HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.23.24January 23, 2024
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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, January 23, 2024, at 5:30PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz; Councilmembers Kelly Beniek, Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso
Absent: Councilmember Adam Scepaniak
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 Randy Sabart
Half Cent Sales Tax Referendum: Murphy asked for direction on the upcoming referendum as a plan will
need to be developed on how to communicate information to residents. The city is unable to expend
funds on promotion of the referendum; however, the city can put out factual, non -persuasive information.
Additionally, a discrepancy was found in the language of the bill. The bill designates $6M towards Phases
II and III of Rivers Bend Park (formally East Park). The city's resolution has the $6M for Regional Park
Facilities including Rivers Bend Park and Millstream Park. Bartlett has reached out to Taft Law, the
bonding attorney, for clarification on whether we can include Millstream Park being it wasn't specifically
mentioned in the passed legislation.
Discussion was had on the number of questions that would be on the ballot. At least two questions due to
there being two separate projects. Staff will provide updates as the process continues.
2024 Street Improvements: As a result of the public hearing held on January 16th, staff wanted to discuss
the project locations to make sure everyone was on the same page. Discussion was had on the potential
development of Phase II of Northland Business Center and how/if it would impact utility connections for
properties in the Industrial Park East. With there being unknowns as to how many years it could take for
utilities to be extended to Industrial Park East, council was comfortable with moving forward on the Pearl
Drive improvements.
Council discussed each project location and the following was determined:
• Polar Circle: taken out of the 2024 project
• Leaf Road: taken out of 2024 project. Will likely be completed when the Minnesota Street/County
Road 2 round -a -bout is constructed in 2025
• All other project areas for the 2024 Street Improvements will remain and the 429 Special
Assessment process will continue.
Staff will bring forward an amending resolution which would reflect these changes.
Website and IT Services: Mayor Schultz brought up the website and its searchability. Improvements need
to be made and navigation needs to be streamlined.
City Clerk Kayla Klein noted that the website is currently undergoing a redesign that should be completed
in March. Some the design elements will streamline the site on its own; however, there is old data and
links that need to be remedied.
Schultz also addressed the need for the city to look into contracting for IT services and suggested
reaching out to the League of MN Cities (LMC) for guidance.
4KaylScultz adjourned the meeting at 6:56 PM.
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City Clerk