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Home My WebLink About1998 [06] Jul 05Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in joint session with the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority on June 5, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Citv Council Members Present: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Councilors Bob Loso (arriving at 3:10 p.m.), Cory Ehlert (arriving at 3:20 p.m.) ,Ken Twit, Mary Niedenfuer. St. Joseph Economic Development Authority Members Present: Chair Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Board Members Ken Twit, Mike Deutz, Bruce Gohman, Ross Rieke. Citv Representatives Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendort, EDA Director Chad Carlson, Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Mitch Anderson, Ellen Wahlstrom, Vem Boos, Mary Ann Graeve, Ron Molus Realignment of CR 133 - Prouosed Alignment: Mayor Hiemenz stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the projected development of the Industrial Park and the realignment of CR 133. At this time Carlson discussed the proposed re-alignment of County Road 133 and stated that construction is anticipated to begin in Spring, 1999. The majority of design work has been completed. Vern Boos stated that he is representing himself as wel{ as Tom Herzog and Mark Levandowski. Boos stated they all own property adjacent to CR 133 and it is their opinion that the realignment will have a negative impact on their property. He feels that the realignment will create a safety hazard as it wilt be difficult to exit their properties. Boos questioned whether CR 133 could be realigned to Joseph Street reaching County Road 75 at Ridgewood Drive (existing signal lights). Boos, as well as his neighbors, feel that using Joseph Street as CR 133 would provide benefit to more taxpayers and provide the City with a developable Industrial Park. Boos stated that it is his opinion that only one property owner will be benefited by the realignment and encouraged the City to reconsider the project. Boos also questioned if the speed limit could be reduced after CR 133 is realigned. Mitch Anderson stated that the City nor the County has the authority to change speed limit designations. If safety is the major concern other attematives such as frontage roads or combined driveways can be researched. Anderson further clarified that if a road is classified "public", construction of such may be included in a project that is federally funded. Therefore, a service road could be included in the financing. Loso questioned if County Road 75 will become like Division Street in St. Cloud with frequent signal lights. Anderson responded that signal lights are cost prohibitive and a need must be determined before installation thereof. Further, the speed limit would need to be reduced to have frequent lights on County Road 75 and the County has no desire to reduce the speed limit on County Road 75. In an attempt to resolve concerns expressed by Mr. Boos, Anderson suggested that the adjacent property owners contact Doug Weiszhaar to discuss their concerns. Realignment of CR 133 - Appraisal Services: Carlson discussed the quote of Mike Amo, St. Cloud Appraisal for negotiation of the Right-of--way (ROW) acquisition necessary for the realignment of County Road 133.. It will be the City responsibility to negotiate the ROW with Leo Buettner, Ron Molus and the College of St. Benedict. Carslon stated that Amo cannot begin the appraisal work for approximately 90 days but the paper work needs to begin so as not to delay the project. The County will negotiate the ROW with Tamarack and St. Cloud Acoustics, billing the City after completion. Those present discussed the extension of 12`h Avenue NE and the need to replace the ingress/egress currently used by Scherer Trucking. When County Road 133 is realigned, the ingress/egress used by Scherer Trucking will need to be closed. The Council discussed the need to move traffic from the Pond View Ridge Development to County Road 75 and agreed that 12th Avenue SE is an important link. Niedenfuer also discussed the possibility of using a portion of the ROW of 12"' Avenue SE as a bike path since 12th Avenue SE will no longer connect to Jade Road. The original plans projected 12`t' Avenue SE June 5, 7998 Page 1 of 3 to be an arterial road, requiring the City to secure a 100' ROW. Since that time the County Transportation Plan has changed and the road will not be a major road. However, the 100 foot ROW needs to stay in place as part of 12th Avenue SE has already been constructed. Hence, Niedenfuer indicated a good use of this ROW would be for a bike path. Ehlert made a motion to accept the appraisal quote of Mike Amo, St. Cloud Appraisal, for services to appraise the following properties: Ron Molus, College of St. Benedict, Leo Buettner. The fee for such services will be $ 3,000.00 with work commencing within 90 days of notification of acceptance. The motion was seconded by Twit and passed unanimously by those present. Carlson stated that he would notify Amo of the acceptance of his quote and request that he begin the process. Industrial Park -Development Alternatives: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented aftematives for developing the St. Joseph Business Park. Bettendorf discussed the following two alternative for development. Proposal One -Highway 8~ Utilities to CR 133 • Water -Extend to 12th Avenue SE and under CR 75 to property owned by Buettner • Sewer -Extend from Elm Street East to County Road 133 • Street -Extend Elm Street East to County Road 133. Sanitary Sewer $134,000 2,280' $ 59.00/ft Water Main 130,000 1,510 86.00/ft Street (City Share) 96,000 4,700 20.OOfft Storm Sewer (City) 55,000 1,000 50.00/ft Holding Pond (City) 35,000 Acquisition ROW (City) 75,000 7~TII L CASTS 525, 000 Proposal Two -Street 8 Utilities to Koenig • Water -Extend from East MN Street under CR 75 to Elm Street East to service the property owned by Koenig. • Sewer -Extend down Joseph Street Sanitary Sewer $154,000 2,695 $ 57.00/ft Water Main 163,000 3,055 54.00/ft Street 46,000 400 115.00/ft Acquisition ROW (City) _ 75,000 TnTA[ CO-JTS 438,000 Bettendorf stated it is his opinion the City should build the utilities at the same time the County is realigning CR 133, thus saving the cost of street restoration. Further, for development purposes, proposal one creates muniapa{ly serviced lots which could be developed. Whereas proposal two (2) has utilities built upon demand. In the opinion of Bettendorf the decision for the Council and EDA Board is not how much is to be invested, but when it will be invested and how the investment can provide maximum benefrt to the City. June 5, 1998 Page 2 of 3 The Council discussed the possible extension of Elm Street and the cost of development to the City. Graeve questioned the process for development and how it would affect the City Engineer. Bettendort responded that once the project is designed it will be bid competitively as required by State Statutes. Carlson discussed Tax Increment Financing and how if administered properly it could pay for a large portion of the improvements to the Business Park. Carlson further stated that he has been working with Steams Cooperative Electric on a loan application which can be used as a revolving loan fund and described the funding as follows: The funding is called a USDA RUS Loan . The loan would be in the amount of $ 400,000. If the application is accepted and approved, the money is funneled into the Stearns Electric Cooperative revolving loan fund. The City then receives the funds through Stearns Electric at 0% for a term to be negotiated. The application is competitive and must receive approval from Washington. These funds are only accessible if the community has security for the loan. In our situation, a company must be secured and revenue earmarked for loan repayment. In our case TIF dollars can be used for loan repayment. If the City wishes to pursue the RUS Loan, the application needs to completed by the end of June with fund being available in August. Carlson also discussed the funding alternative of bonding and special assessments. Twit made a motion to proceed with the development of the St. Joseph Business Park as outlined in Proposal One and to make application for the Rural Development Revolving Loan Fund. This motion also includes the following contingencies: a) the development is approved provided the funding is secured; b) an agreement is reached with the property owner for sale of property; c) an agreement is reached with the property owner regarding the protective covenants which shall extend for a period of 40 years. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Miscellaneous & Announcement: Hiemenz reported that he received a notice of a one day seminar on Ground Water Protection to be held on June 16 at Madison. Twit made a motion to authorize the attendance of one City Official based on the information that the only costs to the City would be per diem and mileage. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 4:55 p.m.; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously by those present. k~~E/~S Jud~Weyrens Deputy Clerk June 5, 1998 Page 3 of 3