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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-07 May 3, 2007 Page 1 of 5 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Renee Symanietz, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Tracy Ekola Others Present: Approve Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions: Add 11b Interviews for Finance Director Add 11 c Springsted Study for Fire Department The motion was seconded by Rasssier and passed unanimously. Consent Aaenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes: Approve the minutes of April 5 and 19,2007. b. Bills Payable: Approve check numbers 038750-038805. c. Change Order: Approve Change Order #4 for the Centennial park Project increasing the project costs by $1,235.00. d. Application for Payment: Approve Final Pay Application #8 for the 2005 Cloverdale Improvement Project and authorize payment to Larson Excavating Contractors in the amount of $21,964.89. e. Application for Payment: Approve Pay Application #14 for the Water Treatment Facility and authorize payment to John T. Jones in the amount of $111,873.88. f. District 742 - Development Agreement, Final Plat - Authorize execution of the Developers Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and District 742 and authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Final Plat entitled Rivers Bend. The motion was seconded by Wick. Discussion: Wick and Frank noted minor changes to the Minutes of Apri/19. Frank questioned the bill for Craguns in the amount of $32. Weyrens stated that it was a charge in addition to a fee already paid. The motion passed unanimously. Public Comments to the AQenda: Jim Graeve, 619 Minnesota Street E, approached the Councilors to express his concerns relating to the Planning Commission approval of the Collegeville Development Project. He believes strongly in the proposed project; however, he is concerned about the amount of green space. He would like to see the plan approved as presented with the green space shown on their site plans as presented. Sr. Paula Revere, 104 Chapel Lane, also spoke in favor of the Collegeville Development Project. She stated that she has visited other communities of theirs in other cities and is impressed with the beauty and aesthetics of the buildings. Establishment of Development District NO.2 and establishment of TIF District 2-1: Weyrens stated that the purpose of the hearing is to consider the establishment of Development District NO.2 and the adoption of the Development Program for Development District NO.2 and the proposed establishment of TIF District 2-1. She stated that once the development district is approved, property owners within the development district can apply to utilize TIF. The creating of the district does automatically grant approval for the use of TIF, rather, a property owner is allowed to make application for assistance and if the project meets the criteria the plan would be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. May 3, 2007 Page 2 of 5 Jim Degiovanni approached the Councilors on behalf of Collegeville Development Group (CDG). He stated that CDG has been working with the City staff, Council and EDA for the past year preparing the development documents. If final approval is granted at this meeting, ground breaking could occur as early as the 3rd week of May. Based on the TIF Agreement, the first phase of the project must be completed no later than the end of October and the second phase must be completed within two years. Nick Skarich of Northland Securities approached the Council to present the proposed TIF plan and district documents. TIF District. According to Skarich, there are three components of the document. 1. Development Program - Looks at the entire district with vague geographic boundaries. 2. TIF Plan - This is specific to a certain geographic boundary. 3. Exhibits to Plan - Talks about new valuations. Frank questioned Section 4.24 which relates to Assessment Agreements. Skarich explained that the City does not intend to enter into such agreement, rather the developer will be responsible for their assessments and they will pay them annually. At this time Mayor Carlbom opened the public hearing. Jim Degiovanni approached the councilors again. He stated that there had been some discussion as to whether or not this is a project where TIF should be utilized. Degiovannie stated that in his opinion TIF is best used for redevelopment and that is what the Millstream Project is considered. Mike McDonald, 213 13th Avenue SE, questioned the Councilors as to exactly how much money this will cost the taxpayers and what criteria is used to determine whether or not TIF is appropriate. Skarich responded to McDonald by explaining the current tax revenue, proposed revenue after development and the amount that will be recaptured by the developer. Weyrens stated that the City only utilizes pay-as-you TIF, which is no risk to the City. The developer is only paid if the City receives the tax payment. Skarich added that when using TIF, there are specific items, which TIF can be used for. The funds cannot be used for actual building construction costs; rather they can only be used for costs associated with preparing a specific property for development. Carlbom questioned Skarich as to the length of the TIF Agreement. Skarich stated that by Statute redevelopment TIF cannot extend over 26 years. In the case of Collegeville Development Group it will be significantly less than the maximum. Symanietz made a motion to close the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Symanietz made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-018 Establishing Development District No.2 and approving the development program thereof and establishing TIF District No. 2-1 and approving the TIF Plan therefore within Development District No.2. The motion was seconded by Frank. Discussion: Wick clarified that a development agreement will be approved prior to breaking ground. Weyrens responded that the City has received the draft agreement and before a building permit is issued all agreements must be executed and recorded. Frank questioned whether TIF is generally used for housing projects. Skarich replied that it can only be used for housing in a redevelopment district. The motion passed unanimously. Allev Vacation Reauest: Mayor Carlbom opened the public hearing and stated that the purpose of the hearing is to consider the proposed vacation of the North/South Alley between Lots 12 and 13, Block 10, Townsite of St. Joseph. She added that this alley vacation was previously considered; however the process was never completed. The site plan for the Millstream Shops and Lofts has already been approved by the Planning Commission. In order for the project to be completed, this alley must be May 3, 2007 Page 3 of 5 vacated. Weyrens clarified that in vacating an alley the Council must determine that there is no public benefit to the right-of-way. In the case before the Council the right-of-way does not include any utilities and is not a necessary roadway. The City would be better served by the development as there is a great public benefit to the development. Frank questioned whether any private property owners would be affected by the alley vacation. Weyrens stated that no private property owners would be affected. Rassier made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-019 vacating the north/south alley south of the eastlwest alley between Minnesota Street E and Ash Street E. The motion was seconded by Symanietz. The motion passed unanimously. Millstream Shops and Lofts - Preliminarv/Final Plat: Weyrens advised the Council that the Planning Commission has previously recommended approval of the Preliminary and Final Plat entitled Millstream. The proposed plat includes a mixture of Commercial and Residential uses. Weyrens presented a brief overview of the project, which included the following details: Lot configuration - combining 8 lots into one; setbacks; parking; 16 residential units with twelve of them one bedroom and four two bedroom; 10 commercial suites with the following mixed uses: 25% restaurant; 25% office/professional and 50% general commercial. The Planning Commission spent considerable time discussing the parking and how to accommodate the required demand. The recommendation of the Planning Commission included reducing the green space to increase parking. Degiovanni approached the Councilors and stated that they need to decide whether they want the green space or the additional parking. Weyrens also stated that another contingency of the Planning Commission is that the North/South alley be improved. City Staff has recommended that the developer agree to waive the rights to the public improvement hearing in the future for the alley improvement. It seemed reasonable improve the alley when the area is converted to business. Currently the area consists of predominately residential and the improvement of the alley could have a negative impact on one of the residents, as the alley is currently not centered on the right-of-way. The improvement would move the alley east and would include the removal of a number of trees and relocation of a power line. Degiovanni approached the Councilors requesting authority to change the configuration of the residential and commercial units. The Council concurred that changes to the approved PUD must be reducing density otherwise the PUD would have to be amended. Degiovanni stated that they have been receiving more requests for two units therefore they may reduce the number one bedroom units. Rassier made a motion to approve the Preliminary and Final Plats entitled Millstream and authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute a development agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Collegeville Development Group for the development of a mixed use facility. Discussion: Carlbom raised the question to the Councilors as to whether or not they prefer to have the parking or the green space. Rassier stated that since the green space has no use to the City, it would be better to reduce the green space to allow for the additional parking. Wick agreed. Frank, on the other hand, questioned whether parking will be an issue with other people using the available parking. Graeve approached the Councilors stating that he would encourage the Council to increase the green space as a large portion of the facility will be residential. Wick addressed the issue of the alley relocation and questioned whether or not the City can require the improvement. Weyrens stated that if the City improved the alley, the guidelines set forth in Minnesota Statute 429 must be followed. This process includes a public improvement hearing, identifying property benefit and assessing the project. As stated earlier it would be more prudent to complete the alley improvement when the larger portion of the neighborhood converts to commercial. May 3, 2007 Page 4 of 5 Wick made a motion to amend the motion to include the north/south alley into the City Capital Improvement Plan. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. The motion passed unanimously. The motion as amended was passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Water Tower Update: Ekola advised the Council that in 2004, a Water Distribution Study was completed and the study indicated that a second water storage facility should be constructed by 2010. In 2006, an evaluation of the current tower was completed and there were some items that are in need of repair. It would be best to wait to make those repairs until the new tower is constructed. In order to have the process complete by 2010, Ekola advised the Council that they should begin the process in 2007. The first step would be to begin the design process. Rassier made a motion authorizing SEH to begin the design process for the new Water Tower to be constructed at the Maintenance Facility. The motion was seconded by Symanietz. Discussion: There were some questions raised as to the budget impacts of the design portion of the project. Weyrens stated that she can provide the Council with detailed costs of the design estimate and that the fees will be covered through water access charges. Rassier withdrew the motion as the Council would like to have cost figures available to them. Water Treatment Plant Update: Ekola advised the Council that the New Water Treatment Plant has been producing water; however, the interior is not yet complete. She added that the substantial completion date was April 30. The plant was ready for its intended use although the interior was not complete. They plan to have the interior completed by May 15 and the exterior completed by June 30. Weyrens advised the Council that the September meeting for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be held at the new Water Treatment Plant. The Council questioned the status of the watering ban. Weyrens responded that the City of St. Joseph will always have a watering ban which is the odd/even system based on your house number. The City has a watering ban to encourage water conservation. Last year due to the lack of treatment capacity the watering ban was restricted to specific hours, which is not the case for 2007. ] MA VOR REPORTS New School: Carlbom stated that he attended the groundbreaking for the new school. Each class had a representative who was selected to move dirt. Froehlein Fest: Mayor Carlbom stated that the Froehlein Fest will be held on June 15. The purpose of the fest is to celebrate one group or person who has had an impact on the community. This year the HCP has selected to honor the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict for their commitment to the City of St. Joseph. The Sisters of the Order are also celebrating their sesquicentennial. The HCP has been working with several different groups to organize the community picnic. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main building at the College of St. Benedict. COUNCIL REPORTS RASSIER Joint Area Plan nino Committee: Rassier stated that the Joint Planning Board has recently met to consider the request of Gerald Baggenstoss. The Joint Planning Board is a joint body between the City and Township of S1. Joseph which reviews land use matters within the Orderly Annexation Area. May 3, 2007 Page 5 of 5 Cable Channel: Rassier encouraged residents who have family members serving overseas to submit a photo for inclusion on the Cable Access channel. Once he receives the photograph he will forward for inclusion. WICK Park Board: Wick reported that a temporary CO was issued for the Centennial Park Project. He also added that they are working on different options for a shelter at Northland Park as well as adding basketball hoops in Millstream. SYMANIETZ APO: Symanietz stated that she attended the APO meeting at which they discussed the following: . Public Information meeting for the 2030 Transportation Plan. They discussed the possibility of County Road 1 being a 4-lane roadway near the new bridge. . State Transportation Funding Bill . Gas Tax FRANK Rec Committee: Frank stated that the Rec Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 9. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS MeterinQ System - Reauest for Bids: Weyrens stated that there are three different items that need to be approved to request for bids. . Software/Laptop . Meters . Installation She stated that they plan to do half of the City in 2007 and half in 2008. Frank made a motion to authorize the Administrator to request bids for the new metering system. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Finance Director Interviews: As the City Council is the Hiring Committee for Department Heads, Weyrens asked to set a date for interviews. There were 24 applicants which has been narrowed to five. The Council agreed to schedule the interviews for May 8 starting at 5:30 p.m. SorinQsted: The Council has hired Springsted to do a study for the Fire Department similar to that done for City Employees. She advised the Council that they will be meeting to present the results and the Council is welcome to attend. Affordable Housina: Weyrens advised the Council that the Joint Housing Committee has decided to abandon the Joint Powers Agreement as there were some concerns as to how to implement the use of existing homes in the housing stock. Symanietz stated that there is no funding for affordable housing at this time and the new process will allow for more homes to be considered affordable. Adiourn: Symani~tz made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. ..... i( d Y li~~Y';I.I.,'tt/ JUdy\weyrens ' p\d"nistrator