HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [10] Oct 03October 3, 2013
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council met in regular session on Thursday,
October 3, 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 Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, Bob Loso and City
Administrator Judy Weyrens
City Representatives Present: Police Chief Joel Klein, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Finance
Director Lori Bartlett, City Engineer Randy Sabart
Others Present: Robin Sand
Approval of the Agenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded
by Loso and passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Schultz and passed unanimously.
a. Minutes — Approved the minutes of September 5, September 15, and September 23, 2013
b. Bills payable — Approved check numbers 046966 - 0470017 and payroll EFT #000844-
000848 and accounts payable EFT # 001627- 001630
c. Pay Application— Authorized the Mayor to execute Pay Application 1 for the 2013 Bituminous
Street Improvement, authorizing payment in the amount of $ 217,647.05 to Knife River.
d. Ordering Public Hearing: Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution
2013 -037 authorizing a public hearing for the proposed 2014 Park Terrace Improvements.
e. Joint Powers Agreement: Authorized execution of the Joint Powers Agreement for the St.
Cloud Regional Human Rights Office.
St. Joseph Chamber, Office Request: Robin Sand, President of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
approached the Council to discuss a partnership between the City and Chamber. The St. Joseph
Chamber is looking to the future and focusing on the positive. The executive committee of the Chamber
is working on building the business community both personally and for the community. The Chamber is
looking to have a presence in the City Office and work with the EDA. Therefore, they would like to utilize
an office in the facility and staff one day a week. This would allow the Chamber to have a presence and
could build the business community. Frank questioned how this would work with other groups and space
and the larger impact. He suggested that maybe it be looked at long term especially with the current
facility planning. Frank also discussed a community event that is being planned by
Loso questioned what type of business or activity would occur. Sand stated that the Chamber staff
person would be returning phone calls, assisting persons looking for offerings in St. Joseph. Reaching
out to new business prospects, business mentor, archiving of past chamber, minutes of Chamber, design
posters for events, help with miscellaneous office tasks. Would serve as glue to keep the chamber
functioning. Loso also questioned if the office could be located in the lower level, as that is where he
would prefer the space to be located. Sand stated that the Chamber is willing to have the employee sign
a confidential agreement to provide additional insurance to help provide assurance. Schultz stated that
he feels that the Chamber and the City can work together, and the Chamber does similar functions as the
EDA. The position does lead to a liaison between the City and Business Community. There are some
logistic issues, with traffic and how the public is managed. Schultz requested that Sand meet with
Weyrens and the EDA Director to continue the discussion. Sand stated that the Chamber has offered
Frank made a motion to table continued discussion to October 17, 2013; seconded by Symanietz
and passed unanimously by those present.
Committee Reports
Park Board: The Park Board canceled the 5K run due to lack of participants with the only expense
approximately $ 700 for T- shirts. Since the shirts are not dated, the Park Board will try the event again
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next year and use the T -shirts at that time. The Park Board also discussed the improvements to
Cloverdale Park and started planning a winter family event.
EDA: Frank reported that the EDA met and discussed the following: 1) looking at completing a market
study for the feasibility of a hotel. Two proposals were received to provide the study at a cost range of $
8,000 to $ 9,500. The prior market studies did not address lodging so data is needed; 2) The EDA has
looked at downtown properties and they have identified two properties that they have interest in
purchasing for future development. Frank also discussed the proposed relocation of the Farmer's Market
and that will impact the downtown area; 3) The EDA is looking at hosting a business event or round table;
4) The EDA is considering constructing a billboard that could be used for public events; 5) Approved a
facade grant to Retail Therapy for outside improvements
Facility Committee: Symanietz reported that the facility committee met and looked at three different
options for the site reducing the foot print and planning for the future. Schultz questioned if the proposed
facility has room for expansion to which Weyrens stated yes.
City Engineer Reports
Street Light Request: Sabart reported that Weyrens had received a request for street lighting at the
intersection of 20th and Minnesota Street and 1 7th and Minnesota Street. As the area is served by
Stearns Electric, they were contacted and they estimate the installation to be approximately $ 7,800.
Since Stearns Electric does not offer LED lights, Public Works Director Terry Thene solicited a quote from
Design Electric which ranged from $ 10,000 to $ 12,000. Loso requested the staff research solar lighting,
to which Frank concurred. Loso stated that this may be a good opportunity to test the technology to see if
it would be an option for St. Joseph. Frank discussed the efforts of Xcel in building a solar field which can
then be sold to users. Schultz questioned if the St. Joseph Transportation Plan eventually straightens
Baker Street so that it becomes east and west, without the curve. Sabart stated that the current plans do
not change the alignment of Baker Street. Weyrens clarified that the City has not budgeted for the street
light, and while it could be funded through the Street Light utility, it would take time to build the fund.
Schultz discussed the lack of lighting on the new trail section adjacent to CR 134 and CR 75. He
questioned whether or not the City has plans to light the trail. Sabart stated that lighting was not included,
but he could look into the matter. He questioned if the Council was looking at decorative lighting and
would it be on both sides. The Council requested staff consider and bring and option back to the Council.
Weyrens stated that since this was a construction project, the sales tax funds could be used as an
addendum to the trail project.
Relocation of Power Lines: Sabart responded that staff has met with utility companies impacted if the
City would opt to relocate the power poles on Minnesota Street one block north, between 1 st Avenue NE
and 2nd Ave NW. The utility companies were asked to provide a rough estimate as to the costs the City
would incur should the Council move forward. The following estimates were received:
Charter Communications: $ 118,200 (underground) $ 92,000 (Aerial)
Mid Continent Communications: $ 63,000 (underground) $ 41,000 (Aerial)
Century Link (Telephone)
Design Electric (outside electrical) $ 175,000 - $ 225,000 (Aerial)
Preliminary Costs $ 447,000 - $ 545,000
Frank questioned if the City could force the utility companies to work together and complete the project
jointly. Sabart responded that while the City is the steward of the ROW, but we cannot force utility
companies to use joint trenches or ventures. Like most other ventures, the decision to work together is
based on cost. The information was presented as informational at this time.
Project Updates: Sidewalk and overlay projects are essentially complete. Staff will begin the discussions
on the water tower maintenance preparing the scope of work and projected timelines. Frank questioned
the lack of sidewalk on 2nd Avenue NW and businesses using the ROW for car parking require
pedestrians to use the road. Minimally he requested that the City staff enforce the ROW and not allow
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parking of cars on ROW. Schultz requested clarification on the status of the sidewalk, to which Weyrens
stated that the sidewalk is part of the CIP but it has not been prioritized. Klein stated that the area
referred to by Frank is grass, so is the request to have the residents walk on the grass or that area. Klein
concurred that there is a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic, particularly on weekend evenings.
Administrator Reports
Liberty Point Snow Removal: Weyrens presented the Council with information regarding the continued
snow removal for Jefferson Street, which is a private street. In 2012 the City resolved that it was not
feasible to assume Jefferson Street as a public street as the City cannot secure enough ROW to meet the
minimum City standards. At the same time the City Attorney provided information whereby a City can
plow private streets for an underdeveloped development. The Statute requires the City to review the
status of the development annually to determine the development status. Weyrens stated that the status
of the development has not changed since 2012, so the City has the ability to continue snow removal for
the 2013 -2014 season. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute
resolution 2013 -038, declaring Liberty Pointe as underdeveloped, allowing the City to remove
snow on Jefferson Lane for the 2013/3014 season. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and
passed unanimously by those present.
Sales Tax: Extension: Weyrens presented the Council with the compilation of ideas generated at the
Intergovernmental Meeting regarding proposed regional projects. The area Cities conduced a
brainstorming session using the following categories: Transportation, Facilities, and Parks and Trails.
The area Mayors and Administrators will be meeting to discuss proposed regional projects and before
that meeting the Council should provide input to the Mayor. The Council concurred that all APO projects
on the list should be removed as other funding sources are available. In addition, special interest projects
such as Clark Field should be removed as well. Loso stated that he preferred to have more than one
project and questioned if that is possible.
Mayor Reports
Work Session: Schultz reported that the Council met in a work session on September 23, 2013 at which
time the Council discussed the proposed Park Terrace Improvements, Water Main Issue and Sewer
Extension.
Meetings: Schultz reported that he recently attended the APO meeting at which time they discussed the
APO Trail projects and potential extensions. On October 8, 2013 area leaders will be meeting with the
new District 742 School Superintendent and the area Mayors have been invited to judge the Quilts at the
Heritage Quilt Show.
Police Chief Reports: Police Chief Joel Klein reported that the Police Department has been busy with
CSB /SJU homecoming and the Millstream Arts Festival. He stated that the SJU ROTC and student
senate cleaned the downtown area after the bars closed on homecoming and walked through some of the
neighborhoods cleaning debris as well.
Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed
unanimously by those present.
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