Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday May 4, 2011

Regular City Council Meeting

Item #1: Call to Order

 

Mayor Hemmesch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the 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 Scott Kron.

 

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; Adam Ripple, City Attorney; Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Greg Stang, PeopleService; Marilyn Zenner, Administrative Assistant; Randy Jenniges, City Engineer; Karen Young, Xcel Energy; Jim Dockendorf, Vern Dockendorf; Lolly Vogt and Ryan, Local TV Channel 10 camera operator.

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Agenda as presented.  Motion Made by Kron, Second by Mathiasen.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

 

Item #3: Approval of City Minutes of April 21, 2011 and April 26, 2011.

 

A Motion was Made to Approve the City Council Minutes of April 21, 2011 and April 26, 2011.  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.   Approval of Just and Correct Claims

b.         Approval Purchase Requisitions / Allocations and Transfers

            c.         Resolution 129 – 11 Acceptance of April 2011 Donations

            d.         Resolution 130 11 Transfer of Funds from 201 to 101

            e.         Resolution 131 - 11 Approval of Granting Unpaid Time Off

 

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

 

Mayor Hemmesch temporally recessed the regular Council meeting to conduct a public hearing regarding the City of Richmond adopting an ordinance, ordinance No. 2011-100 and ordinance to establish a franchise agreement between the City and Xcel Energy.

 

City Attorney Adam Ripple along with Xcel Energy representative Karen Young gave a brief overview of the proposed ordinance.

 

It was the consensus of the Council the maximum franchise fee rate per meter be set at $3.00.

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked those in attendance if they wish to make a brief statement or comment regarding the proposed ordinance.  None were made.

 

Mayor Hemmesch then reconvened the regular City Council meeting.

 

Item #5 Consideration of Ordnance 2011-100  Electric Franchise Ordinance

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Ordinance No. 2011-100.  Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Paczkowski.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item #6: City Engineer Report – Randy Jenniges

 

a.  Engineer Jenniges for the benefit of those in attendance and for those who would be viewing tonight’s meeting on TV reviewed with the Council the results of the April 26 Council Workshop regarding the 2013 Main Street Project, and in particular the option of moving of overhead electrical wiring on Main Street to the alleys.

Jenniges further stated there are grant funds available to help with this portion of the project (the moving of overhead wiring) but these grant funds would be come unavailable as of December 31, 2011.  Also, in order for this portion of the project to be completed in 2011 the City would need to notify Xcel Energy within the next several weeks of whether or not the City wishes to proceed forward with moving the power off Main Street.

Jenniges stated that those in attendance,  approximately 16 business owners and residents in the affected area, took a hand vote and it was unanimous that it was their opinion the City should move forward with moving the power off of Main Street.

 

Consideration of Resolution 134-11 A Resolution Authorizing the Moving of Certain Main Street Electrical Wiring to the Alley

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 134-11.  Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Paczkowski.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

b.  Engineer Jenniges stated that he along with Parks Director Kevin Mooney and Mayor Hemmesch had met with various residences that live on 2nd Street NW, West of Hall Avenue, regarding the proposed Safe Routes to School project (SRTS) last week to answer any questions they may have regarding this project.

 

Jenniges stated that the Minnesota DNR is willing to contribute an additional $50,000.00 to extend this project an additional four blocks West of Hall Avenue on 2nd Street.  However, that $50,000.00 would not cover engineering fees that could cost an additional $10,000.00-$13,000.00.

 

Residence Troy Niewind, Jim Dockendorf and Vern Dockendorf were in attendance and expressed their strong disapproval of the SRTS project extending the additional four blocks West of Hall Avenue on 2nd Street NW.

 

After considerable discussion it was the consensus of the Council not to extend the Safe Routes to School Project West of Hall Avenue but to continue forward with the project East of Hall Avenue as previously approved and directed that Engineer Jenniges to move forward with the bid process.

 

Jenniges stated that the project would probably begin construction sometime in July or August of this year.

 

Item #7: Water / Waste Water Operator Report – Greg Stang, PeopleService.

 

Operator Stang reviewed his written report with the Council. Stang also informed the Council that the roof replacement at the WTP started today and WWTP roof would likely be started next week.

 

Stang again noted that on May 13 will be the annual Water Festival to be held at the River Lakes Civic Arena.

 

Item # 8: Public Works Director’s report – Gordon Dingmann

 

Attorney Ripple briefly reviewed with the Council a proposed Joint Powers Agreement between the City’s of Richmond, Rockville and Cold Spring.

 

Consideration of Resolution 133-11, a resolution approving joint Powers agreement between the City of Richmond, Rockville and Cold Spring.

 

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 133-11.  Motion Made by Paczkowski, Second by Mackedanz.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Item # 9: Fire Department Report – Fire Chief Chuck Merten

 

Chief Merten reviewed, with the Council, his submitted written report. Noting that for the month of April there was a total of 5 calls: 3 medical, 1 Bobcat fire and 1 false alarm.  Along with the normal monthly training the Department participated in a mock car crash with the City of Cold Springs Fire Department.

 

Merten stated that the Fire Departments Relief Association annual chicken barbecue will be held on May 22, serving from 4:00 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

 

Item # 10: City Attorney Report – Adam Ripple

 

No report.

 

Item # 11: City Administrators Report – Martin M. Bode

 

Administrator Bode reported that the field portion of the 2010 City Audit had been completed last week and overall the senior auditor was pleased with how the field portion of the audit has gone.

 

Item #12: Reports of Council

 

a.         Mayor Hemmesch and the Council discussed the option of the EDA providing for Tower Park Acres a one-year First Right of Refusal.  It was the consensus of the Council that the EDA not enter into such an agreement with Tower Park Acres.

 

b.         Councilor Mackedanz informed the Council that the Planning Commission continues to discuss the South East project of potentially extending City Utility services to that area.  Also Commission is still working on a perspective Rural Service District.

 

c.         Councilor Paczkowski reported that the next ROCORI Trail meeting was at 9:00 a.m. May 5, 2011, at Rockville City Hall.

 

Item #13: Additional Purchase Requisitions

 

None presented.

 

Item #14: Other Matters and Related Issues.

 

It was noted was that the city hazardous waste pickup day will be held on May 18, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon

 

Also noted that Citywide Cleanup Day will be held on May 21, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon

 

Item #15: Adjournment.

 

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

 

A Motion was Made to Adjourn.  Motion Made by Paczkowski, Second by Kron.  Motion Passed Unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Martin M. Bode

Richmond Administrator