HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 [08] Aug 19August 19, 2009
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a working
session on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor AI Rassier. Councilors Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Bob Loso . Administrator Judy
Weyrens.
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Finance
Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Pete Jansky.
Mayor Rassier opened the meeting and stated the purpose of the meeting is to review the five year
Capital Improvement Plan. Weyrens stated that previously the Council requested the Public Works
Director and City Engineer to provide the top Capital Projects from their perspective. Therefore, the
following list was presented to the Council:
• Street seal coat/Crack fill
• 16th Ave from Mn to Dale St
• Park Terrace feasibility/plans
• CSAH 2 realignment
• Northland Heights/Jasmine Lane connection
• North corridor EIS -GRANTS
• New water tower
• Old tower maintenance/ repair
• Northland Dr from Co 75 to Fir St.
• Field St from 12th Ave SE to 16th Ave SE
The Council discussed the impact to residents if the 16th Avenue project or Park Terrace project were
constructed. The project on 16th would be 100% assessed and the Park Terrace is 60/40. The condition
of the economy makes it difficult to complete projects that include assessment. Sabart and Thene stated
that 16th Avenue is in their opinion, the worst street in the City. To help reduce costs the City could
consider designing a rural road rather than the standard urban section. While Rassier concurred that 16tH
Avenue SE is in dire need of reconstruction he would be concerned if the City deviated from the current
road standards.
The seal coat project is funded through the budget, but the overlay projects for 2009 and 2010 are yet to
be funded. The General Fund budget includes approximately $ 75,000 for seal coating which should be
sufficient. In addition to seal coating, the CIP includes street maintenance. The City completed a street
maintenance plan to help protect the infrastructure of the City. Due to budget constraints the City did not
complete the suggested. projects in 2009 so the 2010 CIP includes the suggested projects for 2009 and
2010.
Northland Heights/Jasmine Lane extension is a project that is development driven. When Northland
Heights was approved, the Development Agreement includes a provision that Jasmine Lane is to be
extended, with the developer absorbing the costs. Since the development a portion of the property where
Jasmine Lane is to be extended has been sold to a private party. City staff has met with the property
owner and they are aware of the extension. The property that has been sold is large enough that at some
point in the future it could be developed. However, before the property can be developed, utilities need to
be extended. Sabart stated that at the time that Jasmine Lane is extended, the City could stub the utility
services and assess the property owner.
The Council spent considerable time discussing the water tower and impact of not constructing the
second tower. On a peak water usage day, the City only has an excess water supply of approximately
40,000 gallons. It is not crucial to build the tower this year, but as the City grows this need will increase.
Sabart and Thene discussed the maintenance needed on the existing tower. The tower is approaching
15 years which is the standard life for the coating used in the tower. While the tower is structurally sound,
maintenance will need to be performed. It was anticipated that the maintenance could be completed after
August 19, 2009
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the construction of the second tower, so that we could take one tower down to complete the needed
maintenance.
The Council questioned the use of the CSB tower so that the City could complete the needed repairs.
Sabart stated that on the highest pumping day the CSB tower would have to fill four times to meet the
water demands of the City and questioned if adequate fire protection would be available. The repairs
would take approximately one month and would need to be completed during months with warm
temperatures to allow for curing.
Frank questioned Field Street and whether or not that should be on the list. Rassier stated that if the
senior apartments are constructed there may be enough demand that a portion of Field Street from CR
121 to 16'h Avenue may need to be constructed. Frank questioned if the study is not completed, if the
City can discuss improvement. Wick concurred and stated that until the study is completed the City
cannot begin construction or complete the feasibility report.
The Council discussed the CR 2 realignment and the costs associated with the trail and lighting. Sabart
reported that the Stearns County Engineer has indicated that it is too late in the design process to include
trail details. However, they are not opposed to adding the trail based on the bid quantities. The Council
acknowledged that sales tax revenue could be used for this project.
Loso stated that he would like to see the City have fiscal responsibility for the local historical society.
Currently the City only provides the Society space. Wick and Rassier stated that the City also provides
for heat and electricity.
The Council discussed priorities, with Mayor Rassier and Councilors Frank and Wick ranking the water
tower as a priority; Mayor Rassier and Councilors Frank and Loso ranked the feasibility reports for the
street improvements as a high priority. Staff was requested to prepare a revised CIP for 2009 illustrating
projects that have funding through the budget and those that need funding.
The Council agreed to continue the 2010 budget process on August 25, 2009 at 6:00 PM.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:55 PM.
J d We ns
d inistrator