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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [06] Jun 07 June 7, 2012 Page 1 of 6 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council met in regular session on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 7:OOPM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Pete Jansky, Maintenance Director Terry Thene Others Present: Scott Mareck- Executive Director of St. Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO), Mike Kotila Sr. Transportation Engineer -SEH, Mike McDonald, S. Kara Hennes, S. Paula Reveir, S. Katherine Kraft, Elizabeth Wefel PUBLIC COMMENTS Mike McDonald, 213 — 13 Ave. SE approached the Council to discuss the amendment to the Transportation Plan. He stated that normally the Transportation Plan is part of the Comprehensive Plan and it is his understanding that amending the Comprehensive Plan requires a public hearing. He commended the Council for providing the open house for the proposed Transportation Plan amendment, but feels a public hearing should be conducted. He also questioned the alignment of the corridor known as Field Street. He understands that the location of the corridor is the avoidance alternative and questioned if anyone has determined the cost of the avoidance route versus the original proposed location before the study. Using round numbers McDonald stated that the avoidance route will cost the taxpayers an additional 2.8 to 3.9 million dollars to build. McDonald also objected to the verbiage in the plan were it states the City completed the Field Street Corridor study, as in reality, the City suspended the Study. Approval of Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: 4(a): Minutes — Delete 10(a): 60 Day Land Use Extension; St. Joseph Parish The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as stated below; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. a. Deleted b. Bills Payable — Approved check numbers 045247 — 045329, payroll EFT #000659 — 000668 and accounts payable EFT #001571 — 001573 c. Liquor Licenses — Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute the intoxicating, on sale and Sunday liquor licenses as presented. d. Capital Purchase — Authorized the replacement of Taser #1 and #2 at a cost of $ 2,400. Annual Storm Water Meeting: Mayor Schulz called the hearing to order and stated the purpose of the hearing is to accept testimony on the Storm Water management activities of the City. As no one presented wished to provide testimony, the public hearing was closed at 7:10 PM. Weyrens stated that the Public Works Department provides annual cleaning of the storm water facilities, tracking the maintenance for reporting purposes. In addition, the City participates in the area Cities public outreach program including hosting the annual Water Education event at Millstream in spring. The Council questioned if they have not always had the completed general permit form to review, to which Weyrens stated they have, but it was not ready at this time. The purpose of the hearing is to accept testimony that can be incorporated into the general permit. Frank made a motion to acknowledge the City conducted the annual storm water meeting allowing residents to comment on the storm water management activities and that no one was present to provide testimony. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. June 7, 2012 Page 2 of 6 Coalition of Greater MN Cities(CGMC) — Elizabeth Wefel, CGMC approached the Council to provide an overview of legislative activities undertaken by the CMGC on behalf of member Cities. The following is a summary of the presentation: Local Government Aid (LGA): Were instrumental in preserving LGA amounts for 2013 and St. Joseph will receive the same amount of LGA in 2013 as collected in 2012. The Governor has appointed a committee to review the distribution formula and the CMGC has representation on this committee. Property Tax: The biggest impact to in property taxes was a result in the shift of Market Value Credit. Residents experienced an increase in taxes and the Cities had not control in the impact of this decision. Wefel stated that the revised formula a number of years ago attempted to create a mechanism correlating aid in relation to car accidents. Schultz questioned how the LGA distribution formula can be modified so that Cities such as St. Joseph with a disproportionate amount of tax exempt property can cover costs for providing services. Frank questioned if consideration has been given to reviewing the non - taxable entities. Wefel responded that there are a number of committees working on the distribution formula and LGA is designed to be fair so that all residents, regardless of City enjoy the same level of services and quality of life. The Governor is looking to overhaul the entire to system as it is projected that the State will continue to have budget deficits. Economic Development: The CMGC has increased their efforts to promote legislation and aid that supports and encourages economic development. They have identified five initiatives: Greater MN Intern Program (included in vetoed omnibus tax bill); Enhancement of Angel Investment Tax Credit (included in vetoed omnibus tax bill); Funding BDPI Grant Program Greater MN Interchange Program ($ 6 Million secured for program through bonding bill); and Greater MN New Jobs Training Program. All five programs were introduced as legislation with bipartisan support. Constitutional Amendments: The CGMC has also been lobbying against several proposed amendments including one that would require a supermajority in both the House and Senate to raise taxes. Efforts include working with non - profit agencies and organized labor; lobbying of Greater MN Republican legislators; editorial visits. Other Activities: Stopped harmful Township legislation and improved the municipal detachment process. Participated in the efforts to change the mandated tiered water rate system and changed the process for applying and securing Legacy funding. The CGMC continues to work on funding for Trails and has worked with different parks and trail organizations to have bigger pool of funds for Greater Minnesota trails and parks. Sales Tax Extension: Successfully secured the needed legislative votes to extend the local area half cent sales tax; however it was part of the omnibus tax bill that was vetoed by the Governor. Transportation Plan Amendment — Sabart stated that he along with Mike Kotila (SEH Transportation Engineer) and Scott Mareck (Executive Director, St. Cloud APO) conducted an open house on the proposed transportation amendment. The open house was held before this meeting with few attendees. The majority of questions centered on the maps and narrative as it related to the Field Street Corridor. Schultz clarified that in addition to the open house, the City focused one meeting on the proposed transportation plan amendment with a presentation by the staff working on the project. In addition Council members frequently reported on the status of the amendment. The open house was the final public input opportunity before the Council considers adoption. Frank stated that he appreciated the staff presented a redlined version of the proposed amendment. He further questioned how the concept of complete streets could be incorporated into the document. He stated that it is his understanding that the APO has included the concept into their plans as well as the City of St. Cloud. He encouraged the Council to consider adding complete streets to the plan or minimally establish a goal to works towards complete streets. Sabart stated that while St. Joseph has not officially accepted the standards of complete streets, the concept is reviewed when roads are designed or redesigned. Wick commented on page 4 where it is listed the differences between Community Collectors as a major collectors and Neighborhood collector as a minor collector. Changes such as on 4 Avenue, 7 Avenue and then on 12 that are residential now and if the Plan is adopted would be considered Community Collectors. A couple of concerns such as on page 7 last paragraph, the sentence -if there are existing problems where there is a major reconstruction project, access techniques and guidelines can be applied June 7, 2012 Page 3 of 6 to retrofit existing roadways. Such as if 4th Avenue is considered a major collector where we have 60 feed of right away and the specs requires 88 feet for a major collector, we would be buying an extra 20 feet of existing neighborhoods. Symanietz also commented that even on Baker it could be up to the front steps of an existing house. Wick stated that he had several comments /concerns with the transportation plan amendment and they are as follows: • Page 10: the wording changed to a regional collector and in the rest of the plan we had talked about community collectors. Kotila responded these community collectors are recognized as a regional facility as opposed the neighborhood collectors are not the same degree as regional. Wick commented it is confusing as it goes up to the County and State Level. • Map on page 11: Figure #4 in the 2006 version of the Transportation Plan 4 16 and 12 Avenues have all been community collectors with emphasis on land access not mobility; then in the new plan it is both land access and mobility in a residential neighborhood. • Page 21 - Figure 8: The Daily Traffic Volume on 4 Avenue is 700 versus 900 Average Daily Traffic Trips on a portion on Baker - which is a neighborhood collector- why one with almost full build out with less traffic volume is rated higher? Kotila confirmed the distinguishing factor is the length of the street in terms of connectivity within the network, as 4 Avenue has connectivity to the north whereas 16 Avenue serves a shorter trip connecting to the higher level roadways. Wick questioned if the residents on that particular street should be prepared for possibly 80 -100 feet of roadway easement and 2-4 lanes of traffic. Sabart responded that is not correct; there is not the intent to extend the right -of- way or add a four lane road. For planning purposes, industry standards estimate that a residential home generates 10 trips per day and can the narrow road and geometry accommodate the need and 4 can handle the need even though it is narrow. Wick stated concern as once the plan is adopted developers will use the plan as guide for development and if the plan indicates that the roads can handle the traffic, residential roads will continue to be used to handle increased amounts of traffic. Shouldn't the City be proactive and indicate that we are not going to allow continued growth to use narrow residential streets? Sabart did not disagree and stated that the City does need to plan for orderly growth and extension of roads; that is the role of the Transportation Plan. • Wick stated that the City should make sure that the roads are classified correctly for potential funding opportunities. • Wick questioned the reference to the proposed 1 -94 Interchange at Jade Road and how that might impact the proposed housing development. Sabart responded that the area has been marked as a study area for future planning. The proposed housing development has not moved forward and the study area is merely an opportunity. • There are year updates and wording corrections: St. Joseph School is Kennedy Community School; the tables showing the differences between the Year 2035 plan and the Full Build out - it should be noted the 2035 Transportation Plan is based on the APO model and a full build out is based on the City Planning and the Transportation plan is a combination: Regional Trails update — has been extended further from Sauk Centre and further north from Holdingford. Request to include the number of miles in estimated trail distance like in the previous plan, nice for the park board to estimate costs when new miles added. • There was also discussion and a vote in the past about only developing south down to 20 Avenue, concern about traffic on 12 Street if the south was developed - would the road across east and west also be developed. Questioned the impact of the discussion and vote from a previous meeting and how that is reflected in the proposed plan. Loso stated that he was part of the process when 12 Avenue was developed and it was always intended to function as a collector. Wick also would like to change the designation color of the roads if traffic volumes don't increase do they need to be designated major roads. Frank agreed with Wick, you move into a neighborhood expecting a certain quality of life and we try to keep it that way as much as possible. June 7, 2012 Page 4 of 6 Schultz questioned if the City is required to conduct a public hearing to include the Transportation Plan to the Comprehensive Plan. Weyrens stated that the Comprehensive Plan identifies the Transportation Plan by reference and is included as an exhibit. The Comprehensive Plan further states that the Plan has been attached as an exhibit to simply the process. Therefore, a hearing is not needed. A similar process is used for the Ordinance Book. If an attachment is anticipated to be changed or modified, it is attached as an appendix or exhibit, such as the fee schedule. The Council agreed to consider the possible plan amendment at a future meeting, after the City Engineer has completed the necessary revisions. Committee Reports Park Board Update - Loso confirmed the Park Board met, but did not meet because there was not a quorum present. Frank questioned if the Parks are still victim to vandalism and if so what is the Park Board /Police doing to reduce the incidents. Chief Jansky stated that the reports of vandalism have decreased and part is due to some electronic monitoring that was used in Centennial Park. He stated that he is continuing to research electronic monitoring. EDA Update - Wick reported on the following EDA Activities: Commissioner Chad Davey resigned from the EDA and the Mayor confirmed he will be working on a replacement; the June meeting has been moved to June 20; EDA considered the services provided by the University of Minnesota for engaging the community in a business retention /expansion program; Rice Builders discussed the insights as to the development process in St. Joseph, expressing positive comments; Rice Builders confirmed that Coborn's would not have construction without tax abatement; and the EDA will be reviewing the grant programs offered by the EDA updating the goals and qualifications for funding. Planning Commission Update — Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on three proposed Ordinance Amendments: Ordinance 52.21 — Transportation Corridor Overlay; 52.10 Parking Pads; Ordinance 56.00 Fence. Testimony was received on the Corridor Overlay District and the Fence; therefore the Planning Commission tabled action on the amendments until July 2, 2012. Ordinance 52.10 Parking Pads: The Planning Commission recommended the Council accept the amendment to Ordinance 52.10 creating guidelines and location for parking pads in residential districts. The amendment requires a delineated and improved parking pad for the front and side yard yard, prohibiting parking on the grass. Residents can park items on the grass in the rear yard provided they are not in violation of the outdoor storage Ordinance. Schulz questioned Chief Jansky if the proposed Ordinance Amendment is enforceable to which Jansky stated yes. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Ordinance Amendment creating the provision for parking pads. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Wick made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2012 -011 approving summary publication of the amendment to Ordinance 52.10. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. Church of St. Joseph — 60 day land use extension: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission considered the request of the Church of St. Joseph to rezone their property from the current R1, Single Family to 61, Central Business and to issue a special use permit to allow the construction of a fellowship hall to connect to the existing church and school. The Planning Commission tabled action on June 2 so that additional information could be provided and allow the property owner an opportunity to resubmit their plans. MN Statute requires that municipalities act on land use applications within 60 days of the acceptance of a complete application. If the matter is not acted on, the request is automatically approved. Therefore, since the matter has been tabled and to assure that the City will have adequate time to review the proposed plan, Weyrens requested the Council extend the 60 land use requirement to secure additional information. June 7, 2012 Page 5 of 6 Frank made a motion to extend the 60 day land use requirement for action on the Church of St. Joseph land use request an additional 60 days to allow the property owner to provide additional information and revise their proposed plans. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Compost Update — Weyrens stated that staff is trying to work out the issues with permit abuse and also has received a call from St. Wendel Township regarding tying the outstanding bill to the compost use by township residents. Facilities Committee Update — Wick reported that there was an administrative meeting to kick off the facility building project and Hagemeister Mack suggested the use of a construction manager to help control costs. Sabart stated that a construction manager adds value when developing a budget, securing costs estimates for building plans, and keeping the project within a budget. Wick made a motion authoring the release of an RFP for construction management services to assist the facility committee during the planning process. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Discussion: The Council clarified that the facility committee will review the consultants, providing a recommendation to the City Council. Mayor Reports Today in America: Schultz stated that he was unable to secure a partner for the Today in America segment; therefore the project will not be moving forward. Wobegon Trail Extension: Stearns County Park Director Chuck Woecken will be approaching the Stearns County Board on June 12 seeking funding in the amount of $ 25,000 to pursue Legacy Funding for the extension of the Wobegon Trail. Schultz stated that he will be attending as well. Joint Meeting: Schultz reported on the joint meeting of the Boards and Commissions stating that the EDA will take the lead role in pursing downtown planning and developing a foot print. Schultz thanked those for participating as the discussion. June 21 City Council Meeting: Schulz reported that the Council will not have a quorum for the next Council meeting and suggested canceling the meeting. Loso made a motion to cancel the regularly scheduled Council meeting for June 21; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Council Reports SYMAN I ETZ Human Rights Presentation: Symanietz reported that Richard Cousins from the St. Cloud Area Human Rights office will be the guest speaker at the Chamber meeting in June and stated that she would be attending the Chamber meeting as the City representative. Wick questioned if the City received the Audit from the Human Rights Office. Symanietz stated that the Human Rights Office did not have a separate audit as it is part of the City Audit and is one line, fee for services. Weyrens confirmed that the City records the financial obligation as a contract service so a detailed audit is not prepared. Wick reminded Symanietz that the agreement requires submittal of the budget in July. WICK — No Report LOSO — No Report FRANK Refuse: Frank requested the Council review the all City garbage pickup. He stated that the hauler does a great job, but he is surprised at the large volumes of garbage and if abuse or rental properties generate the large volumes of refuse. June 7, 2012 Page 6 of 6 Police Chief Report: Police Chief Jansky stated that he will be advertising to secure additional reserve officers. The Police department has utilized reserve officers since 1960 and currently has five active reserve officers. Typically the department has nine reserve officers and the only cost to the City is the uniforms, which is included in the budget. Closed Meeting: Wick motioned to adjourn and go into closed session, pursuant to MN Statute 13(d) to discuss labor strategy for AFSCME Mediation. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Adjourn: The meeting was opened and adjourned at 8:45pm. dy ' eyre s d ' - strator