HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 [10] Oct 18
Page 2590
October 18, 1994
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Greater St. Joseph Area
Committee met in regular session on Tuesday, October 18, 1994 at 8:00
p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Moderator Bob Heim, Ross Rieke, Ken Hiemenz, Bob
Loso, Stephanie Hazen, Jerome Salzer, Bernard Schloemer, Joe Bechtold.
Anna Reischl, Town Clerk; Judy Weyrens, Deputy Clerk.
CitY/Township Plannin~ Members: Marge Lesnick, John Schroeder, Robert
Bloomquist, Ralph Eiynck, Hub Klein, Dan Nierengarten.
Others Present: John Meyer, Jeff Karnik, Edwin Merkling, Dave Theisen,
Edith Hiemenz, Arthur Hiemenz, Brad Lindgren, Mike Hazen, Gary Utsch,
Martha Kierzek, John Kierzek, Claudette Klein, Tillie Wasner, Dick
Taufen, Ken T'¡'li t, Cory Ehlert.
Minutes - September 20. 1994: After reviewing the minutes of September
<)(\ 1994, Salzer made a motion to approve the minutes as presented;
,",v,
seconded by Hazen.
Ayes: Rieke, Hiemenz, Hazen, Salzer, Schloemer, Bechtold
Nayes: None. Abstain: Loso Motion Carried 6:0:1
Minutes - Au~ust 9 . 1994: In discussion of the August 9, 1994 minutes,
a question arose as to the status of the Loso property. It was the
understanding of those present that the minutes were to be amended to
clarify that status. Loso clarified that the property is not currently
on the market, but they would consider any offers to purchase. Hazen
made a motion to table approval of the minutes until the correction as
stated above is completed. The mot ion '¡'las seconded by Hiemenz.
Ayes: Rieke, Hiemenz, Hazen, Salzer, Schloemer, Bechtold, Loso
Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
Fire Department Site Selection Committee: Hiemenz reported that the
City has received a signed option from Jerry Roske. The option allows
the City 120 days from October 13, 1994 to close on the property. The
question has been placed on the City ballot and reads as follows:
"Should the Ci t;t of St. Joseph issue general obligation bonds in the
amount not to exceed $166,000 for the purpose of financing the purchase
of approximately 10.5 acres of unimproved real estate located between
East Minnesota Street and County Rd 75 (commonly known as "the Roske
property") to be used as a site for a fire hall, and with the bonds to
be retired by tax revenues from the political subdivisions served by
the St. Joseph Volunteer Fire Department (City of St. Joseph, Townships
of St. Joseph and St. Wendel)?
The estimated cost to improve the property is $266,000. The City
intends on selling approximately 4.97 acres of improved property which
is not needed for the fire hall, for the purpose of reducing the
overall costs. "
Hiemenz also stated that the City has received correspondence from the
City Attorney, John Scherer, where he indicates the specifics of the
property acquisition that need to be addressed. It '¡'las the consensus
Page 2591
October 18, 1994
of those present that a special meeting be established with both
attorneys present, to determine and finalize the specifics of the land
acquisition. This meeting should be scheduled before the election,
allowing ample time to provide informational meetings to the public.
Bob Heim stated that since the City and To\·mship have a considerable
investment in the Roske property, it would behoove them to have
information available to the public and conduct public information
meetings.
After discussion, it was agreed by general consensus to conduct a
special meeting on Thursday, October f):-¡ 1994 at 8:00 p.m. for the
'" I ,
purpose of finalizing the specifics of the land acquisition. The
meeting will take place at the St. Joseph City Hall. Township members
requested that the City fax the letter from Hr. Scherer to Tm\'nship
Attorney Kirby Dahl as soon as possible. Hopefully Hr. Scherer and
- ,
t'-Ir. Dahl \vi 11 have the opportunity to discuss some of the details
before the meeting.
Police Protection Report: Police Chief Brad Lindgren introduced himself
and presented a proposal to provide police protection to St. Joseph
Tm...nship. Lindgren stated that he \'~ ~ requested h,. Bob Heiin to ."......,..+
....a.ù U..'f £-.IUL
together some costs of expanding police protection into the To,\.¡nshil) .
Using current costs Lindgren estimated the cost of extending serv? ices
at $120.000 per ~"ear not to include secretarial services.
Rieke questioned the serv"ice currently provided to the To\.¡nship and l~~n
l~V )"f
they a-re ln~'lOlced , Bechtold stated that County activity is reported
once a y"ear +~ the Township. It \...as also stated that the County only
I.JU
charges "h" l1e 11 additional coverage -'- ,,, needed. Bechtold also stated tlla t
l-.~ has no complaint, nor has he received any complaints about the
HC'
current police protection.
Lindgren stated +l-.~ following advantages for the Tm-mship if the City
L1.1C
pro...."ided the coverage:
* minimum of 20 hour per day protection, ì days a week.
* double coverage of approximately 130 hours plus per week
,¡,. 1 car would be primarily Township
" L
* the visibility of police cars should decrease some criminal
activity and increase driver safety
Additionally, Lindgren stated that the City has a mutual aid agreement
with the County and the City of Waite Park.
Heim stated that he contacted Marvin Klug of Stearns County Emergency
Services, Klug indicated that if the City and Township
merge/consolidate, areas can be designated to be covered by Stearns
County. Klug indicated that this practice is currently being done in
Stearns County b~' some emergency service providers. Lindgren disagreed
"
and requested clarification by the County Attorney.
Lindgren stated that if the City provided the police protection to the
Township the following coverage would apply:
Page 2592
October 18, 1994
~
3 days per week - 20 hours coverage
4 days per week - 15 hours coverage
and
1 Police Officer would be scheduled for 24 hours.
The meeting was recessed for 15 minutes.
Service Tierin~ - Section H: Heim presented a table of services
currently provided by the City of St. Joseph. The Board needs to
review the services and determine if the City and Township merged,
would the services be extended to Urban Areas, Rural Areas or both.
In discussing each service, two ( 2 ) questions need to be considered:
1. Is there a Statutory or Contractual requirement to provide
the service to ALL residents?
t) It is desirable or practical to provide the service?
'" .
The following chart is a result of the discussion:
Service Urban Rural
I
I
Water By Petition By Petition
/
Sewer By Petition By Petition
/
Curbside Refuse Yes Leave as an option
/
Police Bob Heim will clarify options
/
DARE Program Yes Yes
I
I
Emergency Management Yes (Statutory) Yes (Statutory)
/
Sidewalk Program No (option) No (option)
/
Street Lighting Yes No
/
Street Cleaning Yes By request
/
Recreation Programs Yes. Yes
/
Ball Park/Skating Rks Yes Yes
/
Shade Tree Control Yes No (by request)
/
CORE Committee Yes Yes
/
Bob Heim questioned the Board as to the definition of each district.
Loso stated that an urban area should be defined as an area that is
I
L
Page 2593
October 18, 1994
within reach of City utility services. Rural areas could be defined as
those areas where utility services would not be available for 20 to 30
years.
Schloemer felt the definition should be based on the density and demand
for services.
Bob Heim stated that he will start with the map of the entire area and
break it down by subdivision. The urban areas could be designated as
those where housing has been developed or the property is currently
subdivided. Heim stated that for the next meeting he will prepare a
map with possible area designations.
Heim also questioned who is responsible for checking with the County
Attorney with regard to providing police protection to designated
areas. The Board instructed Heim to check on this matter and report
back at the next meeting.
The next meeting was established for November 15, 1994 at 8:00 at the
Township Hall.
Ad.iourn: Hazen made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Bechtold.
Ayes: Rieke, Hiemenz, Hazen, Salzer, Schloemer, Bechtold, Loso
Nayes: None. Hotion Carried 7:0:0
~~e~~~
Deputy Clerk