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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [09] Sep 05September 5, 2013 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council met in regular session on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Richard Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Peter Jansky, City Engineer Randy Sabart Others Present: Tim Roos, Duane Schultz PUBLIC COMMENTS Approval of the Agenda: Frank made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Frank and passed unanimously by those present: a. Minutes — Approved the minutes of July 31, 2013. b. Bills Payable — Approved check numbers 046912- 046965, payroll EFT # 000839 - 000843 and accounts payables EFT #001626.. Discussion: Loso questioned the bill for the City Attorney regarding the Park Terrace appraisal research as in his opinion the same information was presented to the Council as was in 2011. Schultz requested that Weyrens provided the Council with the hours included in the bill. Public Hearing — North Central Truck Accessories: Weyrens reported that the City received a request from North Central Truck Accessories to divide the property they own in Buettner Business Park 3. The request to subdivide allows North Central Truck Accessories to add a 12,000 square foot addition and create a second parcel that could be sold in the future. The current lot configuration would not allow construction of an addition to the existing building due to the property line and utility and drainage easements. The release of an easement requires a public hearing as the underlying property is dedicated to the public. The property owner has agreed to relocate the 10 foot easements adjacent to the proposed property lines. Mayor Schultz opened the public hearing. Duane Schultz spoke on behalf of North Central Truck Accessories and questioned if the ten foot easement was necessary. City Engineer Randy Sabart affirmed that the easement is needed and is consistent with the plat for which the property is located. In additional the zoning district requires a ten foot setback so the easement is not requiring additional real estate. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Certificate of Compliance severing Lot 3, Block 1 Buettner Business Park 3, requiring a ten foot drainage and utility easement adjacent to the new property line. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. City Engineer Reports 2013 Bituminous Overlay: Sabart reported that the concrete work has begun on the 2013 Street Improvement Project and he is waiting for confirmation when the bituminous work will begin. The contractor has relatively short window remaining as the project completion date is September 15, 2013. The project will not require much effort on the part of the contractor; therefore the deadline is feasible. 2013 Sidewalk Improvement: Sabart reported that the sidewalk improvements for 2013 are nearing completion with some restoration work outstanding. He will continue to work with the contractor to assure the project is completed. September 5, 2013 Page 2 of 4 2014 Park Terrace Improvement: Sabart reported that his staff is working on the updated feasibility report which will be ready for presentation later this month. 2011 CR 2 Re- Alignment: Sabart reported that the Stearns County Engineer has determined that the intersection at CR 3 and CR 75 has meet federal warrant guidelines for installation of a signal light. It is anticipated that construction will occur in 2014. Loso questioned the funding of the proposed signal light. Sabart stated that he does not anticipate any City funding for the effort. Minnesota Street and CR 2 did not meet the requirements for signalization but the County will continue to monitor. Loso stated that it is his opinion that since the project has been completed the intersection has become safer. Sabart stated that he did have some discussion with the Stearns County Highway Department about the length of the turn lane and related stripping and if modifications would make the intersection safer. Stearns County indicated that the turn lanes did not need modification. Sabart stated that as he or the City is approached with concerns they are relayed to the County and while the City may not always achieve the results they are looking for, the concerns are relayed. Loso questioned the status of the spoil pile adjacent to Minnesota Street and CR 2. Sabart stated that he would check with Stearns County but it is his understanding that since the project is complete the excess topsoil will be removed. Loso stated that if they want to dispose of the topsoil, he is sure that the material could be used in Millstream. Sabart responded that typically the top soil becomes the property of the contractor but he will contact the County. Symanietz questioned the status of the Park and Ride and if it is completed. Loso stated that the lights have been turned on and it is very bright. Sabart stated that it is his understanding that the lights are programmed to decrease when no activity. Committee Reports Park Board: Loso reported the Park Board is planning a 5K Run in conjunction with the Millstream Arts Festival. The event will include a kid run as well through the College of St. Benedict. Schultz questioned if the Lions have been approached for assistance to which Loso stated he is uncertain. The Park Board is also planning the winter activity and it is still in the infancy. Loso requested clarification on the $ 6,000 2013 Park Board budget, as it was his understanding that the funds were for activities not tied to a capital project. Weyrens stated that the funds he is referring to was budgeted through the CIP for Park Development. The Park Board did not provide a separate budget for activities. Loso questioned if the budget for 2014 includes funding to which Weyrens stated $ 3,000 is included in the budget; however, that too is tied to the CIP. EDA: Frank reported that the EDA met recently and discussed the following: • Hotel Market Study — Based on information received from Councilor Symanietz, the EDA Director has been discussing the prospects of a hotel for St. Joseph with a development firm. The firm is requesting the City /EDA complete a market study to help determine viability. The EDA is not unanimous on this matter but on a 4 -1 vote agree to solicit RFP's for a market study. The EDA Director has completed some research and the hotel industry is very lean and a tough economic industry. City Wi -FI service — One of the EDA Members discussed the possibility of creating a WI -FI for the community. This was a recent topic of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Frank stated that areas that do not have internet provider competition, there may be an advantage for the municipality. However, St. Joseph has competition, so it may not be a viable project. Schultz questioned what the EDA intends on doing with the information? Frank stated it was an idea that was explored and is laying by the wayside at this time. Schultz stated that if it is a prospect the EDA wants to pursue they should assign tasks to advance the project, not just let it lay. Frank agreed to bring the matter back to the EDA for resolution. • Downtown: Discussion on available properties and opportunities with the downtown business district. Frank stated the EDA is waiting until the City has decided on the City facility and parking. September 5, 2013 Page 3 of 4 Schultz stated that the decision has already been made to use the existing site so he is uncertain as to why the EDA cannot move forward with the downtown footprint. Frank stated the EDA did have some discussion on whether or not the EDA should purchase some property in the downtown area. Schultz stated that the EDA needs to determine their goals for downtown, how they see the downtown developing and what steps are needed. It is his understanding that the City has a lack of shovel ready sites. Frank stated he would bring the matter back to the EDA. Administrator Reports Fire Department Grant: Weyrens reported that the Fire Department received funding form the MN DNR in the amount of $ 1,500 to be used for the purchase of two backpack blowers, two pagers and six radios with a charging station. At the same time the Fire Department is requesting two declare the existing backpack blowers as surplus allowing the same to be disposed. Symanietz made a motion to accept the $ 1,500 Grant from the MN DNR for the stated purposes and to declare the existing backpack blowers as surplus allowing for disposal. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Loso discussed the annual contribution of the College /Monastery of St. Benedict and how the funds are recorded versus the Fire Fund and General Fund. Weyrens stated that 2012 was the first year the City received and additional $ 15,000 which was placed in the General Fund. Loso questioned how the funds will be divided in 2013. Weyrens stated that the City has not received the contribution for 2013 and when the presentation was made in 2012 they indicated they would review the contribution annually. Therefore when the City receives a donation, the Council will have to accept in the same manner in which the DNR Grant was accepted and at that time the Council can have the discussion of the allocation. Wobegon Grant Application: Weyrens reported that the Stearns County Parks Department is applying for funding through the Legacy fund for the extension of the Wobegon Trail. As part of the application they are seeking a letter of support from the City of St. Joseph. Frank made a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute a letter of support seeking funding for the extension of the Wobegon Trail to be included in the Stearns County Application for Legacy Funding. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Mayor Reports Joint Planning Commission Meeting_ The Planning Commissions from the City and Township met to continue the discussion on the updating of the Orderly Annexation Agreement. The three areas they are reviewing include: 1) extending the period of pay back from five to ten years; 2) stop the use of zones on maps; 3) protect the rights of the City to annex property. Loso stated it sounds one sided to which Schultz stated that it has potential for the City. Weyrens stated that in 2017 the zones expire, per the executed agreement. The discussion is can the agreement be modified to today to remove the zones and allow the City to annex property provided the annexation criteria is satisfied. Schultz clarified that in 2018 the City will have the rights to annex as described by Weyrens. The Township is looking to extend the tax base for a longer time span for financial stability and for planning purposes. Frank requested that staff provided the pro and cons of the different alternatives as well as the financial impact. Collegeville Properties: Schultz reported that he attended the open house for the assisted living facility operated by Collegeville properties. He encouraged the Council to walk through the facility as well as they are an asset to the City. County Board — Golf Carts: Schultz reported that he watched the County Board meeting when they considered allowing golf carts on County Roads. Both the Sheriff and Engineer had concerns on the utilization of County Roads, but the Board directed the staff to draft an Ordinance. Frank stated that it was his understanding the County is seeking input from each City as to what roads they would like to see golf carts allowed to traverse. September 5, 2013 Page 4 of 4 College /Monastery Meeting: Schultz stated that he recently met with representatives of the College and Monastery is discuss items of mutual concern. They identified five areas of concern: 1) Water Tower maintenance and whether that will be completed in 2014; 2) Downtown Parking alternatives as it relates to angled parking; 3) Minnesota Street Turn back and the status; 4) Welcome Signs; 5) Street lighting fee and review of allocation and alternatives. St. Joseph Action Group: The St. Joseph Action Group has requested to approach the Council to discuss their community outreach efforts and how they assist the City. Council Reports SYMAN I ETZ Human Rights Joint Powers: Symanietz reported that she and Frank are members of the Joint Powers Board for the St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Office. The Cities of Sartell, Sauk Rapids and St. Joseph have partnered with the City of St. Cloud to manage a Regional Human Rights Office. The City of St. Cloud has funded the office and offered partnership at no cost to the area cities for 30 months. The JPA has recommended approval of the agreement which will be forwarded to the Council for execution. Symanietz reported that she was also appointed as the chair for the JPA. Commissioner Lindsay was present as well and discussed the allocation of funding. The JPA is also looking for four new members for the Human Rights Commission. LOSO — No Report FRANK Poverty Issues: Frank stated that he recently read an article on poverty and people that do not have housing using parks for temporary housing. He questioned Police Chief Joel Klein if he has seen transient housing at Millstream. Klein stated that the City maintains the campgrounds at Millstream and require permits for all sites with the maximum stay seven days. They have had some issues, but the department enforces the rules and politely move people along. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. C � Judy eyr s Admi strator