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Home My WebLink About2014 [08] Aug 25 August 25 2014 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, August 25, 2014 at 5:00 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, Steve Frank, Bob Loso, City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Police Chief Joel Klein Others Present: Tom Klein, Michelle Hansmann, Preston Euerle, Steve Plantenberg, Scott Mareck, Phil Barnes. Facilitation Services: RA Morton(Preston Eurele)and WSB (Phil Barnes) provided an overview of services they would provide if selected to facilitate community outreach for a potential government facility. The Council accepted the presentation as information and will discuss at an upcoming meeting. Public Comments Approval of the Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the noted additions and changes to the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. a. Minutes—Approved the minutes of July 17, 2014. b. Bills Payable—Approved check numbers048207-048229; payroll EFT#000964-000973 and accounts payable EFT#001662-001663. d. Gambling Report—Accepted the 2nd quarter Gambling Report as presented. 6(c)Treasurer Report: Frank questioned where the revenue on street lights is coming from.Weyrens stated that all revenue comes from the new utility fee. Frank is concerned with the areas where the expenses are far more than the revenues, such as water and sewer. Weyrens stated that when reviewing the revenue for fees, it is important to remember that the City bills in the rear, therefore the reports only illustrate five months of revenue, but 7 months of expenditures. Bartlett stated that when making the fee schedule, staff does look at many different variables. If there is a wet summer, then water then water revenue will decrease due to less water usage. Bartlett stated that they are on track to break even with the fees that have been set in place. 6(e) Fiber Contract:Frank stated that he would like to have actual people from Mid-Continent working in St. Joseph.Weyrens stated that because they have an office in Cold Spring, it is unlikely that they will open a separate office in St. Joseph. Frank questioned if there is a way to in the future open the fiber optics option to businesses in town rather than for just City use. Weyrens stated that when the City extended Fiber through Mid-Continent, they did so, so that it could extend to the industrial area so that others may take advantage of the infrastructure. Frank made a motion to approve the consent agenda items 6(c)and 6(e).The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. 2015 Preliminary Budget, Capital Improvement:Weyrens presented the Council with the proposed capital improvement plan (CIP)for the 2015 budget. This part of the budget process identifies equipment and infrastructure needs forecasting into the future. Weyrens stated the material includes a summary sheet along with a detailed sheet describing the costs including projected expenditure and method of financing. Sabart stated during the budget process in 2013, the prioritized three projects: Park Terrace, the Water Tower Rehabilitation, and the Main Pump Station Improvements. Each of those projects were ultimately August 25 2014 Page 2 of 3 funded and are under construction. Using a similar process Sabart stated that he and Thene identified the following projects for discussion for possible funding in 2015. The projects include: 1. Street Improvements to Clinton Village 2. Northland Area Overlay 3. Central Business District Sewer and Street Improvements 4. Upgrade Old Water Main Schultz stated that he would give the downtown a sense of place. Schultz added that some budget specific items he would like to see considered would be: • Additional sidewalk in Northland Park • Making connections from parks to trails • Access from monument park to MN Street • Consider open space in downtown to increase walkability and green space • Invest in splash pad/wading pool, and also a skate board park • Upgrade Millstream Park Shelter • Make the fire hall community room electronically capable • Allocate funds for future City Hall, PD, Historical Society facility upgrades • Continue with fun events • Elm Street Extension from Northland to CR133 • Planning for the manufacturing of legalized marijuana Schultz added that he does not have estimates for his recommendations, but feels they are all good ideas to incorporate into the budget. Frank stated that he would like to see some of the ideas that are brought up year after year completed. Even if it is something small, it is a start in the direction for what is wanted in the City. He further stated that he would like to see the City explore shared services, and equipment with other area cities in order to cut some expenses City Engineer Reports—Project Updates Park Terrace: The utility work is winding down and will hopefully wrap up by early next week. Sabart added the neighborhood has been very cooperative with staff. Frank questioned if the new trees that are going to be planted are the responsibility of the property owner or are they included in the project. Sabart stated that it will be part of the project and a certain number of trees are budgeted automatically.With regard to each resident's property, there will be additional funds set aside in the event that any other trees are affected by the new sewer lines. Sabart stated they budget for nursery stock trees that are about 12-13 feet in height. The hook-ups to the water will be done when the project progresses, same with the sewer. There will be time for the hook-ups into 2015 after the street is constructed. Main Pump Station: Construction on the new wet wells and connecting pipes is beginning.The project is going well. Water Tower: The project is complete and the City is fully converted over to the City tower. There are conversations currently underway with both Verizon and Sprint regarding getting their antennae up on the tower. Committee Update Joint Planning Board: Schultz stated a hearing was conducted regarding a variance to build a shed closer to the road than the house. The property is located in the Sunset Ridge Addition and the lots contain a large of amount of unbuildable property. August 25 2014 Page 3 of 3 In addition the Board was approached by Mike Deutz to allow an accessory building in the gravel pit. When questioned why it was not permitted,Weyrens stated that the property in the OA area follows the County Ordinances and the Memorandum of Understanding that is part of the OA agreement. The Council Ordinance does not allow accessory buildings in gravel pits and the MOU does not provide an exception to allow the use either. The MOU includes a provision that if a use is not listed as permitted and it is determined to be consistent with the St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan and Ordinance, a property owner may apply for a conditional use permit. Since the use is not listed nor is it consistent with the documents,the only method left to allow the building is by amending the OA agreement. Amending OA would require a public hearing and mailed notice to all property owners in the OA agreement. At this time Deutz is not requesting to amend the OA. Fire Board: Loso reported the Fire Board met recently and discussed: approved refresher EMT classes for one member of the Fire Department; approved the purchase of one set of turnout gear; and was notified of one pending retirement, leaving the department one member short. The Board also discussed the 2015 preliminary budget approving a budget with an increase of approximately 3%. Mayor Reports Army Grand Opening: Schultz reported that he attended the ribbon cutting for the Army Reserve. Since then has received a few emails asking who they need to contact for renting out the facility.Weyrens stated that the building is not a national guard building so there is not the opportunity for community use. Schultz added that in the event of a natural disaster,they will help as part of their community service. CMGC conference. Schultz reported that attended the Coalition for Greater MN Cities Conference and the two main issues discussed were broadband and MPCA standards. The state guideline for broadband is 10 down 5 up. Stearns County is about 50% served at the 10 down 5 up level. They want to treat it like a utility where everyone across the state has the same access.There is a$20 million grant for a City to upgrade their broadband. Schultz stated that CMGC is suing MPCA to make them prove the enforcements they are placing on cities. Schultz added that all the enforcements are over$20 million and small towns are not able to afford it. In addition there is a new coalition of Mayors called "84% Coalition". The main purpose for the coalition is to obtain funding for transportation. New Business Schultz questioned about the trees that died in Klinefelter. Thene stated that those will be replanted. He is also going around the City and by St. Ben's that have died and those will be replaced as well. Adjourn: Motion made by Frank to adjourn at 8:00 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. 4/ -4614,/ J,• Weyrens inistrator