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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 [09] Sep 07 Page 284~1 September 7, 199~1 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, September 7, 1995 at 7 : Ø0 p. m. in the City Hall. IĊ’KBERS PRESENT: Mayor Donald Bud Reber; Councilors Ross Rieke, Bob LOBO, Ken Hiemenz, and Cory Ehlert. Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Art Hiemenz, Edith Hiemenz, Tara Ploumen, Ben Poepping, Jim Krebsbach, Dick Taufen, James D. Schwagel, Dawn Gallett, Marcia Betker, Bruce Backes, Pam Novak, Wendy Wuelden, Shawn J. O'Meara, Stephen Yuhas, Mark Zimmer, Joe Bettendorf. Mayor Reber called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors LClso and Hiemenz present. AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda to include Budget (to set meeting date) under Clerk/Administrator reports; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Loso, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: Hiemenz made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as :follows; seconded by Loso. 1. Minutes o:f the August 17 and August 31 City Council meetings with the second to the last paragraph o:f the August 31 minutes to include "for review purposes." in the discussion "to retain $20,753 increase in the salaries budgeted," City Council meetings. Ross Rieke arrived at 7:05 p.m. BILLS PAYABLE: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable. Cory Ehlert arrived at 7:07 p.m. A:fter short discussion o:f the bills, Hiemenz made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 21389 - 21448, and Housing Inspection Services; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Council discussed methods of preventing overtime costs, for opening parks when those who rented it inadvertently neglected to pick up a key. The Clerk/Administrator will discuss this matter at the Department Head meeting, to consider i:f the Police Department could have a key and open the parks in emergencies. Hiemenz made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts as presented; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. LUT SPLIT: Jim Krebsbach presented a request :for a simple lot split, to change the parcel split in Lot 7, Block 10, o:f the Original Townsite Page 2846 September 7, 199=1 of St. Joseph. This change would include the exísting garage in the same parcel as the :cesident ial house. This is a general business zone, with a current residential use. Krebsbach discussed that future use of tract B is anticipated to be parking in the event of a sale of the business pi.~ope:cty across the alley on the south of the lot. Loso made a motion to approve the lot split change as follows according to the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 54.3 Subdivision 2 which allows that a single previously platted lot may be divided by action of the Council where the Council feels that full compliance with the platting procedures is not necessary; seconded by Ehlert: TRACT A That part of Lot 7, Block 10, Original Town of St. Joseph, Stearns County, Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof, which lies north of a line 125.00 feet south of, as measured along the west line of said Lot 7 and parallel with the north linE' of said Lot 7. Subject to easements of record, if any. TRACT B That part of lot 7, Block 10, Original Town of St. joseph, Stearns County, Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof, which lies south of a line 125.Ø0 feet south of, as measured along the west line of said Lot 7 and parallel with the north line of said Lot 7. Subject to e-asements of record, if any. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Mayes: None. Motion carried. CLERK/AD~INISTRATOR REPORTS HJ::NTAL HOUSING: Stapleton advised the Council that the Building Inspector, Housing Inspecto:c, City Attorney and Clerk/Administrator met and discussed the methods o:f defining multiple dwelling, single unit, and building for rental housing fee purposes. The City Attorney advised that normally a common wall(s) with common ownership of the structure would be considered a building. The group generally felt that this would apply to townhomes with common walls. Each building, no matter how many addresses have been assigned it, would be considered under the multiple dwelling fee schedule under this definition. If any single unit would be owned by a separate individual that unit would be charged the one unit fee. Also several rental facilities have been granted an extension to finish the required maintenance to their properties, including the City apartments. HOISE VIOLATION: There was a noise violation at 310 Old Highway 52 on September 4. The property owner was given notice of this first violation, according to policy. REGIONAL MEETINGS: The League of Minnesota Cities is holding Regional meetings in various cities throughout the State for City Officials. Mayor Reber felt that it is costly to attend meetings out o:f the area. ---~ Page 2847 September 7, 1995 1 Additionally most of the in:formation is available in written form. PUND VIEW RIDGE ADDITION: Richard Heid, Developer of Pond View Ridge Addition requested the City accept the Improvements of the Addition. Rieke made a motion to refer the matter to the City Engineer and City Attorney if necessary, for recommendation; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. 1996 BUDGET: Council set Tuesday, September 12 at 7: 00 p. m. for a budget meeting. They requested financial information on Capital Improvements for that meeting, if possible from Monte Eastvold. KAYOR REPORTS EMERGENCY SIREN: Mayor Reber reported that emergency siren is very audible on the East end of the City. Previously individuals reported that it is difficult to hear in the East end of the City. He had no problem hearing it in that area. SAFETY CONCERNS: The Mayor received a letter from a concerned citizen about public safety, and was concerned that all residents do not feel safe. Discussed were drunkenness, roller blades, safety, and noise. Rieke stated that he felt enforcement is the issue to handle these I situations. Mayor Reber also reported about a dog barking constantly, and theft of lawn ornaments. The Mayor will consult with the Chief of Police on these matters. Traffic control on Date Street E at First Avenue NE was discussed. City Engineer Joe Bettendorf has reviewed the site and stated that a four way stop could be installed if the Council wishes, although there are no traf:fic studies to support need for that site. COUNCIL REPORTS RIEKE: The CORE Committee met last night and discussed the bus stop issue (on Second Avenue NW) and made plans for Community Day, September 17. The committee will meet again September 11 to finalize plans. An electrician is lined up to run the electrical lines and if the £lectrical Inspector needs a· waiver Rieke asked if the Council would be willing to allow it as in the past. Council generally agreed to consider this later if the need exists. EHLERT: APO met and discussed legislative concerns on development of our area. The Committee also approved the priority list. LOSU: Diagonal parking by Floral Arts was prohibited with the 1990 Improvement Project. The requirement for parallel parking was changed I after that time. The business owner feels that lack of parking is hurting the business. Loso felt that the solution would be to install a roll over curb, at an estimated cost of $1,500 to $2,0Ø0. Council discussed that the appearance of the house needs to be upgraded. After further discussion between the Council and City Engineer Joe - - --- Page 2848 September 7~ 1995 l3ettendorf, on the effect this would have on traffic and safety, I Council was in general agreement to get the opinion of the Police Department on this proposal. This matter will be brought to the Department Head meeting. HIEMENZ: The Star City Committee will be hosting a Planning Workshop on September 25 from 8 8. m. to 2 p.m., at St. Benedicts for City Officials and consultants. The Council is invited and encouraged to attend. Hiemenz also reported that he received negative comments on the budget and proposed wage increase. UTILITY BILL HEARING: No one appeared for the delinquent utility bill bearing. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS CLOSING A DITCH: Public Works Superintendent Dick Taufen reported that Vicky Ostendorf, 520 - 1st Avenue NE, requested to install a culvert at this location. City Engineer Joe Bettendorf and Taufen discussed the situation. Rieke made a motion to turn the matter over to the City Engineer and Public Works Superintendent and act on their recommendation; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz~ Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Íor I OFFICE EQUIPMENT: Taufen presented a request to purchase a bookcase $59.99 from Office Max. Loso made a motion to approve the request; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Reber~ Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. MAINTENANCE EYUIPMENT: Taufen presented a request to purchase a new Stone Delux EZ Roller, for street repair~ at a cost of $5,75Ø. Council discussed the matter and requested that Tau:fen bring back comparative costs for leasing and renting such equipment. CITY ENGINEER JOE BETTENDORF REPORTS: 30e Bettendorf reported that a new starter may be needed for pump house No. 2 because the existing one will not function to include the new well. He stated this was not included in the initial bid. Rieke made a motion to recess for ten minutes at 8:25 p. m. ; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber~ Rieke~ Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Mayor Reber reconvened the meeting at 8:35 p. m. I BUS STOP LOCATION AND HOURS: Mayor Reber stated that there is still controversy concerning the location of the CSB\SJU bus stop. Jim Schwegel, property owner of the apartment building on 2nd Avenue NW and Birch Street W, discussed that his concerns of retaining the bus stop in that location were the security and wear and tear to the building. Page 2849 September 7, 1995 Additionally, he was concerned about noise and having to babysit the building on weekends. Rieke stated that it was agreed to continue the bus stop at that location for educational purposes, and at this point we would all like to :find a reasonable resolution. Mayor Reber asked that the park be considered as a pickup and dropof:f location. Bruce Backes stated that the time schedule for the buses is so tight that any additional time consumption would cause them to be late. Also the Old Highway 52 area is residential and would affect more residential homes. No matter where the stop is located it will have an af:fect on some property. Steve Yuhas stated that there has been an investment of time, effort and money on this problem. An agreement needs to be reached. There was discussion of retaining the bus stop at the 2nd Avenue location during the day and changing the bus stop location a:fter 5 p.m. It was also proposed to use Centennial Park as a pickup after 5 p. m. which resulted in Loso questioning the consideration of re-creating a party area in this residential zone. There was further discussion of the need for an adequate bus shelter with heat and lights. Rieke asked if the last bus could stop in front of each bar for pickup. Further discussion brought out the possibility of using the vacant property next to the apartment building. Stapleton was requested to see if this property would be available for purchase or lease. The matter was turned over to the CORE Committee for consideration and recommendation. LA PLAYETTE OCTOBERFEST: Mark Zimmer stated that the tent they have secured :for the Octoberfest is large enough that it will block the alley. He has contacted the neighbors with no negative responses and requested that the Council allow the tent to block the alley for this event. Zimmer also stated that he will contact the City Maintenance Department for equipment to place at the entrances to the alley to identify that it is blocked. Loso made a motion to approve the request to block the alley by the La Playette from October 18 through October 24; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Hiemenz made a motion to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. ; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. ---- ~'1(J¿-:Ihv Rachel Staple~on Clerk/Administrator -