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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [11] Nov 01 November 1, 2012 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, November 1, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Bob Loso, Steve Frank and City Administrator Judy Weyrens Citv Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Peter Jansky, Public Works Director Terry Thene, City Engineer Randy Sabart and City Attorney Tom Jovanovich. O h r Pr t e s esent: Murra Mack Tom Peck Steve Plantenber Y , , 9 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one was present who wished to speak. Approval of the Apenda: Frank made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: Item 8.5 will be added to the agenda and the Council will move into a closed session in pursuant to State Statue to discuss labor strategies.The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Communitv Center Discussion: Weyrens stated that Hagemeister and Mack have prepared a summary of options for the proposed government center including an evaluation of the former Kennedy School. At this time Murray Mack approached the Council and stated that during the analysis many variable were considered and he a considerable amount of information to review. He encouraged Council Members to ask questions throughout the presentation. The following is a summary of the discussion regarding utilization of the former Kennedy site: • A portion of the former Kennedy School is leased by Little Saints Academy and Head Start. The Little Saints Academy would have to relocate into another space if this was the choice building for the project.Their lease is through 2014 and that lease is currently with the School District.Timing would need to be considered if this building would be acquired. • Photographs were then shown to Council of the existing core of the building.The building was built in 1966 with an addition added in 1970. • The restroom facilities would have to be reconfigured to meet current building code requirements and all mechanical fixtures would have to be updated. The building would have to be mod�ed to meet handicap accessibility requirements as well. • The gymnasium is in adequate shape and functions well for what its purpose is. Suggestions were made on how to best use the gymnasium space. • The boilers are 45-years old and some of the piping in the building is asbestos wrapped. Because of the age of the system it has run its life course and would need replacing. New heating, cooling and ventilation would be needed. • The existing roof is 20-years old and w�ould need total replacement. The exterior is a granite veneer which is located right next to the concrete block.There is no insulation in the exterior walls. The project would be required to adhere to energy efficiency codes. The granite veneer would need a lot of tuck pointing. • The building does have power and some communication lines run throughout the building, but is not suited for today's technology. It would be necessary to insure that the cycle of the building would carry the City for the next 30-50 years. • It would also be prudent, with the age of the building, to address the plumbing, waste systems, etc. It woutd be necessary to consider replacement of these items because they are close to running their life expectancy. • The building is not historically significant;therefore the City would only be dealing with the problems associated with retrofitting a building and not historic items. • Mack presented a diagram of a new sit�plan.The plan showed the West side as the main entry , of the facility. They would expand the existing parking and additional parking would be added. The old foundations from tem ora classrooms would need to be removed. There is an P rY � November 1, 2012 Page 2 of 4 allowance for drainage. An overlay was presented as to how they would implement the program requirements. • The biggest issue was defining the large area for council chambers and the police department garage. Mack explained that the best area for council chambers was is in the center media space. A corridor would be added for access to the six-rental rooms.A new lobby space would be added. A moveable wall could be added between the gym and community room. The existing kitchen would remain and be gutted. It would be replaced with a minimal kitchen. • City Hall would be located as you come in the front door. • Police Department would be located behind the City Hall area. The Police Department would have a waiting area, reception area, several offices.A corridor would then lead you into the parking garage and locker rooms. There would also be space for a holding area. In order to accommodate the police garage the floor would need to be removed and replaced with a concrete floor. • Mack explained when comparing the Kennedy site to the existing facility, or something off site, the City will gain approximately an extra 7,000 sq.feet more then what it takes if the City started with a clean building on a site that we can organize better and more efficiently. • The Kennedy site is about 30,000 sq.feet. The discussed program needs are roughly 22,000 sq. feet. A list was presented of all the items that would need to be addressed along with factors to be considered. • There is a lot of opened land to be developed and plenty of street access. • A cost analysis was presented with different variables to be considered. Summary of discussions on alternative options: • One option included adding on to the existing building. Another option for the existing site included adding a second floor. By keeping everything on one level the option did not meet all program requirements. • A new two-story building was also being considered.This would provide the City with all program �equirements at the existing location. • There is a site on Highway 75 for sale that is available to build a new building but not an ideal choice because of the ditch and other land issues. !t would be hard to fit a building there with all the program requirements. • There is another lot available in Indian Hills, iYs roughly two acres. There is plenty of room on this site to build what the program requires. Loso inquired if the building proposed at the current site could accommodate a second floor to which Mack responded that significant structure modification would be required. Platenberg presented the cost analysis to the Council along with the differences of each. The costs were broken down and detailed. These figures included land, buildings, remodels, etc. Considerations were made for parking, locations and operational costs. There was further discussion about purchasing additional lots for parking if the community facility remained onsite. As the discussion progressed there was a conversation about space constraints with the existing building and staying at the current location. Mack stated that staying at the current location will not meet all of the program needs requested. He also explained the revisions to the building floor plan and the compromises that would need to be made to meet as the programs needs. Schultz expressed his concerns about the future and having the need for more staff and where the City would put them.Weyrens questioned Sabart if the City could submit a grant proposal through the Legacy program for purchasing the existing site/building for the historical society. Sabart stated that it would be difficult to secure the needed funding and would probably not score high enough. Wick explained that some of the Citizens are looking for something more like the Whitney Center. Mack suggested keeping just the gymnasium and cafeteria area of the buitding and tear down the rest and rebuild a new facility. Frank suggested using a private corporation to build a facility and City Hall would lease the building from the corporation. Mack suggested leasing the Kennedy facility from the School District and they could maintain it. There was more discussion about the Indian Hi�ls site and its location. i i November 1, 2012 Page 3 of 4 The Council questioned if the building project could be phased. Mack responded that any project could be phased and the phasing will add additional costs. The most cost efficient manner to building is the complete project. But due to financial constraints it is not uncommon for companies and governments to build in phases. The City must decide what the priorities are. Schultz talked about the future needs of the city but right now the main objective is the community facility. Frank would like to see the facilities closer together so citizens would not need to drive to each location. There are many advantages to the Indian Hills property that would meet those needs. A motion was made by Frank that the Kennedy site option be removed for consideration as a possible community facility. Motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Weyrens suggested having another meeting on Thursday, November the 8�h at 6:00 p.m., to discuss the Northland and Indian Hills locations. The anticipated goal is to make a decision on the final direction that the Council would like to pursue. Council Compensation: Weyrens presented the Council with a proposed compensation schedule that included information on establishing a fixed salary and one using a fixed monthly salary and the current method using a per meeting fee for all approved meetings attended. The information also included the ' compensation for area cities illustrating that the majority of communities utilize a fixed fee schedule. Frank and Loso suggested the City continue with the same rate structure for Council compensation. Loso made a motion to keep the current Council Members'salaries where they are with no cost of living increase. Motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Communitv Survev: Weyrens presented the Council with the community survey prepared by the League of MN Cites. The survey is part of the State Funding mechanism measuring performance and encouraging communication with residents. The survey must be completed and received by the Council ' prior to December 31, 2012 for the City to receive$ 914 in 2013. After reviewing the proposed questions, Frank suggested the City add a question on satisfaction with the City refuse program. The Council concurred to add the question to the survey. Wick made a motion authorizing survey form and questionnaire with the inclusion refuse,distributing the survey through the City website. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. 2013 BudQet: Frank inquired if there had been any development on the budget that Council should be aware of.Weyrens responded that the only new item the City received was the final numbers from the County and our market value was a little lower than anticipated. So the impact to the tax rate is a little higher. A special meeting has been scheduled on November 20th, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., to discuss the budget. Administrator Report Libertv Pointe: Weyrens reported that City staff has met with the board of the Homeowners Association regarding the private improvements in the Liberty Pointe. Due to the depth of the utilities the staff is recommending the City not assume the improvements as public and as an alternative provide snow removat services for three to five years, or until the undeveloped lots are developed. The Association has agreed to the terms and will make the necessary improvements such a lowering a manhole and adding signage before the City begins snow removal. Final documents will be drafted for the next Council meeting. Ma or Re ort Y p ' Countv Parks: Steams County Parks has received an appraisal on the southem 20 feet of the rail corridor between St. Joseph and Waite Park and anticipate applying for legacy funding to construct the trail. Stearns County will be setting aside funding to purchase the needed corridor. APO: The APO full board met with The Greater St. Cloud Development and they have set aside funds for a transportation study.There was a discussion on this and it was moved that the Executive Committee would determine what to do with the study and will work on policies for non-APO members requesting funds from the APO. - - November 1, 2012 Page4of4 Joint Planninq: Joint Planning met on October 29th, both the Township and City came to an agreement regarding the large lot housing development. The development will be required to provide easements for future road corridors. Interqovernmental Meetinq: Schultz also attended the Area Cities meeting on October 30th to look at legislative priorities for the group. There was a presentation about the Health Care Act, by Dave Borgert of CentraCare which was very informative. Coalition of Greater MN Cities: The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Annexation Land Use Committee met and the revisions will go forward to the fall conference. There are very few changes explained Schultz. The document will be distributed to City Council members. Upcominp Meetincas: Schultz will be attending the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, at the St. Cloud Civic Center on Thursday, November 8th, 2012. Council Reports FRANK Area Joint Planninca Board: Met with the St. Cloud Joint Ptanning Board. A discussion was held about the Trail Legacy Grant and the Mississippi River Project. LOSO--No Report WICK EDA: The EDA met recently and discussed the following: 1)The Benedicts and St.Johns University Free Enterprise Group attended the meeting to see how they could assist the local businesses with planning and design marketing; 2)approved four BFA Grants to include: Bello Cucina, Scenic Signs, Millstream Cottages and Kay's Kitchen; 3)the EDA has received 34 surveys from businesses that that have responded to the Business Expansion Survey on the Website;4)discussed the Small Cities Development Grant has come to the conclusion the city would be more competitive by leaving out the commercial component in the Grant. The EDA unanimously agreed to proceed with the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership without the commercial component. SYMANIETZ MeetinQS Attended: Attended the same meetings as Schultz and refers to the Mayor Report, Area Cities meeting, APO,The Joint Township and Joint Cities meetings. The APO meetings for the full board are cancelled for November and December. Closed MeetinQ: Wick made a motion to go to into closed session pursuant to MN Statue 13d.05 subd 3 to discuss labor strategy regarding the AFSCME Labor Agreement.The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Weyrens clarified that the Council will adjourn immediately following the closed meeting without any action occurring. Adiourn:Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 9:45 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. � Judy e ens Ad istrator � This page intention�lly left blank