MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. JAMES, WATONWAN COUNTY, MINNESOTA Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the City Council of St. James, Minnesota was duly held at the Community Building meeting room in said City on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Gary Sturm called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Those present: Mayor Gary Sturm, Councilperson Kathleen Hanson, Don Mackey, Don Halverson, Ray Hahnfeldt Jr., Paul Harris Those absent: None. Sunde. Staff present: City Manager Sam Hansen, City Clerk Michelle Svalland, City Attorney Steve MINUTES On motion by Councilperson Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr. seconded by Councilperson Paul Harris the minutes of the regular meeting of July 03, 2018, were found correct as written and the City Clerk was instructed to dispense with the reading of the minutes. CONSENT ITEMS Upon voice vote it was unanimous. On motion by Councilperson Don Mackey, seconded by Councilperson Don Halverson, the following consent items were hereby approved: A. Payment of Claims totaling $1,052,832.66. as follows: Checks No. 57826 through 57949, Pioneer Bank as listed in the Check Register. B. Schools, Conferences and Workshops 1. 2018 Criminal Justice Information User Conference, St Cloud, September 26-27, A. Busboom, R. Hanson, R. Eisfeld 2. 2018 Annual Software Symposium, Wisconsin Dells, September 13-14, K. Grothem, T. Stevens, M. Svalland Upon voice vote it was unanimous.
PAGE 2 NEW BUSINESS ROMSDAHL UTILITY REQUEST City Manager Sam Hansen along with Light Superintendent TJ Becthold presented Council with a request from Brandon Romsdahl to relocate City Utility that currently run between lots 1 & 2 on Romsdahl s property. Hansen said the request was made due to the fact that Romsdahl s would have to make unwanted changes to the house design should the utility easement remain as is. Staff Recommendation was to deny the request due to; the foreknowledge of the utility easement before the purchase of both lots, the precedent that it would set, and the signed agreement with the easement made when the original plat was designed. Brandon Romsdahl was present and addressed Council, stated he was willing to pay for all costs involved with relocating the utilities and any other cost involved to make repairs to neighboring property to bring it back to its current state after the relocation. On motion by Councilperson Don Mackey, seconded by Councilperson Don Halverson Council accepted the Utility relocation request from Brandon Romsdahl, with all costs involved with the relocation to his or any neighboring properties to be paid by Brandon Romsdahl, along with the condition that neighboring properties affected be brought back to the previous state at Romsdahls expense. Upon voice vote the following members voted: AYES: NAYS: Don Mackey, Don Halverson, Kathleen Hanson, Paul Harris. Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr. Whereupon Mayor Gary Sturm declared said motion to be duly passed. JOHN THOMAS ROAD REQUEST City Manager Sam Hansen presented Council with a request from Les Siem to assist setting elevations for curb and gutter on John Thomas Road to set the driveway to the correct elevation. Hansen stated the first 50 feet on the long side of a corner lot is at City cost per City Code and anything more would be at owner s expense. On motion by Councilperson Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr, seconded by Councilperson Paul Harris, Council accepted the request from Les Siem to assist setting elevations for curb and gutter on John Thomas Road according to City Code. Upon voice vote it was unanimous.
PAGE 3 CGMC UPDATE, MARTY SEIFERT Marty Seifert, CGMC Representative was present to give a review of the 2018 Legislative updates and inform the council of the Coalitions activities. He informed Council that City Manager Sam Hansen was very instrumental and would be receiving an award at the Coalition s Summer Conference for the work that he had done testifying in support of a bill to increase LGA funding. GARBAGE RFP City Manager Sam Hansen informed Council the Solid Waste Removal Contract is up at the end of the year. Hansen explained that Waste Management is interested in extending the contract an additional 5 years. The current contract allows for an extension with Waste Management should we accept a proposal from them. Hansen mentioned we could also solicit other contractors through an RFP to see what other contractors will offer. On motion by Councilperson Don Halverson, seconded by Councilperson Don Mackey, Council agreed to go out for RFP on the Solid Waste Removal Contract. Upon voice vote it was unanimous. RESOLUTION 7-18-03 MINNESOTA PFA SPECIAL APPROPRIATION AGREEMENT Councilperson Paul Harris introduced RESOLUTION NO. 07-18-03 and moved its adoption RESOLUTION 7-18-03 MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY SPECIAL APPROPRIATION AGREEMENT and dispensed with the reading. It was duly seconded by Councilperson Kathleen Hanson. Upon hand vote the following members voted: AYES: NAYS: Councilperson Paul Harris, Kathleen Hanson, Don Halverson, Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr., Don Mackey. None Whereupon Mayor Gary Sturm declared said Resolution 07-18-03 to be duly passed. RESOLUTION 07-18-04 AMENDING BY-LAWS OF THE ST JAMES FIREFIGHTER S RELIEF ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVE 01-01-19 Councilperson Don Mackey introduced RESOLUTION 07-18-04 and moved its adoption, RESOLUTION AMMENDING BY-LAWS OF THE ST. JAMES FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCATION EFFECTIVE 01-01-19. It was duly seconded by Councilperson Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr. Upon hand vote the following hand voted:
PAGE 4 AYES: Councilperson Paul Harris, Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr., Kathleen Hanson, Don Mackey. NAYS: None. Whereupon Mayor Gary Sturm declared RESOLUTION 07-18-04 to be duly passed. APPROVE PROMOTION OF DAN ROTERT AS STREET/PARKS LEAD On motion by Councilperson Paul Harris, seconded by Councilperson Don Mackey, the Council approved the promotion of Dan Rotert to Street/Parks Lead at Grade 7, Step 1 effective August 1, 2018. Upon voice vote it was unanimous. LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE OLD HOSPITAL SITE City Manager Sam Hansen talked with Council about a letter of intent received to purchase the hospital redevelopment lot and develop a commercial retail business that would create approximately 12-15 jobs. Hansen reminded Council about the demolition loan from DEED that at the time the lot would be developed up to half of the principal balance of the loan of $325,000 can be forgiven. On motion by Councilperson Don Mackey, seconded by Councilperson Ray Hahnfeldt, Jr, the Council approved signing the letter of intent from Ratcliff Development, LLC and authorizes city staff to execute the purchase agreement. Upon voice vote it was unanimous. ST JAMES OPERA HOUSE RESTORATION BOARD UPDATE Tom Eng and the St James Opera House Board gave Council an update on the restoration project at the Opera House. Eng talked about the grant received from the MN State Historical Society to fund the work being done on the front of the Collage, the money needed in excess of $2 million to bring the building up to code, and the vision of the future look was discussed and pictures sporting the new look were available to view. Eng and the St James Opera House Board extended an invitation to the Council and those in attendance to tour the Opera House after the meeting. Mayor Gary Sturm, on behalf of the entire community thanked the entire St James Opera House Board, as well as the late Phyllis Conway for the 23 years of tireless efforts and continued vision.
PAGE 5 On motion by Councilperson Paul Harris, seconded by Councilperson Kathleen Hanson, the meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. Michelle Svalland City Clerk