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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.06.24May 61h 2024 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, May 6th, 2024, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Adam Scepaniak, Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso, Kelly Beniek City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, Community Development Director Nate Keller, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Fire Chief Jeff Taufen, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Clerk Kayla Klein Public Comments: None. Approve Agenda: Beniek motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Schultz motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. , Consent Agenda: a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of April 15, 2024. b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 61806-61882, Payroll & Account Payable EFT #3336-3362; Regular Pay Periods 8 and 9. c. Multiple Animal Permit — Requested Action: Approve the multiple animal permit for the residents at 1003 Callaway Street East for ownership of three dogs. d. Fire Department Truck Repairs - Requested Action: Accept the quotes from CMS to; repair Units 1 and 4. e. Joint Powers; Agreement for Massage License Inspection Services with the City of St. Cloud — Requested Action: Approve the JPA with the City of St. Cloud for Inspection Services on Massage Licenses. f. ' Applications for Off -Site Gambling, St. Joseph Jaycees -Requested Action: Approve the 11 off - site gambling applications submitted by the St. Joseph Jaycees for 2024. g. DNR Grant Application Authorization — Requested Action: Authorize the Fire Chief to apply for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant through the DNR. h. New Hire Pay Correction — Requested Action: Approve the pay correction for Jacob Reber to Grade 5 Step 5 with an effective date of April 3; 2024. i. Arbitrage Consulting Agreement — Requested Action: Approve the Arbitrage Consulting Services Engagement Contract with Government Capital Securities. j. Call for Public Hearing — Delinquent Accounts to be Assessed — Requested Action: Call for public hearing on May 20, 2024 to 'consider certification of delinquent account balance. k. Fire Department Policy Approvals Requested Action: Approve the presented policies relating to records retention, procurement, and equipment management and inventory for the St. Joseph Fire Department. I. 2024 Pickleball Court Improvements — Requested Action: Approve plans and; specifications and authorize SEH to submit advertisements for bids for the 2024 Pickleball Court Improvements Project. Public Hearinq — La Playette Special Event: City Clerk Kayla Klein presented a special event application received from La Playette for La Jam which will occur on August 23, 2024. The request includes having music play until 11:00PM and closing a portion of the alley to the north of the property. The closure would be from 11AM on the 23rd — 6AM on the 24th. A public hearing is required for events that have music past 9:30PM. Notices were sent to residents within 350 feet of the event, none of which have responded. The public works director and police chief have reviewed the request. The police chief is recommending two off duty police officers for the event. Schultz opened the public hearing at 6:02PM. Seeing no one come forward, Schultz closed the public hearing at 6:02113M. I May 6", 2024 Page 2 of 4 Councilmembers Beniek and Scepaniak had questions regarding the time of alley closure and setup of the event. Shawn Reisner, owner of La Playette explained the alley closure request includes time to setup and cleanup in addition to the event. Reisner also shared the set-up of the event has not changed from last year, the volume of the music was lowered last year which resulted in less noise complaints. The music this year will be at the same volume level as last year. Beniek motioned to approve the special event permit submitted by the La Playette for an event to be held on August 23, 2024; seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously. Public Hearinq — Tax Abatement: Community Development Director Nate Keller presented a tax abatement request from Hansen Land Holdings, LLC. Adam Hansen, owner of Hansen Companies is interested in building a new manufacturing facility in Northland Business Park. Hansen's current business operates in St. Joseph off Pearl Drive. Due to the business expansion, Hansen is proposing to construct an 82,000 square foot building + 6,000 square feet of office space. Hansen will be retaining the 61 employees they have and adding an additional 12 full time positions in the next few years. Construction would begin June 2024. The business subsidy is for nine years, not more than $396,438. The tax abatement would come from 100% of the city portion of property taxes beginning taxes payable in 2026. The arrangement would be pay -as you go. Hansen holdings, LLC has agreed to continue operations in St. Joseph through the term of the tax abatement agreement (2035). Schultz opened the public hearing at 6:08PM. Seeing no one come forward, Schultz closed the public hearing at 6:08PM. Loso asked if there is any positive revenue after the abatement on a yearly basis. Finance Director Lori Bartlett explained the abatement is for the full city tax up to $396,438 for nine years. Kluesner moved to approve the adoption of Resolution 2024-025 approving property tax abatements, granting of business subsidy, and authorizing execution of a tax abatement agreement; seconded by Scepaniak and passed unanimously. Street Closure Request — White Peony Boutique: Klein presented a street closure request from Lindsay Salzbrun, owner of White Peony Boutique. The closure request if for a portion of 1 st Ave NW from Ash Street south to right before the entrance of St. Joseph Meat Market. The closure would be for their White Peony Summer Market scheduled for June 1st, 2024, from 6AM — 6PM. This event is an extension of their summer market that also occurs at their Luxemburg location. Council asked if Perfect Fit and the white house on the west side of the street have driveways that would be impacted. Lindsay Salzbrun, owner of White Peony replied that the Perfect Fit does have a driveway and that she has contacted them to see if they would like to take part in the event even though they are not open on Saturdays. The white house to the west is owned by WR Home Company, they have been notified and plan to participate in the event, if approved. Kluesner asked Salzbrun what type of event/vendors will be hosted on the street. Salzbrun explained the street would be sectioned off in 10x10 spaces for vendors. Vendors include local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Salzbrun shared White Peony has a small business initiative which helps support other small businesses. Salzbrun believes in community connections and wants to support local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and artisans. White Peony's Fall 2023 Market at their Luxemburg location brought in approximately 50 vendors, currently they have 20 vendors on their wait list. The event in Luxemburg has grown exponentially over the past couple of years. Salzbrun would like to bring the event here to St. Joseph in hopes the businesses in St. Joseph will be benefit from the event as well. May 6"', 2024 Page 3 of 4 Kluesner asked if there will be food trucks. Salzbrun shared there will be no food trucks at the St. Joseph market. Rather they would work with the St. Joseph Meat Market to host a brat sale during the event. Loso made a motion to approve the street closure request on June 1st; seconded by Beniek. Yay: Beniek, Scepaniak, Schultz, Loso Nay: Kluesner Motion Prevails 4:1 St. Joseph Fire Relief Update and Request for Benefit Level Increase: Firefighter Keith'Louwagie and - president of the Relief Association provided an update on the St. Joseph Fire Relief. Part of the update includes a request to consider increasing the benefit level from the current $3400 to $3600 which would take effect January 1, 2025. Loso made a motion to approve the request to increase the annual contribution from the current $3400 per year of service per firefighter to $3600 per year of service per firefighter effective January 1, 2025; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Kinetic Contract Discussion: Scott Justvig of Kinetic provided an update on the Community Center/YMCA Project. The updated included the following; 1. The contribution/donor form has been updated. 2. Thank you notes to donors will be sent out by Kinetic. 3. The Community Center/YMCA Project Committee is currently comprised of four members and looking to add more. 4. Project updates will be made available to donors and potential donors going forward in the form of a newsletter. Kluesner shared that he recently received the 2023 YMCA annual report. Kluesner feels the information provided in the report may be a beneficial tool when presenting the project. Additionally, Kluesner believes the community center would be most successful by continuing to foster the relationship with the YMCA. Justvig thanked the council for their ongoing support of the Community Center/YMCA project and is passionate about seeing the project completed. Schultz inquired about the terms of the city's contract with Kinetic. Justvig informed Schultz the contract terms are to be handled by Kinetics CEO Terry Gibson. Department Reports: Murphy shared he attended MCMA Conference in Nisswa last week and invited to share what he had learned with the, councilmembers if they would like. Klein reminded councilmembers the city administrator's review paperwork is due on Friday, May 10tn Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Schultz shared he testified before the house capital campaign committee; he does not feel confident that St. Joseph will receive funds for the sewer main extension. Schultz pointed out there have been some delivery issues with USPS in the community. Last week St. Joseph hosted the All -City Meeting on Monday and a Community Outreach Forum on Thursday. Schultz highlighted that Joetown Blocks preparation is going well. Schultz stated the LMC Summer Conference is June 26-28 and the CGMC conference is July 24-26tn in Waite Park and St. Joseph. Schultz announced he will not be seeking reelection for Mayor this fall. Loso inquired about a letter to the editor in the Newsleader. Chief Pfannenstein had not read the article himself; however, the author of the letter has been responded to. Beniek shared the park board toured Rivers Bend and Klinefelter Parks at the last board meeting. Beniek also shared Movie in the Park is coming up on May 18tn May 6", 2024 Page 4 of 4 Kluesner asked how many pickleball courts are going to be constructed. City Engineer Randy Sabart replied there is going to be one facility with three courts. Adjourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn at 6:56PM; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously. 4� Ka a Klein City Clerk