Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Council Workshop

Item #1: Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance

 

Mayor Hemmesch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., at Richmond City Hall, and asked those present to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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

 

Also present: Martin Bode, Interim City Administrator; Adam Ripple, City Attorney; Randy Jenniges, City Engineer; Kevin Mooney, Parks and Arena Director; Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Marilyn Zenner, Administrative Assistant; Dennis Torborg and Gary Brinkman.

 

Item #2:  Approval of Agenda

 

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

 

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

 

Item #3:  Approval of City Minutes of March 2, 2011 (Regular, Closed 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 March 2, 2011 (Regular, Closed and Workshop Meetings).  Motion Made by Paczkowski, Second by Mathiasen.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #5.  Consent Agenda.

 

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

 

a.             Approval of Just and Correct Claims

b.             Purchase Requisitions / Allocations & Transfers

c.             Resolution 121 – 11 Resolution Approving February Journal Entries

 

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

 

Mayor Hemmesch recessed the regular meeting at 6:33 p.m. in order for the Council to discuss the following workshop discussion items:

 

a.                  2013 Main Street Project – City Engineer Randy Jenniges

 

Mr. Jenniges  reviewed with the Council the 2013 Main Street project in that:

 

As part of the County Road 9/Main Street reconstruction project that is scheduled for construction in 2013, street scaping and aesthetic improvements is a significant portion.  It has been discussed to include moving the overhead electric wires and poles along Main Street within the downtown area as part of the aesthetic improvements; in much the same manner as we did on along Central Avenue.

 

Xcel Energy has provided the City with a rough cost estimate to complete the work.  There would also be cost associated with relocating individual businesses electrical services from the front to the back alley, which is not covered by Xcel.

 

The Small Cities Grant Program still has a significant balance and could be used to help business owners pay for the electrical relocation costs.  However, the program expires at the end of 2011, therefore the decision to relocate overhead electric along Main Street has escalated.  In order for Xcel to design and complete the work by the end of this year, they will need a decision by the City within about a month.

 

b.                  Safe Routes to School Trail (SRTS) – City Engineer Randy Jenniges

 

Mr. Jenniges reported to the Council that on February 22, 2011 Heidi, Kevin, and he met with Kelvin Howieson, MnDOT State Aid Engineer and Lynette Roshell, MnDOT SRTS Coordinator to discuss the concerns the previous SRTS Coordinator was having with the project. Specifically, the decrease in trail length from the original funding request to what we are proposing to build now.

 

The meeting was as positive as we could have hoped for and MnDOT reiterated their commitment to the project and getting it done.  MnDOT would prefer the city built the entire trail and not stop at the Westside of St. Peter and Paul school property. They even offered additional monies to the City to accomplish the remainder of the trail.  If the City cannot complete the entire trail, Kelvin mentioned that he would still be committed to the project.

 

 

c.                    Parks Commission Discussion - Parks / Arena Director Kevin Mooney and Parks Commission President Gary Brinkman.

 

Mr. Mooney and Mr. Brinkman discussed with the Council various options of restructuring the commission in a way that would help it become more involved.  One suggestion was to approach the following organizations: Royals baseball team, Richmond Lions, Chain of Lakes Soccer, Youth Hockey, Richmond Little League and the Richmond AMC department to seek one or two of their members to be on the commission.

 

Mr. Brinkman suggested taking out the $25.00 per meeting pay that the board currently receives for attending meetings.  Noting we are a volunteer organization.

 

The Council suggested that the current parks commission meets once again to discuss these ideas and then ask the current commission members if they wish to be on the new commission.

 

ROCORI Trail Update.  Mr. Mooney informed the Council the ROCORI trail board had a special meeting on Monday, March 14 to discuss the concerns that Cold Spring Granite was having regarding trail abandonment East of Kiess gas station.  Cold Spring Granite had considered filing a protest.  However, they would be satisfied with a letter of intent from the ROCORI trail board that would indicate that the board would stipulate to leave the trail in place east of Kiess gas station if there was interest expressed by a business to use the trail.

 

d.         Fire Department Report – Fire Chief Chuck Merten

 

Chief Merten requested Council permission to advertise in the local newspaper for two additional firefighters.  Consensus of the Council was to approve.

 

Chief Merten updated the Council on the process of applying the 2011 USDA grant that would possibly be used for a new fire hall.

 

Chief Merten requested the Council’s permission to consider a “Ride a Long Program”. A program that would allow individuals that might be interested in serving on the fire department to have a chance to ride along as a spectator.  The Council suggested that Chief Merten work with City Attorney Ripple and the LMC Insurance Trust to look into the legal and liability issues that might be involved with such a program.

 

e.         River Lake Days Discussion -

           

The Council briefly discussed the upcoming River Lake Days.  One of the concerns of the Council was in regards to who has the authority to cancel any given event due to a potential severe storm.  Noting that last year there seemed to be some confusion or delay in canceling the parade just prior to a severe hailstorm.  Interim Administrator Bode stated to the Council that he was planning to attend the River Lake Days meeting on April 4th and would bring this item up for discussion.

 

f.              2010 Hail Storm Damage Bids – Public Works Director Gordon Dingmann

 

Mr. Dingmann Reviewed with the Council the bids that have been turned in for the Non-Enterprise Fund Building that had been damaged in the 2010 hail storm.  Mr. Dingmann noted that some of the contractors lumped some of the buildings together in one bid as opposed to separating them out.  The Council requested Mr. Dingmann to contact these contractors and request that they separate the bids out per building and the Council would then reconsider the bids at the next Council meeting.

           

The Council was informed that the Richmond Lions have purchased 15 tables at a cost of $3,600.00.  This purchase was not pre-approved by the Parks Director Mooney or the Council nor is it in the 2011 Lyons Park budget.  The Council requested director Mooney to work with the Richmond Lions Club on the proper procedures for purchasing CIP items.

 

g.            No-Fault Sewer Backup – Interim City Administrator Martin Bode

 

Mr. Bode reviewed with the Council the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust policy regarding no-fault sewer backup.  Mr. Bode informed the Council that the city’s liability coverage currently does not cover no-fault sewer backup. The cost to the City to include this coverage ranges from $740.00 to $1,086.00.  Plus, there is a $1,000.00 deductible per occurrence that the City would be held responsible.  After a brief discussion, the Council determined they needed more time to consider this issue.

 

h.         Xcel Energy Franchise Fee –City Attorney Adam Ripple

 

Attorney Ripple and the Council reviewed a proposed ordinance that would establish a franchise fee between the City of Richmond and Xcel Energy.  In this proposed ordinance, the Council would need to determine the maximum amount of the franchise fee that could be imposed.  It was the consensus of the Council, at this time that the maximum would be set at three dollars per meter.  It was noted that a public hearing is required and the Council set the date of May 4, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. to hold a public hearing.

 

k.                  Tower Park Acres - City Attorney Adam Ripple

 

Attorney Ripple informed the Council that the Tower Park Acres purchase agreement option, at Tower Acres, would expire on March 31, 2011, unless they exercised the option agreement to extend the purchase agreement for an additional year at a cost of $5,000.00.  Interim Administrator Bode stated that he has left a voicemail message for Lon Negen but as yet not heard back.

 

l.          EDA Wages -

           

The Council briefly discussed the current pay rate for EDA members in specific, the president's pay rate.  The question the Council had for Attorney Ripple is, does the Council set up the pay rate for the EDA members or is that set by the EDA itself and can the pay rate for the president of the EDA be different than the other members.  Tabled.

 

m.        Cherrywood Development - Interim Administrator Bode

 

Interim Administrator Bode informed the Council that he has been contacted by Marshall Weems, Developer of Cherrywood Development, and requested the two letter of credits being held by the City be released / non renewed.  Mr. Bode stated that he has consulted with City Engineer Jenniges, City Attorney Ripple and Public Works Director Dingmann and it has been determined that Cherrywood Development has met all the terms of the development agreement.

 

j.          Other Matters of Concern and Related Items -

 

Mayor Hemmesch informed the Council that he and Interim Administrator Bode would be going to the State Capital on March 24, 2011 to participate with the League of Minnesota Cities Legislatures Capital Days.

 

i.          Administrators Position -

 

Attorney Ripple, Interim Administrator Bode and the Council reviewed the proposed administrator’s contract.

 

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting)

 

Mayor Hemmesch reconvened the regular council meeting.

 

Item #5. Additional Purchase Request, Allocation & Transfers

 

None Presented

 

Item #6. Consideration of Resolution 122 - 11, Release / Non Renew Letters of Credit for Cherrywood Development

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 122 -- 11.  Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Paczkowski.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #7. Consideration of Resolution 114 - 11, A Resolution Appointing Interim Administrator Bode as the City Administrator-Clerk-Treasure.

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 114 -- 11.  Motion Made by Mathiasen, Second by Mackedanz.  Motion Passed.  All in favor: Hemmesch, Mathiasen, Mackedanz and Kron. Opposed: Paczkowski.

 

Item #8 Other Matters of Concern and Related Items

 

Council directed Attorney Ripple to revise Administrator Bode's contract to reflect his salary to be set at Group 16 Step 3 effective April 6, 2011, at which time the Council will formally act on Administrator Bode's contract.

 

The Council briefly discussed the policy the City has in place of using the winter months from November through April for averaging the sewer usage during the summer months of May through October.  It was the consensus of the Council that at this time it appears it would be okay to include March and April usage for the winter months.

 

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 Mathiasen. Second by Mackedanz. Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Martin M. Bode

Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer

City of Richmond