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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-08August 21, 2008 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, August 21, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Alan Rassier, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Rick Schultz and Steve Frank, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, City Engineer Randy Sabart Others Present: Ryan Pekarek, Bob & Ellen Wahlstrom Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Approval of the Agenda: Symanietr made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes/additions/deletions: Delete 5 Representative Larry Hosch, Legislative Update Add 9d Front End Loader -Equipment Request Add 9e Extension of Land Use Deadline The motion was seconded by Schultr and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes -Approve the minutes of June 19 and July 17, 2008. b. Bills Payable -Approve check numbers 040633-040660 and EFT numbers 000199-000203. c. Application for Payment -Authorize the Mayor to execute Pay Application #7 for the 2007 Jade Road Improvements and authorize payment to R.L. Larson Excavating in the amount of $13, 038.75. d. Treasurers Report -Accept the July 2008 Treasurers Report including the donations for disc golf, camping and in kind fire hall painting. e. Donation -Accept the donation of Stearns County MADD to fund the purchase of a video camera for the GMC SUV valued at $ 5,822.36 f. Interim Use Permit -Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and issue an Interim Use Permit to Keith Eisenschenk, 1306 Iris Lane to operate an owner occupied rental with a maximum density of two tenants. g. Interim Use Permit -Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and issue an Interim Use Permit to Ryan Pekarek, 114 -1St Avenue SE to operate an owner occupied rental with a maximum density of two tenants. h. Interim Use Permit -Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and issue an Interim Use Permit to Katherine Hultquist, 510 Fir Street East to operate an owner occupied rental with a maximum density of two tenants. The motion was seconded by Symanietr. Discussion: nth respect to the Bills Payable (b), Schultz questioned the charges from K & L Lawncare. Weyrens advised Schultz that K & L is hired by the City to cut private lawns that have received weed notices. The motion passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Saban stated that he had no report; however Schultz questioned the following: 1. Laminated Beam at WTP: He questioned the status of the independent inspection that was to be completed. Sabart advised the Council that they have requested that the company they August 21, 2008 Page2of5 recommend submit a proposal to the City prior to performing any inspections. The City should be receiving that soon. 2. Jasmine Lane: Schultz questioned the construction of Jasmine Lane. According to Weyrens, they have been working with the developer on this issue. Frank arrived at 7:05 PM. MAYOR REPORTS - No Report COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ Park Board: Symanietz stated that the Park Board recently met and they are continuing to work on the Master Park Plan. The Park Board has requested that the City look at cleaning up the holding ponds within the City. Sabart advised the Council that he has been working with the Public Works Director on a maintenance schedule for the ponds as there are some ponds that can be burned and others that may need re-seeding. Great River Regional Library: According to Symanietz, the grand opening for the new library is scheduled for September 20, 2008. WICK Millstream Arts Festival: Wick advised the Council that the Millstream Arts Festival will take place on the last Sunday in September. This year, they plan to have 30 artists and 11 food vendors. He added that they expect somewhere around 4,000 people to be in attendance. Planning Commission: Wick stated that the Planning Commission will meet on August 27 to continue their discussion of the City's Comprehensive Plan. They will be reviewing the Chapter relating to Housing. St. Cloud Economic Development Partnersh~: Wick reported that the SCEDP will be hosting the annual golf outing on September 11. They will be taking some of the investors, builders; etc on a tour and the new Kennedy School will be included in the tour. 2AM bar closing: Wick stated that he has been receiving requests again relating to the 2AM bar closing. According to Wick, the City may want to consider holding a public hearing to get public input regarding the request. Rassier stated that, he too, has been receiving requests relating to such change; however, he was waiting for a formal request before bringing it to the Council for review. In the past, staff has recommended that a public hearing be held, although not required, to allow for everyone to voice their opinions. Weyrens stated that to allow for the 2AM bar closing, there would be a minor changed needed to the Ordinance. Schultz suggested that this be discussed at a Council Work Session prior to holding a public hearing. Symanietz stated that she would like to see a public hearing held to hear from both those in favor and those against the proposed change. Weyrens suggested that if a public hearing were to be held, it would be best to put the information in the next newsletter and hold the meeting in October. Rassier and Schultz suggested that this item be added to the list of items for discussion at the next work session. SCHULTZ - No Report FRANK Minutes: With respect to the minutes of July 17 relating to the Gateway Commons Developer and Field Street, Frank stated that he reported that the Developer needs access from County Road 2 and the access is Field Street. The Developer does not care where the access is located so long as he can August 21, 2008 Page 3 of 5 develop the property. Frank stated that this report does not mean that he supports Field Street, in fact he is not in favor of any of the proposed alternatives for Field Street. Immigration Ceremonv: Frank reported that he attended the Immigration Ceremony for Rassier. He felt that the ceremony was very moving and stated that there were 100 people there from 60 different countries. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Space Needs Studv: Weyrens stated that, previously, the Council considered a proposal from SEH to conduct a space needs study to help determine the needs for future City space. At that time, there were some questions relating to what was included. Based on the input from the last meeting, a revised proposal has been submitted listing options of services the Council could consider. Weyrens stated that since the last Council meeting she has had an opportunity to meet with an architect who performed an analysis of all District 742 facilities including Kennedy School. The analysis included a detail review of the physical space and condition of each facility. Weyrens stated that she has contacted a representative from District 742 to see if the City could secure a copy of the study. Frank asked for clarification of whether or not the funds that have been received from the % cent sales tax have been moved from the fund designated for a community center and put in another fund. Weyrens stated that all funds received from the sales tax are placed in a special revenue fund and can only be used for uses allowed through the Legislation. Rassier questioned the Council as to whether or not they want to spend the estimated $5,000 to conduct such a study. Wick questioned where these funds would come from to which Weyrens stated that there are funds available in the Capital Improvement Fund for Facility Planning. Schultz stated that he feels the scope of the study should be separated into the following: • Space needs study which would include looking at what the City owns, what is operated from each facility as well as a needs assessment for current staff. Weyrens stated that City staff can provide that information. • Inspection of Kennedy School and whether or not it fits the needs of the City. Sabart stated that the information that Schultz is requesting would require a more critical analysis than what was proposed. He advised the Council that they could provide the City with a more detailed analysis if it were requested. Schultz stated that he believes it is wrong to focus solely on Kennedy as there may be other options. Rassier questioned whether Kennedy is the ideal space. Frank stated that he would like to see staff envision different growth scenarios when looking at the future growth of the City. Wick questioned the timeline for SEH to complete such a study to which Sabart stated the process can begin immediately and dependent upon availability of staff and resources the study could be completed in a short period of time. Schultz stated that the driving factor for doing this study is to look at a community center. Weyrens suggested that the Sales Tax Committee help define what a community center means to the residents of St. Joseph. Schultz stated that the Council should provide them with direction as to what they see as a community center. Frank agreed that the City needs to come up with a common definition for such. Sabart stated that they have done this type of study for various other cities. Wick suggested that the City Council and Sales Tax Committee hold a town hall meeting to see exactly what the City wants in a community center. Sabart questioned whether the following five bullets capture what the City is looking for: • Provide an Architect's review of the building including cursory inspections of the roof and shell for weather tightness, and of the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. This review will not be in-depth, but it will identify items that we observe that might be of concern. • Analyze the building for Building Code concerns in the area of Life Safety and Accessibility. August 21, 2008 Page 4 of 5 • Interview staff to determine the current and future programs for the City regarding its use for the building. How much space do those functions require? • Determine that the building has spaces that are suitable for those programs. • Provide other communities experiences at using excess spaces to generate income. Schultz stated that in his opinion the first two items are secondary to the determination of need. Wick stated that he would like to see the Community Center definition move forward and be included in part of the needs assessment. . Wick made a motion to accept the proposal of SEH for a space needs study with the addition of a community center to be combined with item 4 and to direct the Sales Tax Committee to conduct public input sessions on the definition of a community center. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Televising of budget meetings: Previously, it was requested that the Council consider televising the budget meetings/workshops. Weyrens questioned whether the Council is in favor of such. Wick stated that if they are to be televised, they must keep on track. Rassier added that they need to be run in the same manner as a regular council meeting. Schultz stated that the Council would need an agenda to follow. Frank stated that he is in favor of televising the meetings. He also stated that the regular meetings need to be held on the 151 and 3`d Thursdays as scheduled. Rassier stated that it is rare that meetings are changed. Schultz made a motion to begin televising the budget meetings beginning on August 26, 2008. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. Terms of Office: Weyrens stated that she has previously been asked what matters can be placed on the ballot for election and how the City could change the term length of the Mayor. She stated that the Council can change the length of term for the mayor by changing the Ordinance. It cannot affect the current mayor and the change must take place a minimum of four weeks prior to the closing date for the filing of affidavits of candidacy. The term of office could not be changed for the upcoming election. As to what matters the Council can defer to the voters through election, the Council is limited to items that have statutory authority. The League of Minnesota Cities is working on finalizing a table illustrating which matters can be placed on a ballot along with the Statute reference. Front End Loader - Equipment Request: Weyrens stated that the Public Works Director is recommending that the current loader be equipped with a wing and plow for snow removal purposes. Rassier questioned whether or not the grader will be up for sale to which Weyrens stated that after this year, it will be sold. Symanietz made a motion to approve the purchase of the wing and plow for the existing loader as requested by the Public Works Director. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Extension of Land-Use Deadline: Weyrens stated that S & H has submitted a final plat, PUD Amendment and Special Use Permit application for Graceview Estates 2. The application has been submitted to construct multiple family dwellings. Minnesota Statute requires municipalities to act on land use matters within 60 days of submitting a completed application. Municipalities have the option of extending the timeline an additional 60 days if additional information is requested. If action is not taken and the time line is not extended the application is considered complete. The S & H application was considered complete on July 29, 2008 and the public hearing was conducted on August 4, 2008. At the public hearing the Planning Commission requested additional information relating to landscaping, elevations and access and requested the Council extend the land use deadline an additional 60 days. At this time the City Council should consider the request and notify the property owner that the deadline has been extended and the reasons for extension. August 21, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Wick made a motion to extend the Land-Use Deadline for the S & H Land Use Application an additional 60 days to provided the Planning Commission with the additional information listed above. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Symanietz made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. r~~ udy eyren`s nistrator