CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ARE POSTED ON THIS SITE AFTER FORMAL ADOPTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL (minutes are adopted at the next regular meeting)

 

MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

JANUARY 9, 2012

 

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saint Peter was conducted in the Governors' Room of the Community Center on January 9, 2012.

 

A quorum present, Mayor Strand called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  The following members were present:  Councilmembers Pfeifer, Eichmann, Carlin, Mayor Strand and Councilmembers-elect Brand and Zieman.  Absent was Councilmember Kvamme.  The following officials were present: City Administrator Prafke, City Attorney Brandt, and City Engineers Domras and Loose.

 

Oath of Office – City Attorney Brandt administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Councilmembers Chuck Zieman and Jeff Brand.  Following the oath of office ceremony, the meeting recessed at 7:03 p.m. so the new Councilmembers could take photos with family members.

 

The meeting resumed at 7:10 p.m.

 

Approval of Agenda – A motion was made by Pfeifer, seconded by Eichmann, to approve the agenda as modified.  With all in favor, the motion carried. 

 

Approval of Minutes –  A motion was made by Carlin, seconded by Zieman, to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2011 regular City Council meeting.  With all in favor, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.  A complete copy of the minutes of the December 12, 2011 regular City Council meeting is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Proceedings 18.

 

Consent Agenda – In motion by Eichmann, seconded by Carlin, Resolution No. 2012-01 entitled “Resolution Approving Consent Agenda“ was introduced with the addition of the appointment of Steven Alger to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board as the representative for School District #508.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted as modified.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-01 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

City Assistance Request:  Polar Bear Plunge –  City Administrator Prafke recommended approval of a request by Sheriff Lange for City staff to cut the hole in the ice for the Special Olympics Polar Bear plunge event in February.  Prafke indicated the organization had already submitted the required certificate of insurance and City staff had provided the labor for cutting the hole for this event in previous years.  In motion by Pfeifer, seconded by Zieman, Resolution No. 2012-02  entitled “Resolution Authorizing City Assistance For Polar Bear Plunge“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-02  is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

Phone System Purchase – City Administrator Prafke recommended approval be provided for purchase of an NEC SV8300 phone system from Loffler Companies in the amount of $34,967 and related cabling services from CTS in the amount of $12,157.03.  Prafke reported the City’s current NEC phone system would no longer be supported and if the phone system failed, the City would be left without operating phones.  Prafke also reported River’s Edge Hospital has the same phone system so staff worked jointly with Hospital staff to accept proposals for replacement phone systems hoping to realize economies of scale on the purchases.  Prafke also indicated that only NEC proposals were accepted so that the handsets currently in use could be re-used with the new system which would save tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase.  Prafke noted Loffler and CTS submitted the lowest cost proposals for both parts of the project which would be funded by the General Fund and each of the utility funds.  In motion by Brand, seconded by Carlin, Resolution No. 2012-03 entitled “Resolution Approving Telephone System Replacement Purchase“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-03 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

Spill Prevention Plan Engineering – Public Works Director Giesking recommended DeWild, Grant and Reckert engineers be retained on a time and expense basis not to exceed $6,500 to update and certify the City’s spill prevention plan.  Giesking reminded Councilmembers the plan is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and must be updated every five years or when additional facilities are constructed.  Giesking reported additional documentation will be required in the future and City staff must be present and document each time fuel is delivered and the plan will come into play if a spill occurs.  Giesking also stated the plan must be adopted by December 2012. In motion by Pfeifer, seconded by Eichmann, Resolution No. 2012-04 entitled “Resolution Providing For Engineering Services For Updating Of The City’s Spill Prevention Control And Countermeasures Plan“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-04 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

MEI Wastewater Treatment Agreement –  Public Works Director Giesking requested authorization be provided for execution of another agreement with Minnesota Elevator, Inc. (MEI) of St. Clair for the City to treat wastewater from their facility.  Giesking reported 2011 had been a one year trial period for the process to ensure that the effluent brought for treatment did not have an adverse impact on the City’s wastewater treatment plant.  Giesking reviewed the agreement which was developed to provide for automatic renewal of the contract unless either party provides a sixty day notice to terminate.  Giesking noted approximately 6,000-9,000 gallons would be treated per month with 2-3 semi-loads being delivered to the plant per week resulting in approximately $10,000 in gross revenue.  Councilmember Zieman questioned whether the charge for the wastewater treatment was competitive.  City Administrator Prafke indicated that there aren’t many facilities capable of treating wastewater to compare our charges with, but as far as staff could determine the charges are competitive. In motion by Zieman, seconded by Brand, Resolution No. 2012-05 entitled “Resolution Authorizing Execution Of An Agreement With Minnesota Elevator Incorporated For Wastewater Treatment“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-05 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

Business License Application – City Administrator Prafke recommended approval of a soft drink license application for Chad Guentzel dba Anytime Fitness.  In motion by Pfeifer, seconded by Eichmann, Resolution No. 2012-06 entitled “Resolution Approving New Soft Drink License Application“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-06 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

Minnesota Square Park Pavilion Project –  City Administrator Prafke presented the recommendation for development of a Mayor’s Task Force for the Minnesota Square Park Pavilion Project as per the previous workshop discussion by the City Council.  Prafke outlined the mission of the Task Force which would be to, “Bring additional community input into the development of a vision for the future of the pavilion.  (What purpose(s) do we want a pavilion to serve?  How do we want it to look?  Work with an architectural firm to develop rehabilitation, construction and/or enhancements based on the vision and see that vision transformed into a concept rendering.”  Prafke indicated the members of the Task Force would include all of the City Councilmembers, and representatives from community groups, stakeholders, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Chamber of Commerce, City staff and community volunteers for a total membership of 32 individuals.  Prafke also pointed out that the proposed resolution directed staff to develop and solicit proposals from architectural firms to work with the Task Force and that ultimately a facilitator will be retained to work with the group.  In motion by Carlin, seconded by Eichmann, Resolution No. 2012-07 entitled “Resolution Approving Development Of Mayor’s Task Force for Minnesota Square Park Pavilion Project“, was introduced.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-07 is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

2012 Municipal Fee Schedule – City Administrator Prafke reviewed the proposed changes to the 2012 municipal fee schedule and recommended adoption.  Prafke also asked for item #25 to be removed from the schedule because it was a duplicate of item #10.  Councilmember Zieman asked for clarification on the fees related to rental of park shelters and Prafke reviewed those fees.   In motion by Carlin, seconded by Zieman, Resolution No. 2012-08  entitled “Resolution Establishing Year 2012 License Fees, Permit Fees, And Other Charges For Municipal Services“, was introduced with the correction.  Upon roll call, with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed and adopted.  A complete copy of Resolution No. 2012-08  is contained in the City Administrator’s book entitled Council Resolutions 18. 

 

Reports

 

Mayor’s Reports – Mayor Strand reported on his recent activities which included a busy holiday season and several meetings with the Region Nine Development Commission for replacement of the Executive Director.

 

Office Closures – City Administrator Prafke reported all non-emergency City offices would be closed for staff training on January 11th until 1:30 p.m. and offices would be closed all day for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., holiday with the workshop moving to Tuesday evening.

 

Goal Session Discussion – City Administrator Prafke indicated discussion at the December 15th workshop had been quite comprehensive and the meeting lasted from 3:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

 

City/School/Gustavus Meeting Schedule – City Administrator Prafke reminded Councilmembers of the next City/School/Gustavus meeting on February 8th at 6:30 p.m.

 

Highway 169 Coalition – City Administrator Prafke reported on the next Highway 169 Coalition meeting that will take place on January 12, 2011 at Belle Plaine City Hall.

 

There being no further business, a motion was made by Pfeifer, seconded by Carlin, to adjourn the meeting.  With all in favor, the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.