Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

June 21, 2018

City Council Workshop and Meeting

 

Item #1: Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

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, Michael Ricke; Mike Mathiasen

Council Member noted as being absent: Larry Hokanson

Also present were: Tesa Tomaschett, City Administrator-Clerk; Kevin Mooney, Parks Director; David Blommel, City Engineer; Steven Kascht, Fire Chief; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Howard Weyer; Howard Hemmesch; Joe Furman;

 

Item #2: Open Forum - none

               

Item #3: Approval of Agenda

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additions or changes to the Agenda.   

Change 4a to reflect location as St Peter and Paul school and church grounds.

Add item #4b Resolution 150-18: Appointment of 2018 Election Judges

Add Item #7 PW equipment – Kubota

Add Item #11 a Personnel Policy

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to approve the Agenda with changes and additions, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item # 4: Consent Agenda

a.        Resolution 149-18: Authorization for lawful gambling tax exempt off site lease and gambling permit – Richmond lions on July 20, 21 and 22, 2018 at Sts Peter and Paul School and Church grounds

b.       Resolution 150-18: Appointment of 2018 Election Judges

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

(Temporary Recess to the Council Workshop)

 

Item # 5: Engineer– David Blommel, City Engineer

 

a.        Cozy corner – Blommel discussed 2 options – first: putting pipe from cozy corner to wastewater treatment plan.  Estimated to be a 1.5-million-dollar project.   Not feasible for the City to take on this type of debt for just one person.  Second is for Cozy corner to haul in on a regular basis.    Council discussed cost.  We currently have a $60.00 septic hauling fee on fee schedule. 

Council decided to offer a fee of $30.00.

Tomaschett will offer this to George Meyers (owner of Cozy Corner)

 

b.       2019 Project – Blommel reviewed the maps of the proposed 2019 project.  He reviewed with and without curb and gutter.   

Advantage to curb and gutters

·         Contains water

·         Protects edge of pavement

Disadvantage to curb and gutter

·         Cost

·         Limits people on their use of property

·         Concentrates water flow

               

                Schedule:   July City Council Meeting

Council needs to approve the project plans

Council needs to approve a feasibility study

     August Special City Council Meeting

Public Hearing – for improvement project

 

Council discussed the different streets and work to be done.   They also discussed the proposed costs and how it will all be paid for. 

Annual payment with curb and gutter:             $123,000

Annual payment without curb and gutter:      $98,514

Tomaschett explained that they will need to raise the levy by $70,000 to make these payments. 

 

ROADS:  curb and gutter or not

2nd St NW- c/g

Main done by county

3rd St SW– no c/g

1st St SE– no c/g

1st St NE – no c/g

Nature - no

Ivy and 3rd St SW– c/g

With the recommended changes this would leave about $110,000 payment.  First payment would be around 2020 and 2023

 

Item #6: 7th St Wolfs Addition

 

Mayor Hemmesch stated that Steve Jennings approached the Mayor requesting the City hook the properties on the North side of 7th Street to water and sewer.   Tomaschett reported that the properties are not annexed in.   It was decided that he would need to pay the normal fees and be offered a 5 year Annexation payment plan – only if he voluntarily annex into the city.   

 

Mayor Hemmesch allowed Open forum:

                Howard Weyer – discussed receiving a complaint letter from the city

                Howard Hemmesch – complained about the alley

 

Item #7: PW equipment – Gordon Dingmann

               

Dingmann reported he is looking at purchasing a new Kubota.   He is stating that it is necessary for the City to have this piece of equipment.   The cost is about $20,000.00; the financing would be payments over the next 5 years.  Dingmann has money set aside for equipment in a CIP fund.

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to approve purchasing the Kubota at the 5 year financing, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #8: 2019 Budget

a.        Fire Department: Steve Kascht, Fire chief

Steve requested adding to the 2019 budget: if approve the following the levy would need to be raised:

1.       2 new members ($6,000 - $7,000 – training and wages)

                                (Currently have 25 members with 5 at retirement)

2.       EMT training for 3 or 4 – cost would be $700.00 per person, $600.00 could be reimbursed if they get hired on after 1 year.

3.       Pagers - $12,000.00 - $13,000.00

4.       Turn out Gear – (should be done every 10 years) – would like this to happen in 2 – 5 years.

5.       Replace pumper 2 – (20 years) - $500,000 – new; it was discussed if there is a possibility to purchase a new one.   Important to determine how this will impact the iso rating.

b.       Full time Maintenance/Parks/Arena – Kevin Mooney, Parks Director                     

Kevin reported that he and Gordy have been discussing the need to hire a fulltime employee to assist Parks, Maintenance and Arena.  Tomaschett reported that she put this position in the proposed 2019 budget at a pay of $14.13 and full benefit.  Tomaschett reported that they will put together the job description and bring back for Council approval.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen to approve hiring the fulltime person for 2019, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.        Water Bond – think about raising the levy by $50,000.00. 

Council would like the information about the increases.

 

Item #9: Fall/winter office

 

Tomaschett reminded them that during her leave there will be a need to have City Hall closed at times since there will only be one person working in the office, doing the work for two people.  Council is fine having the hours adjusted and notices posted.    

 

Item #10: Pickleball Courts

 

Tomaschett reported that she received an email from the Administrator of Cold Spring that 5 residents of Richmond had attended the parks board asking about putting in a pickle ball court. Would Richmond be interested in installing pickle ball courts at the park?  

 

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting)

 

Item #11: Other matters of concern and related matters

a.        Personnel Policy – Tomaschett reported that most of the changes that are in the draft are recommended items from the League of MN Cities.  The draft has been reviewed by the City Attorney and the League of MN Cities. She reported that she will bring it to the July meeting for approval.

b.       City Hall will be closed July 4th for the holiday.

c.        Next meeting: July 12, 2018 6:30 pm (only July meeting)

d.       Election training required for staff – Monday June 25th 9 – 12.  City Hall will be closed during these hours.

e.        Joe Furman (open forum) turned in a reply to the nuisance complaint letter

f.        Mathiasen will not be at the Parade.

 

 

Item #12: Adjournment

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Tesa Tomaschett

City Administrator Clerk-Treasurer