Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

City Council 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, Pat Evens, Mike Mathiasen, Josh Worm

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; Steve Kascht, Fire Chief; Gordon Dingmann, Public works Director; Kevin Mooney, Arena & Parks Director; Tammy Paczkowski, CS Record; Dean Pearson; Marlene Polk-Pearson; Larry Hokanson; Jake McClellan; Chuck Merten; Ken Gertken; Donna Lampert; Tim Backes; Brad Busse, Channel 10;

 

Council Member Noted as absent: Tim Paczkowski

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

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

           

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve the agenda.

 

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

 

Item #3: Approval of the Meeting Minutes of September 2 and September 16, 2015

Mayor Hemmesch asked for any corrections or additions to the September 2 and September 16, 2015 Minutes.

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion of approval.

           

Motion made by Councilor Evens to Approve the Meeting Minutes of September 2 and September 16, 2015 seconded by Councilor Hemmesch.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #4: Approval Bills Paid

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any questions or comments.  

Check # 17118- Knife River – Crushed rocked – air injection patching

Check # 17121- Napa – filter(s)         

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion of approval of Bills Paid.

           

Motion made by Councilor Evens to Approve the Bills, seconded by Councilor Worm.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #5: Consent Agenda

a.       Resolution 160-15 Approval of September 2015 Journal Entries

b.      Resolution 161-15 Declaring Certain City Property as Excess Equipment – Holiday lights and generator

c.       Acknowledge PeopleService August/September written report

d.      Annual Letter of adjustment - PeopleService

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve Consent Agenda.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen to approve Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilor Evens.  Motion passed.

 

Item #6: Public Hearing Lucille Gertken 233 Maple Ave SE Voluntary Annexation

Mayor Hemmesch opened the public hearing-6:38 pm

            David Blommel, City Engineer gave report.  He stated that the property owner is in need of city services so they             requested annexation.  The property is currently zoned industrial.

Mayor Hemmesch asked 3 times for comments.

            Hearing none Mayor Hemmesch closed the public hearing at 6:39

 Item #7: Consideration of Ordinance 2015-103 Annexing of land at 233 Maple Ave S

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve Ordinance 2015-103 annexing of land at 233 Maple Ave S.

 

Motion made by Councilor Evens to approve Ordinance 2015-103 Annexing of land at 233 Maple Ave S, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion passed.

 

Item #8: Maple Street Water Sewer Extension Quotes- David Blommel, City Engineer

David Blommel, City Engineer reported that he received 3 quotes from area contractors.   Blommel reported that the work would be done from 1st and Maple to the property located at 233 Maple Ave S.   Blommel stated that the Council would need approve the Engineer’s report and move forward with the Public Improvement Hearing (October 22, 2015).  It was also reported that Notification would be sent to property owners affected by the improvement project and the assessment.

Council asked if the job as presented would handle a housing complex if this property would be rezoned.   Blommel stated that yes it would handle a development that would fit on this lot.

 

a.      Resolution 163-15 Resolution Receiving feasibility report and calling hearing on Improvement

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve Resolution 163-15 Resolution Receiving feasibility report and calling hearing on Improvement.

 

Motion made by Councilor Evens to approve Resolution 163-15 Resolution Receiving feasibility report and calling hearing on Improvement, seconded by Councilor Hemmesch.  Motion passed.

 

Item #9: Consideration of Resolution 162-15 Approving Variance/Conditional Use and Interim Use Permit

 

Administrator Bode reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing for a variance: conditional use and interim permit submitted by developer Tim Backes to build an accessory structure at 2000sf and to build this structure up to 1 year prior to the principal dwelling.  The Planning Commission heard from residents at the public hearing.

 

Mr. Backes stated that the owner plans on starting the building of both structures at the same time.  The principle dwelling will take longer to finish.  The maximum size would be 2000 sf.    The plan is to begin the building the spring 2016.

 

Administrator Bode stated that the Council may want to postpone the decision and look at changing the Ordinance. 

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there was anyone who would like to address this issue.

 

Marlene Polk-Pearson – Stated this development will block her view of the river area.  She also stated that a shed of this size does not fit with the neighborhood and should not be built on a city lot. 

Dean Pearson – stated that documentation was submitted to the planning commission objecting to this size of development. 

Jake McClullen – stated that he and his wife had signed the petition and after listening to the plans at the public hearing, it sounds like a tasteful building being put in and that he would not sign it now. 

Council asked to have the plans by the meeting on October 22.  Developer stated that he cannot guarantee a plan before then, just that it will not be larger than 2000 sf. 

 

Council decided to postpone decision until the next council meeting- October 22, 2015.

 

Item #10: Department Reports

a.       Fire Department- Steve Kascht, Fire Chief – gave the September month end report.  Chief Kascht also reported that during the fire prevention week firefighters will be hosting events with the City school children.  He also reminded residents to check their smoke detectors.

b.      Emergency Management- Mayor Hemmesch reported that Emergency Management is requesting purchasing 2 new radios for their department.  Hemmesch reminded residents that the sirens go off the first Wednesday of every month.

c.       Parks/Arena- Kevin Mooney, Arena Director.  Mooney reported that the ice is in and hockey and skating has begun.  He also reported that they replaced a couple of lights, switched over to LED lightening.  He also reported that he had repairs on the refrigeration system.    Mooney reported that the “learn to skate” program had 64 children, and in the past they normally had 20.  Exciting to see the participation numbers up this year.

Council asked if the problems with the Pavilion have been taken care of.  Mooney reported that the repairs were made and last year went well.

d.      Public Works – Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director.  Dingmann reported that he is beginning the fall and winter prep work. 

·         Air injection completed.

·         Manhole and gate valve repairs completed.

·         Street sweeping is underway, to pick the leaves up.

·         Tree trimming – cut back from signs and to prevent them from banging into the building.

·         He will schedule blowing out the sprinkler systems in the next few weeks.

·         He has contacted the power companies regarding various street lights out.

·         Flushing the hydrants was completed last week.

·         5 hydrants that need repair

·         Jetting is complete for this year.

·         Compost will close Nov 1 weather permitting.

 

Council inquired if the French drain has been put in. (Maple intersection west – low spot by Royals Park).  Dingmann stated that it has not been completed.  Council stated that they would like to see it completed this year.  Dingmann will get this taken care of.

 

Item #11 Council Committee Reports

a.       EDA – Evens reported that they have narrowed down the Solar Energy companies to 2.  The next step is to locate land.  He reported that the BR &E had a housing study completed and he attended a meeting outlining the report.

He reminded everyone that the B R & E is having a commencement meeting on October 15 at 6:30pm at the Gathering Space at St’s Peter and Paul.

b.      Planning Commission – Worm reported on the public hearing.  Next meeting is October 22 at 6:00 pm.

c.       Tri City Cable – Meeting October 14 at 5:30 pm at Rocori Library.

 

Item #12: Council Action

a.       Additional Purchase requests, allocations & Transfers.

1.      Radios for Emergency Management – Council had some questions for the Emergency Management director.  This item will be place on the November 4th Council meeting agenda

2.      French drain for the Maple Ave Area –

Motion made by Councilor Evens to approve the installing of the French drain, seconded by Hemmesch.  Motion passed.

 

Item #13: Other Matters of Concern and Related Matters

a.       SCML Meeting October 20 in St. August

 

Item #14: Adjournment

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for any additional items. 

Hearing none Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Martin M. Bode

City Administrator