MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL ST. AUGUSTA, MINNESOTA December 5, 2017

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1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL ST. AUGUSTA, MINNESOTA December 5, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kroll at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Mayor Kroll; Council Members Diehl, Reinert, Schulzetenberg and Zenzen; Attorney Couri, Engineer Halter, Engineer Ryan, Building Inspector Hageman; Fire Chief Tabatt, Asst. Fire Chief Orth, Fire Captain Shawn Steinhofer, Fire Department Lieutenant Rob Claseman, Fire Fighter Adam Sandhurst, Fire Fighter Ben Voigt, Firefighter Daryl Stang, Firefighter Lauren Stang, Lt. Kellen Hemmesch, and Clerk/Administrator McCabe. OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Orth, Jackie Steinhofer, Darren Yarke, Everett Yarke, Andy Brotzler, Mike Nielsen, Andy Reinert, Scott Christman, Tyson Hajicek, Kevin Bucholtz, Barb Toenjes, Trey Toenjes, Mike Reinert, Sherry Stang, Dr. Kevin Switzer, CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. McCabe indicated he had received the proposed Sheriff s contract for 2018 and it was included in the updated packet under the consent agenda, item 3E. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda as amended items 3A 3E, by Mr. Zenzen, seconded by Mr. Reinert. Motion carried unanimously. The following items were approved with the consent agenda: SHERIFF S City Council Minutes, November 7, City Council Agenda, December 5, Bill Payable, Receipts and Treasurer s Report dated December 5, 2017 and for Checks #20612 # Temporary Liquor License, St. Mary HOC, February 10, Stearn s County Sheriff s Contract Lt Hemmesch was in attendance and reviewed the monthly report indicating they spent 38 hours on the contract. He reviewed the call types, contract hours and citations and answered questions. A motion was made to approve the Sheriff s Report as presented by Mr. Reinert, seconded by Mr. Zenzen. Motion carried unanimously. 1

2 BUILDING INSPECTOR S Mr. Hageman was in attendance to present the November building inspector s report. He indicated 3 permits were issued during the month including one single family permit bringing the total to sixteen for the year (20 last year at this time.) He reviewed valuations and answered questions from the Council. FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES: A motion was made to approve the building inspector s report as presented by Mr. Zenzen seconded by Mr. Diehl. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Tabatt presented the October fire department report indicating there were seven calls (all medical), bringing the total to 84 for the year. He also reviewed the monthly training presented by Fire Inc. focusing on fire investigation, arson and scene preservation. Chief Tabatt indicated they wanted to discuss promoting individuals to officer positions. He requested an additional captain with a lieutenant to fill that spot and another firefighter moving into a lieutenant position. Mayor Kroll stated we can move forward, bring us the recommendation. Mr. Reinert stated he would like to see a Council member on the promotion committee. Chief Tabatt indicated he would only have a small concern, as the member may not have the knowledge. A motion was made to appoint Mr. Reinert to the promotion committee by Mr. Zenzen, seconded by Mr. Diehl. Motion carried 4-0 with Mr. Reinert abstaining. Mr. Claseman introduced Dr. Kevin Switzer as the medical director for the fire department. Dr. Switzer is a family physician with Centre Care. Mary Orth with the St. Augusta Fire Auxiliary reported they are making donations within the Community to Quite Oaks and the schools. Thank you to the ladies. Mr. Reinert indicated they had a truck committee meeting and they reviewed the specifications from what they initially conceived. Modifications are being made to the spec. He also indicated they need to look at the next truck in the truck replacement schedule (rescue and equipment combined vehicle). He stated this truck is equal in importance to the proposed pumper truck. One truck was looked at as a medium duty truck for approximately $200,000 to $250,000. Mr. McCabe reported that he has submitted the initial paper work. OPEN FORUM: Mike Reinert was in attendance to discuss Quad Holdings land (old Reinert Farm) with the intention of splitting their agricultural land from their farm land. Mr. McCabe explained his interpretation of our 2

3 ordinance. Mr. Couri further explained how the land could initially be split by state statute. Mr. Reinert stated he would follow up at a later date. PUBLIC HEARING VACATE DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT: Mr. McCabe presented a notice along with Resolution # indicating we would be vacating a drainage and utility easement through a property in Trout Stream Estates. He stated with the lot being split by the two adjoining property owners, new drainage and utility easements were given on the perimeter of the newly created lots. Mr. Couri explained the deeds need to be dated after the date. Mayor Kroll opened the public and asked for comment. Mayor Kroll closed the public hearing. A motion was made to approve Resolution # contingent on the new easement being dedicated to the City by Mr. Zenzen, seconded by Ms. Schulzetenberg. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING TRUTH-IN-TAXATION, 2018 FINAL BUDGET AND RESOLUTION # , ADOPTING FINAL LEVY: Mr. McCabe indicated he had presented three budget options, one with no wage increase from 2017, one with a.5% wage increase and one with a 1% wage increase. He indicated he was willing to answer questions on the proposed budget. He presented Resolution # , adopting the final levy and Mr. McCabe stated this levy was a 2% increase over the levy in 2017, was no different from the preliminary levy adopted in September and it resulted in a tax rate of approximately 28%, slightly down from A motion was made to adopt the 1% salary increase option of the 2018 budget by Ms. Schulzetenberg, seconded by Mr. Diehl. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made to adopt Resolution # , adopting the final levy by Mr. Diehl, seconded by Mr. Zenzen. Motion carried unanimously. ENGINEER S Mr. Halter indicated he had nothing to offer. 3

4 CITY ENGINEER SELECTION: Mr. McCabe introduced the engineer representatives in the building. A motion was made to stay with S.E.H. by Mr. Reinert, seconded by Mr. Diehl. Motion carried 3-2 with Mayor Kroll and Mr. Zenzen voting no. CITY ATTORNEY SELECTION: Mr. McCabe stated he and Mayor Kroll had reviewed the two proposals and in lieu of interviews wanted to recommend we continue with our existing attorney in Mike Couri. A motion was made to appoint Mike Couri of Couri and Ruppe as the City Attorney by Mr. Zenzen, seconded by Ms. Schulzetenberg. Motion carried unanimously. CITY BUILDING INSPECTOR SELECTION: Mr. McCabe presented the proposal from Midstate Inspection Services and indicated it was the only proposal received. Mr. Hagman explained he hadn t changed his fee from the current fee. A motion was made to stay with Steve Hagman of Midstate Inspection Services as our building inspector by Mr. Zenzen, seconded by Mr. Zenzen. Motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL MEMBER PURVIEW: Ms. Schulzetenberg wondered about the performance reviews. Mr. McCabe said he completed the staff reviews and his could be scheduled for next month. CITY ADMINISTRATOR Mr. McCabe asked for comments for anyone interested in the storm water utility. Mr. Stang asked where the money was going and Mr. McCabe explained. Mr. McCabe presented information on complaints received on the storm water billing. He indicated he had received a number of calls most of which were residents with multiple parcels indicating they believed they should only get one bill. He also presented another written complaint. Mr. Reinert asked to get a list of single business/residence/farm with multiple parcels. Mayor Kroll brought up again the tile in agricultural areas. Ms. Ryan explained how it is typically determined. Mayor Kroll wondered about the Sis issue. Mr. Couri responded we haven t had any response from his attorney. 4

5 Mayor Kroll wondered about the Legion lawsuit. Mr. McCabe stated the scheduling conference is set to be held on December 18. Mr. Couri further explained what the process entailed. Mr. McCabe wondered about recognition for volunteers, specifically for the ladies who maintain the flower gardens. Mr. Couri stated potentially there could be a plaque. Mr. Reinert suggested we do a thank you with their photo at the park. More information will be discussed later. Mayor Kroll indicated he had an offer on the used six-wheeler and trailer for $9,650 from Doug Bischoff. A motion was made by Mr. Reinert, seconded by Mr. Zenzen to accept the offer from Doug Bischoff. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURMENT: A motion was made to adjourn at 8:26pm by Mr. Reinert seconded by Mr. Zenzen. Meeting Adjourned. Approved this day of January, BJ Kroll, Mayor Attest: William R. McCabe, Clerk/Administrator 5