HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.21.25January 21 st, 2025
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Oath of Office: Mayor Adam Scepaniak administered the Oath of Office to councilmember Kelly Beniek.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on
Tuesday, January 215t, 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, Police Chief, Dwight Pfannenstein, Finance
Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Nate Keller, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works
Director Ryan Wensmann
Councilmember Appointment and Oath of Office: Beniek made a motion to appoint Andrew Mooney to fill
the vacancy on the city council; the motion was seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously
Mayor Adam Scepaniak administered, the Oath of Office to Andrew Mooney.
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Kluesner motioned to approve the agenda; seconded by Beniek 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 January,6, 2025.
b. Bills Payable Requested Action: Approve Check Numbers 62726-62740, ACH Account Payable
#2400101-2400107; Payroll & Accounts Payable EFT #3585-3594; Regular Pay Period 1, 1.5.
c. Donations — Requested Action: Approve resolution 2025-004 accepting donations.
d. Financial Report -Requested Action: Accept the December 2024 financial reports and 2024 4'h
quarter reports as presented.
e. Assent to Register Possessory Title — Requested Action; Approve Resolution 2025-003
approving assent to register possessory title for parcels 84.53300.0255 and 84.53300.0253.
f. 3rd Quarter Gambling Report Requested Action; Accept the 3rd Quarter Gambling Report as
presented.
Ordinance Amendment — Short Term Rental First Reading of Revised Draft: Keller provided a review of the
short -term rental discussions and ordinance drafts dating back to April of 2024. Keller proceeded to present
the current draft highlighting the following:
• Defines what a short-term rental is.
• Defines the zoning districts the use is allowed.
o Short-term rentals would be allowed in Agriculture, Rural Residential, R-1 <Single Family, R-2
Two-family, and R-4 Townhouse/Patio homes via an annual short-term rental license,
inspection, and conditional use permit. The short-term rental must be owner -occupied and the
principal residence of the owner.
o The use would be allowed in B-1 and B-2 (downtown & highway districts) with an annual
license, inspection, and conditional use permit if the sole use of the property is a short-term
rental.
o The use would be allowed in B-1 and B-2 with an annual license and inspection if the short-
term rental is secondary to a principal commercial use.
• Lodging Tax shall be paid by all short-term rentals at a rate of 3% of all stays —proceeds benefit CVB.
• Emergency contact information must be displayed in a visible location.
Keller encouraged the council to provide feedback on the draft. The revised final draft will be brought back to
the council for consideration in February.
Kluesner asked if the PC will review this draft before it is approved by the council.
Keller responded that because the PC already held the public hearing regarding short-term rentals, it is not
necessary for them to review the draft unless the council would like them to.
January 21 st, 2025
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Scepaniak shared the PC has had ample time to offer their input. Scepaniak feels the newly elected councilors
should offer their thoughts.
Scepaniak inquired about the lodging tax.
Keller explained a lodging tax of 3% is paid to the city on each stay whether it be at the bed and breakfast, the
Rodeway Inn or at a short-term rental. The lodging tax is submitted to the city monthly.
Kluesner felt there was some confusion regarding Subd. 3: c; citing that homeowners are going to think they
must have off-street parking to offer their home as a short-term rental.
The council agreed the next draft should specify the parking requirements for short-term rentals in the
residential districts and the commercial districts.
Schnettler asked for clarification on the funds collected from lodging taxes.
Staff explained the Convention & Visitors Bureau's (CVB) budget comes from the lodging taxes that are
collected.
Keller informed the council the city's attorney had reviewed the draft as well and had no further comments.
Hire of Temporary Part -Time Officer: Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein asked for the council's feedback on
hiring a part-time officer. Pfannenstein explained there is an officer within the police department who has been
out on FMLA (unpaid) since November of 2025 and is not expected to return until August of 2025. It is costing
the city money to pay officers overtime and to hire outside agencies to fill in. A retired officer who worked most
of his career for the Stearns County Sheriff's Department has reached out and inquired about filling in.
Pfannenstein shared this officer is familiar with the City of St. Joseph and the processes of the SJPD. Hiring
this officer would provide relief in covering shifts. Additionally, the part-time officer is up to date on all training,
has uniforms, and would be hired at a lower step on the pay scale than the officer who is out on leave;
therefore, not impacting the budget.
Scepaniak made a motion to approve hiring Victor Weiss at Step 1 on the police pay scale; seconded
by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: City Administrator David Murphy reminded the council that March 6th is the LMC City Day
on the Hill. If any of the councilors would like to attend, they can reach out to him or the mayor.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Mayor Scepaniak congratulated newly appointed councilor, Mooney, re-
elected councilor, Beniek, newly elected councilor, Schnettler and thanked councilor Kluesner for continuing his
term on the council.
Adjourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn at 6:42PM; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk