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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [11] Nov 15 November 15, 2012 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the�t. Joseph City Council met in regular session on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 7:OOPM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens Citv Reqresentatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Pete Jansky, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Finance Director Lori Bartlett. Others Present: Ryan Lemeiux, Stephanie Drickel, Teizia Callaway PUBLIC COMMENTS Approval of the AQenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Aqenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Removed b. Bills Payable—Requested Action: Approve check numbers 045818-045874, payroll EFT# 000723-000727 and accounts payables 001588-001592. c. Treasurer Report-Requested Action: Accept the Sept 2012 and 3`�Quarter Treasurer's Report including the gambling report and accepting the donations for their stated purposes. d. Transfers—Requested Action: Accept the donations and their purposes as stated. e. Grant—Requested Action: Authorize the Administrator to execute the grant agreement with the Initiative Foundation for the City serving as the fiscal agent for a$ 5,000 Grant for the Minnesota Street Market. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Noise Violation. 310 Old HiQhwav 52:Weyrens presented the Council with an alleged noise violation that occurred at 310 Old Highway 52 on October 30, 2012. The property owner has not requested an evidentiary hearing; therefore the Council must acknowledge that a noise violation did occur and once that action is completed the disposition must be considered. Loso made a motion establishing that a noise violation did occur on October 31,2012 at 310 Old Highway 52. The motion wa�seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present by those present. Ryan Lemeiux spoke on his behalf. He apologiYed for the actions of his tenants and he stated that he reviews with all tenants the policies for being a good neighbor. Lemeiux stated that the tenants are students at St. John's University and they made an unfortunate mistake. Frank stated that based on the police report there were other incidents; however,they were not at the level for citation. Lemieux stated that he was unaware of the other actions. Loso stated he is perplexed as to why students feel a need to scream in the streets in the early hours and what goes through their minds. This type of behavior would most likely not be tolerated at school or home. The tenants live in a neighborhood and should be ' respectFul of the area. Lemeiux stated that he cannot speak on behalf of the students nor does he condone their actions. He has many rental properties and takes the matter seriously. Mickey Mendoza tenant at 310 Old Highway 52, apologized to the Council and to those that were impacted by their actions. He stated that they have had some issues in the past and they have learned I from their mistake. Rob Sibrant stated that he too is a tenant and apologized for their actions. Frank made a motion to assess a n w r hwa 2. pe alty of�250.00 to the property o ne of 310 Old Hig y 5 The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. November 15, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Facilitv Discussion: Weyrens stated that the Council previously discussed options for constructing a community facility or government center. Staff was requested to provide financial impact on the different options. The following is a summary of impact: Option One New construction of a government center with an anticipated cost of six million would require an annual levy of approximately$450,000 for a period of 20 years. Option Two New Construction of a community center only with an anticipated cost of two million dollars would require an annual levy of approximately$ 191,000 for a period of 15 years. Weyrens stated that the Council would also have an option of buying land at this time and waiting to some point in the future to construct. The impact of the land purchase would be dependent on the location and selling price so a financial summary was not prepared. At this time the Council needs to provide direction on the community center. The City has a contract with an architect and construction manager for the design of a community center. Frank stated that he is not in any hurry to complete a study. Loso inquired if the City has to pay the architects regardless of their decision.Weyrens stated that we do have contracts with both firms for a product and contract price. She stated she was uncertain as to the language in the contract but the sum of both contracts is approximately$ 74,000.00 Loso expressed that the big push was to expand City facilities and this planning began in 2008 and has now recently grown to include a community center in his opinion. Loso does not think the City can afford the project with all of the other projects. He agrees the City should buy the land and pay for it with sales tax money then build the facility in increments. He suggested leaving the City offices where they are. Loso shared his concerns about usage of a community facility. He felt that better planning is needed. Wick supports choosing a location and at least go through the planning phase. He would support designing the facility rather than paying for the contract and doing nothing. Frank stated that people have an expectation for government to use money that is being taxed and collected. He concurred with Wick that we should continue the planning process. Frank expressed that Council should take some time with the decision process. Wick explained that we have the bond for the equipment for the repairs and new HVAC. The City was holding off completing the needed repairs as if the existing building were added on too, it would change the HVAC requirements. The City can move forward with the repairs as original bonded. Every time Council has had a discussion about the facility is has been a combination of City offices along with the community center.Wick commented that there has been no discussion regarding a stand-alone community center. He suggested building the two rooms with room to add the City offices at a later date. Schultz stated he appreciates the incremental approach. Schultz likes the idea of people investing in downtown and has concerns about moving everything out of downtown. He would like to continue having a presence in downtown. He is concerned about moving the Government Center, Police Department, a community room, etc. Schultz would like to move forward with the idea of building in stages. He suggested that this may need to go back to the Facilities Committee to decided what�ts in what spaces and how can move forward in the next couple years. Schultz would like to determine what is in a community room. He does not see the value in building just a meeting space. He envisions a space that is active. A facility that residents would feel comfortable coming in and having a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper—a facility that could be utilized for something other than a meeting room. He would like to see a facility that could house events such as weddings along with other activities. He wants a building that is function and will get used. He explained ' that he is not certain how to go through the filtering process and what goes where, but he would definitely like a resence downtown. He shared his concerns about movin the entire facilit out of the downtown P 9 Y November 15, 2012 Page 3 of 4 area. Schultz feels that this project should go back to the Facility Committee for additional discussion and planning. The committee should just focus on what is needed for the community center excluding the Government offices. Schultz does not want to delay this project but feels that Council needs to be clear on what is needed. Wick shared the concerns of the Facility Committee. Weyrens shared with Council that the current space will work for a few years and even if the building was to be sold the repairs on the HVAC system would still need to be done. These repairs would not take place until spring. Loso commented that he would support the project returning to the Facility Committee excluding the City offices and Police Department. He would like to see the Committee just focus on the community center. He also would like to see what the operational costs would be.Weyrens expressed that she feels the community thinks that this would be at no charge to the patrons. She expressed that the usage charges should be made clear to the community. The Fire Hall is a good example. Some residents would like to use the facility but do not want to pay a usage fee because they live in the town. They think they are paying for it through other mechanisms.Wick agreed there should be a user fee. Schultz questioned the opinion of the EDA on the downtown area. Wick stated that they have not had this discussion before. Schultz likes the idea of having all facilities in one space and prefers keeping it ' downtown, but he doesn't feel it will work. If you start looking at the architects projections for parking it may be counterproductive to the mission of the EDA. Schultz is very adamant about having a , government facility in downtown. Frank concurred with Schultz, that most communities would like to have some faction of government in the downtown area. Frank stated that he is agreeable with building over time. He is all for having a master plan that will require the city to build step-by-step. It may take three to five years to complete. Wick asked Bartlett about the cash balances from the October state-collected sales tax and what has been allocated from those funds. Bartlett confirmed that there was$1.3 million collected and about $900,000 of those funds have been committed for projects that have already been approved.Weyrens explained that some of the funds have already been spent for payments to Stearns County. She also informed Council that$1.8 million of the sales tax is uncommitted that could be used as revenue stream. Schultz questioned Wick if he could add members to the Facility Committee to have the bigger discussion as to what goes into a community room. It would also be advantageous to determine what an operational budget might look like.Wick questioned the status of the architectural contract and implications of delaying action. Jansky expressed that before the architects are called back in decisions must be made by the committee as to what is going into this building and what kind of use it will have—Schultz agreed. It was decided that the Committee will seek further information and input regarding just the community center and will then bring the information back to Council. Engineer/Public Works Director Reports Storm Water Ordinance: Weyrens stated that the City has recently received notification from MPCA that � the City does not have an Ordinance managing illicit discharge and provided samples that could be ' modified and adopted. City Engineer Randy Sabart stated that the current General Storm Water Permit required of the City requires that we prohibit contamination in the storm sewer. Staff will draft a proposed ordinance for Council consideration at the next Council meeting. Proiect Update—Countv Road 2: Sabart reported that the majority of the trail grading and paving has been completed on the County Road 2 trail. The construction of the trail on the north of CR 3 has been graded to the gravel base but will not be completed until 2013. The contractor is still ordering signs and box culverts as well as working on lighting for the intersection. � _ - _ November 15, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Administrator Reports Fire Relief Board: Schultz reported that the Fire Relief Association is working on re-establishing their 501 3(c)status and as part of that process they need to establish what happens to unobligated funds in the event the Relief Association dissolves. The Relief Association has requested that the City Council amend the bylaws of the Relief Association to indicate that in the event of dissolution, all remaining funds will be turned over to the City of St. Joseph to be used for public safety or fire education. Frank made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Fire Board amending the by-laws as stated above. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Libertv Pointe: Weyrens presented the Council with a resolution whereby the City would remove snow from Jefferson Lane for the 2012/2013 season. MN Statute includes a provision whereby the City can remove snow in developments with five or more undeveloped lots. Liberty Pointe currently has nine lots underdeveloped. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2012-0017 providing snow removal on Jefferson Lane in the Liberty Pointe Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Snow Joes Trail ReQUest: Weyrens reported that the Snow Joes are seeking approval to mark lot line west of the McDonalds facility from the Wobegon Trail to CR 133 as a snowmobile trail and to continue using Elm Street to approach CR 133. The Council clarified that they cannot grant approval to use private property, but they would allow access to Elm Street so the that snowmobiters could access CR 133. Wick made a motion to grant snowmobile trail approval accessing Elm Street to connect to CR 133. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Mayor Reports Updates: Schultz reported: 1)the new website is live and accessible to the public; 2)the R1 Rental Housing Committee has finished meeting and will forward their recommendation to the Planning Commission and upon their approval will be forwarded to the City Council for discussion; 3)will be part of the Coalition LGA and Property Tax Committee. Council Reports FRANK—No Report LOSO—No Report W ICK—No Report Ad'ourn:Wick made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Gl� Judy e ns d ' istrator This page intentionally left blank