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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-07 February 15, 2007 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Tracy Ekola, Public Works Director Dick Taufen Others Present: Quentin Donabauer, Catherine Brown, Gary Donabauer, Randy Broda, Phil Welter, Bob Wahlstrom Approve Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following deletion: 3b Bills Payable - Moved to March 1 st The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Consent Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Approve the minutes of February 1, 2007. b. Bills Payable - DELETED c. Waiver of Conflict - Authorize the Administrator to execute the waiver of conflict, acknowledging a conflict of interest with regard to the school development. d. Special Use Permit - Accept the contingent recommendation of the Planning Commission granting a Special Use Permit to allow the construction of a K-8 school in an R-1 Zoning District. e. Change Order - Approve Change Order #8 for the Water Treatment Plant resulting in an increase of $1,745.00. The motion was seconded by Frank. Discussion: Rassier requested that page 8 of the minutes be amended clarifying his position on the market study. Rassier stated that he voted in the negative not on the need for a market study, rather the removal of the Industrial component of the study. Public Comments to the Aaenda: No one present wished to speak. 2007 Jade Road Improvements - Continuation Hearina: Carlbom advised the Council and the public, that due to a publishing error, the Public Hearing for the 2007 Jade Road Improvements will be continued. At this time he welcomed comments from those present. Cathy Brown, Attorney for Donabauer and Broda, approached the Council to provide written objections to the assessments from the property owners. She stated that she has had a chance to review the tape from the last meeting relating to the proposed improvement project. Brown questioned when the assessment hearing will be set. She was advised that the City has done it both when bids are accepted as well as when the project is complete. Ekola stated that the Council has not yet decided on a date for the assessment hearing. The written objection states that both property owners are objecting to the proposed assessments as they relate to the turn lanes at Iverson Street. The objection also questions the City authority to assess the residents and the authority to assess turn lanes. ct the project. Wick made a motion to close the Public Hearing for the 2007 Jade Road Improvements. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Wick made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-003 Accepting the Feasibility Report and Ordering the Improvements. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. February 15, 2007 Page 2 of 4 Wick questioned the next step. Ekola advised him that they plan to advertise for bids in April with the bids being due in Mayas well as construction to begin in May. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS 2007 East Side Mill and Overlav Improvements: Previously, the Council authorized SEH to prepare the Feasibility Report for the proposed 2007 East Side Mill and Overlay Improvements. Ekola presented the Council with the Feasibility Report for the project. According to Ekola, the schedule is as follows: February Feasibility Report to be presented to the Council March Open Houses to discuss the project designs March 1 4-6 PM March 5 2-4 PM Public Improvement Hearing Bid Opening Assessment Hearing Project work being done April May July/August Ekola stated that rather than holding individual meetings with the residents, there will be two open houses set up for residents to come and ask questions and see the actual design of the project. The project is broken into two project areas: 1. Able Street E from 8tll Avenue SE to 10th Avenue SE as well as 8th Avenue SE between Able Street E and Baker Street E. (Portions of Cloverdale 2nd Addition) 2. Callaway Street E near 9th Avenue SE to 1ih Avenue SE, Dale Street from the cul-de-sac to 1ih Avenue SE, 9th Avenue SE from Baker Street E to Dale Street E, 10th Avenue SE from Callaway Street E to Klinefelter Park and 11th Avenue SE from Callaway Street E to Dale Street E. (Portions of Cloverdale 4, 5, 6th Additions) Wick questioned the portions of both Callaway Street E and Dale Street E between ih Avenue SE and 8th Avenue SE as the City recently replaced those streets. Ekola stated that the Cloverdale Project ended where this project will begin in those areas. She added that these streets will now match up with the previous project. Ekola stated that the portion of 8th Avenue and Able Street E was constructed in 1968. An overlay was planned in 1998; however it was not completed. Based on the high degree of cracking, Ekola stated that it is recommended that this area be reclaimed and new pavement be laid. The portions of 9th, 10th, 11th Avenues SE, Callaway Street E and Dale Street E were constructed in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Ekola stated that although there is a lot of cracking on these streets as well, the structure appears to be sound, so it is recommended that an overlay project be completed for these areas. Carlbom questioned how long the reclaim and overlay projects will extend the life of the street. According to Ekola, a reclaim can extend the life an additional 15-20 years and an overlay can extend the life about 10-12 years. She added that when the City did the seal coating project last year, they did look at these streets; however they were in need of more work than seal coating alone. There is also a small portion of the entrance to Klinefelter Park that was included in the project. Weyrens suggested that Wick discuss possible Park Improvements with the Park Board as well. Rassier stated that the portion of 10th Avenue SE which serves as the entrance to Klinefelter Park should not be assessed to those adjacent property owners as he believes that it is part of the park system. According to Ekola, this is not a park entrance rather it is designated as a Ci~ Street and to not charge assessments to those property owners on the corner of Dale Street and 10 Avenue SE would require a policy change. Carlbom questioned whether those property owners benefit from their location and whether or not their property is worth more. Frank questioned whether the park or the houses were there first. Weyrens advised the Council that the park was there first and development was planned around the park. Weyrens stated that there is a lot in Graceview that has a holding pond on their property that they own, but they cannot use. February 15, 2007 Page 3 of 4 That lot has a huge front footage due to the holding pond. She questioned how that would be any different than the two corner parcels being charged for that portion of 10th Avenue SE that serves as an entrance to Klinefelter Park. She stated that staff will look into this issue. Frank stated that, in his opinion, this should only pertain to park areas. Wick questioned why there is a holding pond on private property. Ekola explained that they have an easement and the holding pond is on that easement. Since then, the City has a policy that all holding ponds be located on City property. Wick questioned the parking lot near Northland Park and if that would be a different situation. Ekola explained that the Northland Park parking lot is located on an easement; whereas, 10th Avenue SE is a platted street. Ekola advised the Council that the estimated cost is based on last years construction prices taking inflation into consideration. She added that they will have a better idea of the actual costs once the bids are received. Rassier stated that the estimated cost should be updated to include the cost of paving the parking lot. Based on the estimates, the assessment rates are as follows: Overlay $21.7 4/Linear Ft. Reclaim $45.05/Linear Ft. The proposed assessment is based on the City policy whereby the property owners will be assessed at 60% and the City will be responsible for the other 40%. According to Ekola, she anticipates that this will be a competitive construction season and hopefully the bid prices will be lower than the stated estimates. Carlbom then questioned the Cloverdale Townhouse area and why they are being assessed as they paid for the overlay along 9th Avenue SE that was done in 1998. Ekola stated that only the corner lots are being assessed as they were not fully assessed in 1998. The assessment for those lots is in accordance with the City policy whereby corner parcels are assessed at 100% of the short side and 50% of the long side. When questioned how cul-de-sacs are assessed, Ekola stated that the assessment is based on the front footage at the setback line. Frank made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-006 Receiving the Report and Ordering the Hearing on Improvement to be held on March 7 at 7:00 PM at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Weyrens advised the Council that the length of the bond has not yet been determined. Therefore, when questioned by residents as to the terms of payment, it will either be 10 or 15 years. More information will be available after the financing alternatives have been reviewed. Wick questioned whether or not the improvements to Klinefelter Park need to be brought back to the Council after the Park Board has made a decision. Weyrens stated that at this time the project can continue to move forward while the Park Board is considering additional improvements. The final decision must be brought back to the Council and the project scope must be determined before the Council orders the design and specifications. MA VOR REPORTS AFSCME - Sprinqsted Implementation: Carlbom reported that the Personnel Committee met with AFSCME to discuss the implementation of the Springsted Study. Springsted was hired to review current and future staffing needs for the City. While the Council does not have the full implementation for this Council meeting, Carlbom requested the Council review the staffing needs of the Maintenance Department at this meeting. The study recommended the Council add the following two positions: · Maintenance Supervisor- This position will be posted and all union members will have the opportunity to apply. · Utility Plant Operator- Currently, this position did not exist; however Mike Sworski has been working out of class doing the duties of the new position. It is proposed that Sworski's title be reclassified from Maintenance Employee to Utility Plant Operator and that he be compensated $1500 in back-pay for working out of class. February 15, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Rassier made a motion to approve the addition of the two new positions entitled Maintenance Supervisor and Utility Plant Operator and to reclassify Mike Sworski from Maintenance Worker to Utility Plant Operating, compensating him $ 1,500 for working out of class. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Council Workshop: Carlbom stated that the Council met with City Staff in an all day workshop to discuss the progress in 2006 and the plans for 2007. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ St. Cloud Area Leadership Meetinq: Symanietz reported that she attended the St. Cloud Area Leadership meeting at which she spoke as a future leader of the community. Joint Council/Planninq Commission Meetinq: Symanietz stated that she attended a joint meeting with the Council and Planning Commission on February 12, 2007. WICK - No Report RASSIER Winter Warm-Up: Rassier mentioned that he attended the Chamber's Winter Warm-Up on February 2 at which Ken Hiemenz was presented with the Kelly Award. Rassier congratulated Hiemenz on the receiving the Kelly award, as it was well deserved. FRANK - No Report ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Field Street: Weyrens reported that she received another proposed layout for the proposed Field Street. The new layout shows Field Street south of where it had been presented in the past. Wick questioned where the proposed layout came from. Weyrens stated that Doug Weiszhaar of WSB met with the FHA and the Cultural Resources Unit of MN Dot to discuss the status of the project. During the discussion they suggesting other possible alternatives. At the same time they acknowledged that they have not laid any of the suggestions out to determine feasibility but recommended further consideration. The alternative illustrated is a result of this meeting. Carlbom stated that this should be researched further as it was presented by MN Dot and the FHA. Weyrens suggested that this be presented to the TAC Committee as they worked on the other alternatives that were presented to the Council. She questioned whether the Council would like to see the costs associated with presenting this to the TAC. Frank stated that he would like to see some advantages of this new route. Wick questioned why they chose to move the proposed road to that location to which Weyrens stated that there is less development and they can possibly use current roads. Weyrens reminded the Council that this is a proposed layout, but has not yet been laid out on paper. She raised the question as to whether or not the Council would like this alternative evaluated. Weyrens agreed to gather additional information as to the origin of the layout as well as the current status. Adiourn: Symanietz made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM; seconded by Wick. Ayes: Carlbom, Symanietz, Wick, Frank Nays: Rassier .~ :\[(((7 I' JU9Y J'eyrens Ad~strator . yc-i(;;?v/