HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.02.24December 2°d, 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
Monday, December 2"d, 2024, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Acting Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Kelly Beniek, Kevin Kluesner
Absent: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilmember Bob Loso
City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Finance
Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Nate Keller, City Engineer Randy Sabart
Scepaniak welcomed the St. Joseph Boy Scout Troop who attended the meeting to learn about city
government.
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Beniek motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Beniek motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of November 12, 2024, and November 18,
2024
-b. Bills Payable.— Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 62589-62626, Accounts Payable
and Payroll EFT #3522-3541, ACH Accounts Payable #2400022-2400031, Regular Pay Period23
and 24.
c., 2025 Meeting Calendar — Requested Action: Approve the 2025 meeting calendar as presented.
d. Approval of Tobacco, Amusement Device, 3.2 off -sale licenses for 2025 — Requested Action:
Approve the 2025 licenses as presented.
e. Payment Application No, 4,'2022 Street Improvements — Requested Action: Approve the FINAL
payment for the 2022 Street Improvements in the amount of $41,633.07 to ASTECH Corporation.
f. MN Housing Participation Agreement — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2024-071
Approving Participation in MN Housing Finance Agency MN City Participation Program.
g. Payment Application No. 2, 2024 Rivers Bend Park Trail Improvements - Requested Action:
Approve payment no. 2 to C&L Excavating in the amount of $2,866.02 for the 2024 Rivers Bend
Park Trail -Canoe Access Improvements.
Public Hearing —Truth in Taxation 2025 Budget and Levy Adoption: Bartlett gave an overview of the budget
process and presented the 2025 budget for approval.
The levy increased just over $550,000 overall which translates to a 3% increase in the tax rate. No new staff
positions have been proposed in the budget. A planning intern position was budgeted for 2024 and not filled.
The position will remain in the budget for 2025. The budget also included a 3% general wage increase plus
steps as adopted with the union contracts. Property sharing costs with St. Joseph Township will decrease20%o
(annexation) through December of 2025. A large portion of the budget includes the capital equipment plan and
capital improvements.
Scepaniak opened the public hearing at 6:27PM.
Elijah Stenman — 618 Iris Lane: Stenman asked where the crosswalk on CR 121 will be located.
Scepaniak explained the crosswalk will be located at Lanigan Way. The crosswalk will allow residents to safely
cross CR 121 at the Lanigan Way intersection.
As no one else wished to speak, Scepaniak closed the public hearing at 6:28PM.
Kluesner made a motion to adopt Resolution 2024-072 adopting the final 2025 budget, five-year capital
plans and payable 2025 levies; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing — Adopting the 2025 Fee Schedule: Bartlett highlighted the proposed changes for the 2025 fee
schedule.
December 2", 2024
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Scepaniak opened the public hearing at 6:38PM.
As no one wished to speak, Scepaniak closed the public hearing at 6:38PM.
Beniek made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2024-011 adopting the 2025 fee schedule; seconded by
Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Kluesner made a motion to adopt Resolution 2024-073 summary publication of the adopted ordinance
2024-011; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Scott Justvig — Kinetic: Justvig provided an update regarding campaign fundraising for the Community
Center/YMCA project. Justvig thanked the council on behalf of Kinetic for the opportunity to work on this
project.
Jon Ruis Consulting Proposal for Capital Campaign Management_ Services: The Capital Campaign Committee
researched other fundraising options for the Community Center/YMCA project. The contract with Kinetic was
for $17,500 per month. The proposed contract from Ruis Consulting is $9000 per month.
Kluesner made a motion to approve Campaign Support Proposal from Jon Ruis Consulting for St.
Joseph YMCA Community Center; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Request for Renewal — Kinetic Contract: Murphy stated the contract with Kinetic expires at the end of the year.
Because the contract with Ruis Consulting was approved, a motion to deny renewal of the Kinetic contract is
recommended.
Kluesner made a motion to deny renewal of the Kinetic Contract; seconded by Beniek and passed
unanimously.
Update on Cannabis Licensure: Murphy expressed there have been new developments at the OCM regarding
the Municipal Cannabis Dispensary option. Red Pine Group submitted a proposal for the city to enter into an
agreement with Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP (LGN). LGN would provide legal and lobbying services and
assist with the issuance of a municipal retail license. Red Pine Group would reimburse the City for LGN's
services up to $10,000. Murphy submitted the proposal to Kennedy & Graven law firm for review and opinion.
Kennedy & Graven saw no issue with the proposal; however, suggested a few items that require negotiation
and/or determination before proceeding with the proposal. Murphy asked the council to provide direction
whether the city should move forward with the proposal from LGN in conjunction with RPG and if so to provide
direction on the items suggested by Kennedy & Graven Law Firm.
The Council agreed with the suggestions provided by Kennedy and Graven and directed Murphy to proceed
with those suggestions and pursue the proposal submitted by Red Pine Group.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Scepaniak shared he will be sworn in as mayor on January 6`h, 2025,
leaving a council seat vacant. Applications to fill the seat are being accepted until January 6th 2025.
Adfourn: Beniek made a motion to adjourn at 6:52PM; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously.
Ka la Klein
City Clerk