HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.16.24January 16tf, 2024
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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 Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso, Adam Scepaniak,
Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, City Engineers Randy Sabart and
Bryce Johnson, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett
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 Schultz.
Beniek pulled item h. for discussion. The motion to approve consent agenda items a. - g. and 1.. —
j. passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda:
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of January 2, 2024.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 61392-61455, Account Payable
EFT #3236; Regular Pay Period 1,.
c. Donations — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 20247001 Accepting Donations.
d. Financial Report — Requested Action: Approve the 2023 4th quarter and December 2023.
financial reports as presented.
e. ; Vacation of Rear Easement Northland Business Center, Lot 15, Block 1 — Requested
Action: Approve Resolution 2024-003 Vacating Easement as legally described for Lot 15,
Block 1 of Northland Business Center.
f. River's Bend Park Final DesignjServices - Requested Action: Approve SEH agreement to
begin final design services for Rivers Bend Park.
g. Vacation of Interior Easements, Northland Business Center, Lots 12,13,14, Block 1 —
Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2024-004 Vacating Interior easements as legally; ,
described for lots 12,13,14, block 1 of Northland Business Center.
h Rezone of rn Neert at AFA '1 St Avo Al G' 1?on���c.E..d AGt . p r�__._i ..
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i. Central MN Violent Offender TaskForce,(CMVOTF) Joint Powers Agreement — Requested
Action: Approve the Joint Powers Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and the
CMVOTF.
j. Police Rifles Purchase — Requested Action: Approve the quote for 12 rifles from Tactical
Advantage.
Beniek asked Scepaniak who is the Planning Commission liaison if there will be adequate parking if the
requested actions are approved and if the properties surrounding 454 1st Ave NE need to be informed of
the rezone.
Scepaniak informed Beniek that the applicants will be building out this property in phases. Phase I of their
project will not require additional parking. Future phases will require the property owners to acquire
additional parking.
Schultz and Klein informed Beniek there was a public hearing held at the Planning Commission level and
those affected by the rezone have been informed.
Beniek made a motion to approve Rezone of property at 45411t Ave NE Requested. Action:
Approve Resolutions 2024-005, 2024-006 and Ordinance 2024-001 approving the rezoning request;
seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously.
Public Improvement Hearing — 2024 Street Improvements: City Engineers Randy Sabart and Bryce
Johnson provided an overview of the 2024 Street Improvement Project. This hearing is on the merits of
January 10", 2024
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the project and if approved, the second hearing will be the special assessment hearing. Johnson
presented the locations of the project, existing road conditions, proposed improvements to each area,
estimated cost of the project, how assessments are calculated and the schedule for the proposed
improvements.
Schultz opened the Public Hearing at 6:28PM.
Andrea Pflueger, 701 20d Ave SW.Pflueger asked what the timeline of construction is on the overlay
project proposed on her street. She will be having sod put down in her yard early summer and hopes the
projects do not interfere with one another. Sabart informed Pflueger that street projects typically begin
after July 4tn
Dan Felix, 600 Hill Street W.Felix asked why the word "improvement" is used to describe the project
rather than "maintenance" and why tax dollars do not cover these costs. Sabart referred to the City's
pavement maintenance plan, updated in 2019. This plan attempts to prioritize where the city is investing
in streets and extending the life of streets. Sabart explained tax dollars cover sealcoating and crack filling
of streets.
Janet Haviland, 29427 Kiwi Court: Haviland asked if there will be a curb added to her street as part of the
proposed project. Sabart shared adding a curb is not part of the proposed project on her street.
Mike Hanauska, 817 3rd Ave SW.Hanauska asked when the city started assessing property owners for
street improvements, if any of the council members have ever paid an assessment and if the city will seek
multiple bids for the project. Sabart shared that he believed the formal assessment process was put into
place about 2009. The city will put the project out for bids and typically receives more than one bid for
projects. If only 1 bid is received and it is cost effective the project may go on, if the 1 bid is not cost-
effective council may elect to hold off the project. Mayor Schultz and councilmembers Beniek and Loso
shared they have paid assessments.
Dan Rassier, owns a parcel of agricultural land on the north side of 295t" Street: Rassier shared that the
proposed street improvement will not benefit his farmland and hopes council will take that into
consideration before accessing his property for the project.
Brian Johnson, 605 Hill St W.Johnson asked if the city takes into consideration the current state of each
road when proposing how in depth the roads reconstruction needs to be. Sabart informed him that the
city does take into consideration the age of the road, the soil under the road, traffic on the road as well as
other factors which assist in creating the repair/maintenance plan for each project.
Jacob Frame, 29436 Kale Court: Frame asked the council to consider not approving the proposed street
improvements on Kale Court and Kiwi Court due to the financial burden that will be imposed on the
families who live on those streets.
George Wallner 711 2"d Ave SW. Wallner asked how assessments are paid. Sabart and Bartlett shared
that many homeowners have them assessed to their property taxes and they are typically re -paid over a
ten-year period.
Council and staff discussed that public hearings are a time for them to consider the public's thoughts and
opinions before being approved. Sabart shared the city's policy used to balance the cost of assessments
between the city and the homeowner.
Schultz closed the Public Hearing at 6:59PM.
Loso made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-002 Ordering Improvements and Preparation of
Plans for 2024 Street Improvement Project; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Engineer Reports: None.
January 16th, 2024
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Department Reports: Bartlett shared the preliminary audit dates are January 29tn and 30tn. Auditors will
return the week of March 25tn for fieldwork. They may ask members of the council questions or request an
interview. Final financial statements are projected to be available at the May 20tn council meeting.
Wensemann shared the recent cooler weather has been favorable for making ice. The ice rink will
officially open Friday, January 20tn
Mayor and Council Reports and Miscellaneous Business: Schultz shared the governor's budget is
available and it appears there may be more money available for BDI, which the city will apply for. CGMC
Legislative Action Day is March 20tn this year.
Beniek offered a reminder that Snowfest is coming up on January 27tn
Ad'ourn: Beniek made a motion to adjourn at 7:01PM; seconded by Scepaniak and passed
unanimously.
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Kayf� Klein
City Clerk