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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [02] Feb 04February 4, 2010 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, February 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Al Rassier, Councilors Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene and Police Chief Pete Jansky Others Present: Thomasette Scheeler, Margy Hughes, Hedy Tripp PUBLIC COMMENTS Hedy Tripp, St. Cloud, approached the Council on behalf of Create CommUNITY, regarding a regional human rights commission. She thanked them for their willingness to discuss the issue and stated that Create CommUNITY would like to encourage the St. Joseph City Council to support the initiative to create a regional human rights office. Tripp stated that Create CommUNITY is a group of leaders from Central Minnesota whose mission is to dismantle racism through systemic change. She discussed the things that they have been done over the past few years and asked the Council to consider participating in the initiative as proposed by the City of St. Cloud. Rassier advised her that this issue was not on the agenda for discussion, rather an update. Approval of the Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of the Regional Human Rights Commission. The motion was seconded by Frank. Discussion: Weyrens stated that the City has been approached by the City of St. Cloud to reconsider the proposal to partner to create a regional human rights office. The City of St. Cloud will be applying for funding through the St. Cloud CDBG for the creation of a human rights office and inquired whether St. Joseph and Waite Park would be interested in revisiting the partnership. When the idea was initially discussed by the area Cities in 2007, only St. Cloud, St. Joseph and Waite agreed to purse the concept. Due to funding and budgetary concerns the project did not move forward. The proposed grant will reduce the financial commitment for St. Joseph and Waite and it is anticipated that St. Joseph would have an annual financial impact of $ 2,800. Due to timing of the grant application, the City must make a decision by their next meeting, February 24, 2010. Frank stated that based on correspondence he received; the City of St. Cloud only needs on of the two Cities to commit to $ 2,500 for the project to move forward. Weyrens stated that the information received from the St. Cloud Administrator indicated the annual contribution for St. Joseph would be $ 2,50 based on a per capita formula. She added that the amount for 2010 may be reduced as the program will not encompass a full twelve months. Rassier suggested that the Council schedule a special meeting to discuss this and to request a representative from the City of St. Cloud to be in attendance to facilitate the discussion. Loso stated that he was not around when this was first discussed so he would like some background information to which Rassier stated that information will be provided to all members of the Council. Weyrens stated that she will circulate dates to the Council and get the requested information distributed. The motion passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes — Approve the City Council minutes of January 21, 2010. b. Bills Payable — Approve check numbers 042457 - 042501 and EFT numbers 000371- 000375. c. Gambling Permit — Accept the Gambling Application of the St. Joseph Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association for an event to be held on April 9, 2010 at the 400 Supper Club. d. Surplus Property — Declare truck #24 (1995 Ford Pickup), as surplus property allowing the same to be sold through sealed bids. February 4, 2010 Page 2 of 4 The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS 16th Avenue Proposed Improvements: Sabart stated that since the previous Council meeting at which the Council authorized conducting a public hearing for the proposed improvements to 16th Avenue, the staff has discussed the impact of the proposed assessment as it relates to the increased market value. At this time staff is recommending the Council commission an Assessment Benefit analysis. An Assessment Benefit Analysis is a study prepared by an appraiser who analyzes the project areas current property value using cross sections of values and researches comparable property values. The proposed assessment is added to the value to determine if the improved property value is similar to the comparable values used. Sabart presented the Council with examples of three different types of analyses that he has been involved with over the last few years. This analysis is another tool that is used to help determining assessments and ordering the improvements. Weyrens stated that in anticipation of the Council meeting she contacted Precision Appraisal who prepares such studies. They stated that the estimated cost of the study is $ 5,000 and the cost would be included in the total project costs. The estimated completion of the study is 30 days. Sabart stated that it is best for the City Attorney to commission the study as the details of the study are attorney - client privileged with only the summary available to the public. Loso questioned the credibility of the different reports to which Sabart stated that both companies of which samples have been provided to the Council have been a part of the appeal process in the court system, for either a City or a resident. Sabart stated that if the City is questioning the assess ability of the improvement, and if a resident challenges the assessment, the preparation of the Assessment Benefit analysis illustrates the Cities due diligence in preparing the assessment roll and is a benefit to the City in Court. Loso made a motion to authorize the City Attorney to engage an appraisal agency to prepare an assessment analysis for the 16th Avenue SE Improvement Project. The motion was seconded by Frank. Discussion: Frank questioned the exact number of parcels that are being affected by the proposed improvements. Weyrens replied that there are 36 parcels. Frank then questioned whether they will do a sample of the affected properties to which Weyrens stated that they will do a sample or cross section of properties. The City Attorney and Engineer will provide direction to the contractor. During the analysis, they will try to find comparables within the city and also other cities to include both urban and rural properties. Sabart added that some companies will analyze every parcel. The motion passed unanimously. Road Update: Sabart stated that he had an opportunity to review the pavement condition on West Minnesota Street and the road is in dire need of repair. He spoke to the County Maintenance Engineer and they are aware of the problem and will be working to meet with a patching company in the next few weeks. Thene reported that Pavement Resources stopped in to speak to him about the problem and they have been contracted by Stearns County to patch the road when weather permits. Sabart advised the Council that it is not a sure fix to the problem, but it will work as a band -aid. APO TAC Meeting: Sabart reported that the APO TAC met toady and they discussed the 2014/2015 budget priorities. The main impact to St. Joseph is to remove Field Street from potential funding. The APO policy board will discuss the recommendation of the TAC at their February meeting. Frank questioned the implication of their decision to delay Field Street. Sabart stated that the next round of federal funding will come in two years. Currently, they are not able to compete for federal dollars. Loso questioned the use of State Highway Funds for the portion of Field Street west of CR121. Sabart replied that in order to maximize the annual state aid funding, the mileage of that portion was used to fulfill the maximum mileage allowed by St. Joseph; however use of State Aid funds can be used for any street designated in the State Aid Plan. February 4, 2010 Page 3 of 4 POLICE CHIEF REPORTS Animal Boarding Update: Police Chief Pete Jansky advised the Council that, last week, staff received notice that the St. Joseph Boarding and Grooming will be closing on February 15. Currently, that is where all of the stray dogs within the City are taken and this will create a problem. He stated that he checked with some of the area cities and many of them take the dogs to the Tri- County Humane Society and contract with them for Boarding. He advised the Council that he is looking for authorization to work with Weyrens to negotiate a contract with the Humane Society for boarding services. Weyrens added that all costs associated with loose dogs are pass -thru costs and not an actual cost for the City. Currently, if a dog is picked up during normal business hours, maintenance is responsible for picking up the dog and transporting it. In speaking with the area Police Chiefs, many of them do not deal with transporting of dogs. That is generally left until the next business day. Jansky is recommending that the City not transport dogs after normal maintenance work hours. Rassier suggested keeping the dogs in a kennel at the Maintenance Shop. Jansky stated that the City may not want to take on that liability. Rassier replied that he would like the police and maintenance departments to work together and see what can be done. Frank questioned whether or not the Humane Society would come to St. Joseph to pick up the dogs. Weyrens stated that it may be possible for a fee. Frank then stated that he has seen a truck that goes around picking up dogs and questioned if we had looked into something like that. Jansky stated that, in the past, the City has looked into partnering with St. Cloud for animal control and it was not cost effective. Frank concluded by stating that when the economy goes bad, people abandon their animals. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORTS — No Report FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORTS — No Report COUNCIL REPORTS FRANK St. Cloud Area Joint Planning District Board: Frank stated that he distributed information regarding the SCAJPD. At their previous meeting they discussed the Sustainability Committee and the Urban Area Mississippi River Task Force. He spoke to Matt Glaesman from the City of St. Cloud and he agreed to come and speak to the Council regarding these items if the Council so chooses. Some of the items discussed are already being funded by other cities, groups, etc; however, he questioned if there are some that the City may want to contribute to. LOSO Snow Report: Loso reported that in the month of January, there were no plowable days. He stated that we are now three months into the "no parking on City Streets..." and there have only been two plowable snow events. MAYOR REPORTS APO: Rassier stated that he attended the APO meeting and there was a lobbyist there from Washington to discuss some of their techniques. Rassier added that while St. Joseph has limited projects on the APO's list, it is still important to be a part of the APO. Looking forward, he stated that it is important to have a voice. Joint Planning Board (City/Township): Rassier stated that the Joint Planning Board met to review three different projects. One of the projects did not get approved at the County level. Frank questioned whether that was the asphalt plant to which Rassier stated that the asphalt plant was approved by the County for a 4 -year period; however, it can be revoked if necessary. Stearns County is prepared to handle any concerns relating to the asphalt plant. Park Board: Rassier stated that he has reviewed the applications submitted for the open positions on the Park Board and is recommending the Council affirm the appointment of Chad Hausmann and Jennifer Steinkamp to the Park Board effective immediately. February 4, 2010 Page 4 of 4 Loso made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Chad Hausmann and Jennifer Steinkamp to the Park Board. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:45PM; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Rassier stated that, pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05 Subd. 3, the City Council will meet in closed session to discuss the potential purchase of the former CMFCU Building located at 35 College Avenue N. CO y n d .nistrator