St. Joseph meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

St. Joseph boards weigh 2027 budget, new rural zoning, and beautification grants

St. Joseph city boards and commissions met over the past week to review the 2027 budget, a proposed new rural residential zoning district, and several grant and improvement programs. No final decisions were made — all meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

City Council work session: 2027 budget and RR-1.5 zoning

The City Council held a work session on Aug. 17 to discuss the 2027 capital equipment plan and operating budget, and to review a draft ordinance creating a new RR-1.5 Rural Residential zoning district. The capital equipment plan includes a snow hauler, a plow truck, a police squad replacement, and phase II of Verkada cameras.

The draft ordinance (2026-006) would allow 1.5-acre residential lots in specific areas, with a minimum lot size of 65,340 square feet and a maximum of 9.9 acres. Rezoning would be limited to areas on an attached Exhibit A and would require findings on infrastructure, edge conditions, and public interest. Density would be capped at 40 single-family lots per subdivision, including all phases. A septic suitability and hydrogeologic study would be required at preliminary plat.

City Council regular meeting: fire relief, street improvements

Also on Aug. 17, the City Council met to consider a supplemental agreement for the 2026 street and utility improvements, a request to increase fire relief benefits, and ordering a report for 2027 street improvements. The agenda also included a premises permit application for the ROCORI Community Booster Club.

CVB: 2027 budget with reserve drawdown

The Convention and Visitors Bureau met Aug. 10 to finalize its 2027 budget proposal, which shows expenditures of $14,805 against projected revenues of $13,950. The difference would be covered by reserve funds. The board also discussed using reserves for a proposed I-94 billboard and a new promotional video for the CEC Conference. It will keep printed ads in MN Trails Magazine, Think Tourism USA, and Newcomer Service Magazine, and plans a targeted marketing campaign for CSB/SJU students, faculty, and staff. The board also reviewed July 31 financial reports showing a fund balance of $40,422.

Planning Commission: solar garden rules

The Planning Commission met Aug. 10 for an informational discussion on whether solar gardens should be allowed as conditional uses or interim uses under current ordinances. No action was requested. The commission also approved minutes from its July 13 meeting and took public comment.

EDA: beautification pilot and public art policy

The Economic Development Authority met Aug. 18 to discuss a draft Neighborhood Beautification Pilot Grant Program. The program would use $2,000 in leftover façade funds to support exterior improvements for one owner-occupied and one rental home, with a maximum grant of $1,000 per property and a 50/50 match. The board also received an informational update on a draft Public Art Policy and an update on the upcoming Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference (Sept. 16–18). The consent agenda included the July financial report and minutes.

Coming up

The Park Board meets today, Aug. 24, to consider accepting the July treasurer's report and recommending a draft 2027 budget. The board will also discuss near-term recreation amenity upgrades and a longer-term vision for the Old Kennedy School park area, following resident input. An update from the Arbor Task Force and liaison reports from the Recreation Director and City Council are also on the agenda.

St. Joseph boards set agendas for budget, zoning, and beautification

No decisions have been published from the St. Joseph City Council, Convention and Visitors Bureau, or Planning Commission meetings held Aug. 3 and Aug. 10; minutes are not yet available. The most consequential item on upcoming agendas is a City Council work session Aug. 17 to discuss the 2027 capital equipment plan and operating budget, along with a draft ordinance creating a new rural residential zoning district.

City Council (Aug. 3)

The agenda included a special assessment hearing for 2026 street and utility improvements, a street closure request from Bruno Press, and firefighter hires. No action has been reported because minutes have not been published.

Convention and Visitors Bureau (Aug. 10)

The board discussed its 2027 budget proposal, which shows $13,950 in projected revenues against $14,805 in expenditures, with reserve funds covering the overage. The July 31, 2026 financial reports show a fund balance of $40,422. Also discussed were a proposed I-94 billboard funded partly from reserves, keeping printed ads in MN Trails Magazine, Think Tourism USA, and Newcomer Service Magazine, a new promotional video for the CEC Conference, and a targeted marketing campaign for CSB/SJU students, faculty, and staff. No decisions have been published.

Planning Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission held an informational discussion on solar garden ordinance regulations, specifically whether to allow them as conditional uses or interim uses. No action was requested. The meeting also included public comment, approval of July 13 minutes, and staff updates.

City Council work session (Aug. 17)

The council will discuss the 2027 capital equipment plan, which includes a snow hauler, plow truck, police squad replacement, and Verkada cameras phase II, along with the operating budget. They will also review draft ordinance 2026-006, which would create an RR-1.5 Rural Residential district with a minimum lot size of 1.5 acres (65,340 sq ft) and a maximum of 9.9 acres. Rezoning would be limited to areas on Exhibit A and would require findings on infrastructure, edge condition, and public interest. Density would be capped at 40 single-family lots per subdivision, including all phases. A septic suitability and hydrogeologic study would be required at preliminary plat.

City Council regular meeting (Aug. 17)

The council will consider a supplemental agreement for 2026 street and utility improvements, a request to increase fire relief benefits, and ordering a report for 2027 street improvements. Also on the agenda is a premises permit application for the ROCORI Community Booster Club. Public comments are limited to items not on the agenda.

EDA (Aug. 18)

The Economic Development Authority will discuss a draft Neighborhood Beautification Pilot Grant Program, which would use $2,000 in leftover façade funds to support exterior improvements for one owner-occupied and one rental home, with a maximum of $1,000 per property and a 50/50 match. The board will also receive an informational update on a draft Public Art Policy and an update on the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference scheduled for Sept. 16-18. The consent agenda includes the July financial report and minutes.

Coming up

• City Council work session and regular meeting: Aug. 17
• EDA meeting: Aug. 18

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's official website.

St. Joseph roundup: Special assessment hearing set for today; recent council, EDA, and Park Board agendas still awaiting minutes

City Council faces special assessment hearing today

The St. Joseph City Council is scheduled to hold a special assessment hearing today, Aug. 3, regarding 2026 street and utility improvements. Also on the agenda: a street closure request from Bruno Press and firefighter hires. No outcome is available yet; the meeting is upcoming.

July 20 council meeting — agenda only, no minutes published

The City Council's July 20 agenda listed several items, but minutes have not been published, so no decisions can be reported. Scheduled items included:

• A proposed Rural Residential 1.5-acre zoning ordinance.
• A police department memorandum of understanding with the College of Saint Benedict and St. John's.
• A Summit Commons conditional use permit extension.
• A quote from Z Systems for a cable system.
• A public hearing on delinquent accounts to be assessed.
• Routine consent agenda items: minutes, bills payable, and donations.

A separate council work session the same day was set to review the 2027 Capital Improvement Plan and 2027 street improvements, discuss council salaries (Mayor $650/month, Councilmember $435/month), review the agenda generation process, and review city priorities listed as: Industrial Park, Housing, Community Center, Police/Fire Building, and Boutique Hotel. Again, no minutes are available, so no actions can be confirmed.

July 21 EDA — hotel, housing pilots, tourism contract on agenda

The Economic Development Authority's July 21 agenda included discussion of a boutique hotel project, a 2027 budget focused on housing and beautification, and a Tourism Coordinator contract for $14,400. Specific budget items listed were a Housing Beautification Pilot Program and an Infill Housing Pilot Program. The agenda also included an update on the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference. Minutes are not yet published, so no votes or approvals can be reported.

July 27 Park Board — River's Bend Park plans discussed

The Park Board's July 27 agenda included discussion of art installations, trail plans, and other amenities for River's Bend Park, plus a review of summer programming. The agenda listed a June treasurer's report showing an undesignated Park fund balance of $248,002 and $2,500 set aside for nature finding signs at River's Bend Park. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **City Council — today, Aug. 3:** Special assessment hearing for 2026 street and utility improvements, plus a street closure request from Bruno Press and firefighter hires.

No other upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 20, July 21, and July 27 meetings should watch for published minutes, which were not available as of this roundup.

St. Joseph Park Board discusses playground replacement; Council to consider waste contract, bond reallocation

No decisions were finalized at the June 22 Park Board meeting, but the board discussed a $299,000 playground replacement contract and several park improvement projects. The City Council will take up a refuse contract extension and bond reallocation at its July 6 meeting.

Park Board discusses Klinefelter playground, capital plans

The Park Board met June 22 and reviewed a contract with PlayPower LT Farmington, Inc. for Klinefelter Park playground equipment, valued at $299,250.91. The board also discussed transferring $50,000 from the debt relief fund to the park board fund to help cover the cost.

Other items on the agenda included a five-year capital improvement plan that covers a Millstream concession stand, a shade structure at Northland Park, and a shelter at the dog park. The board discussed setting aside $2,500 for nature signs at River’s Bend Park and field upgrades at Memorial Park, including a pitcher’s mound and batting cage, to be funded by rentals from the St. Joseph Joes. The board also reviewed summer programming, Emerald Ash Borer management, and new public spaces at the Old Kennedy school and River’s Bend Park.

Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published.

City Council to consider Republic Services contract, bond reallocation

The City Council will meet July 6 at 7 p.m. and consider extending the city’s refuse and recycling contract with Republic Services through 2031. The current contract runs through 2027; the proposed extension would lock in rates for an additional four years.

Council members will also discuss reallocating proceeds from the 2022A Community Center bonds. A public hearing has been called for delinquent account assessments, though no date was specified in the agenda.

The council will vote on street closures for the Millstream Arts Festival and the Joe Boys Poker Run, and consider temporary liquor licenses for Bad Habit Brewing and Iron Street Distillery.

Coming up

• **City Council** – Monday, July 6, 7 p.m. at St. Joseph City Hall. The agenda includes the Republic Services contract extension, Community Center bond reallocation discussion, street closures, and liquor license requests. Residents can attend in person or check the city website for remote access details.