HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.25March 3`d, 2025
Page 1 of 2
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on
Monday, March 31, 2025, at 6:OOPM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Kevin Kluesner, Kelly Beniek,
Andrew Mooney
City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Police Chief Dwight
Pfannenstein, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann, City Engineer Randy Sabart
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Kluesner motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Beniek and passed;
unanimously.
a. Police Officer Swearing in — Vic Weiss: Officer Weiss was sworn in by Mayor Scepaniak.
Consent Agenda: Beniek motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed
unanimously.
a. Minutes — Requested Action; Approve the minutes of January 21, 2025.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve check numbers 62741-62834, ACH account payable
# 2400108-2400167; Payroll & Accounts Payable EFT #3595-3623; Regular Pay Periods 2 & 3,`
Fire and Rink Attendants Pay Period.
c. Financial Report — Requested Action: Accept the January 2025 financial reports as,presented.
d. Approval of Mayoral Appointments — Requested Action: Approve the additional Mayor;
Appointments as presented.
e. Donations -Requested Actions: Approve Resolution 2025-008 accepting donations.
f. Request for Undesignated Funds to Purchase Bleachers - Requested Action: Approve the use of
undesignated Park Board funds to purchase bleachers for the western t-ball field from BSN sports
in the amount of $5,983.95.,
g. Squad 705 Replacement - Requested Action: Authorize the Police Chief to purchase a 2025
Ford Explorer on state contract for approximately $46,356.94 and declare the 2017 Ford Explorer
as surplus property.
Joetown Blocks: City Administrator David Murphy addressed the council, informing them CVB members who
help organize the Joetown Blocks event are here to discuss potential change for the 211 annual Joetown Blocks
event.
Ann Reisner & Mary Bruno, CVB: Reisner and Bruno proposed moving the location from MN ST W to the area
that includes the alley way which runs east and west from Bo Diddley's to the St. Joseph Meat Market, and the
alleyway that runs north and south from MN ST W to Ash St W. Additionally, Ash St W from College Avenue
to 1st Ave NW would be closed for the car show. Businesses that would be affected have been notified of the
potential change, most of them are closed on Sundays. Those that are open are interested in participating in
the event. Bruno asked if Joetown Blocks is considered a "city" sponsored event. If so, would it be possible to
waive the city's fees such as the event application fee, food vendor permits, and extra costs for security
provided by the SJPD? Bruno pointed out the food/beverage vendors are all businesses located in St. Joseph.
Kluesner and Beniek agreed they view Joetown Blocks as a city sponsored event.
Kluesner asked Reisner and Bruno to put together a list of the fees in question, then submit it to Murphy.
Murphy could then discuss those items with staff.
Murphy added that in time it will be necessary to determine whether the CVB is a city entity as their founding
documents are unclear. Murphy plans to take this under advisement and will bring it back to the council.
Scepaniak shared he is in favor of the new location. He asked Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein if there are
any new or additional risks to be aware of in this newly proposed location.
Chief Pfannenstein replied that he is in favor of the proposed location as well but stressed it would be
necessary to get prior approval from all private property owners who may be affected by the location change,
street, and alley way closures.
March 3', 2025
Page 2 of 2
Municipal Management Services Agreement: Murphy explained the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
has given March 14'n, 2025, as the deadline to submit a Municipal Dispensary application. The city has been
working with the Red Pine Group to operate the dispensary. Initially the OCM required a Management Services
Agreement be submitted with the application for municipalities planning to contract operations. Murphy went on
to share the OCM has updated and changed some of the rules as of February 141n. The update affords the city
the option to submit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) draft the city currently has with Red Pine Group
in place of the Management Services Agreement due to time constraints. Murphy asked the council to notify
him of any changes they may have regarding the MOU draft. Those changes would be forwarded to the city
attorney. Murphy asked the council to consider approving a resolution authorizing the City Administrator and
the Mayor to execute the MOU, being the council will not meet again before the March 141n application
deadline.
Scepaniak made a motion to approve the MOU as currently written; seconded by Mooney and passed
unanimously.
Unpaid Leave of Absence Request: Murphy provided the council with an overview of the unpaid leave request.
Scepaniak made a motion to Approve Unpaid Leave of Absence for Madison Honer up to August 811,
2025; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: Murphy shared the following updates:
• He and Sabart will be at the capital tomorrow to testify before the capital investment committee for the
bonding money for the sanitary sewer line.
• The legislative day at the capital is Thursday, March 61n
• The team building/visioning session is tentatively scheduled for the 11, Wednesday in April.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Mayor Scepaniak shared that he and Councilmember Beniek recently
attended the elected leaders' program in Alexandria. Schnettler, Mooney, and Kluesner had attended the same
program in Plymouth a couple of weeks ago. Scepaniak shared he is hosting a Mayor Forum on Thursday,
March 61n at the LaPlayette at 6:30PM.
Adjourn: Beniek made a motion to approve to adjourn the meeting at 6:28PM; seconded by Mooney
and passed unanimously.
Kayla Klein
Vv
City Clerk