Proceedings of the Springfield City Council

The Nov. 13, 2014 special council meeting was called to order by Mayor Mark Brown at 5:15 PM.  Those present include Brown, Lowell Helget, Chett Bisel, Mike Rothmeier, City Attorney Paul Muske, City Manager Matt Skaret and City Clerk Amy Vogel.  Absent was Phil Jensen.  Others present include Andy Kehren with Bolton & Menk and Theresa Beckman.

Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to adopt the agenda.  All ayes.

Vogel reported that there were 1,103 registered voters at 7 AM and 53 were registered during the day.  There were 680 voters with 59 being absentee votes.  The results for Springfield races were as follows:

Councilor Ward 1 Ward 1 Total

Theresa Beckman 190 190

Dan “Cheetah” Domeier 131 131

 

Councilor Ward 2 Ward 2

Mike Rothmeier 301 301

Write In 4 4

 

Special Election Councilor Ward 2

Chett C. Bisel 299 299

Write In 6 6

 

Motion by Helget, second by Bisel to approve the abstract of votes cast as presented.  All ayes.

Skaret explained that city personnel met with Andy Kehren to update the 2007 CIP.  Projects were crossed off that were completed and projects were added and re-prioritized.  Kehren recapped the 14 priorities.

Kehren then explained the proposed 2015 street project which includes Van Dusen from Rock St (Hwy 14) to Spring Ave and Gamble St from Ray Ave to Burns Ave. It includes complete street reconstruction along with underground water and sewer utility and storm sewer reconstruction.  Curb and gutter would be replaced.  Driveway approach aprons and service walks are proposed to be removed and replaced as required for the reconstruction of services.  Boulevard walks will only be removed and replaced to accommodate the new street construction.  Boulevard trees will be removed if they are interfering with the project.  If the council desires, they may decide to go with a 36 ft roadway.  This would minimize tree loss but parking would be available only on one side of the street. The narrower street would only save about $46,000.  The council agreed to stay with the 40 ft street.

Costs are based on the current year’s information along with inflation.  Van Dusen is estimated at $1,746,000 for the reconstruction and Gamble is estimated at $360,000 for a total of $2,106,000.  Of this total, the funding would be distributed as follows:  City $951,000, PUC $311,000 and assessments $844,000. To move forward, the council would have to schedule a hearing to discuss the project and proposed special assessments.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to accept the capital improvement plan as presented.  All ayes.

Skaret explained that Salonek’s quote for the Bittler roof replacement did not included warranty.  A 10-yr warranty cost is $900, 15-yr is $1,325 and 20-yr is $2,650.  Rothmeier believes that if there is going to be an issue, it would be known right away.  The council took no action on the warranty.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to close the session for union negotiations and status of a pending personnel decision at 6:00 PM.  All ayes.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to adjourn the closed session and return to the regular meeting at 7:07 PM.  All ayes.

Muske noted that the council was again in session.  It was noted that Rothmeier will replace Phil Jensen on the personnel committee.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Bisel to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 PM.  All ayes.

Amy A. Vogel, City Clerk

 

The Nov. 18, 2014 council meeting was called to order by Mayor Mark Brown at 5:15 PM.  Those present include Brown, Lowell Helget, Mike Rothmeier, Chett Bisel, City Attorney Paul Muske, City Manager Matt Skaret and City Clerk Amy Vogel.  Absent was Phil Jensen.  Others present include Mike Braun, Barney Borth, Chad Mathiowetz and Brent Kucera all from Braun & Borth Sanitation, Doris Weber, Carolyn Fromm, Barb Jenzen, Doug Cook, Theresa Beckman, Linda Roiger, John Nicholson, Brandon Traxler, Michael Salazar, Eric Gratz, Kaylen Berle, Dotty DeLambert, Jerrine Kettner, and Sharon Trapp.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to adopt the agenda with the following add-ons: payment to community center waiters, nativity pageant storage request, and warming house hours.  All ayes.

During the citizens’ forum, four PT police officers were sworn in:  Gratz, Salazar, Traxler and Berle.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Bisel to approve the consent agenda.  All ayes.

The council considered pay estimate #1 to MR Paving for Wild Ridge Addition improvements.  The owner is completing the final grading and seeding.  The retainage of 5% will be held until this is completed.  Motion by Helget, second by Rothmeier to approve payment to MR Paving for $176,297.48 for Wild Ridge Addition improvements.  All ayes.

Skaret explained that when Salonek’s replaced the library steps they accidentally severed wires that were buried in the concrete.  They are asking the city to pay for this cost since they absorbed the price of the extra depth of concrete that was discovered.  The council asked if Gopher 1 was called to mark buried lines.  Motion by Helget, second by Bisel to table this matter until it is known whether Gopher 1 was called.  All ayes.

It was explained that when bids were opened for the surplus fire vehicles, one of the bids was accounted for on the wrong vehicle.  Gary Augustin’s bid was marked ambulance instead of 1991 Ford.  His bid of $1,000 would have been the high bid.  It is the city’s error.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to rescind that portion of the motion accepting the bid from Chuck Fenger for $525.  All ayes.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to approve selling the 1991 to Augustin for $1,000 if still interested and, if not, then sell it to Fenger for $525.  All ayes.

The council again considered adopting a chicken ordinance after reviewing New Ulm’s ordinance.  Rothmeier received comments today of residents concerned that property values would decline if this was adopted.  Another concern is that if chickens are allowed, then other animals may be expected to be allowed in the future.  Enforcement would be a big issue.  The council memebers were not in favor of the ordinance so no action was taken.

Cook stated that new jumpsuits and jackets were not budgeted for this year but are needed.  He asked if it would be okay to use memorial funds to cover the cost.  Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to approve the purchase and use memorial funds to pay for these.  All ayes.

Braun introduced the new owners of Braun & Borth Sanitation, Chad Mathiowetz and Brent Kucera.  They will be taking over as of Jan.1, 2015.  No changes will be made other than ownership and Braun will be retiring.  All employees are being retained along with the name.  They have requested a new 5-yr contract and a rate adjustment.  Proposed rates are single $10.97 from $10.70 and double $15.99 from $15.60.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Bisel to approve the rate adjustments to $10.97 and $15.99.  All ayes.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to renew the contract from 1-1-15 to 12-31-19.  All ayes.

Nicholson asked the council to grant permission to write a grant for 50/50 fun ding for two in-care computers.  The old ones, from the 1990’s, are so obsolete that they don’t work.  A Toughbook is about $3,800 and a 911 system computer is over $6,000.  Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to approve the grant application.  All ayes.

Nicholson requested approval to have himself and Andy Mathwig attend the 2015 Winter Conference Jan. 12-13, 2015 in Mankato.  The cost is $75 each and they would drive back and forth.  Motion by Helget, second by Bisel to approve the training for both Nicholson and Mathwig.  All ayes.

Skaret explained the proposed 2015 budget changes.  Adding training in the clerk’s dept, the 4th FT police officer, and adjusting wages in the street and parks changes the general fund by about $8,000.  The proposed transfer to the 411 fund could be reduced to cover this increase.  The council will have to decide if they want to include the city’s share of the cost of the airport master plan project for about $19,000.  In non-general funds, Fund 610 will see an increase to contract services for $40,000 for shingling and other operating and maintenance.

Compliance with pay equity was discussed.  Skaret said that barebones compliance means that all female employees will need a 6.1% increase with an estimated cost of about $15,000.  He spoke with the pay equity rep who stressed that the city should consider making structural changes to the city’s salary structure as it has been inconsistent going back to about 1998.  Implementing a step schedule would help with this issue.  

The community center director and the street supt were identified as positions that could be re-classified.  There is no direct match for the community center director.  It was likely the point values were from accounting, marketing and customer service with higher emphasis on marketing and accounting.  Re-classing it weighing equally the informational officer, recreational supervisor and customer service specialist position would put the points at 210.

The street supt is currently at 213 which is accurate except that this position is responsible for supervising a crew of one or more.  This higher point value at 252 seems to be more accurate especially with summer help and the responsibility of the public works functions, parks and airport.

The council agreed to consider the step schedule which would help the city stay in compliance.  They agreed to review this early next year.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to approve the 6.1% increase for all female employees effective with the next pay period and authorize reclassifying the street supt and the community center director.  All ayes.

Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to include $19,000 in the budget for the airport master plan.  All ayes.

The council reviewed the preliminary engineer’s report for the proposed 2015 street project on Van Dusen and 1 block of Gamble.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to adopt Res. #14-111801 receiving the preliminary report and calling for a hearing on Dec. 16, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the community center.  All ayes.

No action was taken on the storm sewer.

Skaret explained proposed changes to the personnel policies including new laws and clarifying and adding policies that are city policies but have not been written down.  Also included were policies dealing with the MN Clean Indoor Air Act, voting leave, wireless communication devices, computers usage, email, internet and social media, steel toed safety shoes and safety attire.  Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to adopt the changes to the personnel policy.  All ayes.

Skaret presented the fee ordinance for its first consideration by the council.  Changes include notaries from $1 to $2, snow removal and grass mowing from $50/hr to $100/hr, and CUP and variance requests from $100 to $150.  The final reading will be conducted at the Dec. council meeting.  

Skaret spoke with someone who recently flew into the airport and indicated an interest in the old pop machine.    It still works and it is recommended to declare this surplus if the council would be interested in selling it.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to declare the pop machine as surplus property and to advertise it for bids.  All ayes.

Skaret presented the council with a sample copy of a city newsletter. It is a reminder of various rules.  The council agreed that it was a good idea.  They may be distributed by publishing in the newspaper.  Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to authorize the city manager to periodically draft city newsletters.  All ayes.

Skaret stated that students have indicated an interest in setting a schedule for the warming house.  It is thought that maybe the street and/or police dept can open/close it on a regular schedule.  Motion by Helget, second by Rothmeier to authorize the city manager to work out a schedule for the warming house.  All ayes.

Muske stated that three community center waiters were not paid by the renters from last January.  They have tried contacting them but they don’t return the phone calls.  Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to approve paying each of the waiters the $50 they are owed and continue to try to collect it.  All ayes.

Skaret stated that the Nativity Pageant crew has requested an extension of storing their items at the airport until July 1, 2015.  The council agreed that the items should be removed as soon as possible.  Federal and state funding could be lost for using the airport for other than airport.

Motion by Bisel, second by Rothmeier to close the meeting to employee termination hearing at 7:02 PM.  All ayes.

 

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to close the hearing and re-open the regular meeting at 7:22 PM.  All ayes.

 

Muske stated that the council can consider taking action after the hearing.  Motion by Helget, second by Rothmeier to authorize the termination of Emily Skarp-Wait as library assistant effective immediately.  All ayes.

Motion by Rothmeier, second by Helget to approve advertising for the library vacancy.  All ayes.

It was noted that the compost has not been spread from the compost site.  Someone is to check into their plan for spreading.It may be necessary for establishing a formal policy for setting the agenda.  

Motion by Bisel, second by Helget to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 PM.  All ayes.

Amy A. Vogel, City Clerk

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