Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-06 September 7,2006 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, September 7,2006 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: Brian Shorten, Mary Karlsson, Ed Kacures, Ben & Jen Drewes, Sam Deleo, Matt Symalla, Tom Cruikshank Approve AQenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add 3(e) Variance Request - Requested Action: Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and adopt the Findings of Fact granting a fourteen (14) foot variance on the front yard setback for 307 College Avenue N. Amended Cultural Resource Contract - Requested Action: Authorize the Administrator to execute an amendment to the contract between the City of St. Joseph and MN Cultural Resource to extend the contract period for the Historical review for the Field Street Corridor. The anticipated cost of the extended contract is $1,000. EAW Request - Sam Deleo, Feld/Prom Property Metro Bus Survey Results Add 3(f) Add 5 Add 6 The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent AQenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Approve the minutes of August 17, 2006. b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 037712-037791. c. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment #3 for the 2006 Street Improvements and authorize payment to C & L Excavating in the amount of $250,922.31. d. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment #6 for the Water Treatment Plant and authorize payment to John T. Jones Construction in the amount of $758,454.65. e. Variance Request - Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and adopt the Findings of Fact granting a fourteen (14) foot variance on the front yard setback for 307 College Avenue North. f. Amended Cultural Resource Contract - Authorize the Administrator to execute an amendment to the contract between the City of St. Joseph and MN Cultural Resource to extend the contract period for the Historical review for the Field Street Corridor. The anticipated cost of the extended contract is $ 1,000. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Public Comments to the Aaenda: - No one present wished to speak. EAW Reauest. Feld Property: Weyrens stated that the developer who purchased the Feld Farm is beginning the development process. As part of that process an environmental review must be completed. Based on the size of the development, the developer is requesting authorization to utilize the Environmental Assessment Worksheet process. Weyrens clarified that the City is the regulating unit (RGU) and as such are responsible for the process and documentation. In the past the City has required the developer to prepare the documents, which are then reviewed by the City for comment. Sam Delo, developer representative, stated that the developer is willing to prepare the necessary documents for review. It is anticipated that the process will take approximately 50 to 60 days. September 7,2006 Page 2 of 5 Rassier made a motion to initiate the Environmental Review Process for the Feld Property development as requested. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Metro Bus Survey Results: Carlbom stated that the City Council initiated a survey to determine if the residents of St. Joseph have an interest in Metro Bus Service. The survey included the following questions: In your opinion, how important is having Metro Bus Service available in St. Joseph; Would you or other member of your household consider using Metro Bus service if it were made available in St. Joseph; If you or other member of your household would use Metro Bus service, for what purpose would you use it; Where would you other member of your household like Metro Bus to take you; What time of day would you or other member of your household like to use Metro Bus service; The City Council is considering becoming a member of Metro Bus as a possible way to pay for service which would be collected through taxes. Would you favor a small portion of your property tax dollars going to pay for Metro Bus service? St. Joseph Intern, Mai Yang, approached the Council to present the survey results. Yang stated that the City mailed 1427 surveys with 280 returned. Of those returning the survey, the majority of residents did not favor bus service or utilizing a portion of property taxes to pay for the same. Tom Cruikshank approached the Council representing Metro Bus. He stated that the responses to the survey are very similar to the responses he has seen in the past. If the City wishes to move forward with providing bus service a resolution supporting such would be needed. Carlbom stated that based on the survey results it appears as though the Community is not ready for Metro Bus. Carlbom thanked Tom Cruikshank and his staff for the efforts put forward to assist the Council. Rassier made a motion to not fund Metro Bus service in the 2007 Budget and to review the matter again at some time in the future. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. North Corridor/CSAH 2 Realianment Study Update: Brian Shorten and Mary Karlsson approached the Councilors representing SRF, the firm hired to complete the North Corridor/CSAH 2 Realignment Study. Shorten stated that the Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) included the following people/groups: · Judy Weyrens, City Administrator · Tracy Ekola, City Engineer · Dick Taufen, St. Joseph Public Works Director · Renee Symanietz, St. Joseph City Council · Matt Symalla, St. Joseph Township · Kirby Becker, St. Cloud Area Planning Organization Shorten stated that the corridor study was separated into 3 segments: · CSAH 2 - North Realignment 1-94 to CSAH 75 · CSAH 2 - South Realignment CSAH 75 to Existing CSAH 2 · North Corridor Existing CSAH 2 to Rolling Ridge Road The CAC and Project Management Team (PMT) have completed the process of evaluating alternatives and have developed preferred alternatives. Shorten stated that the Council will be asked at this meeting to designate the preferred route allowing the process to move into the environmental review stage. At this time Shorten turned the floor over to Mary Karlsson. Karlsson presented the Council with a brief summary of the alternatives and recommendations of the CAC. The recommendations are divided into the three segments listed above and are identified by a color code and number. September 7,2006 Page 3 of 5 CSAH2 - South: There are three alternatives for this section of the corridor. Alternative Design Features West Alternative (Blue 4) West Alternative (Blue 3) . Four lane divided road, located west of the Bechtold Farm . Free right hand turn lane at the intersection of CSAH 2 and Minnesota Street . Signaled Intersection . Bike path on one side only . The intersection would be a 900, which is preferred . The affected ro e owner refers this route. . Four lane road, located east of the Bechtold Farm o 3 (a) Roundabout at the intersection of CR 2 and Minnesota Street connecting with Field Street. Would affect Krupa Home. o 3(b) Signal and free right turn lane at the intersection of Minnesota Street West and CR 2. Rieke stated that he feels that these two options are weak, as the City needs to look for possible land available for Industrial Use. Wick questioned whether or not options 3 and 4 impact any property other than the Bechtold Property. Karlsson stated that property owned by Pueringer and Walz would be affected by the proposed alignment. With regard to the concept of constructing a round-about, various comments were received at the public information meeting all of which indicated that a round-about is not desirable. Comments included the following: 1. Roundabouts are challenging for trucks and farm equipment moving through the intersection. 2. Roundabouts are okay, but not with 4 lanes. 3. Roundabouts don't provide breaks in traffic for residents and businesses with driveways along Minnesota Street. Shorten added that overall, all three designs provide access onto CSAH 2 South between 1-94 and Minnesota Street Wand both shift the north end of CSAH 2 South to the west. Upon completion of the technical evaluation, it was noted that there would be less impact on the residents with Blue 4 (West Alternative). That option was the recommended option by SRF, TEP, CAC and the public. He added that the next step is to accept the corridor report with this recommendation and begin the EAW process, which will take about 6 months to complete. Wick questioned whether or not there would be any changes during the EAW process. Shorten stated that there may be some changes during the design process based on comments from different agencies and citizens. He also added that the public hearings would take place during the environmental process. Symanietz made a motion to accept Blue 4 as the preferred alternative for the segment of the North east/west corridor from CSAH 2 to CR 75 as recommended by the CAC. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. CSAH 2 - North: This segment of the corridor will have slower speeds and a separate bike path similar to the southern section of CSAH 2. At this time, it is undetermined whether it will be a 2 or 4-lane roadway. Karlsson stated that CSAH 2 would continue to the North as a County Road. There are two alternatives for CSAH 2 - North (Yellow 1 and 2). One issue identified by the pUblic was whether or not these alternatives could be shifted to the north along the College of St. Benedict's parcel line rather than running through their property. Karlsson also stated that the Gill house would need relocation. Wick questioned where the Wobegon Trail would cross CSAH 2. Karlsson stated that the trail would cross under the roadway. September 7,2006 Page 4 of 5 North Corridor - CR 2 to Rolling Ridge: Karlsson stated that there are two alternatives for the North Corridor (Yellow 1 and 2). She stated that there would be a trail along both sides of the roadway. This 4- lane roadway will serve as a buffer between the residential and industrial areas. According to Karlsson, there will possibly be one residential relocation. She also stated that there would be a signal at the intersection of CR133 and potentially at 20th Avenue. Wick questioned when this corridor would be constructed. Ekola responded that the construction will be dependent upon development and is beyond the five year planning range. As such, the City has not included the corridor in the Capital Improvement Plan. Carlbom questioned how residents feel about the proposed corridor, to which Karlsson stated they are being very understanding. Some concerns include the following: · Imapct of the biodiversity area owned by the College of St. Benedict · Impact on the River According to Shorten, both alternatives are very similar and based on 2030 traffic projections, there will be 15-17,000 vehicles/day utilizing the corridor. As a result, this corridor will need to go through the EIS process. The CAC is recommending approval of North Corridor East (East of CR 133) as presented. He also stated that EIS is not needed for the entire corridor rather an EAW can be done for the North Corridor from CR133 - Rolling Ridge Road. Provided that these alternatives meet all APO, Federal and State standards, the following environmental processes will be utilized: · CSAH-2 South EAW · CSAH-2 North/North Corridor EIS · North Corridor East EAW Symanietz made a motion to approve the yellow alternative as the preferred alternative for the segment of the North east/west corridor from CR 133 to Rolling Ridge Road as recommended by the CAC. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Shorten advised the Council that North corridor project is currently 22% under budget. The original budget included an EAW for the entire corridor and based on the proposed volumes of traffic, additional environmental processes will be required. He advised the Council that in 2008, the City can apply for a grant to help pay for the EIS document and the. official mapping of the corridor. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS 2006 8th Avenue NE Improvements: Ekola advised the Council that bids were received for the 8th Avenue NE Improvements. The apparent low bidder is C & L Excavating in the amount of $145,328.59, which was lower than the engineer estimate. Ekola stated that the recommendation to award the bid would be presented at the Final Assessment Hearing scheduled for September 11, 2006. 2006 Street Improvement Proiect Update: Carlbom questioned Ekola as to the hours of operation for the construction site. She stated that they are from 7am - 7pm; however they generally arrive early to get their equipment ready. Weyrens added that they did start early a few days to ensure that they would have the streets near Kennedy completed prior to school starting. MAYOR REPORTS Area Cities Meeting: Carlbom stated that St. Joseph hosted the Area Cities Meeting. They discussed items such as: · Bioscience Initiative · Human Rights Task Force · School District Bond Referendum - The response to this has been very positive. Plannina Commission Resianation: Carlbom advised the Council that he accepted the resignation of Gary Utsch from the Planning Commission. He stated that the City plans to fill that vacancy in October. September 7,2006 Page 5 of 5 COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ Budaet: Symanietz stated that the City is currently working on the 2007 Budget. WICK Park Grants: Wick advised the Council that the City did not receive the DNR Grant for the Northland Park Improvements. He was told that only 2 of 60 applications were approved and both of them were acquisitions. Wick added that they would re-apply next year. The City was also notified that funding would not be received through a grant program from Excel for the Centennial Park renovations. RASSIER Plannina Commission: Rassier stated the Planning Commission has been working on Ordinance Amendments and should be ready to submit proposed Ordinances to the Council sometime in October. RIEKE - No Report ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Final Assessment Hearinas: Weyrens stated that the City would need to schedule the Final Assessment Hearings for the 2006 Street Improvement Project and Northland Heights Improvements. Weyrens recommended the Council set the hearing for October 11, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph Fire Hall. Rassier made a motion to adopt resolutions 2006-24 and 2006-25 scheduling the Final Assessment Hearings for the 2006 Street Improvement Project and the Northland Heights Project for October 11, 2006 as recommended. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Union Neaotiations: Weyrens advised the Council that the negotiating committee has been meeting with the representatives from AFSCME and they hope to have a report very soon. She also stated that LELS has submitted their request to negotiate. Symanietz and Rassier stated that they would stay on the negotiating committee for the LELS Contract. Preliminary Budqet: Carlbom requested the Council delay action on the 2007 Budget to September 11, 2006 to allow additional time for review. The Council agreed to meet at 6:30 PM on September 11, 2006 to finalize the 2006 Preliminary Budget. Adiourn: Symanietz made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. ~/(~yJl)()J1d/!f4~ ,rGd~ Weyfens / Administrator