Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday, November 6th 2013

City Council Meeting

 

Item #1: Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Council Members noted as being present: Scott Kron, Mike Mathiasen, Pat Evens, Jeff Mackedanz, Tim Paczkowski

 

Also present were: Martin Bode, City Administrator; Randy Jenniges, City Engineer, Chuck Merten, Fire Chief; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director; Brad Busse, Channel 10. 

 

Item #2: Approval of Agenda

 

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

1.      Add to Other:

a).    Block Party

b).    Newsletter

c).    Timesheet

Mayor Kron asked for the Approval of the Amended Agenda.

           

Motion made by Councilor Evens to Approve Amended Agenda, seconded by Councilor Mackedanz.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #3: Approval of the Meeting Minutes of October 2, October 17 and October 24, 2013

 

Mayor Kron asked for any corrections or additions to the October 2, October 17 and October 24, 2013 minutes, hearing none, Mayor Kron asked for a motion of approval.

           

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz to Approve the Meeting Minutes of October 2, October 17 and October 24, 2013, seconded by Councilor Evens.  Motion passed unanimously

 

Item #4: Approval of Bills

Mayor Kron asked for a motion of approval of Bills.

Council had a question regarding the following bills: Administrator Bode gave explanation

Chk # 15820 –Octoberfest liability insurance, is it being reimbursed.  Administrator Bode stated that invoice has been sent.

Chk # 15859 – Marco, How many copiers? – One, the bill gets allocated out to the different departments.  This covers the machine and ink.

Chk # 15867 Visa – Cabinet in the bay –This is a City Fire Hall expense.

 Electrical Installers – Installed light at Arena Crosswalk

           

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

Item #5: Consent Agenda

 

A.     Resolution 197-13 Approval of October 2013 Journal Entries

B.     Resolution 203-13 Acceptance of October 2013 Donations

C.     Resolution 204-13 Approval of Lawful Gambling Lease for Richmond Lions at Jerry’s Firehouse Grill

D.     Resolution 205-13 Lawful Gambling Premises Permit for Richmond Lions at Jerry’s Firehouse Grill

 

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

 

Item #6: 2013 Main Street Project

A.                 Resolution 198-13 Approving Pay Request # 4 $494,620.86

 

Mayor Kron asked for a motion approving Resolution 198-13 Approving Pay Request No.4

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, to approve Resolution 198-13 Approving Pay Request No. 4 seconded by Councilor Mackedanz. Motion passed.

 

B.                 Update – Randy Jenniges, City Engineer

Street Lights are up and they are working on the wiring.  The electrical cabinet is located behind Wenner Plumbing and Heating.  The ware coat is not done on Grant and 1ST Street area.  Black dirt will be finished this week.  The County is working on signs along Main Street.  The road closed signs should be down this week.  Council asked about the downtown signs on hwy 23 – should ask Civic and Commerce.  Mr. Jenniges will check into the stripping on Main Street.    He stated that the concrete work around the bowling alley had been redone, the rest would be done this spring.

            Business Owner Jim Hemmesch questioned having to pay for 50 feet of street work.

He also asked who is going to be responsible if someone falls on the sidewalks.  Administrator Bode stated that the businesses are required to maintain the sidewalk (keep it free and clear from snow and ice).  Mr. Jenniges stated that the County designed the sidewalks and to his understanding they meet the guidelines.

            Business Owner Jerry Hemmesch questioned the cement splatter on his building.  He was told that it was on the punch list and the final payment would not be made unless this problem was addressed.  Mr. Hemmesch also asked about putting salt on the sidewalk.  Mr. Jenniges stated that you can use this concrete like any other concrete, it has been laid and passed; if anything happens to the sidewalk the contractor will repair it.  Mr. Hemmesch stated that he is a little concern about the slope on the boulevard.   Mr. Jenniges stated that they will look at it again next spring, not sure what may be done.

            Council asked about the area that does not have the ware coat and the manholes.  Mr. Jenniges stated that the manholes are level with the road.  They will need to be raised next spring.  The curb may suffer a few dings from the plow but that will be repaired this spring. 

 

C.                 Xcel Energy Invoice- Mr. Jenniges explained how this invoice came about and the agreement with the City.  Xcel submitted a bill for $170,049.98 which was way over the original agreed upon amount of $147, 661.75.  Xcel explained that the overage was because of additional costs working in the winter on the project; Mr. Jenniges explained that most of the work could have been done in the fall, but Xcel chose to do the work in the winter.    This situation was given to the City Attorney to review.  It is his legal opinion that the City is not obligated to pay the additional amount.

 

Mayor Kron asked for a motion approving Payment of original invoice of $147,661.75

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, to reapprove Payment of original invoice $147,661.75 seconded by Councilor Evens. Motion passed

 

 

 

 

 

Item #7: Water Waster Water Report- Written Report

            Mayor Kron reviewed the report.

            Council asked about the humidifier and what happened with that.  Administrator Bode will look      into that.

 

Item #8: Fire Department Report –Chief Chuck Merten

            Chief Merten reviewed the calls and training for the month of October, 2013.

            He stated that they are currently looking for firefighters.

           

Item #9: Streets/Public Works- Director Gordon Dingmann

            Mr. Dingmann reviewed his winter prep plans.

            He reviewed the snow emergency parking and removal policy.  He stated that Administrator             Bode had hand delivered the policy to all the businesses on Main Street.

            Mr. Dingmann stated that he spoke with the County and they will plow the snow and leave it in        the parking lane and then the City will come along and clean up the parking lanes after the          businesses have cleaned up the sidewalks.   This will give the businesses time to get their       sidewalks cleaned off (by 8-9 am).  Administrator Bode said the businesses were very  cooperative.

            Council asked about the holiday lights going up and wondered if the Council had approved this.              Administrator Bode stated that in the past the Civic and Commerce had purchased the decorations   and the City workers put them up.    Council stated that the prior Council had given the Civic and            Commerce permission to purchase the lights.

            Mr. Jim Hemmesch asked about the handicap parking on the corner by his bowling lane.

Item #10: Parks and Arena – Written Report

            Mayor Kron summarized the report.

Things are up and running for the hockey and skating season and the employees are trained.

The pavilions have been closed up for the winter.   This fall they planted 8 new trees and did some seeding.   A cement slab has been laid between Glacial Lake Pavilion and the walking trail.

Rocori Trail Board:  Meeting tomorrow

            Glacial Trail – it is a possibility that the work will be completed this year, unlikely, but a       possibility.

                       

            Resolution 199-13 Approving RLCA Seasonal Part Time Employee (hiring one additional    person)

 

Motion made by Councilor Evens, to approve Resolution 199-13 Approving RLCA hiring Seasonal Part Time Employee, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen. Motion passed.

 

Item #11: Other

     

A.     Consideration of Resolution 200-13 Jacobson Side Yard and Lot Width Variance

B.     Consideration of Resolution 201-13 Jacobson Lot Split

 

Planning Commission Chair Mackedanz reviewed the Planning Commission recommendation to the Council to approve the Lot Split and Variances.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz, to approve Resolution 200-13 Approving the Jacobson Side Yard and Lot Width Variance, seconded by Councilor Evens. Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mackedanz, to approve Resolution 201-13 Approving the Jacobson Lot Split, seconded by Councilor Evens. Motion passed.

 

C.     Consideration of Resolution 202-13 – Certification of Delinquent Utility Bills

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen, to approve Resolution 202-13 the Certification of Delinquent Utility Bills, seconded by Councilor Mackedanz. Motion passed.

 

D.   Block Party – December 6th 5-7 p.m. to celebrate the City of Richmond.  All residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy the new Main Street.

 

E.    Newsletter – Deadline is November 15, 2013

 

F.    Timesheets – Council needs to get their time sheets to Administrator Bode by Dec. 9th, 2013

 

 

Item #12: Council Reports

A.     EDA – Next Meeting is November 26th.

B.     Planning Commission-Jacobson Public Hearings were held.  If needed, meeting November 20th.

C.     Parks/Rocori Trail – Meeting tomorrow morning

D.     Tri City Cable – next meeting January

E.      The police chief hiring committee –last meeting cancelled.

F.      Midcontinent Contract – this past spring the Council passed a Resolution  for a 5 year contract and now need a consensus to sign the contract for all 3 sites.

 

Item #13: Close Meeting for Employee Review – 7:52 pm

 

8:32 pm Reconvene regular meeting

 

Item #14: Request for Council Action –

Consideration of Employee Step Increases

A.     Resolution 206-13 Approving Step Increase for Utility Billing Clerk

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, to approve Resolution 206-13 Approving Step Increase for Utility Billing Clerk, seconded by Councilor Evens. Motion passed.

 

B.     Resolution 207-13 Approving Step Increase for Kevin Mooney

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, to approve Resolution 207-13 Approving Step Increase for Kevin Mooney, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski. Roll Call Vote: Voting Yes-Mathiasen, Mackedanz, Paczkowski; Voting No- Evens, Kron.  Motion passed.

 

C.     Resolution 208-13 Approving Step Increase for Gordon Dingmann

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, to approve Resolution 208-13 Approving Step Increase for Gordon Dingmann, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen. Roll Call Vote: Voting Yes-Paczkowski, Mathiasen, Mackedanz; Voting No- Evens, Kron.  Motion passed.

 

 

Item #15: Other Matters of Concern and Related Matters – none

 

Item #16: Adjournment:

 

Mayor Kron asked for a motion to adjourn. 

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

 

Mayor Kron declared the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Martin M. Bode

Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer