Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

City Council Meeting

 

 

Item #1: Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Council Members noted as being present: Pat Evens, Mike Mathiasen, Jim Hemmesch, Tim Paczkowski

Council Members noted as being absent: Jeff Mackedanz

 

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; Matt Loven, City Attorney; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Eric Boucher, Police Depatment; Josh Worm; Tammy Paczkowski; Brad Busse, Channel 10; Kevin Mooney, Arena Director; Tucker Plantenberg; Loren Dingmann; Theresa Dingmann; Tucker Plantenberg; Roger Hommerding; Dave Rausch; Janet Rausch; Doris Schaefer; Allen Schaefer; Gary Brinkman; Martha Gertken; Harry Gertken; Rick Gertken; A Gertken; Tom Gertken; Randy Gertken; Cindy Gertken; John Arndt; Ernie Dold;

 

Mayor Mathiasen read a note regarding a phone call that came in thanking the City snow plowers for the job they did after the 13+ snowfall we just had.

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

 

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

           

Mayor Mathiasen asked for the Approval of the Agenda, with additions.

           

Motion made by Councilor Evens to Approve Agenda, with additions, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #3: Approval of the Meeting Minutes of October 1 and 30, 2014

 

Mayor Mathiasen asked for any corrections or additions to the October 1 and 30, 2014, hearing none, Mayor Mathiasen asked for a motion of approval.

           

Motion made by Councilor Evens to Approve the Meeting Minutes of October 1 and 30, 2014, seconded by Councilor Hemmesch.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #4: Approval Bills Paid

 

Mayor Mathiasen asked for a motion of approval of Bills Paid

            Council asked about Check #16526 Caseys – Explained that was for the fire relief and will be reimbursed.

            Council asked about the bill paid for Hwy 23 light out.

           

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

 

Item #5: Consent Agenda

 

A.     Resolution 189-14 Approval of September 2014 Journal Entries

B.     Resolution 190-14 Approval of September 2014 Donations

Was explained that it was a donation from the relief association for small equipment and fire building fund.

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to approve Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilor Evens.  Motion carried.

 

Mayor Mathiasen opened the public hearing at 6:38 pm

 

Item #6: Public Hearing – Ordinance 2014-100 Requiring all city buildings and residences to be connected to the municipal water system and prohibiting the use of private water supplies and wells

 

Administrator Bode reviewed the ordinance drafted by the City Attorney. 

 

Tucker Plantenberg 568 3rd ST NW – he stated that at the time of annexation he was given the options; that they could keep the well until there were any problems with the well.

Tom Gertken 315 Co. Rd 23 (Martha Gertken) – he spoke on behalf of his mother.  He stated that she was told she would need to hook up to city sewer and water until there was failure or sale of property.

Dave Rausch 240 1st St NE – he stated that if there was a problem with the well then he could hook up to city water.

Loren Dingmann 61 6th ST SE – he stated he was told in 2009, that he would need to hook up to water if there was failure or sale of property.

Council Evens stated that a Gerry Gertken received a mailing to his property regarding the Martha Gertken Property and it was explained that the mailings went to the Address listed at the County as Owner.

 

Council questioned how the ordinance would be written.  It was explained that the Council could put into the ordinance “at time of failure or sale”.

 

Allen Schaefer 125 3rd ST SW – Storage Shed

 

Council reminded all that if the storage sheds were to change to businesses they would need to hook up to city services.

 

Loren Dingmann – stated that he paid the water assessment at the time of the southside project

 

Mayor Mathiasen closed the meeting at 6:59

 

a.       Consideration of Ordinance 2014-100 Requiring all city buildings and residences to be connected to the municipal water system and prohibiting the use of private water supplies and wells.

 

Mayor Mathiasen asked if the Council would like to postpone the motion until the December 3rd Council Meeting.

Council asked that all people who attended this meeting be sent a notice.

 

Item #7: Public Forum – Mandatory Sewer Hook-up

 

            Administrator Bode explained that there is currently an ordinance that states that residents within the city limit             would need to be connected to city services. 

            Mayor Mathiasen asked for any comments from people attending the meeting.

            Bode explained that if the statement is the same as it was for water we will take it under consideration.

            Bode stated that a letter will be sent to them if the Council allows people not to hook up until failure or sale.

 

            Jim Hemmesch – He was told at time of annexation that he would not have to hook up unless failure or sale.           

            Tom Gertken- same as before

            Pat Evens – stated that he pays a base rate for the sewer he does not have.

 

           

Item #8: Department Reports

 

a.       City Engineer – Randy Jenniges, Dave Blommel;  Mr. Jenniges reported that he is no longer the Richmond City Engineer and Dave Blommel will be the new Richmond City Engineer.  He has worked with Randy at S E H for about 10 years.  Randy thanked everyone and stated that he was honored to have been the Richmond City Engineer for the past years.  Randy stated that this should be an easy transition as Dave has worked with Randy for so many years.

b.       Parks and Arena- written report

c.        Water/Sewer – written report

d.       Street Department – Gordon Dingmann, Mr. Dingmann discussed the removal of snow after the last storm.

Council asked for a schedule of plowing.  It was discussed that schedules are difficult at best, but a tentative schedule will be presented to the Council.

e.        Fire Department

f.        Police Department – Eric Boucher reviewed the past month activity.

 

Item #9  Council Reports

 

a.       EDA- Next meeting November 13 6:30 pm – Maintenance Building It was reported that the EDA has been working on the 3 projects.  Council reminded business owners that there is money still available for the matching loan program.

b.       Planning Commission- Next Meeting November 20 6:00 pm City Hall.  It was reported that at the last meeting there was a public meeting to change the zoning and future land use maps.

c.        Tri-City Cable- Brad Busse reported that the new broadcast equipment is being installed and should be up and running soon.

d.       RTCB_ next meeting December 4, 9:00 am, Rockville City Hall.  It was reported that at the last meeting they decided that S E H is giving a monthly report for phase 2 and they are working on additional funding for the project.

e.        Stearns County Municipal League Meeting (10.21.14): Council reported that sentence to serve is not being funded for 2015, so the City will need to pay to have them out.

 

Item #10: Request for Council action

 

a.       Canvass 2014 Election results – Consideration of Resolution 191-14 – resolution approving 2014 Election results.

Motion made by Councilor Evens to approve Resolution 191-14 – resolution approving 2014 Election Results, seconded by Councilor Hemmesch.  Motion carried.

 

b.      Resolution 192-14 – Resolution Certifying Unpaid Municipal Fees and Utility Charges against Property

Motion made by Councilor Hemmesch to approve Resolution 192-14 – Certifying Unpaid Municipal Fees and Utility Charges against Property, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.  Motion carried.

 

c.       Resolution 193-14  -Waiving the past due utility fees at 25  Main Street W

 

Motion made by Councilor Hemmesch to approve Resolution 193-14 – Waiving the past due utility fees at 25  Main Street W , seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion Failed: Yes – Hemmesch, Mathiasen No- Evens, Paczkowski.

 

It was recommended that this resolution be put on the agenda for the November 20th Council meeting and the interested party attend this meeting.

 

d.      Resolution, 194-14 - Approval of XCEL Construction Agreement for light pole at 1st ST SE & Maple.

Motion made by Councilor Evens to approve Resolution 194-14 – Approval of XCEL Construction Agreement for light pole at 1st ST SE & Maple, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.  Motion carried.

 

e.       Purchase Requisition, Allocations and transfers. – none

 

 

 

 

Item #10: Other Matters of Concern and Related Matters.

 

a.       Council workshop – November 20, 2014, 6:30 pm

b.      Tree-mendous Night in Richmond – Dec. 4th 5-8 pm Come out and have some fun!!!

c.       December 1st , 6:30 pm – Meeting for the 125 Anniversary Celebration – anyone who wants to be involved should attend this meeting. 

 

Mayor Mathiasen asked for a motion to adjourn. 

Councilor Paczkowski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Evens.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mayor Mike Mathiasen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Martin M. Bode

City Administrator