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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-06 September 21, 2006 Page 1 of 1 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom. Councilors AI Rassier, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick. City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Reoresentatives Present: City Attorney Tom Jovanovich, Jim Strommen, Jim Marthaler Meadowvale/CR 121 Pendina Litiaation: Councilor Symanietz made a motion to close the meeting at 6:00 PM to discuss pending litigation and litigation strategy concerning the CR 121 Improvement Project. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. The meeting)Vas opened at 6:59 and adjourned by consensus. ~~/ /J, ;/) .//}/.) ........ /,' '1(DV,::~,.t~b't7 !Ju Weyrens ! Ad inistrator , .-/ September 21,2006 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, September 21, 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, Police Chief Pete Jansky Others Present: Tom Moore Approve Aaenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: Delete 3(a) Minutes - Approve the minutes of September 7 and 11, 2006 Move 3(f) Interim Use Permit - move to agenda for discussion purposes after public comments. Switch 5 & 6 Ordinance Amendment - Industrial Zoning Special Use Permit, Crystal Heller Add 10(a) Special Meetings The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent Aaenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Deleted b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 037793-037835. c. Grass Repair - Authorize the repair of the dead grass at the Water Tower, Memorial Park and E. Baker Street Lift Station at an estimated cost of $4,050.00. d. Highway Agreement - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute a Highway Maintenance Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and Stearns County for the 2006 Water Main Improvement. e. Alarm Panel Replacement - Approve the replacement of the alarm panel at the Main Lift Station at an estimated cost of $3,315.00. f. Interim Use Permit - Moved for discussion after public comments to the agenda. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Comments to the Aaenda: - No one present wished to speak. Interim Use Permit - 209 E Minnesota Street: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on September 5, 2006 to consider the re-issuance of an Interim Use Permit for John & Kathryn Kalkman at 209 E Minnesota Street. A number of residents spoke in opposition to the re- issuance of the permit as they stated it is their opinion that more than three persons are residing at the residence. Wick stated that there were several valid concerns from the neighboring residents such as how the City can determine the actual number of residents in the house and how the City can keep better tabs on rentals in general. According to Weyrens, the biggest complaint was the number of residents in the house and she stated that she would review this with the City Attorney to see what recourse the City has if it is suspected that a property is in violation. Carlbom added that possibly the ordinance needs to be amended to add ways on how the Ordinance could be enforced. According to Rassier and Rieke, the Ordinance seems to be working well for the most part. Symanietz made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and grant an Interim Use Permit to Kathryn and John Kalkman, 209 E Minnesota Street as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Ordinance Amendment - Industrial Zonina: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on September 5, 2006 to consider an amendment to the Industrial Zoning District. The amendment adds a provision whereby Indoor Recreation is listed as a Special Use Business. September 21,2006 Page 2 of4 Wick made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and amend the Industrial Zoning District adding Indoor Recreation as a use with a Special Use Permit. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Special Use Permit - Crystal Heller: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing on September 5, 2006 to consider a Special Use Permit to allow an Indoor Recreational use in the Industrial Park. Cyrstal Heller presented the Planning Commission with a proposal to operate a business with interactive inflatable devices. Due to the size of the inflatable devices, a twenty foot ceiling height is required. This type of ceiling height is only found in Industrial Parks. The Planning Commission concurred that the proposed use was compatible with the adjoining property as the target age for the business is 4 - 12. If the age group targeted was 16 or older concern with traffic would be an issue. The Planning Commission requested that the Special Use Permit be reviewed after one year to make sure conflicts with adjoining properties do not exist. There were some questions raised by the Councilors relating to the number of adults present at the facility and how they will keep the target age between 4 and 12. Weyrens stated that based on the type of devices presented to the Planning Commission they would not be attractive to older children. There was also some concern as to whether any food or beverages would be served at the facility to which they were told that there would be vending machines and pizza may be catered in. Wick made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and grant a Special Use Permit to Crystal Heller to operate an Indoor Recreational Facility in the Industrial Park. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Bioscience Initiative: Tom Moore approached the Council representing the St. Cloud Area Partnership. He stated that he recently attended the Area Cities meeting along with Jean Goddard, Bio-Science Specialist, to discuss a Bio-Science Initiative for the St. Cloud Area. He stated that previously, Governor Pawlenty tried to establish Bioscience zones in the Twin Cites area. The efforts of the Governor excluded the St. Cloud Area. Based on the workforce in the St. Cloud area as well as the education and land costs, the St. Cloud Area may be a good place to establish a Bio-Science District. The St. Cloud Area Partnership along with the area Chambers of Commerce, local colleges and local businesses have formed a new coalition (Science Initiate of Central Minnesota - SICM) to lobby for the same Bioscience initiatives as the Metropolitan area. During the previous Legislative Session, a bill was passed to allow other areas to apply for Bio-Science Zone Status. Moore suggested to the area cities that they submit a regional grant application that would allow Bioscience zones in each municipality. Since then, the Cities were asked to identity acreage within the City for this type of zoning. Moore added that the acreage could be moved once development occurs. Rieke stated that the EDA has reviewed the request and established approximately 300 acres that could be designated for Bioscience Initiatives. Rassier questioned Moore as to the status of the application as it is due on October 15, 2006. Moore replied that the area Administrators are coordinating the application and are working with the St. Cloud HRA to complete the application on or before October 15, 2006. Rassier made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-028 Authorizing the Joint Application for the Formation of a Bioscience Zone. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. MA VOR REPORTS School Bond Referendum: Mayor Carlbom advised the Council that the School Bond Referendum passed by 71 % in St. Joseph and strong support from the area cities. The School Board will be moving forward on the new school in St. Joseph and they would like one member from the Council to be on the Committee. September 21, 2006 Page 3 of 4 Downtown Orqanizational Committee: Carlbom informed the Council that the Organizational Committee met and are working at ways to increase awareness and communication regarding the downtown revitalization project. Centennial Park Proiect: Carlbom announced that he attended the ground breaking ceremony at Centennial Park for the restroom updates. Farmers' Market Fall Harvest Festival: Carlbom reported that he attended the Fall Harvest Festival and that there was a big turnout. APO Executive Meetina: Carlbom stated that he attended the APO Executive Board meeting. He advised the Council that Bill Hanson will be retiring and they discussed a possible reorganization, which would include promotion from within. They discussed salary issues related to promoting Scott Mareck from Planner to Executive Director/Planner. Sprinqsted: Mayor Carlbom reported that the City recently received the reports of a study that was done relating to the reorganization of city staff. He stated that they would be moving slowing with implementation of the results. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ Sprinasted: Symanietz also attended the meeting where the Springsted organization study was presented. St. Joseph Chamber: Symanietz reported that she attended the St. Joseph Chamber meeting and stated that Mai Yang, St. Joseph Intern, gave a brief presentation on the business retention/expansion program sponsored by the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority. WICK Downtown Urban Desian Committee: Wick reported that the Urban Design Committee met and they have taken the first steps to determine what the downtown should look like. This committee will meet the 3rd Thursday of each month. Wick also added that the promotions group would meet next week. RASSIER Planninq Commission: Rassier advised the Council that the Planning Commission has been working on some Ordinance amendments and they will be coming to the Council very soon. The Planning Commission will be requesting the Council consider hiring a professional to assist with the Environmentally Friendly Ordinance. RIEKE Meetinqs: Rieke stated that he attended the following meetings: · Downtown Committee - Organizational Group · St. Cloud Economic Development Partnership · EDA - Minutes are available. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Election: Weyrens thanked all of the election judges for their hard work during the Primary Election. She also thanked City Staff for work before and during the election. September 21,2006 Page 4 of 4 School District: Weyrens reported that she would be meeting with the School Board to discuss Jade Road and the construction schedule for next year. Special Meetinqs: The following meetings were scheduled/discussed: · NIMS Training - Must be completed prior to September 29th. · October 18,2006 at 4:00 pm Meeting with EDA & Planning Commission followed by joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss Ordinances. · Labor Negotiations Committee The purpose is to meet with one representative from each union to discuss the Springsted Study. Carlbom and Rassier requested to be on the committee. · November 9, 2006 at 7:30 am To ratify the election results. This must be done within 5 days of the General Election. · October 24,2006 at 6:00 pm Transportation Plan Open House · October 18,2006 at 6:00 pm Field Street Open House, Historical Study · October 11, 2006 at 7:00 pm The Final Assessment Hearing for 2006 Street Improvement Project and Northland Heights Project will be held at the Fire Hall. · September 27,2006 at 6:00 pm Capital Improvement Meeting POLICE CHIEF REPORTS Gustin Fundraiser: Jansky reported that Jean Gustin, former St. Joseph Police Officer, was recently diagnosed with Cancer. He stated that she was with the City for 16 years. A fundraiser will be held in Sandstone on September 29, 2006 in her name to assist with financial matters. Safetv Fair: The safety fair is scheduled for October 13th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Police Chief's Association Conference: Jansky advised the Council that he would be attending the International Police Chiefs Conference in Boston from October 13-19, 2006. The MN Police Chiefs Association is paying the conference fees and expenses. Fall Conference: Jansky stated that he attended the Chief's Fall Conference in Breezy Point. They discussed items such as hiring and retention of employees and budgeting. Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. /---\ ,--('r{fy )t!ic~)t!ptl , Judy Weyrens ~~ministrator