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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes - November 20 November 20, 2014 Page 1 of 5 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Renee Symanietz, Dale Wick, Bob Loso, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Police Chief Joel Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett Others Present: Tom Klein Public Comments Wick made a motion to approve the agenda pulling item 4(c) Wellness Approval of the Agenda: Program. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Symanietz made a motion to approve the remaining items on the consent Consent Agenda: agenda. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. a. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 048575-048614, Payroll EFT # 000998-001002 and accounts payable EFT #001674. b. Transfers – Authorized the annual transfer of funds as proposed. 4(c) Wellness Program – Wick questioned who is responsible for paying the employees the incentive. In the MOU, Wick noted it has the City responsible for paying. Weyrens stated the MOU is a sample and will be modified to show that the incentive is paid through Training Resource and Solutions, the Coop that Wick made a motion approving item 4c, Wellness Program, provides the employee health insurance. authorizing the execution of the agreement for participation in the Wellness Program. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Sign Ordinance: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission has forwarded the final Sign Ordinance Draft. The Planning Commission starting reviewing the Sign Ordinance in January 2014, soliciting input from the various City Boards and Commission, sign vendors and the public by means of a public hearing which was conducted in September. After considerable discussion, the Ordinance presented by the Planning Commission does allow for off premise, billboard, signs along CR 75 as well as pylon signs. Both billboards and pylons have previously been prohibited. Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the amended Sign Ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Discussion: Loso stated he does not agree with the Planning Commission’s recommendation allowing billboards in the City. Loso added the City just went through a legal case regarding billboards and it would not make sense to start allowing them now. Wick concurred with Loso and stated that based on the minimum distance between billboards, space is not available, therefore, the provisions is meaningless. He questioned why a provision is included that cannot be applied. Amendment #1: Loso made a motion amending the motion by eliminating Subdivision 13, Billboards from the Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Discussion: Schultz stated the Planning Commission went back and forth on billboards. There is a place for billboards which is why the corridors were created. Schultz added that by finding some place for billboards seemed like a middle ground. Wick stated he has had multiple conversations with people in town who feels that billboards were not allowed for a reason. Additionally, Wick calculated where billboards would be allowed based on the November 20, 2014 Page 2 of 5 regulations. In the ordinance, billboards have to be 1,500 feet apart, 100 feet from a right of way, and 300 feet from an adjoining residential district. With those regulations in place, there is not one spot along the corridor where a billboard could be placed. Wick stated that the Ordinance would allow billboards, but billboards would not be able to be constructed due to the regulations within the ordinance. Wick questioned why a large portion of Subdivision 8, Illuminated Signs is being removed. Weyrens stated that most area cities have the general paragraph which makes it easier to regulate. The added regulations cause confusion as the City wouldn’t have a way to enforce those added regulations.  Sign Heights: Wick stated that in each of the districts, sign heights were changed from 20 feet to 36 feet. Weyrens stated that because the Planning Commission was allowing billboards, they wanted to have all signs to be at 36 feet. Wick’s concern was raising the sign height after the public hearing because there was not time for public feedback. Amendment #2: Wick made a motion to amend the previous motion by having the maximum height of all signs be 20 feet. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.  Language Change : Wick stated that on page 52.11-20 under D(i), the language should be changed to “Signs maybe larger than necessary for visibility and readability.”  Word Removal : Page 52.11-23, Subdivision 20(J), the word “in” should be removed.  Pylon Signs : Wick stated that Pylon Signs were one of the bigger discussion points. In the ordinance presented, pylon signs are permitted. Wick questioned where pylon signs should be allowed. Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission recommended approving the pylon signs along the same corridors as the billboards. The consensus was to allow pylon signs as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Downtown service signage area : Off-premise signs area allowed in this area in the Corridor along MN St and College Ave. Wick questioned what those signs would look like. Weyrens stated initially monument type signs were discussed to direct traffic downtown. Weyrens added that the signs are subject to special use review where further regulations are applied. The amended motion was approved unanimously by those Vote on original motion as amended. present. Finance Director Reports 2015 Proposed Fee Schedule, Refuse Bids: Weyrens reported the City solicited bids for the residential refuse services. The current contract with Republic services ends December 31, 2014. Proposals were solicited from West Central Sanitation, Republic Services, and Waste Management. In reviewing the proposals the lowest proposals was submitted by the current carrier, Republic Services. Weyrens clarified that the refuse service was bid without a recycling incentive program; therefore, the Recycle Wick made a motion authorizing the Bank program will end with the expiration of the current contract. Mayor and administrator to execute a three year service agreement with Republic Services to provide residential refuse service per the bid submitted and accepted. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Adrian Miller, Republic Services: Miller approached the Council on behalf of Republic Services. Miller stated that Republic Services were able to reduce the refuse fees by over $ 1 per month by eliminating the Recycle Bank program. He stated that the recycling incentive program, Recycle Bank, is in the process of phasing out. Residents will still be able to use the points they have accumulated and earn additional points through options on their website, but they will no longer receive points for recycling. Miller further stated Republic Services is planning to introduce a new recycling incentive program at some time in the future. 2015 Proposed General Fund Budget: Weyrens and Bartlett reviewed the proposed preliminary budget with the Council as well as the draft enterprise fund budgets. Since the Council has adopted the November 20, 2014 Page 3 of 5 preliminary budget, staff has identified two options for lowering the proposed budget and reducing the proposed tax rate. The first opportunity is changing the maintenance allocation allowed through the MSA funding. City Engineer Randy Sabart stated that annually the City receives State Aid funding equaling $ 20.60 per capita or $ 136,532. In addition, the City receives $13.73/1,000 feet of MSA roadway, totaling $ 34,632.00. The City has been investing the past allocations and is reaching a point where the City may be penalized for too high of a balance The State does allow municipalities to request up to 25% of the annual allocation to be dedicated to street maintenance. Sabart stated that requesting 25% would allow the City an additional $ 55,000, to which Bartlett added would reduce the proposed levy by approximately 1.7%. Loso made a motion authorizing staff to send correspondence to the state requesting the change in MSAS maintenance allotment to 25% of the total allocation. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Wick questioned what projects the City has included in the CIP that could utilize MSA funding. Sabart stated that the east/west corridor would be an eligible project. It is designated as a state-aid route. Northland drive would also be a candidate. Sabart stated that this may be only one of the programs where you are rewarded for utilizing the entire fund. There is an option to borrow against future allocated funds in order to fully fund a project. The second opportunity for lowering the proposed 2015 budget is utilizing the unspent EDA operation budget balance. The EDA fund is a General Fund type activity and the residual balance should have been transferred to the General Fund at year end. The EDA has built up their operational balance the past couple years with the levy added into the fund. The EDA board agreed during their budget discussions that carryover funds would be transferred to the general fund. Staff anticipates carryover transfer to be $35,000, 1.08% decrease. Weyrens stated that staff is looking for direction on the budget moving forward. The City Council has not reviewed the 2015 enterprise budget yet as staff has been gathering potential sewer costs for the area cities. Finance Director, Lori Bartlett stated that the proposed 2015 preliminary tax capacity rate is 54.887%. The two items previously discussed would save residents about $50/year on a $200,000 home. Bartlett stated that when looking at tax statements, Stearns County has proposed to decrease their tax rate about 1.5%. The school district had a large increase which is dictated by the state. Bartlett added that if there is an increase in taxes, the bigger portion of that would be from the school district. Bartlett also reached out to area cities for their preliminary tax rates. Sauk Rapids will decrease as there is a large TIF for 2015 that will roll off. Both St. Cloud and Waite Park will see increases. 2015 Proposed Enterprise Fund Budget: Bartlett stated the city has 5 enterprise funds: water, sewer, storm water, street light utility, and refuse. The budget presented is similar to previous years. There are significant debts in water and sewer, specifically with sewer for about the next 5 years. For both water and sewer, the pumps are showing wear and aging and will need to be replaced. Chemical costs are also fluctuating and increasing. Wick questioned if there is a way for the area cities to get together to buy the chemicals in bulk. Thene stated he has been working with St. Cloud’s supplier and he has agreed to offer the same price to St. Joseph, if they buy in bulk. The street light utility fees are adequately covering costs to operate the fund. Staff recommends increasing the reserve funding for future light replacement as they reach their useful lives. Loso questioned if the sewer rates were increasing. Bartlett stated there will be an increase in the sewer rates. With all the debts in the sewer funds there is going to be a need to increase the rates. Bartlett added that area cities are increasing as well. November 20, 2014 Page 4 of 5 Wick stated the Council just approved a refuse contract that would decrease costs; however the fee schedule is showing an increase. Bartlett stated that the last couple of years, the Council have opted to buying down some of the reserve. Wick questioned about the water meter charges increasing. Thene stated that the charges are coming from the suppliers. The costs are not finalized. Wick suggested having a disclaimer in that section to allow for differences based on varying supplier costs that could occur. City Engineer Reports – Project Updates Sabart stated that the signal light out on County Road 2 and Minnesota Street intersection has been installed. Wick questioned if they are still making timing adjustments. Sabart stated that they are making adjustments and is unaware if those adjustments have been completed. Committee Update th Fire Board: Loso reported the Fire Board met on the 13. A recommendation was made to hire new members in 2015. Fire Chief Jeff Taufen will remain the Fire Chief as no one else applied for the position. The Fire Board recommends approval of David Salzer and Paul Phillipp for the 2 year captain position and Dan Muyres for the 1 year captain position. One member stepped down and there will be two openings for the fire department. rd Aquatics Committee: Wick stated that the aquatics facility committee has a meeting on December 3. All residents should have received a survey in their water bills and the link to that survey is online as well. Administrator Reports Mediation: Weyrens stated that mediation for the Park Terrace assessment contention is scheduled for the middle of December, to which the City needs to appoint two Council members to participate. Symanietz and Wick volunteered to participate. 2015 Council Meeting: Weyrens stated that the Council will have to reschedule their first meeting in 2015 as it falls on New Year’s Day. The Council agreed to schedule the first meeting of the New Year for th January 5, 2015 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Reports Kennedy Career Event: Schultz stated that he was joined by the Policeman, Fireman, and the National Guard to discuss what they do for the City. Mayor Coalition of 84: Schultz reported the coalition met to come up with recommendations on transportation funding. There were around 12 recommendations which will be provided to the Councilors. MN State Statute 453.44 Sidewalk Improvement Districts: Schultz stated he had staff look at the statute which is a template for establishing a fee for sidewalk. Fire Relief Association: There are new accounting standards changing how the City audits the pensions of the Fire Relief. LVX System Product Launch: The event was held at Apollo High School. Seven astronauts were brought to the school. The City of St. Cloud uses the data communication piece of the LVX System. Joint Planning Meeting: Two new residential developments were discussed. One was Sunset Ridge Phase II north of town. The request was to rezone the area to R10. The other development is south of town and the request to rezone to area R10 as well. November 20, 2014 Page 5 of 5 Community Facilities Meeting: Symanietz reported that facility committee recently met and continued the discussion on the future facility needs of the City. Schultz added that the committee is beginning stages and additional information will follow. Schultz stated that he will be meeting with the President of CSB to discuss the College’s relationship with the City. Anything the Councilors would like to be brought up to the College should be communicated to Schultz. Wick made a motion to enter into a closed session pursuant to MN Statute 13d.05 Closed Meeting: subd. 3(b) to discuss with the City Attorney the settlement offer by Niedenfuer. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Symanietz made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed Adjourn: unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator This page intentionally left blank