Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Council Workshop

Item #1: Call to Order

 

Mayor Hemmesch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Richmond City Hall.

 

Council Members noted as being present: Jim Hemmesch, Tim Paczkowski, Jeff Mackedanz and Scott Kron.  Absent: Mike Mathiasen.

 

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; Adam Ripple, City Attorney; Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Marilyn Zenner, Administrative Assistant; Public Works Director, Gordon Dingmann; Randy Jenniges, City Engineer and David Drown, Financial Advisor.

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the presented agenda.

 

Motion to Approve Agenda.  Motion by Kron. Second by Paczkowski.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #3:  Approval of City Minutes of April 6, 2011 (Regular and Workshop Meetings).

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the meeting minutes.  None presented.

 

A Motion was Made to Approve the City Council Minutes of April 6, 2011 (Regular and Workshop Meetings).  Motion Made by Paczkowski, Second by Mackedanz.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #4:  Consent Agenda.

 

Mayor Hemmesch read aloud the list of the following consent agenda items:

 

a.                           Just and Correct Claims

b.                           Purchase Requisitions / Allocations & Transfers

c.                           Resolution 127-11 – Approval of March Journal Entries

 

It was the consensus of the Council to remove item d. Resolution 128-11, Approval of Temporary 1 - 4 Day Liquor License to Country Snow Cruisers from the Consent Agenda and place it under item M Other Matters of Concern and Related Items.

 

A Motion was Made to Approve the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Paczkowski.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch recessed the regular meeting at 6:34 p.m. in order for the Council to discuss the following workshop discussion items:

 

A.                 City Warning Sirens – Emergency Management Director Jesse Kollman

Director Kollman reviewed again with the Council the status of the City warning sirens.  Kollman reviewed with the Council updated numbers for the cost of updating or replacing the current sirens the City has in place.  Kollman stated he would continue to work with Administrator Bode to have these items covered in the 2012 budget.

 

B.                 Financial Advisor – David Drown                                                       

Financial Advisor David Drown informed the Council that he has reviewed the City's 2010 pre-audited trial balance and income and expense statements it made the following opinions:

-the City's Water Fund is lagging behind slightly and the Council may want to consider a small adjustment to water fees to make up for this shortfall.

-the City's Sewer Fund operations seem to be on track however, the WWTP Debt Service Fund will need to be monitored closely as one third of the debt service payments was and are budgeted to come from SAC Fees chargers from new building permits.

-the 2005 Water Tower Project of approximately 1.5 million, was assessed to the property owners at $500 per assessment for approximately $300,000 in revenues for bond payments.  Apparently the balance of the bond is to be paid through current water revenues.  The Council will need to take this under consideration when looking at the current water fees the City has in place.

Mr. Drown stated to the Council that he feels the City's current financial position is a healthy one, especially considering the current economic conditions.

C.                 River Lake Days                                                                               

The Council reviewed its current policies regarding River Lake Days.  The consensus was no changes were necessary at this time.

D.                 Base Fees – Water / Sewer                                                               

The Council reviewed its current policy regarding base water and sewer fees.  The consensus was no changes were necessary at this time.

E.                 2013 Main Street Project - City Engineer Randy Jenniges

Engineer Jenniges briefly reviewed with the Council the 2013 Main Street project in particular the possibility of moving Main Street overhead electrical wiring off Main Street and into the alleys.  Jenniges stated that he is preparing a detailed report outlining this project to presented at 6:00 p.m. on April 26 Special Council Meeting which is obviously open to the public but in this case the Main Street businesses have been sent written notice of this meeting and have been asked to attend to provide their input.

F.                  Safe Route To School (SRTS) - City Engineer Randy Jenniges

Jenniges stated that a letter are being sent out tomorrow to residential property owners on 1st Street NW, West of Hall Avenue.  The letter simply states that Jenniges along with Parks Director Mooney would like to meet with them at their convenience either on Wednesday or Thursday of next week to discuss the SRTS Trail project.

G.                 Cherrywood Sign - Administrator Martin Bode

Bode informed the Council that he has received a request from Marshall Weems, Developer of Cherrywood Assisted-Living, requesting permission to place a Cherrywood Assisted-Living sign either on top or below the existing Canoe Park sign on County Road 23 and intersection of 4th Street NW.  The consensus of the Council was to approve this request pending Stearns County's approval.

H.                Teds RV

Administrator Bode informed the Council that the City has received notice that Teds RV lot in Richmond would be used for a new car show this coming Sunday.

I.                   Nuisance Ordinance Havisto &Lieggi

Administrator Bode informed the Council that nuisance ordinance violation letters have been sent to

property owners of 25 Main Street W. and 145 1st Street SW.

J.                  Gas Franchise Agreement - City Attorney Adam Ripple

Ripple up dated the Council on the process of the City developing franchise agreements with utility companies that provide utility services to the City of Richmond.

K.                HR Policy (s) - City Attorney Adam Ripple

Attorney Ripple and the Council briefly discuss the need to update the City's Employee Handbook and Employment Agreements with its current salaried exempt employees.

L.                 Air Patcher

Administrator Bode and Public Works Director Dingmann provided to the Council a worksheet detailing the concept of the City of Richmond, City of Rockville and the City of Cold Spring to enter a Joint Powers Agreement.  After considerable discussion it was the consensus of the Council for the City to proceed forward with entering a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Rockville and the City of Cold Spring.  Formal approval would take place once the City has an opportunity to review the Joint Powers Agreement.

M.               Other Matters of Concern and Related Items                                             

- Consideration of Temporary 1-4 Day Liquor License for County Snow Cruisers.

It was the consensus of the Council to approve of a one to four day liquor license for Country Snow but it would be understood that they may only sell prepackaged liquor.

 

-Council expressed their concern over the misuse of the City's dumpsters at the compost site.  The Council requested a sign be made and placed at the compost site informing the public that the compost site is being monitored.  If this does not help solve the problem the Council may have to consider purchasing a camera system to monitor the site.

           

-The Council reviewed its current policies regarding burning permits inside the City of Richmond.  It was noted that Fire Chief Chuck Merten has broad authority when it comes to issuing burning permits.  It was the consensus of the Council not to change its current burning permit policy.

 

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting)

 

Mayor Hemmesch reconvened the regular council meeting at 9:13 p.m.

 

 

Item #5:            Consideration of Resolution 128-11 – Approval of Temporary 1-4 Day Liquor License Country Snow Cruisers

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 128-11.  Motion Made by Kron, Second by Mackedanz.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #5B: Additional Purchase Request, Allocation & Transfers

 

None Presented

 

Item #6: Other Matters of Concern and Related Items

 

None Presented

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additional items for the Council to consider that evening. Hearing no further comments, he asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

 

Motion to Adjourn.  Motion by Paczkowski, Second by Kron.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Martin M. Bode

Richmond City Administrator