HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.16.24 Work SessionSeptember 16, 2024
Page 1 of 1
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a workshop
setting on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 5:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmembers Adam Scepaniak, Kevin Kluesner, Bob Loso,
Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: Administrator David Murphy, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann, Community Development Director Nate Keller, Police Chief Dwight
Pfannenstein, Recreation Director Rhonda Juell, City Engineer Randy Sabart
Facility Rentals: Schultz noted that the Council had discussed the past couple of years about whether to
charge all organizations for use of city facilities. There are a number of organizations that currently use
facilities at no charge. Schultz believes that the Lions should be an exception to being charged because
they donate significantly to the city.
Loso, Beniek, and Kluesner believe that it should be an all or nothing deal. If you don't charge for one
organization, then you cannot charge the others.
Juell suggested only allowing those that can prove they are a 501-C3 can use the facility at no charge.
Scepaniak added that the 501 (c)(3) organizations need to be St. Joseph based.
Council consensus is to permit organizations that are based in St. Joseph and can prove their 501 (c)(3)
status to use city facilities at no charge. These organizations are still required to submit a damage
deposit.
2025 Street Improvements: Sabart presented the proposed areas for 2025 Street Improvements which
would include the following areas: Portions of Callaway Street, Morningside Acres, Baker Street is on the
plan for 2026, Graceview Estates 2, Cloverdale Estates, Pondview Ridge 5,6,7, Portions of 8th Avenue,
Portions of MN Street, Portions 3rd Avenue NW, Cedar Street, Date Street, 1st Ave NW (these portions
can be delayed)
The streets proposed for 2025 are generally 18-22 years old and are indicated on the 2019 Pavement
Maintenance Plan.
The next step in the process would be to commission the Feasibility Report which would start the Chapter
429 process.
2025 Budget: Bartlett stated she doesn't have anything new for this evening. She incorporated
suggestions the council provided to her.
Loso asked why the Fire Chief & Assistant Chief salary increases are still in the budget. Bartlett stated
she didn't have a consensus from the council to remove the increases.
Kluesner suggested having an inflationary increase to Fire Department salaries annually so there are not
big jumps in pay.
Bartlett stated the County Auditor came back with better market value rates which will make a positive
impact on residents' taxes.
Work session was adjourned at 5:46PM
Kay a lein
City Clerk