Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday August 3, 2011

Regular City Council Meeting

Item #1: Call to Order

Mayor Hemmesch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond City Hall and asked those present to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members noted as being present: Jim Hemmesch, Mike Mathiasen, Jeff Mackedanz and Scott Kron.

Absent: Tim Paczkowski

Also present were: Martin M. Bode, City Administrator; Adam Ripple, City Attorney; Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Marilyn Zenner, Administrative Assistant; Maxine Weismann; Kevin Mooney, Arena / Parks Director; Jeff Bertram, General Manager West Central Sanitation; Patricia Plantenberg, President Richmond Civic and Commerce; Sheldon Lang, President Richmond EDA; Andrea Nestor, Director Richmond EDA; Jesse Kollman, Emergency Management Director; Chad Bueckers and Mike Schriefels, Affordable Disposal; Ryan Meyer, Local TV Channel 10 camera operator.

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

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

A Motion was Made to Approve Agenda. Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Mathiasen. Motion Passed Unanimously.

Item #3: Approval of City Minutes of July 6, 2011 (Regular and Closed).

A Motion was Made to Approve the City Council Minutes of July 6, 2011 (Regular and Closed). Motion Made by Mathiasen, Second by Mackedanz. Motion Passed Unanimously.

Item #4: Consent Agenda.

Mayor Hemmesch read aloud the list of the following consent agenda items:

a. Approval of Just and Correct Claims

b. Approval of Purchase Requisitions

c. Resolution 158 – 11 Acceptance July 2011 Donations

d. Resolution 159-11 Acceptance Of July 2011 Journal Entries

e. Resolution 160-11 Approval of Lawful Gambling Permit St. Joseph and St. Catherine Catholic Aid on August 28, 2011.

f. Resolution 161-11 Approval Of Lawful Gambling Permit St. Joseph and St. Catherine Catholic Aid on September 25, 2011.

g. Resolution 162 – 11 Approval of Summery Publication of Ordnance 2011-101 and 2011-102

A Motion was Made to Approve the Consent Agenda as Presented. Motion Made by Kron, Second by Mathiasen. Motion Passed Unanimously.

Item #5: Presentation of Action Items

a. EDA President Sheldon Lang was present to review with the Council the plans for the construction of the Glacial Lakes Pavilion. Lang noted the following:

-Pavilion construction is planned for late this fall or early next spring.

-The Pavilion will have two public bathrooms as well as a reception area with a roof. It will also have freshwater available and an air compressor for filling up bike tires etc.

-There will be a preconstruction meeting for all local contractors to be held on August 22, 7 p.m., at the River Lakes Civic Arena (RLCA). All local contractors as well as anyone else interested in the project are welcome and encouraged to attend.

-As of today the Richmond Civic and Commerce has raised over $45,000 in donations for this project. It is estimated that the total project cost will be $70,000. It is hoped that continued donations as well as the continued purchase of decorative paver stones with the individuals or corporate name imprinted on the stone i.e. 4 x 8 stone cost$150.00 and an 8 x 8 stone cost is $300.00. Lang further stated that it is the hope of the Richmond Civic and Congress that no taxpayer dollars be expensed for this project.

President Lang on behalf of the Richmond EDA also presented to the City a check in the amount of $500.00 as a donation to Richmond’s Emergency Management Department for the purpose of helping replace the City’s warning sirens. Mayor Hemmesch, City Council and Director Kollman expressed their sincere appreciation to the Richmond EDA for their donation.

b . Patricia Plantenberg, President of the Richmond Civic and Commerce informed the Council and the public that the Richmond C&C would be hosting a burger and pop night on the last night of Music in the Park on August 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost of the burger and pop is two dollars and President Plantenberg encouraged the community and business owners to please come out to show their support.

President Plantenberg on behalf of the Richmond Civic and Commerce also presented to the City a check in the amount of $500.00 as a donation to Richmond’s Emergency Management Department for the purpose of helping replace the City’s warning sirens. Mayor Hemmesch, City Council and Director Kollman expressed their sincere appreciation to the Richmond C & C for their donation.

c. Mayor Hemmesch temporally recessed the regular Council meeting to continue the public hearing that had been recessed on July 6, 2011 regarding the City of Richmond amending its current Solid Waste ordinance.

City Attorney Adam Ripple gave a brief overview of the proposed ordinance change.

Mayor Hemmesch asked those in attendance if they wish to make a brief statement or comment regarding the proposed ordinance. Jeff Bertram, General Manager of West Central Sanitation, noted the following to the Council:

-currently the City has three licensed companies with a wide selection of pricing and service options which have been in business for over 30 years serving your community.

-one local, family owned company, West Central Sanitation, is already a service provider servicing over 58% of the residential community and 80% of the commercial community.

-yard waste disposal is already being met by the licensed haulers.

-community support in a variety of ways is already being offered to your community organizations by West Central Sanitation.

-three fully license, bonded and totally compliant service providers with no Stearns County or City of Richmond infractions serves your community.

-local, family owned company, West Central Sanitation, already providing competitive and consistent pricing for all residents.

-if you create an additional license, you may have to revoke the license at a later date. Consider the examples of Stearns County having been put in this situation multiple times.

Chad Bueckers of Affordable Disposal expressed his appreciation if the Council would consider amending its current solid waste ordinance to allow for more then three haulers, stating that his company is family-owned and believes the public should have a choice.

There being no further comment from the public Mayor Hemmesch then declared this public hearing closed.

Consideration of Ordnance 2011-103 Amending City Code Solid Waste Licenses

A Motion was Made to Approve Ordinance No. 2011-103. Motion Made by Mackedanz, there being no second made to the motion, the motion failed.

d. Consideration of Resolution 163-11 A Resolution Amending City Hall Office Hours

A Motion was Made to Approve Resolution 163-11. Motion Made by Mackedanz, Second by Kron. Motion Passed Unanimously.

e. The Council reviewed Resolution164-11, A Resolution Updating the City's Fees and Charges. The Council was informed that this resolution is being presented to offset last month's PeopleService 3.6% CPI increase to the City's Waste Water Treatment Plant and Water Treatment Plant operational cost. After discussion it was the consensus of the Council to table this resolution for further consideration until the August 18, 2011 Council Workshop.

Item #6 Police Department Report – Police Chief Phil Jones

Submitted written report.

Item #7 Richmond EDA – Executive Director Andrea Nestor

Director Nestor informed the Council that the last EDA meeting of July 25th, 2011 that the EDA met with the Main Street Project Committee members to discuss options regarding the Main Street sidewalks and lighting options for this project. The next EDA meeting that will include the members of this Main Street Committee will be held on August 29, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Maintenance Shed. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend. Nestor also noted that there are two Music in the Park event's left for the summer one is to be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and the last one will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. noting that this last event is also a special event that the Richmond Civic and Commerce is hosting their burger and pop night. Nestor further noted that the AMC Committee is considering some form of fall festival to be held in October, some type of community event that would include various food stands and music that would help celebrate the community's German heritage.

Item #8: Tri City Cable Commission – Marilyn Zenner and Maxine Weismann

Marilyn Zenner reported to the Council that the last Try Cable Commission meeting was held on July 13, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cold Spring City Hall. Zenner noted she was only able to stay for the first portion of the meeting as she had another personal obligation to attend.

Maxine Weismann further reported to the Council that normally the commission meetings are held at the ROCORI High School in Cold Spring however due to construction at the high school the meetings are now temporarily being held at Cold Spring City Hall. Weisman stated that the Try Cable Commission Program Director is Aaron Cheeley and he is currently working with the Cold Spring Record to get the Try Cable Commission meetings posted in the record and he is also working on drafting a mission statement for the Try Cable Commission. Wisemann also noted that at the last meeting the commission approved of a resolution, their Resolution Number 2001-01 a resolution assigning the Try Cable Commission Franchise Agreement over to Midcontinent Communications. The next Try Cable Commission meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2011.

Item #9: Parks, Recreation and Arena Director Report – Director Kevin Mooney

Director Mooney reviewed with the Council his submitted written report making note that it has been a busy and successful summer for the City of Richmond Parks Department. Mooney stated that even though it's only the first part of August its time to start thinking about putting ice back into the Civic Arena. Mooney also wanted to make mention that this coming weekend from August 4 through August 7 that the City of Richmond would be hosting the State of Minnesota’s Babe Ruth baseball tournament at Royal Park. Admission is only three dollars per person per day. The championship game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Director Mooney also reviewed with the Council the Parks and Recreation 2011 Internship Program of Josh Engquist. Mooney stated to the Council that in his opinion this was a very successful program and thanked the Council for allowing the City to participate.

Mooney stated that the Richmond Civic and Commerce will be hosting on August 10, 2011 the Big Top Family Fun Circus out at Centennial Park. There will be two shows one at 5:00 p.m. and the last one will be at 7:30 p.m.. Cost of admission is $10.00 per adult which includes two free children.

Mooney informed the Council with the conclusion of the state shut down the ROCORI trail project is once again moving forward and that the 2008 and 2010 funds are fully available. Attorney Ripple noted that as an added bonus the State Legislation has removed the requirement that the ROCORI Trail Board needs to provide matching funds of the 2010 $800,000 grant funds. Mooney stated that the information he has received that the bridge that will be installed across the Sauk River near Casey's General store is being let for bids this fall for construction in the spring of 2012. Also the trail from the City of Roscoe to 178^th Street East of Richmond and should be installed in the year 2012. Mooney stated that if all goes well by the end of 2012 the trail should be complete from Roscoe all the way to the Quarry Cinema on the East end of the City of Cold Spring.

Item #10: Public Works Director Report – Gordon Dingmann

No Report.

Item #11: City Engineer Report – Randy Jenniges

Engineer Jenniges reporter to the Council that the Safe Routes to School Project is continuing to move forward and is anticipated to receive State authorization to construct by the end of August with construction starting by the end September first part of October.

The Main Street overhead electrical wiring project continues to move forward however Xcel Energy is approximately two weeks behind with their design specs mainly due to the number of severe storms in the area this past summer.

Tri Cap and SEH will need to meet with the business owners that are participating in the Main Street overhead wiring project one more time for signatures on the final paperwork possibly meeting some time next week.

Item #12: Water / Wastewater Operator Report – PeopleService Operator Greg Stang

Submitted written report.

Item #13: Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Chuck Merten

Chief Merten reviewed, with the Council, his submitted written report. Noting that for the month of July there was a total of 21 calls: 13 medical, 6 weather related, 1 electrical and 1 mutual aid. Merten stated that the has tested more than 4000 feet of hose and that during the testing process two sections did not meet standards.

Item #11: City Attorney Report – Adam Ripple

Attorney Ripple reported to the Council that with the Council's approving of the franchise agreements with the City's three energy providers the City will now and need to take the next step of approving a Franchise Fee Ordinance. Ripple stated he will work with Administrator Bode on the drafting of such an ordinance for the Council to consider.

Ripple also reported to the Council that there was a significant court case this past January that involved the City of Minnetonka that reflected negatively on cities in the State of Minnesota regarding variance issues. The State Legislature in reaction to that court case has made statutory changes to the variance law. Ripple noted that he would be taking a look at the City's current variance language and compare it to the new language issued by the State to see if the City variance ordinance will need to be updated.

Item #12: City Administrators Report – Martin M. Bode

Nothing Additional to Report

Item #13: Council Reports -

a. EDA

b. Planning Commission

Councilmember Kron reported that the Planning Commission will be meeting with the Council on August 18, 2011 Council Workshop and will be providing an updated Rural Service District map and resolution for the Council to consider.

c. Parks / ROCORI Trail

Item #14: Additional Purchase Requisitions

The Council reviewed a letter received from the Initiative Foundation in which the Foundation is requesting the City of Richmond’s support through a donation of $250.00 for the 2012 dues/membership. Do to budgetary concerns it was the consensus of the Council not to approve the Initiative Foundation request.

Other Matters and Related Issues.

The Council was informed that approximately two weeks ago the City of Richmond experienced quite an intense lighting storm resulting in damage to the City Water Tower controllers as well as some phone and computer equipment damage. Council directed City Staff to turn in a claim to the City’s insurance.

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 to Adjourn. Motion Made by Kron, Second by Mathiasen. Motion Passed Unanimously.

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Martin M. Bode

Richmond City Administrator