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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes - June 3 2010CITY OF NT. JIISKPH MEETING DATE: June 17, 2010 Council Agenda Item a AGENDA ITEM: Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the Council minutes of June 3, 2010 SUBMITTED BY: Administration BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: ATTACHMENTS: REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Request for Council Action Minutes of January 21, 2010 Approve the minutes of June 3, 2010 4(a):1 -2 4(a):3 -7 4(a):1 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 4(a):2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:OOPM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor All Rassier, Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representative Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene and Police Chief Pete Jansky Others Present: Samantha Bushey, T. Scheeler Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Approval of the Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions /changes: • Minutes — Frank stated that while he supports the items on the consent agenda and will voting in favor, he was not present at the last meeting so he cannot make comment regarding them minutes. • Add 9(e) Outdoor Liquor Event 9(f) Graceview Update The motion passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes —Approve the City Council minutes of May 6, 2010. b. Bills Payable —Approve check numbers 042912 - 042948 and EFT numbers 000411 - 000415. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Hearing — Delinquent Fees: Mayor Rassier opened the public hearing and stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider certification of delinquent invoices for collection with the real estate taxes. Weyrens stated that the delinquent invoices are a combination of utility charges and unpaid invoices for weed cutting or services performed by the City. In the past the City has only certified assessments one a year, therefore, some of the invoices being considered at this hearing are for services and invoices from October 2009. Starting in 2010 the City will be conducting a hearing on unpaid invoices twice a year. While the delinquent amounts will not be attached to the real estate taxes until the following year, as properties sell or land transactions occur the outstanding invoice will show as an outstanding balance which is typically collected at the time of property closings. Procedurally the outstanding invoices are considered assessments and the same procedure used for assessing improvements is followed. Therefore the Council must allow for affected property owners to appeal the assessment and at the close of the hearing, the Council must adopt the assessment authorizing the same to be attached to the property. Rassier opened the public hearing and no one approached the Council to speak regarding the proposed assessments. Loso made a motion to close the public hearing; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Loso made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2010 -012 adopting the final assessment causing the same to be certified to the Stearns County Auditor for collection. The motion was seconded by Symanietz. Discussion: Frank questioned whether any of the delinquent accounts are repeats to which Bartlett stated that some are. She added that, in some cases, the City is dealing with properties that are in foreclosure or have been foreclosed on. 4(a):3 The motion passed unanimously. St. Joseph Saints, Request for relief from dugout payments: Weyrens stated that, previously, Pat Schneider approached the Park Board requesting assistance with financing improvements to the dugouts at Schneider Field. At that time, the Park Board recommended approval of the use of park funds for such. When the matter was considered by the City Council, the Council determined that the project did not meet the requirements for using park dedication funds. As an alternative, the Council agreed to enter into a loan agreement whereby the City would pay for the costs and the Baseball Team would reimburse the City over a three year period. As of this meeting the Baseball Team has paid two of the three installments. Bartlett stated that she was recently approached by Pat Schneider of the St. Joseph Saints requesting the City consider waive the last payment in lieu of the recent outfield improvements. The improvements to the fields exceed the amount owed to the City for the dugouts. Public Works Director Terry Thene stated that he was aware of the improvements to the infields and was told the improvements would of no cost to the City. . Loso stated that, in the near future, the Recreation Association will be making the same types of repairs and they have been bearing all of the costs for those projects at Millstream. Rassier stated that he would expect that the funds would be paid as that was an outstanding contract. He added that the St. Joseph Saints can ask the Council to consider reimbursing them for a portion of the repairs that were made to the fields if they would like and would have to start with the Park Board. Loso suggested that perhaps the St. Joseph Saints should operate under a lease, similar to that of the Recreation Association. Wick agreed and stated that that would be a good idea. Wick stated that he feels that, if relief is given, it is viewed as a way of going around the capital improvement plan. Wick made a motion to deny the request for relief and affirm the Council decision of 2007. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Loso requested clarification on the notation in the relief request that the City is holding $ 750 in donated funds from the St. Joseph Jaycees. Bartlett advised the Council that the City received $750 from the Jaycees to be used for some of the repairs that were completed last summer. Weyrens stated that they were requesting that those funds be used for payment of the dugout project rather than for the project to which they were specified. Bartlett then stated that the City finally received receipts for the work that was completed and they were reimbursed for the $750. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS 16th Avenue SE: Sabart advised the Council that he, along with the Public Works Director Terry Thene, met with several property owners impacted by the 16th Avenue improvements to review the preliminary drawings of the proposed project. Notices were sent to all 36 affected property owners and 19 property owners took advantage of the opportunity. At this time the project design is considered complete and if the Council wishes to move forward with the project the Council must accept the final drawings and authorize solicitation of fids. Sabart added that staff would like to open bids in early July and then present those at a special meeting, possibly July 8. The City would then need to schedule the assessment hearing as well. He concluded by stating that they hope to construct the improvements this fall. Loso made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2010 -013 Approving the Plans and Specifications and Ordering the Advertisement for Bids. The motion was seconded by Wick. Discussion: Frank questioned the results of the meetings that were held with those 19 property owners. He was interested in what types of issues were addressed and questioned whether any parts of the plan have been changed as a result. Sabart replied that most of them were agreeable 4(a):4 and that most of their concerns were regarding drainage. He stated that the road grade will change and they tried to explain to the property owner(s) how their driveway slope will change, etc. Some of them also addressed concerns such as tree loss, restoration of sod and driveway replacement. Several of the property owners expressed an interest in reconstructing their entire driveway to the garage and Sabart stated that they urge them to use the City's contractor. He also stated that several of the concerns were related to the costs and the amount that their property would be assessed. Sabart stated that, currently, staff is working with preliminary numbers and the final numbers will not be available until after they receive the bids. The motion passed unanimously. POLICE CHIEF REPORTS Temporary Crosswalk Signs: Since the students are gone, Frank questioned Jansky as to where the temporary crosswalk signs have been placed. Jansky replied that they move around. They are generally moved to the areas in which there is the most foot traffic or along Minnesota Street. Wick suggested placing them along County Road 2 near the Wobegon Trailhead. Jansky advised Wick that he would look into that. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS District 742 School Resource Officer: Weyrens presented the Council with a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of St. Joseph and Independent School District 742 for funding a School Resource Officer. In discussing the JPA with District 742 they are not looking for staffing of specific hours for a resource officer, rather, they are looking for a police presence and on an on call basis. Jansky reported that the City of St. Cloud has four Resource Officers and most of their time is spent in the high schools, although they do some work in the grade schools as well. The cost for these officers is shared between District 742 and the City of St. Cloud. Jansky stated that the City of St. Joseph does not have enough staff to put someone in the school full -time. Currently, the "day crew ", made up of Chief Jansky, Officer Magaard and Officer Klein, tries to get over to the school to talk to the kids and work with them and they are doing the best they can with what is available. Weyrens stated that the Joint Powers Agreement does allow for a termination of the agreement, if necessary. Frank questioned whether District 742 will transfer some funds to the city for this to which Weyrens stated yes. Wick clarified that the Officers are currently walking through the school. Loso questioned what would change. Jansky replied that nothing would change, other than the fact that the City would receive some money to help pay for their time. Currently, neither the City nor the School District has the budget to fund a full -time officer for the school. He added that they do get a fair amount of calls at the school. Wick made a motion to Authorize the Mayor and Police Chief to execute the Joint Powers Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and ISD 742 for providing Cooperative Funding of the School Resource Officer Program. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. Millstream Arts Festival — Street Closure: Weyrens presented the Council with the request of the Millstream Arts Committee to close a portion of Minnesota Street and College Avenue. Since the Festival has moved back to St. Joseph, the City has closed Minnesota Street from 2nd Avenue NW to the eastern edge of the Millstream Shops and Lofts. This year the festival is looking to extend the festival this year to College Avenue North (1/2 block). Both Minnesota Street and College Avenue ore County roads and as such the County must approve the roads as well. The County requires municipal approval before the matter can be forwarded to the Stearns County Board. Wick stated that as a member of the Millstream Committee he has submitted the application. The Committee will work with St. Joseph Parish to assure traffic can access the church parking lot for services. Loso made a motion to authorize the Administrator to execute the Street Dance Road Closure Permit Application as presented to allow the Millstream Arts Festival to utilize Minnesota Street 4(a):5 and College Avenue N for the event to be held on September 26, 2010. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Initiative Foundation — Funding Request: Weyrens stated that she has received a request for the Initiative Foundation seeking funding in the amount of $ 1.500. At the time of preparing the 2010 budget the Council did not include funding assistance due to budget shortfall. Loso made a motion to affirm the 2010 budget decision not to provide funding to the Initiative Foundation in 2010. The motion was seceded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Utility Ordinance Amendments: Weyrens stated that she was hopeful that she would have the draft ordinances ready for review. She advised the Council that the Committee working on the St. Benedict Sewer Agreement discussed amending the Sewer Rate Ordinance as it doesn't reflect the current billing practices. Weyrens added that staff is recommending that all of the utility ordinances, water, sewer and storm water utility, be amended to reflect the current billing practices. Temporary Outdoor Liquor Permit: Weyrens advised the Council that she just received an application from the LaPlayette for an Outdoor Liquor Permit for an event to be held on July 3. Chief Jansky had a chance to review the application and he stated that he had some minimal questions. Overall, this is a standard situation and they are aware that they will need to provide an officer for security. The hours would be from 4 -10PM and there would be no alcohol served after 10PM with the understanding that everything must be cleaned up by 10:15. He also added that the site must be fenced in with either a 6' fence or be double- fenced. Jansky commented that he is not crazy about this event as he does not have enough officers to provide an officer for that event on account of the parish festival. Frank questioned whether there should be a maximum number of people allowed in that area. Jansky replied that perhaps the Building Inspector could figure that amount out. If they are limited to a certain amount, Loso questioned whether or not the Parish would be held accountable to the same standards. Based on the date of the event, Rassier stated that they will need to make sure that the officer that they hire is an actual police officer or deputy. Loso made a motion to approve the Temporary Outdoor Liquor Permit for the LaPlayette for an event to be held on July 3, 2010 with the stipulations of the Police Chief to include fencing and security. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Graceview Update: Weyrens stated that the Council may have received emails from residents regarding the lighting at the new Graceview Apartments. She advised the Council that staff has been working with them and they have ordered some shields to deflect the light. Weyrens added that the Building Inspector visited the site to see what lights are on and those that have been turned off. A letter has been sent to the property owner with a copy of the Ordinance notifying them that if they are in violation of the Ordinance, they will be cited. MAYOR REPORTS — No Report COUNCIL REPORTS FRANK — No Report LOSO Tree Update: Loso asked for a follow -up report on the tree at the corner of 4t" and Birch. Jansky advised Loso that he looked at that and it does not seem to be a real problem as there is no cross traffic. WICK — No Report 4(a):6 SYMAN I ETZ Park Board: Symanietz stated that she attended the Park Board meeting at which they discussed improvements to Monument Park as the monument is seeping down. They are looking for funding opportunities and /or grant money. They also discussed the possible expansion of the parking at Millstream Park. Loso stated that Stearns County Historical Society has funding available for historical projects to which Symanietz stated the Park Board is aware of. When questioned if Park Dedication funds could be used for the repairs, Weyrens stated that they would not be eligible. Park Dedication funds cannot be used for maintenance, only capital items. Thene advised the Council that he received one quote in the amount of $17,000; however, they are unsure of what is under the monument. APO: Symanietz reported that she attended the recent APO meeting at which they received an update on the Northstar Link. She advised the Council and residents that they can go to their website and find information on catching the bus in St. Cloud on Lincoln. They also discussed a possible extension to St. Cloud in the event that funds become available in the future. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:35PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator 4(a):7