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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [12] Dec 20 December 20,2012 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, December 20, 2013 in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens Citv Representatives Present: City Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Pete Jansky and Public Works Director Terry Thene Others Present: PUBLIC COMMENTS—No one present wished to speak. Approve of Actenda: Loso made a motion to�pprove the agenda removing consent agenda item (a) minutes; the motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Aqenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Symanietr and passed unanimously. a. Removed b. Bills Payable—Approved check numbers 045948-046038, payroll EFT#000737-000746 and accounts payable EFT#001595. c. Treasurer Report—Accepted the November Treasurer's Report. d. Donations—Accepted the donations for the purposes stated. e. Liquor Licenses— Issued2013 Cigarette, Amusement and Malt Liquor Licenses. f. Liquor License Transfer—Approved the liquor license transfer from St.Joseph Amoco Liquor to Pequot Liquor LLC. g. Liability Insurance— Authorized the Administrator to execute the LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form,verifying that the City does not waive the monetary limits on tort liability ' Plannin4 Commissions: Weyrens reported that the Planning Commission received the recommendation of the R1 Rental Housing Committee regarding rental provisions in residential zoning districts. The Committee has recommended the R1 Zoning Ordinance be amended to allow property owners who have been trying to sell their home without success the opportunity to rent the home for a period of two years. The recommendation includes issuing an Interim Use Permit if a property owner qualifies which includes ' a public hearing and notification of the adjoining property. The Committee was split on whether or not the property owner could require an extension of the Interim Use Permit beyond two years. The Committee recommended that if the Council amends the Ordinance as recommended by the Committee, the provision should be reviewed after 18 months to determine its effectiveness and market conditions. Frank questioned the recommendation of the City Attorney, to which Weyrens stated that he recommended utilizing an Interim Use Permit with a sunset provision. He did not recommend allowing permits to be renewed as their might not be an incentive for the property owner to sell their home or they may opt to list the home at an unrealistic selling price, claiming the property is not selling. The Council discussed the provision whereby the property owner is required to validate that they have actively marketed and attempted to sell their home for three months. Weyrens stated the Committee suggested that a brokerage agreement would have to be provided to illustrate the hardship. Schultz stated that the Planning Commission has recommended the City Council move the amendment to the public hearing stage to solicit public input. Frank questioned procedurally what happens after the Planning Commission conducts the public hearing. Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to the City Council who will in turn accept, reject or modify the recommendation. The Planning Commission is charged by Statute to conduct the public hearing so when the matter comes to the Council it is not a hearing; rather Council I � December 20,2012 Page 2 of 3 discussion. Frank questioned why the Council would refer the matter back to the housing committee after 18 months and why the Planning Commission or City Council is not conducting the review. He stated it is his opinion that the Council over utilizes ad-hoc committees when boards and commissions are already in place. Weyrens stated that the committee was conflicted on whether or not property owners should be allowed to request an extension. Therefore, before the finro year period ends the committee felt it that the current economic conditions should be reviewed, including housing sale trends, utilization of the provision, or should the provision be removed. Frank questioned if the committee discussed implications if the property has ordinance compliance issues such as noise. Schultz stated that it would be the same as any other rental license. They would be cited for violation and the matter would come before the Council. The housing committee indicated that the license renewal would be the same as all other licenses, reviewed each year. Loso made a motion to request the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendment to allow for non-owner occupied rental license as recommended by the R1 Rental Housing Committee. The amendment would allow a property owner the opportunity to apply for an Interim Use Permit if certain conditions are met and would be valid for two years. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Committee/Board Reports EDA: Frank stated the EDA has been receiving favorable comments from those that have interacted with the City, whether it is City staff or the EDA Board. The EDA is in the process of completing the Business Retention and Expansion Survey(BRE). The purpose of the BRE is to identify strengths and weakness of the City all in an effort to promote and retain business. With the information received thus far, whether the business was small or large, there were no significant deficiencies. Wick added that the City Council will receive the full BRE results in January. Schultz questioned Wick as to the status of the consultant contract with Municipal Development Group(MDG). Wick stated that MDG has requested flexibility with the contract hours to which the EDA agreed. He clarified that the EDA Boards manages the contract with the City Council approving a budget for services. Park Board: Loso reported that the Park Board met recently and discussed the Snow Town/Joe Town winter recreation activity that is being planned for February 2013. The event will include a medallion hunt, skating, sledding, and some type of food and wine tasting. The wine tasting will be provided by Coborn's utilizing their MN Caterers license. Frank expressed appreciation to Archery Country for donating the targets for the new archery range. Administrator Reports Sales Tax Extension: Weyrens reported that the Mayors and Administrators met recently to discuss lobby services for the extension of the one-half cent regional sales tax. All the area Cities that are participants, including St. Cloud, have come to the same conclusion that the best chance for success of the extension is to utilize the services of a lobbyist. St. Cloud has agreed that due to the changes in representatives and change of control of the legislature, a lobbyist should be retained. The Coalition of Greater MN Cities has provided a cost proposal of$ 12,500 which is slightly higher than 2012. The Cities requested that the Coalition consider keeping the cost at the 2012 fee, but they indicated that actually spent over$ 11,500 on the 2012 effort and the 2013 initiative will include more work; therefore, they cannot reduce the cost. Loso stated that it is his opinion that a lobbyist is not needed and stated that the matter did not pass in 2012, so he does not support retaining a lobbyist. Schultz stated that the extension did pass the legislature but was vetoed by the Governor. Schultz stated that the change in the makeup of the legislature changes the effort that is needed. Frank stated that he is opposed to funding efforts such as lobbying for one-half cent sales tax from the refuse fund and the City should look at either budgeting for this service or add an administrative budget line item that could be used. � December 20,2012 Page 3 of 3 Wick questioned if a portion of the lobbying services should not be included with the membership that is paid by all the Cities. Schultz responded that the membership includes lobbying services that pertain to the broad member hi . Th s p e sales tax extensi�n is f�r a srecific segment�f the membership. He further stated that the initiative this time will require additional time and efFort and is not a guarantee. Schultz made a motion authorizing the utilization of Flaherty and Hood for lobbying services for the St. Cloud Area Sales Tax Extension with the area total cost of$ 12,500. The fee will be divided equally among the participating cities. The motion was seconded by Symanietz. Ayes: Schultz,Wick, Symanietz, Frank Nays: Loso Motion Carried 4:1:0 Performance Measures Survev: Weyrens reported that the Council opted to participate in the I Performance Measure Program as part of the budget process. The Performance Measure program re uires munici aiities to surve the ro ert owner on the effectiveness of ro rams and services q P Y P P Y P 9 measuring 10 standards. The survey results must be completed and accepted by the Council no later than December 31. As an incentive to solicit participation and encourage communication with residents, the Statute provides a per capita reimbursement and for St. Joseph that amount is$914.76. Weyrens stated that 30 responses received on the Performance Measured Survey which is slightly less than 2011. The City placed an ad in the St. Joseph Newsleader and the survey tool was provided and collected by the League of MN Cities through survey monkey. Loso suggests that we send out mailings I in future because not all residents' computers and the City may reach a broader audience. Wick made a motion to accept the survey results as reported by the League of MN Cities, authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2012-026. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Mayor Reports Fire Relief: The St. Joseph Fire Relief Association Board met recently and discussed the need to solicit bids for firms to conduct their annual audit and prepare all annual reports. APO: The January 24 APO meeting will include discussion on the Federal Transportation Planning Grant. City Council Reports FRANK—Frank commended the street department for their snow removal efforts and providing for safe roads. He questioned Public Works Director T�rry Thene on the type of solution used for ice control and why the movement from salt to sand. Thene responded that using salt is more effective for ice control I and reduces pollution in the storm water system. Frank stated that some communities have opted to use a liquid form of salt and if the City will be converting at some point and if so what costs would be anticipated. Thene stated that only Cities with major roads have converted and he does not see the City converting for some time. As an alternative the City is currently using thaw rocks which is treated salt and works well when temps are below zero LOSO—No Report WICK—No Report SYMANITEZ—No Report Adiourn: As enda was completed, Schultz adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM. Ju W���ns A inistrator i This page intentionally left blank