Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Council Meeting and Workshop

 

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: Cindy Anderson, Utility Billing Clerk; Randy Jenniges, City Engineer, S.E.H.; Adam Ripple, City Attorney, Rinke Noonan; Scott Staska, Rocori School Dist Superintendent; Lynn Sherman, Rocori School Board Member; Ryan, Channel 10 Tri City Cable;

 

Item #2 - Approval of Agenda

 

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

  1. Resolution 179-12 Authorization of Tax Exempt Gambling Permit for the River Lakes Skating Club
  2. Payment Request to Knife River for Safe Routes To School
  3. Council Workshop

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski to Approve Agenda with additions, seconded by Councilor Kron; Passed unanimously.

 

Item #3 – Approval of the Council Workshop and Meeting Minutes of September 5th and September 20th, 2012

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve the Council Workshop and Meeting Minutes of September 5th and September 20th, 2012.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen, to approve Council Workshop and Meeting Minutes of September 5th and September 20, 2012, seconded by Councilor Paczkowski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Item #4 – Consent Agenda

 

  1. Approval of Bills Paid
  2. Resolution 174-12 Approval of September 2012 Donations
  3. Resolution 175-12 Acceptance of September 2012 Journal Entries
  4. Resolution 176-12 Tax Exempt Gambling Application Knights of Columbus
  5. Resolution 177-12 Updating Corporate Resolution with State Bank of Richmond
  6. Resolution 179-12 Authorization of Tax Exempt Gambling Permit for the River Lakes Skating Club

      

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.

 

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

 

Item #5 – Presentations and Action Items

Rocori School District Levy- Scott Staska, Superintendent; Lynn Sherman, Rocori School Board Member

Mr. Staska reported on the upcoming school referendum.  He reported that this is a renewal of the current referendum due to expire 2013.  They are putting it up for a vote a year early due to the general election.  This way they save about $10,000.00 from not having a special election.    Council asked about the rumor that Richmond and Rockville elementary schools will be closed.  Mr. Staska stated they do not want to close the 2 schools, but if this referendum does not pass, everything, including the expense of running these two elementary schools,  will be on the table - $800,000.00 will have to be reduced if the referendum fails.

 

Item #6 – City Engineer Report, Randy Jenniges

 

  1. 2013 Main Street Project: Mr. Jenniges briefly reviewed the 2013 Main Street Project.  Public Hearings were held on September 26 and 27, 2012 for area residents and business owners.  A preliminary assessment roll was handed out at the public hearings.  The bidding is anticipated to begin this spring, final assessment hearing will probably be a year from now.  Mr. Jenniges will put together the final plan and present to Council.       Mr. Jenniges requested that the Council approve Resolution 178-12, A Resolution Ordering Improvements and Preparation of Plans.

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion approving Resolution 178-12 a Resolution Ordering Improvements and Preparation of Plans

 

Motion made by Councilor Paczkowski, second by Councilor Mathiasen to approve Resolution 178-12, A Resolution Ordering Improvements and Preparation of Plans.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Safe Route to Schools: Mr. Jenniges requested that the Council authorize payment to Knife River for the Safe Route to Schools, with conditional approval.  This would be the first payment of 2 for the project.     Mr. Jenniges will be doing a final walk thru before the final payments are made.  Council asked about the seeding that was done and who is responsible for the watering.  Mr. Jenniges stated that the yards were hydro seeded and if we don’t get rain this fall, the seeding should freeze and the in the spring should germinate.

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked for a motion approving Resolution 180-12 a Resolution Authorizing Stearns County to make Payment No. 1 to Knife Rive for the Safe Route to School project.

 

Motion made by Councilor Mathiasen, second by Councilor Paczkowski to approve Resolution 180-12 A Resolution Authorizing Payment No. 1, with conditional approval, to Knife Rive for the Safe Route to School project.   Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Item #7 – Council Reports

  1. EDA – Adam Ripple, City Attorney reported that there has been no further contact with the investment group regarding the purchase of the Tower Acre property.  Mr. Ripple suggested that the investment group be sent a written statement giving a final date for this offer.  Information is needed regarding what the EDA had decided about the last date of negotiating with the group. 

 

  1. Planning Commission – no meeting held

 

  1. Parks/Rocori Trail – Tim Paczkowski reported
    1. The Rocori trail phase 1 is nearly completed and the final walk over will happen next week. 
    2. Councilor Paczkowski stated that the Rocori Trail Board is requesting $1,000.00 from each City to pay the Insurance for the Rocori Trail.  The money that is in the account held by the County cannot be used for this.   Council asked what the money is for, was stated that it is probably for listing the trail on the Cities insurance policy and eventually the trail will be turned over to the DNR and then the city will no longer be responsible for the insurance.   
    3. He also reported that the Phase 3 grant has been submitted. 
    4. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 30 at 3:45 PM behind Teals in Cold Spring.   More information will be sent out.

 

  1. Tri City Cable – none

 

  1. Council reported that the Stearns County Municipal League meeting will be held on October 16, 2012 at 6:30 pm at Paynesville City Hall.  Council needs to RSVP to Paynesville or to Richmond City office.

 

 

 

Item #9 – Additional Purchase Requisitions - none

 

 

Item #10 – Other Matters of Concern and Related Matters

 

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additional items for the Council to consider. 

 

  1. Council reminded residents to clean up after their dogs.  They have received some complaints.  
  2. Councilor Mathiasen read a letter that was sent from a local business thanking the Council and City staff for purchasing locally

 

 

Mayor Hemmesch recessed the regular meeting in order for the Council to discuss the following workshop discussion items: 2013 Budget

            (Temporary recess to the Council Workshop)

 

Workshop Agenda Items:

  1. EDA – Adam Ripple, City Attorney reviewed the Councils Authority in regards to the EDA.  Council has the authority over the EDA’s:
    1. Membership
    2. Budget
    3. Amending the Resolution that enacted the EDA

Council discussed the function of the EDA, and the need to have it redefined.   Was pointed out the Music in the Park has now been turned over to the Parks department of the City.   They also discussed 2013 and looking at the main street project going in having a big effect on the business development and the 2013 budget should reflect this – possibly looking at a budget be set to “not exceed”  $12,500.00; knowing that if there is a need for more money the EDA would need to request the money from the Council.

 

  1. Director’s Reports- Council discussed having the City department Directors start coming to the Council meeting to give their reports.  Was stated they like having them available for questions and information and it does not cost extra to have them attend.

 

  1. Police Contract – a discussion was held regarding the 2013 contract with Cold Spring PD.  Adam Ripple reported that he has been working on converting the contract to a flat fee.  The Council stated they thought the fees were too high and after lengthy discussion it was decided that Mayor Hemmesch, along with another Council Member would schedule a meeting with the Cold Spring Police Chief, and Cold Spring City Administrator for next week.

 

  1. Employee Reductions - The Council discussed the employee budget for 2013.

 

(Reconvene Council Meeting at 8:09 pm)

Council Meeting Agenda Continued

 

Item #11-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 8:10 pm

 

 

Next Council Meeting October 18, 2012

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Martin Bode

Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer