Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Council Meeting

 

Item #1- Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

 

Meeting was called to order at 6:30pm

 

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance

 

Members Present: Jim Hemmesch, Jeff Mackedanz, Scott Kron, Mike Mathiasen, Tim Paczkowski

 

Also Attending: Martin Bode, City Clerk/Administrator; Gordy Dingmann, Public Works Director; Pat Evens, Councilor Elect; Kevin Mooney, Parks Director, Randy Jenniges, City Engineer; Aaron Cheeley, Channel 10

 

Item #2 – Mayor Hemmesch request all take a Moment of Silence for fallen Officer Tom Decker

 

Item #3 - Approval of Agenda

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.

 

Motion made by Councilor Kron, to Approve Agenda, seconded by Councilor Mackedanz; Passed unanimously.

 

Item #4 – Approval of the Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2012 and November 27, 2012

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz to Approve November 14 and November 27, 2012 Meeting Minutes, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen; Passed unanimously

 

Item #5 – Approval of the Consent Agenda

a)      Approval of Bills Paid

b)      Resolution 195-12 – Acceptance of November 2012 Donations

c)      Resolution 196-12 – Approval of November 2012 Journal Entries

 

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

 

Item #6 – Presentations and Action Items –

a)      Truth-in-taxation – no questions

 

 

 

Item #7 City Engineer Report – Randy Jenniges

a)      2013 Main Street Project – Mr. Jenniges gave report on the progress of the project.   

§         He has a design/coordination meeting with Stearns County on Dec 20th.

§         Still working on the phase plan.

§         He put together the Engineer Contract that the City already approved with the project plan.

§         Council asked about the Main Street Committee, Mr. Jenniges stated they had not met recently but could possibly start back up after January 1, 2013.

 

Item #8 PeopleService Report – none

 

 

Item #10 RCLA Report – Kevin Mooney, Director; 

Mr. Mooney reported that November, December is the busiest time of the year.

He has broomball up and running again.  The ice time is pretty busy.  The concession workers are doing well.  He reported that he had work done on the Zamboni; emissions test was good.

            2 Events in December:

December15th, 1-3 Skate with Santa –sponsored by Civic in Commerce, also sleigh rides, treats, open skate, and sit with Santa. (Free)

December 16 at 5:00pm – Figure skating club – holiday show. (Ticket @ $2.00)

A question was raised regarding snow removal on the Safe Routes to School – the City will use the same snow removal policy as others.

Mr. Mooney distributed a list of advertising, stated he invoiced the past due advertisers.

Council asked if the crosswalk by the arena could be marked, with sign.  Mr. Mooney stated he will take care of that.

           

Item #11 Public Works/Street Report – Gordon Dingmann, Director

Mr. Dingmann reported that he has the Plow truck ready for this winter.  He reported that Eric Leither will no longer be hauling snow.  Chuck Schmitt will cover for Eric Leither.    He updated the Council that he is working with Stearns Electric regarding the lighting. 

He reminded the property owners to stake the lawns for the snow-plowing.    He gave an update regarding the process for “lights out” reporting.  Once the report is made it is up to Xcel/Stearns Electric to get out and fix it.  

 

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

Chief Merten gave the November report: 3 calls for the month, gas emergency training, also having 6 fire fighters participating in the Fight For Air Stair Climb challenge on February 23.  He also stated that the 2013 Calendars have been handed out.

 

Item #12 2013 Budget

a)      Consideration of Resolution 197-12 Approving 2013 Tax Levy and Annual Budget.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz, to approve Resolution 197-12 Approving 2013 Tax Levy and Annual Budget, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any questions regarding resolutions 198-12, 199-12, and 200-12.  Council asked when the last step increase was, was reported that for b and c it was in 2011 after a 3 year freeze.   Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Hemmesch called for a motion.

 

b)      Resolution 198-12 Authorization of Step Increase for Public Works Director Gordon Dingmann.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz, to approve Resolution 198-12 Authorization of Step Increase for Public Works Director Gordon Dingmann, seconded by Councilor Mackedanz.  Opposed - Councilor Kron.    Motion passed

 

c)      Resolution 199-12 Authorization of Step Increase for Parks and Arena Director Kevin Mooney.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz, to approve Resolution 199-12 Authorization of Step Increase for Parks and Arena Director Kevin Mooney, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.   Opposed - Councilor Kron apposed.   Motion passed

 

d)      Resolution 200-12 Authorization of Step Increase for City Administrator Martin Bode.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen, to approve Resolution 200-12 Authorization of Step Increase for City Administrator Martin Bode. Seconded by Councilor Mackedanz, Opposed – Councilors Kron and Paczkowski.   Motion passed

 

 

Item #13 Council Reports

a)      EDA – the next meeting is December 19th, 6:00pm at public works building.  Looking at re-signing with the listing agent for the towers property.  They are working on re-focusing where the EDA is going.  Councilor Mathiasen reported that there are 3 applications for the EDA position. 

b)      Planning Commission - nothing

c)      Parks/Rocori Trail – Meeting is at 9:00am in Rockville

d)      Tri City Cable – Meeting is January 9th, 2013 at 5:30 pm

 

Item #14 – Additional Purchase Requisitions - none

 

Item #15 – Other Matters of Concern and Related Matters

 Council Meeting: January 9, 2013 6:00 pm Public Hearing for School Annexation

Administrator Bode informed the Council that the new Council cannot take effect until after the first Monday in 2013.

 

Funeral: Council thanked the people of Richmond and Cold Spring and other communities who came out to see the procession and give their support to Officer Decker and his family.   Also hats off to those who coordinated the efforts, great job!   Another thank you was given to the surrounding communities who covered the police and fire fighting duties allowing our people to attend the funeral.

 

Item #16– 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 by Councilor Kron, to adjourn the meeting, Seconded by Councilor Mackedanz.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Martin Bode

Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer