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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] MinutesMarch 16, 2015 Page 1 of 5 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph and the Economic Development Authority met in special session on Monday, March 16 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Acting Mayor Dale Wick, Councilors: Bob Loso, Matt Killam, Renee Symanietz. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. EDA Members Present: Dale Wick, Gary Osberg, Doug Danielson. City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Joel Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene Others Present: Tom Klein, Bernie Brixius, Sr. Michaela Hedican, Mary Hinton, Sr. Margaret Wurn, Sr. Ardella Koamel, Logan Gruber, Jacqueline Perez, Janne Maus, Marie Nilles-Melchert, Ronald Pagnucco, Wayne Birkholz Public Hearing – TIF, Central MN Credit Union: Weyrens stated there was a hearing notice published to consider the TIF application of the Central MN Credit Union, who is requesting TIF in the amount of $125,300 over a period of 5 years. An opportunity for the public to speak on the matter will occur after the hearing is opened and the presentation by the EDA Director, Cynthia Smith-Strack is given. Acting Mayor Wick opened the public hearing. Smith-Strack reported that Central MN Credit Union is requesting tax increment financing in the amount of $125,300 in connection with the construction of a service building within the City at an estimated building cost of $4.2 million. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on the TIF. Additionally a recommendation by the EDA to the Council, and approval or denial of the TIF by the Council is required. Smith-Strack added the project meets both the general and preferred eligibility requirements as it will retain and add jobs, maximize investment in the existing infrastructure, increase and diversify the tax base, and it is consistent with the overall plans for growth and redevelopment. Wick opened up the hearing for public comment. As no one present wished to speak on the matter, Wick Loso made a motion to close the public hearing. The motion called for a motion to close the hearing. was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Osberg made a motion recommending the City Council establish TIF District 3-1 and approve the utilization of TIF in the amount of $125,000. The motion was seconded by Danielson and passed unanimously by those present. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2015-009 Establishing Municipal Development District 3 and establishing TIF District 3-1, approving TIF in the amount of $125,000 plus the cost of the district establishment. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the TIF Development Plan between the City of St. Joseph and the Central MN Credit Union. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Symanietz made a motion to adjourn the Joint EDA/Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. March 16, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Acting Mayor Schultz opened the City Council Meeting at 6:10 PM. Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item Approval of the Agenda: 10d, Surplus Property. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion Consent Agenda: was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of March 2, 2015. b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 049003-049053, Payroll EFT # 001038-001042 and Accounts Payables EFT #001685-001686. c. Treasurer Report – Accepted the February Treasurer Report d. Surplus Property - Declared three seized vehicles as surplus allowing the same to be sold at an auction. College/Monastery of St. Benedict: Dr. Mary Hinton, President of the College of St. Benedict, and S. Michaela Hedican, Prioress of the Monastery of St. Benedict, approached the Council on behalf of the College and Monastery of St. Benedict. Dr. Mary Hinton presented voluntary donations to the City in the amounts of $20,000 on behalf of the College of St. Benedict, and $10,000 on behalf of the Monastery of St. Benedict. S. Michaela Hedican stated that even though the IRS prohibits the college and monastery from certain types of taxation, they still do contribute to the economic base. The college employs nearly 500 people in addition to the students who spend time and money towards the local economy. Hinton stated that Mayor Schultz has reached out directly to her and the relationship between the City and College is growing. Additionally, Hinton extended an invite to the Mayor and Council Members to th attend a Cabinet meeting on May 12. Loso made a motion accepting the following donations: College of St. Benedict, $20,000. Monastery of St. Benedict, $10,000. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. EDA Annual Report: Intern for the EDA, Erin Speltz approached the Council to present the 2014 Annual Report. Speltz stated the EDA pursues four core functions: organizational development, business development, market development, and infrastructure development. In 2014, 74% of the time allocated was towards business development. Business development activities are strategies implemented to retain and attract businesses. Speltz noted the unemployment rate for St. Joseph is below the national average. The number of jobs decreased, however the average weekly wage increased. Speltz stated that the economy is slowly recovering from the recession. Speltz stated that new home construction peaked in 2005 and has decreased significantly thereafter. In 2014, there were 7 new constructions in the City even with the WAC/SAC credit incentive. Loso made a motion to accept the 2014 Annual EDA Report. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. City Engineer Report 2015 Street Improvement Project: Sabart requested the council approve the resolution to approve the plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids for the 2015 Street Improvement Project. March 16, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2015-008, Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the 2015 Street Bituminous Street Improvement. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Park Terrace Update: Loso asked for an update on the restoration in the Park Terrace area. Sabart stated he has reached out to the contractor to get an earlier start on the restoration. Sabart added that there are still eight properties that need to hook-up. Sabart would like to accelerate the project, specifically the turf reestablishment. Public Works Director Reports Equipment request, Lawn Mower: Thene stated staff is requesting the purchase of a 2015 1575 John Deere mower with sweeper and snow blower attachments. The current 2015 model would be traded in and had been put on a 5 year cycle of replacement. Thene added that it is used year round. The budget impact factoring in the trade in of the current mower would be $18,802.60. Symanietz made a motion approving the purchase of the 2015 1575 John Deere mower with attachments with the trade in of the 1545 John Deere mower and attachments. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. Street Maintenance – 2015 Area: Thene reported that Staff has identified streets to be seal coated in 2015. The estimated cost is $72,328.00 for the 2015 seal coat project. Thene stated that the City budgeted in funds in 2014 and 2015 for the needed repairs and $ 72,328 is available for construction. Loso made a motion to approve the request for seal coating and crack filling for a cost not to exceed $ 72,328.00. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. 2014 Annual Report: Thene presented the Council with the 2014 Annual Public Works Report. He stated that the Public Works staff was involved in many projects which include: Park Terrace Improvement, Water Tower Maintenance, Lift Station Modifications, Seal Coating and Crack Filling, and Cloverdale Improvements. For water, the total amount pumped was 171,472,400 and the amount sold was 162,530,483. Thene stated the gap is attributed to the transfer over to St. Ben’s water tower during the water tower improvements. Committee Updates Water Amenity Committee: Killam stated the committee is going into the last phases. They are looking at the locations and how it will be funded. A presentation will be made to the Council at the meeting on April th 6. Administrator Reports Request to turn Lights off, Water Tower: Weyrens stated the City received a request from Wayne Birkholz to turn off the lights on the water tower that illuminate the skyline in honor of earth day. In order to do so, a staff person would need to come in to turn the lights off for that hour and the City would be required to pay overtime for a minimum of two hours at a cost of approximately $110.00. Thene stated that the lighting on the tower does not have a timer that be set to go off for an hour and back on. Wick suggested turning the lights off before staff leaves for the night and then turn them back on the next day. Loso stated he doesn’t understand why the lights should be turned off. Is it something that the area cities are participating in? Loso added he is not in support of turning the lights off. Loso made a motion to not move forward with the request to turn off the lights on the water tower. As the motion was not seconded, it died for lack of a second. March 16, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Symanietz made a motion authorizing staff to turn off the lights, leaving them off for the night and turning them back on when they return to work. The motion was seconded by Killam. Aye: Wick, Symanietz, Killam Nay: Loso Motion Carried: 3:1:0 Equipment Certificate: Weyrens stated that previously the Council discussed the equipment certificate for 2015 and it was determined that one additional piece of equipment, 2015 Chevy 1 Ton Truck, was not included. With the inclusion of that, the equipment certificate would increase to $184,700.24. Loso quesitoned why it was omitted from the last packet. Weyrens stated it was omitted in error. Loso added he receives resident complaints that there are too many new City trucks driving around town. Thene stated the proposed truck would be a replacement of the 1984 1 ton diesel. He further stated that the truck is very seldom used due to safety issues. Loso asked why used vehicles could not be pursued, rather than having to buy brand new ones. Wick asked what the truck would be used for. Thene responded it would be used for odd jobs, hydrant flushing, and wherever the staff needs to go with it. Thene added the truck comes with the plow, tommy lift gate, spay in bed liner and safety glass. Due to this, the truck will last the city for quite some time. Loso asked how he should respond to the public justifying the purchase of the truck. Thene stated they are not just getting another truck; rather they are replacing the truck. Wick stated they would like to keep the equipment certificate to around $150,000 and would like to hold off on approval. Loso stated he would like something verbatim that he can tell residents justifying the purchase of the new vehicles. th Wick made a motion to table discussion on the Equipment Certificate until the April 6 Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Annual 2014 Report: Weyrens stated Administration Annual Report is intended to provide an overview of the accomplishments of administration in 2014. To give the Council an idea of the workflow that comes through the City Offices, tables were compiled showing numbers from 2012, 2013, and 2014. Weyrens stated the bond rating of the City has consistently been an A+. Additionally there are about 1,800 utility accounts collected on with a pay rate of 98%. Two grants were received. One from the Central MN Housing Partnership and the other was for the rehabilitation of the Cloverdale Town Homes. Construction of the townhomes will begin this year. Residents of the townhomes will be relocated during construction. Weyrens added it is important to note the donations received by the City. In 2014, donations amounted to $19,866.47. Wick suggested creating a new folder on the website for the annual reports. Surplus Property: Weyrens stated that the City has some surplus property than be disposed and includes the following equipment: an old generator from the lift station needs, a tank from a fire truck, as well as 30 old helmets and turnout gear. The property that can be sold will be sold through a public process. Symanietz made a motion classifying the old generator, tank, helmets, and turnout gear as surplus property. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. New Business Killam stated a resident approached him regarding the increase in refuse. Killam mentioned the Council had voted to not increase the refuse rates for 2015 and 2016, however, residents rates were increased on the first bill. March 16, 2015 Page 5 of 5 Loso stated he would like to lift the ban on parking on the city streets and questioned the Police Chief on Loso his thoughts. Chief Klein stated that he could support the action as it appears as winter is over. made a motion to lift the ban on winter parking for the remainder of the season. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. Symanietz made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 PM. The motion was seconded by Loso and Adjourn: passed unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator This page intentionally left blank