Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Council Meeting / Workshop

 

Item #1: Call to Order

 

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

 

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

 

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; and Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Steve Wischmann, Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd (KDV); Keith Klassen;

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

 

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

                Add resolution 143-12 Fund Balance Policy for review

 Motion to Approve Agenda with the Addition by Kron, seconded by Mackedanz.  Motion passed unanimously.

           

Mayor Hemmesch recessed the regular meeting in order for the Council to discuss the following workshop discussion items:

 

(Temporary recess to the Council Workshop)

 

Workshop Agenda

A.   2011 Audit Report – Steve Wischmann, Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd. (KDV)

            Wischmann reported that the Audit went well,  the City’s Finances are in good shape.  

            Every year the Revenues exceed the Expenses – a good testament to the budgeting process

                                   

B.        Renewal of Auditing Contract – Steve Wischmann, KDV

Wischmann reviewed contract

 

C.       Ordinance Review of Allowed Animals in Town – Keith Klassen

Discussion:

            1. Allowing for an amendment from this ordinance

2. if Council is requiring him to get rid of animals, would Council be willing to allow for a time line

Mr. Klassen discussed that he has been raising pheasants 29 years and never had a complaint that he didn’t take care of.  Mr. Klassen listed a variety of cities that allow fowls to be raised with in the city limits, he was unsure of the specifics to these cities.   City of Richmond allows for “domestic animals” within the city limits.   Mr. Klassen stated he was told the he was grandfathered in and the ordinance didn’t pertain to him.   Mr. Klassen stated he does this as a hobby and not a business.  He has 6 pheasants.  

Administrator Bode reported that he received a call regarding the pheasants, investigated and sent a letter regarding the violation. Council decided to further research this and discuss this at another meeting.   They did agree to give Mr. Klassen a 60 day extension,

 

Apple Orchard – Mr. Klassen owns 60 apple trees – Zoned residential and he is not allowed to sell from his property.   

 

D.       Cat Issues in Town   -   A Council member has had a few residents come up to him with concerns about cats;   roaming the neighborhood, unleashed and not licensed

What will licensing do to address these issues?  Will have the shots updated, satisfy the few people who complain about the cats.

Discussed how will the City staff will handle this.

Reviewed Current Ordinance: Animals at large

Cats are supposed to be leashed or restrained in the yard

Can call in and have roaming cats picked up

Suggested table the idea to a future meeting.

           

E.        Old Water Tower – verbal estimate $15,000.00 to demolish the tower; will be asking for approval to paint the lettering on the old.

 

F.        Rental Ordinance – discussion about the need for an ordinance or not;  Council discussed possibly having  a rental property owner group/ checklist for owners/ work with Chief Jones - how they handle in another city; council wants this to address the application process, background check, etc.  – have Chief Jones provide sample of check list for meeting.  Consider this for future agenda.

 

 

G.        Building Official – has received a few complaints about their follow thru procedure, Administrator Bode will look into costs of having an individual or share with the city, or change companies.  Consider this for future agenda.

 

H.       New Pole Building near Royal Park, Public Works Dingmann has started permit processing, questioned the setback next to the trail; Administrator Bode and Public Works Director Dingmann will follow up on this, make sure everything is in order.

 

I.          Review 2012-2013 Liquor and Tobacco License’s – Council discussed exhibit a, b, c, that will be attached to their license and this would become their legal premise.

 

 

J.          Report on Meeting with Gold Cross – Chief Merten and Administrator Bode met with Gold Cross looking for options to improve response time and reporting procedure –  outcome is gold cross is working on this, making changes.  We are still in discussion- when they have a rig that is due to go out of business they will bring it to Richmond and it will be staffed by ff first responder and then they would get paid thru gold cross.  They provide the training, the supplies and pay for the responder.  This is a program that they use in other cities.

 

K.       Joint Powers Agreement Review – Police Contract and Tri City Cable

 

L.        2012 Seal Coat Bids – reviewed bids

 

M.     City Property Smoking Policy- discussed  no smoking on city property or in city vehicles;  keep city properties clean of debris; ensure good job keeping parks clean

 

N.       Stearns County Municipal League Meeting – Mayor attended meeting and reviewed items – main item was the voter id deal;   next Tuesday meeting for 5 year street/highway plan – someone should attend.

 

O.       Other Matters of Concern and Related Items

*Resolution 143-12  Fund Balance  something for Council to read over.  The change is keeping 35-50% of unassigned budget in the fund balance.  Table to next meeting

*Small Cities – they have a lobbyist.  Council says no to application

*Fees at Ice Arena – is it possible to waive the fee for organizations that make very little money.  Costs cover the employee to open and close and for the lights/utilities. $75.00 for entry way; $300.00 half the arena; $600.00 whole arena;     Council would like to see numbers; list of event, who rented, what was the function;           Go case by case basis; have each function complete rental form; explain how the function benefits the city.  Administrator Bode will put something together before the next meeting

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting)

 

Council Meeting Agenda Continued

 

Item #3: Consideration of Resolution 138-12 – Approving 2011 Audit Report

Motion to Approve Agenda with the Addition by Mackedanz, seconded byPaczkowski;  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #4: Consideration of Resolution 139-12 – Approving of 3 + 2 (as bid) Year Auditing Contract with KDV.

Motion to Approve Resolution 139-12 -Contract with Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd (KDV) by Kron, seconded by Paczkowski;.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #5: Consideration of Resolution 140-12 – Approval of Asphalt Astech 2012 Crack Seal Bid -

Motion to Approve Resolution 140-12- Asphalt Astech Crack Seal Bid by Mackedanz, seconded by Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #6: Consideration of Resolution 141-12 – Approval of 2012-2013 Liquor License’s

Motion to Approve Resolution 141-12 – 2012-2012 Liquor License’s by Paczkowski, seconded by Mathiasen; Hemmisch and Kron abstained.  Motion passed 3 - 0.

 

Item #7: Consideration of Resolution 142-12 –Approval of 2012-2013 Tobacco License’s

Motion to Approve Resolution 142-12-Tobacco License’s by Kron, seconded by Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #8: Consideration of Ordinance 2012-104 – Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 4 Alcoholic Beverages   

Motion to Approve Ordinance 2012-104- Amending City Code Chapter 4; Alcoholic Beverages by Kron, seconded by Mathiasen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #9: Additional Purchase Requests, Allocations, & Transfers

Bid for Painting of Old Water Tower Letters not to exceed $6,000.00

Motion to Approve Additional Purchase Requests  by Mackedanz, seconded by Kron.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #10: Other Matters of Concern and Related Items

 

Item #11: Adjournment

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any other matters of concern.  There were none.

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to adjourn. Kron made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Paczkowski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Martin M. Bode

Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer