delinquent
assessments.
Schultz opened the Public Hearing at 6:02PM.
As no one wished to speak, Schultz closed the Public Hearing at 6:02PM
Loso made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-060 Adopting Assessment for Outstanding
Invoices; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Conditional Use Permit — Summit Commons, LLC: Community Development Director Nate Keller shared
a CUP has been submitted by Summit Commons, LLC for outdoor storage. If approved, the CUP would
allow for outdoor storage of vehicles and recreational vehicles including boats, trailers, ATV's, etc. The
approximate 8.16-acre site would consist of about 237 parking spaces. The subject property is located
north of the city property which serves as the street department facility, south of the Wobegon Trail and
west of the manufactured home park. The proposed site has a recorded access agreement with the city
to allow for direct access to the site. The NE area of the site is more open and visible from the Wobegon
Trail. Staff have recommended coniferous trees be planted in this area to reduce visibility of the site from
the trail. Keller provided an overview of the site's topography, proposed improvements, conditions of
approval including staff recommended conditions of approval.
Santiago Romero, Applicant. Santiago explained to the Council much thought was given when deciding
how to best use this property.
Council asked what type of vehicles will be stored on the property
October 161, 2023
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Santiago explained there will be registered vehicles such as boats, trailers, and ATV's allowed to park on
the premises.
Council asked staff if there is a plan for hazardous material cleanup. Considering this site is close to
Watab Creek Council expressed concern if gas or oil runoff could pose a hazard.
City Engineer Randy Sabart explained according to the site plan the applicant plans to grade to a new
storm water pond on the south side of the site. The applicant is required to comply with the city's
ordinance with respect to storm water management.
Kluesner expressed a few concernsregarding the proximity of the Wobegon Trail to the proposed site. He
feels being able to see the outdoor parking site from the trail takes away from the natural beauty of the
trail. Kluesner noted that even with the hooded lights, there will still be light pollution which will affect
residents and users of the trail. He also mentioned that the public notice mailed out to residents who may
be affected by this use was only a half dozen property owners or so and should have been made
available to the public.
Schultz echoed Kluesner's concern of a commercial based parking lot so close to the trail.
Keller shared in the future it may be beneficial to post a notice at the subject site which would inform the
public of a land application rezone or CUP and provide a staff phone number for the public to call and ask
questions. Keller explained this is an effective way to notify the public in addition to the standard mailings
and newspaper postings. Keller also shared that there is about a 20' difference in elevation from the trail
down to the proposed site. He is working with Stearns County who maintains the right of way on the trail
and the applicant to see if the county would allow the applicant to plant trees in the county's right of way
on the trail. Plantings in that area would provide a more effective buffer than plantings the City would
require at the proposed site.
Schultz made a motion to table Resolution 2023-059 until applicant and staff can verify with
Stearns County the possibility of creating a barrier along the trail; seconded by Kluesner.
Aye: Loso, Kluesner, Schultz
Nay: Scepaniak
Motion Prevails 3:1
Creation of Lead Records Technician Position: Police Chief Pfannenstein explained the police
department is asking the Council to create a Lead Records Technician position. Currently the PD
employs two admin staff. The Police Clerk position and the Records Specialist position. When PD was
looking to add additional admin staff, they worked with Flaherty & Hood to score and create the positions.
Chief Pfannenstein brought the need to create this position to the attention of Interim Administrator Jeff
O'Neill who ordered the last pay equity study. Most recently current City Administrator David Murphy was
brought up to speed on the PD's request who proposed the creation of the position to David Drown &
Associates. Their study found that the current records specialist meets the requirements for a Lead
Records Technician position. Pfannenstein explained there is no intent to add a staff member to the
Police Department at this time.
Scepaniak made a motion to create the position of Leads Record Technician for the City of St.
Joseph; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously.
Creation of Deputy Chief Position: Chief Pfannenstein explained while he does not see the need to fill a
Deputy Chief Position, he would like Council to consider allowing the addition of the Deputy Chief position
for when the need arises due to growth. David Drown & Associates reviewed and created the Deputy
Chief position as part of the package when they reviewed and created the Lead Records Technician
position.
Kluesner made a motion to create the position of Deputy Police Chief for the City of St. Joseph;
seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously.
October 16', 2023
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2024 Street Improvement Projects: City Engineer Randy Sabart presented the 2024 Street Improvement
Projects. These projects include improvements from the City's 2019 Pavement Maintenance Plan in
addition to trail reconstruction improvements in Klinefelter Park and the Liberty Pointe 2°d Addition. As
part of the 429 Special Assessment process, a resolution ordering the Feasibility Report is required.
Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-061 Ordering Preparation of Report on
Improvement and authorizing SEH to conduct the Feasibility Report for the 2024 Street
Improvements; seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: None.
Mayor and Council Reports and Miscellaneous Business: Schultz shared at a recent APO meeting the
2050 MTP plan was approved. He provided an overview of those potential projects. The CVB is planning
the Shop Small Crawl coming up in late November. Upcoming events include Trunk or Treat by the St.
Joseph Jaycees, and a SHRPA Service Contract which organizes and advertises daytrips to St. Joseph.
Schultz and staff will be following up with organizers of the CGMC summer conference for 2024 ensuring
planning for the event is on track.
Effective immediately; CVB meetings are being moved from the second Monday of the month at 12PM to
9AM on the second Monday of the month.
Admiourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn at 6:54PM; seconded by Scepaniak and passed
unanimously.
V�-
Kayla K ein
City Clerk