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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-07 July 19, 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, July 19, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor AI Rassier, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Steve Schultz City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett Others Present: Katherine Kraft, Thomasette Schueller, Mariteime Woida, Jeff Taufen Approve Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions: 10c. TIF Documents - Collegeville Development Group 10d. Alley Vacation Clarification The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Consent Aqenda: Frank made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Approve the minutes of July 5,2007. b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 039047-039119. c. Credit Card Policy - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Credit Card Policy. d. Gambling Site Permit - Accept the Application of the St. Joseph Lions to conduct off-site gambling at the St. Joseph Meat Market. e. 2008 Budget - Adopt the proposed budget schedule. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Comments to the Aqenda: No one present wished to speak. Fire Relief Report: Taufen approached the Council on behalf of the Fire Department Relief Association to present the annual Relief Report. The Relief Association is a separate entity which is responsible for the Firefighter retirement benefits. The Relief Association is currently comprised of 29 members. Taufen stated that the report also provides the City with any Municipal contribution for 2008. Based on the health of the fund, there is no City contribution required for 2008. Weyrens stated that in the past when a Municipal Contribution was not required, the City contributed $ 100 per firefighter to the fund, with a maximum contribution of $ 3,000. Wick made a motion to authorize the Administrator to execute the Fire Relief Report indicating that the Fire Relief has presented the report to the City Council identifying the liability for 2008. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Treasurers Report: Finance Director Lori Bartlett approached the Council to present the Treasurers report. Bartlett stated that the balances included on the Treasurers Report are as of July 16, 2007. As of this report the City has received the first half property taxes but has yet to receive the Local Government Aid. Frank questioned the remaining debt balance for both the City Hall and the Fire Hall. Weyrens stated that she does not have the exact figures but the City Hall is approximately $ 700,000 and the Fire Hall is approximately $ 300,000. Wick questioned the balance in the Sales Tax Fund and how those funds will be managed. Weyrens stated that the balance presented represents approximately the first quarter of sales tax receipts. It is anticipated that the Council will establish a Sales Tax Committee later in 2008. The Committee will be broad based and will discuss and recommend uses for the funds. July 19, 2007 Page 2 of 4 Frank questioned the revenue for the leasing of the Water Tower Antenna. Bartlett stated that cities generally rent space on their water towers to utilities for antenna space. Frank questioned whether or not there will be additional space for antennas on the new water tower. Rassier stated that there is a great need for antenna space. According to Sabart, the new tank design does include accommodations for antennas. Frank questioned whether Bartlett has noticed anything unusual since she has taken the position of Finance Director. Bartlett stated that the City has done a good job monitoring fees, but there is a need for more checks and balances. She stated that she sees herself as another step for internal controls for the City. Frank made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS East Side Improvements: Sabart reported that the East Side Mill and Overlay Improvement is meeting the contract deadlines. The contractor is currently working on the utilities for the Park area and will then start filing the crack in the street before putting down the final layer of bituminous. The parking lot in Klinefelter Park will be paved after the pipe work is completed, followed by grading and curb and gutter. Discoloration of the Water: Councilors questioned Sabart on the recent water complaints. Sabart stated that the majority of complaints of discolored water have been from the Clinton Village or Park Terrace Addition. Both of these additions have old pipes where mineral deposits have accumulated. As the water is chlorinated and the flow from the water system is reversed, some of the mineral releases causing discolored water. Frank questioned that as the utilities lines are some of the older lines in the City, at what point are they replaced. Sabart responded that utility lines have a typical life of 50 years and are generally replaced when the street is reconstructed. As part of the long range planning the City will include the replacement when the street is scheduled for improvement. Northland Drive Sianal Liaht: Sabart reported that the Signal light at the corner of Northland Drive and CR 75 will be constructed in Fall of 2007. Stearns County has advertised for bids and they will be opened on Friday, August 6,2007. Weyrens stated that based on Stearns County policy, the City is responsible for the costs for the portions that are constructed on City Streets. Therefore, the City is responsible for 50 percent of the cost, the construction as it relates to Northland Drive and 4th Avenue NE. In addition to the construction cost of the signal, the City is also responsible for 50% of the interconnect study for the lights between 20th Avenue and 2nd Avenue NW. Based on estimates, the City portion is anticipated at approximately $174,128; however, that does not include power to the signal. The City would be responsible for supplying power. Weyrens stated that before the lights can be constructed, the City is required to enter into an agreement with Stearns County outlining the responsibility of each party. Frank made a motion to execute the Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Stearns County agreeing to the cost split for the signal light at the corner of Northland Drive and CR75. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. MAYOR REPORTS APO Executive Board: Rassier stated that he attended the APO Executive Board meeting at which they discussed the 2030 Transportation Plan. Mavoral Appointments: Rassier stated that due to the resignation of Carlbom, the appointments needed to be reviewed and modified. Rassier stated that the biggest changes included the removal of himself from the Planning Commission and adding Dale Wick as the Planning Commission Liaison. Schultz will then replace Wick on the Park Board and will also work with the Recreation Association. Frank made a motion to amend the Mayoral Appointments as presented by Rassier. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. July 19, 2007 Page 3 of 4 COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ LMC Annual Conference: Symanietz reported that she attended the annual conference and she was appointed to the Annual Planning Committee as well as being appointed to the executive committee for Women in City Government. Symanietz requested the Council authorize the payment of per diem when she attends the monthly meetings. Frank stated it is an honor to be a part of such a group and it is important to support Councilor Symanietz. Weyrens stated that some cities to pay per diems for involvement in such groups. Rassier stated that he supports the per diem for the LMC Planning Committee but questioned the public purpose of the Women in Government. Wick requested that Symanietz provide a report to the Council on a monthly basis as to the activities of both organizations. The Council can then re-evaluate the membership at the beginning of the year. Frank made a motion to approve payment of the per diem for Symanietz when attending the monthly meeting for the LMC Annual Planning Committee and the Women in City Government. The motion was seconded by Wick. Ayes: Symanietz, Frank, Wick, Schultz Nays: Rassier Motion Carried 4:1:0 WICK Aauatic Center Meetina: Wick stated that he attended the first meeting for the St. Cloud (Regional) aquatic center. He stated that the purpose of the first meeting was to discuss needs/concerns/issues associated with an aquatic center. St. Cloud is looking to partner with other communities and are looking for alternative locations. It is anticipated that the actual construction will not take place for approximately 3-6 years. SCHULTZ - No Report FRANK Animal Control: Frank stated that he has received complaints from residents regarding animals, and he understands that this is common concern in all Cities. He would like for Administration to look into a possible animal control officer or explore the possibility of working with other cities for animal control issues. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Parkina Lot Improvements: Weyrens advised the Council that the City Staff has discussed the need to repair the City Hall Parking Lot. After reviewing the condition of the parking lot looked it was determined that it was not a candidate for seal coating rather reconstruction. Sabart presented the Council with an estimate from Hardrives to removal and install new bituminous at a cost of $23,880.15. Sabart stated that he reviewed the estimate and it appears to be fair and reasonable. Wick questioned when the repairs would be completed to which Sabart was unsure. Rassier questioned whether it would be possible to ask the Credit Union to absorb some of the costs due to the fact that they rent parking spaces from the City, to which Weyrens stated she would review the agreement. Weyrens presented the Council with two alternatives for funding the improvement: 1) Transfer from the Enterprise Fund; or 2) Change Order to the 2007 Street Improvement Project. Wick made a motion to accept the quote of Hardrives Inc. in the amount of $ 23,880.15 for the reconstruction of the City Hall parking areas. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. July 19, 2007 Page 4 of 4 CDG - Tax Increment Financinq AQreement: Weyrens stated that the COuncil has previously approved the execution of a TIF Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Collegeville Development Group. Since that time, two changes have been made to the agreement: 1) identification of the minimum wage for job creation; 2) assignment of the payment to the First State Bank of St. Joseph. Weyrens further state that both of these amendments are typically included in TIF Agreements. Wick made a motion to authorize execution of the amended TIF Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Collegeville Development Group. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Allev Vacation - Clarification: Weyrens reported that during the recording of the alley vacation for Collegeville Development Group, the Stearns County Recorder has noticed a deficiency and requested that the legal description be clarified as follows: That part of the north/south alley lying between Minnesota Street East and Ash Street East and abutting the following properties: On the West: Lot 11 Block 10 & Lot 12; Townsite of St. Joseph; 84-53882 On the East: Lot 13 Block 10 and the west 20' of Lot 14; Townsite of St. Joseph; 84-53883 Symanietz made a motion to authorize clarification of the legal for the north/south alley. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. St. Joseph Newsletter: Weyrens presented the Council with a copy of the first St. Joseph Newsletter. The Newsletter will be distributed bi-monthly with the utility bills. Power Line: Wick advised the Council that there is discussion about a high voltage power line which will extend from Fargo to Monticello. St. Joseph may be involved due to the fact that there will be a substation in St. Cloud. Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. >,,- ~/d,/ I(l~yii>tt/ Judy Yveyrens ( Ad~istrator