HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.19.25May 19, 2025
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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, May 19th, 2025, at 6:00PM in the St. Joseph Government Center. ;
Members Present: Mayor Adam Scepaniak, Councilmembers Adam Schnettler, Kevin Kluesner, Andrew
Mooney, Kelly Beniek
City Representatives Present: City Administrator David Murphy, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Community
Development Director Nate Keller, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Ryan Wensmann,
Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, City Engineer Randy Sabart, City Attorney Susan Dege, Fire Chief Jeff
Taufen
Public Comments: None.
Approve Agenda: Beniek moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously
by those present.
Consent Agenda: Kluesner moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Mooney and passed
unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of May 5, 2025.
b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve check numbers 62981-63018, ACH account payable
# 2400293-2400311; Payroll & Accounts Payable EFT #3702-3717; Regular Pay Period 10.
c. Financial Report Requested Action: Accept the April 2025 financial reports as presented.
d. Donations -Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2025-031 accepting donations and
contributions.
e. Approval of Temporary On -Sale Liquor License — Requested Action: Approve the temporary on -
sale liquor license submitted by Bad Habit Brewing Company for Make a Difference 5K/1 K on
September 13, 2025.
f. Approval of Temporary On -Sale Liquor License - Requested Action: Approve the temporary on -
sale liquor license submitted by Mad Hatter Whiskey dba Obbink Distilling for White Peony
Summer Market on June 7, 2025.
g. Special Home Occupation License, Pondview Lane — Requested Action: Approve Resolution
2025-029 Adopting; Findings of Fact fora Special Home Occupation License Renewal for
Massage Therapy at 201 Pondview Lane.
h. Interim Use Permit, Rental — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2025-030 Approving IUP for
the Purpose of a Residential Rental in a B-2 Highway Commercial District.
i. 4'h Quarter Gambling Reports — Requested Action: Approve the 41h Quarter Gambling Reports as
presented.
j. Millstream Softball Fence -'Requested Action: Approve the quote from Authority Fence &Deck
in the amount of $31,000 for a new fence on the east field at Millstream Park.
k. 2025 Street Maintenance — Requested Action: Approve the bid from ASTECH in the amount of
$91,239.02 for crack seal and seal coating for 2025.
Continuation of Public Hearing for Elm Street East Assessments: City Engineer Randy Sabart provided an
overview of the project including project areas, proposed assessment amounts, and options for payment of the
assessments.
Murphy reported that an objection letter was received from Dollar General (Dollar Properties LLC).
Councilmember Kluesner asked why the bond rating was at 5%. Bartlett explained that our policy is to set it
1.5-2% above the bond rate.
Councilmember Schnettler asked what the maintenance activities were on Elm Street. Sabart would research.
Mayor Scepaniak continued the public hearing.
Mike Gohman, WG Properties: Gohman thanked Keller for his work on correcting their address. Gohman asked
why his email wasn't included in the packet as an objection. Gohman questioned the assessment process,
specifically the benefit analysis process. Gohman believes the road is a benefit to all the residents in the
northland area and doesn't believe the business owners should pay for the road.
May 19, 2025
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Craig Guggenberger, partial owner in ING Properties: Guggenberger asked why the costs are being pushed on
the businesses when they benefit the least. The trucking business they lease a parcel to is just getting by and it
is not fair to add this extra burden to them. Guggenberger noted that the temporary and permanent
construction easements need to be addressed as well.
Bill Arndt, Northland Properties: Arndt asked what the point of the benefit analysis is. He read the report and
doesn't agree with it. He agreed with Gohman and Guggenberger that the road benefits more than the property
owners.
Mayor Scepaniak closed the public hearing.
Kluesner moved to approve Resolution 2025-032 Adopting Final Assessment for the 2024 Elm Street
Improvements; seconded by Mooney.
Motion Carried 4:1
Ayes: Scepaniak, Kluesner, Beniek, Mooney
Nays: Schnettler
2024 Audit Presentation: Janel Bitzan presented the 2024 audit findings. Bitzan thanked the staff for their work.
There was one finding, segregation of accounting duties, that was noted. Bitzan stated that this finding is
common in cities of this size, and the finding is to make council and staff aware.
Kluesner asked why the fire fund shows in 2020, but that was removed for all the succeeding years. Bartlett
responded that the fire fund was moved out of the general fund into its own fund. It's easier for tracking
because this fund has its own code.
Beniek made a motion accepting the 2024 Audit; seconded by Mooney and passed unanimously.
Department Reports: Sabart provided follow-up to Councilmember Schnettler's earlier questions regarding
maintenance activities on Elm Street. For both the east and west sides of Elm Street, crack filling was
completed in 2010 and 2013 and seal coating in 2015.
Mayor and Council Reports/Updates: Mayor Scepaniak reported that there was a meeting held to go over the
fire study and we are waiting for a final copy of the study.
Closed Meeting: Pursuant to MN Statute 13E.05 Subd. 3(c), the City Council entered into a closed session to
discuss the potential purchase of Parcel 84.53795.0200 located at 423 4'h Ave NE, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
Adjourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25PM; seconded by Beniek and
passed unanimously.
Kayla Klein
City Clerk