Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council Workshop

November 16, 2017

 

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, Mike Mathiasen, Michael Ricke, Larry Hokanson

Council Members noted as being absent: Tim Paczkowski

 

Also present were: Tesa Tomaschett, City Administrator; Heidi Stalboerger; Jerry Hoekstra; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Chad Johnson

 

Item #2: Open Forum

 

Item #3: Approval of Agenda

 

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

                Add to Workshop Agenda

                 

  1. Business Snow Plowing
  2. Budget

                     i.            City Buildings project

                    ii.            Fire Truck

  1. Office Hours
  2. HR Department
  3. G. Resolution 169-17: Approving the use of intrastate mutual-aid agreement      

 

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

 

Item #4:  Public Hearing-Certifying Municipal Unpaid fees/bills

               

a.       Mayor Hemmesch opened the public hearing

Mayor Hemmesch asked for any comments or questions.

 

Tomaschett reported that she had received one phone call and the person stated that they would be at the meeting. 

 

b.       Mayor Hemmesch asked for any further comments (3x’s) hearing none, Mayor Hemmesch closed the Public Hearing at 6:33 pm.

 

Item #5:  Resolution 165-17: Approval to certify unpaid municipal fees and utility charges against property

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to approve Resolution 165-17: Approval to certify unpaid municipal fees and utility charges against property, seconded by Councilor Hokanson.  Motion passed.

 

 (Temporary Recess for Council workshop)

 

WORKSHOP AGENDA

 

A.      Public Works

Business Snow Plowing – Tomaschett reported that she is recommending they hire/contract a seasonal part time worker to plow/shovel the sidewalks in the business district (downtown).  This position is just to work during the major fall to help the Public Works director.  The businesses are still responsible for keeping the sidewalks clean during a lesser snow fall and during the day.   The fee of $50.00 per season will be billed to the business owners.  Council requested a route be written.

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to advertise for a seasonal (winter) part time worker, seconded by Councilor Ricke.  Motion carried.

 

Design for buster pump – Dingmann reported that we cannot design this plan, we are not plumbers and we are not licensed to do this.  Council discussed the issue.  Council did not decide to change the decision made at a previous meeting.

 

Plow Truck – Dingmann stated that he is still looking for a new truck.

Garbage Hauling – Dingmann brought up having a limited number of garbage haulers.  It was decided that information about safety and damage to streets will be discussed at each of the Council meetings, providing residents with information about the potential of changing the garbage hauling system.

 

B.      Budget

                                 i.            Tomaschett reported that she will need to adjust the snow removal budget to include the new hire.

                                ii.            City buildings project – Tomaschett would like to put together some building projects: city hall, cold storage, arena ceiling, high end maintenance – looking at approximately $100,000.00 or so.  Tomaschett stated that she would be taking the funds from the General CIP fund.  Council decided to allow for moving ahead with looking into this, and will bring back a plan for Council approval.

                              iii.            Fire truck – Tomaschett stated that there is about $208,000.00 in the truck fund, which will not pay for a new truck. 

Tomaschett asked if they have any questions or concerns.

                              iv.            Resolution 166-17: Authorization of Cost of living and salary increase for all full and part time employees

                This would be a 2% Cola Increase, 1% salary increase. 

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen to approve Resolution 166-17 Authorizing the cost of living and salary increase for all full and part time employees. Seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.   Motion carried.

 

Mayor Hemmesch addressed a person who entered the council meeting at @ 7:30 p.m. who he believed wanted to be at the public meeting about Teds RV.   The gentleman stated that he has not received any bills, ever and this was the first letter and the first bill he received and he should not have been charged a late fee.    He stated again he has not received any bills and the city sprang a bill for $492.00 on him when there isn’t even any water there.   Tomaschett explained that all properties have a base fee charged to them.  He asked why he has late fees, when he does not get a bill.  Mayor Hemmesch stated that bill has come before the Council over the years, to be certified.   Tomaschett offered to remove the late fee of $60.00 from the bill and leaving him the remaining balance of $360.35, as stated in the letter regarding certification.    Tomaschett stated that if he can get the payment to her by the end of the month, she will remove them from the list.

 

C.      Office Hours – Mayor Hemmesch stated that he and Tomaschett had discussed this and he would like to try having city hall closed on Fridays starting January 1, 2018.  Council agreed as a trial run, and if any complaints they will revisit the decision.

 

D.      HR Department -

Tomaschett stated that she had brought up personnel policy, pay scale and job descriptions and she would like to designate some time to work on theses.  She has brought 2 of them to the Council but nothing has been done. She stated that the personnel policy has been updated, reviewed by the City Attorney and the League of MN Cities and just needs Council review and approved and she will be bringing these items to Jan, Feb or March workshops.  

 

E.       Planning Commission

Resolution 167-17 Approving Minor Administrative Subdivision for Robert Stewart

Mayor Hemmesch reported that the Planning Commission approved recommending the Council approve the Minor Administrative Subdivision for Robert Stewart.

 

Motion made by Councilor Hokanson to approve  Resolution 167-17 Approving Minor Administrative Subdivision for Robert Stewart, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.   Motion carried.

F.       Resolution 168-17 Approving purchase of real property from B & J Stewart, LLC Budget –

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski  to approve  Resolution 168-17 Resolution 168-17 Approving purchase of real property from B & J Stewart, LLC, seconded by Councilor Ricke.  Motion carried.

 

G.      Resolution 169-17 Approving the use of intrastate mutual aid agreement

 

Motion made by Councilor Hokanson  to approve  Resolution 169-17 Approving the use of intrastate mutual aid agreement, seconded by Councilor Ricke.  Motion carried.

 

H.      Tree-mendous night – Council discussed working at the Hot dog booth.

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting)

 

Item #6:  Other matters of concern and related matters

·         The property at 25 main street has now closed and Gilk is now the owner.

 

 

Item #7: Next Council meeting – December 6, 2017 – Truth n Taxation Hearing

 

Item #8: Adjournment

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for any additional items. 

                Hearing none Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Tesa Tomaschett

City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer