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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-06 August 17, 2006 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, August 17, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Tracy Ekola Others Present: S. Paula Revier, Roger Beuning, Randy Torborg, Linda Hutchinson, Maritime Woida, Nancy Hynes, Irene Reber, Jeff Taufen, Katherine Kraft, Jason Novak, Ellen & Bob Wahlstrom Approve Aqenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: Delete 3(i) Development Agreement - Graceview Estates 4 - The developer has requested this matter be delayed until further notice. If the improvements cannot be completed this year, the developer does not intend to final plat the property. The Developer's Agreement requires the plat be recorded within 30 days of execution. Add 3(i) Police Grant - Requested Action: Authorize execution of a Public Safety Grant between the City of St. Joseph and the MN Department of Public Safety in the amount of $300 to conduct alcohol compliance checks. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Consent Aqenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Approve minutes of August 3, 2006. b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 037659-037711. c. Police Purchase - Authorize the Police Department to purchase a second bicycle with the necessary equipment with money from the extra equipment fund. d. Gambling - Accept the off-site gambling application for the St. Joseph Lions to conduct a raffle at the St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 _1st Avenue NW, on September 9, 2006. e. Election Judges - Appoint election judges as presented for the September and November elections. f. Surplus Property - Declare 30 pagers, 12 portable radios and 2 mobile radios as surplus property, allowing the same to be disposed of through public sale. g. Seal Coating - Authorize the expenditure of up to $3,000 to seal coat the parking lot at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. h. Medical Director - Appoint Dr. Mark Halstrom as the Medical Director for the St. Joseph Volunteer Fire Department. i. Police Grant - Authorize execution of the grant accepting funding in the amount of $300 to conduct compliance checks. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Comments to the Aqenda: - No one present wished to speak. St. Joseph Fire Relief Association Report: Annually, the Council must accept the St. Joseph Fire Relief Association Report. The Fire Relief is the pension program for the Fire Department. Jeff Taufen, treasurer, was present to represent the Relief Association. Taufen presented the Council with the audited Relief Association Report, which indicates that the liability for the 2007 calendar year is $ 7,300. Weyrens clarified that of the $ 7,300 the City is responsible for approximately 45%, with St. Joseph Township and St. Wendel Township paying the remaining balance. August17,2006 Page 2 of 4 Rieke made a motion to accept the 2007 St. Joseph Fire Relief Association Report acknowledging that the liability for the year 2007 is $ 7,300. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Transportation Plan Update: Kate Minier, SEH, approached the Councilors to give a brief presentation on the progress of the 2006 Transportation Plan. She began the discussion by reviewing the adopted completion schedule. Based on the proposed schedule, the Council should receive a draft report of the transportation plan somewhere between October and December with the final report being completed by February. Originally, this project was to be complete within 9 months, however, it may extend to February depending on the status of the other transportation studies. Carlbom questioned if there would be less public input if the process were expedited. According to Minier, public input would not change; however the amount of review time would lessen. She also stated that there is up to date information available on the City's website to include the results of the 1st public input meeting. Based on that first meeting, the most important community issues are controlled growth and transportation. Miner added that they are reviewing three major roadways and that they are planning for community collectors. The three roadways being reviewed include Principal Arterials, Minor Arterials and Collectors. Principal Arterials provide for less access points, but more mobility; whereas, Collectors provide for more access points, but less mobility. At the last Stakeholder meeting, they were asked to break into three different groups and draw on a blank map where transportation planning is needed. As a result, SEH has created a proposed Transportation Map for Council Review. Minier stated that these are preliminary and will change after further review and Council comments. The Council is asked to review the maps and provide feedback prior to the next Stakeholder meeting. The three big areas discussed include the intersection of 121 and 20th Avenue near Jade Road, the NE portion of the City near CR 133 and the West side of the City with access to CR 75. Minier added that the Southwest Beltway was left out of the mix. She also stated that 20th Avenue might change from a collector road to an arterial roadway. Carlbom questioned whether or not there were any representatives present from either the Monastery or the College, to which Weyrens stated there was not as they did not apply. Minier stated that it was interesting to look at the maps created by each group as Field Street was shown running through the Monastery property on each map. Everyone recognizes that there is a need for a road in that area and from a transportation perspective, that area would be the ideal place for the road. The next components to be considered are: · Trails to include points of destination such as parks, etc. · Traffic forecasting · Full build-out to include the whole growth area. St. Joseph Action Group: Linda Hutchinson, 133 - 5th Avenue SE, approached the Councilors to represent the St. Joseph Action Group. She presented them with the fifth and final petition in opposition to the proposed Field Street Corridor. Final Plat - Crescent Hills: Jason Novak was present representing MN Land Development Group. Weyrens stated that the Annexation request and Development Agreement have been prepared for the final plat entitled Crescent Hills. The Developer has not submitted the required easement but has indicated that the property owner is willing to sign the document and will have executed agreement early next week. Within the Development Agreement, two outstanding items remain: 1. Drain Tile - Braun Intertec is currently looking at the site to determine if additional drain tile is needed. According to Ekola, the reason for this it to limit the amount of saturated soil near basement walls. August17,2006 Page 3 of4 2. Site Grading - The entire site must be graded with the first phase. Originally, there was no phasing; however the Final Plat showed the plat being constructed in phases. If the entire site is not graded, the streets in phase one will be used to haul an excessive amount of material causing additional wear and tear on the roads. Rassier made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the resolution accepting the annexation of the area to be known as Crescent Hills. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Rassier stated that he is concerned that the easement has not yet been executed and would prefer to table the Development Agreement until all the documents have been executed. Weyrens stated that the City would not sign the Developer Agreement until the signed easement is received. Wick questioned the number of phases for the development. Ekola stated that it appears that there will be 2 phases and they will be completed by 2008. Carlbom questioned why the developer does not want to grade the entire site. Novak stated that they have not yet reviewed that item. Ekola advised Novak and the Council that the grading is required as it if is not, they would be hauling fill through the first phase during the construction of phase 2. She also added that it is required to allow for street connections. Rassier made a motion to table execution of the Developer Agreement until August 23, 2006 at 5:00 PM to ensure that the easement is signed and received by the City. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Minnesota Vehicle Sales Tax Referendum: Ekola advised the Council that on November 7,2006, voters will be asked to vote on an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, which would dedicate all motor vehicle sales tax to transportation issues. Previously, there were some years in which none of this money was dedicated towards transportation. The proposed amendment would dedicate at least 40% to public transit and not more than 60% to highway projects. Carlbom stated that there are many state agencies in support of the amendment; however, there seems to be some concern with the language stating that at least 40% to public transit and not more than 60% to highway projects. The Coalition of Greater MN Cities is in support of the amendment; however, they feel that the wording should be the opposite with at least 60% to highway projects and not more than 40% to public transit. Wick stated that the APO is also in support of the amendment, but unsure about the wording. Carlbom added that the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax amendment is not the only answer to the problems with transportation funding. The biggest problem is that the funding that is available is not enough to meet the State's transportation needs. Ekola added that past funding for transportation has been spent more on highway purposes rather than public transit. Wick made a motion to execute Resolution 2006-21 with the deletion of the word stronnlv supporting passage of the proposed amendment. The motion was seconded by Rassier. Ayes: Rassier, Rieke, Symanietz Nays: Carlbom Motion Carried 4:1:0 MAYOR REPORTS School Bond Referendum: Carlbom stated that he met with the Neighbors for School Excellence regarding the proposed K-8 school in St. Joseph. This will be the first time St. Joseph will have a public Junior High School. This item is on the ballot for September 12, 2006 primary. If the School Bond Referendum is passed on September 12, 2006, they can begin construction and have the facility open for classes in 2008. Carlbom stated that he encourages community support of the referendum. He stated that there would be a School Board meeting on August 24, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the St. Cloud City Hall Council Chambers. The School District will give a brief presentation and the City Council is welcome to attend. August 17, 2006 Page 4 of 4 Fire Board Meetina: Carlbom stated that he attended the Fire Board meeting at which they discussed the Relief Report and the Budget for 2007. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ CSAH 2/North Corridor Committee: Symanietz stated that the Committee met and they are working on narrowing down their options. St. Joseph Chamber: Symanietz reported that she attended the St. Joseph Chamber meeting at which a representative from the St. Cloud Meth Coalition spoke. WICK - No Report RASSI ER Northland Heiahts: Rassier advised the Council that he was surprised how quick the Northland Heights project is coming along and how nice it looks. RIEKE Meetinas: Rieke stated that he attended the following meetings: · Downtown Committee - Promotions Group: Information is available on the website. · EDA Meeting · Budget Meeting: Follow-up meeting scheduled for August 30, 2006. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Assessment Hearina: Weyrens advised the Council that due to the bid opening on August 28, 2006 and the City is required to provide the assessment information to the residents two weeks prior to the hearing the Assessment hearing will be postponed until September 11, 2006 at 7:00 PM. 2006 Street Improvement Proiect: Symanietz stated that residents have been questioning her to why there is a bump on Baker Street near the construction site. Ekola stated that a temporary utility line is located during the relocation and lining of utility lines. Wick questioned whether or not construction on 151 Avenue SE would be completed before school begins for the 2006-2007 school year. Ekola assured him that it would be completed prior to that. Adiourn: Symanieu'!'ade a motion to adjourn; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. "..-,-~/ / /,/1 V /;/ )0.' /' !L-L/ / . ~ \_..<.... f / ..Uv..- .,~,/;',.,.. 4.ud Weyr~ns Administrator J //