HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 [10] Oct 19
Page 2e.6E.
October 19, 199~1
I Pursuant to due call and notice thereo:f, the City Council for the City
of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, October 1'3, 1'3'35 at
7:0Ø p. m. in the City Hall.
:MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Donald Bud Reber; Councilors Ross Rieke, Bob
LCISO, Co:c'y Ehlert; Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton.
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Wallin, Steve Dehle:c', Mike Hazen, Mary Krafnick,
Janet Nadeau, Dick Tau:fen, John Schere:c', Joe Bettendorf, A:c,t Reber,
Tara Ploumen, Bill Lowell, Lorraine Leidholdt,
Mayor Reber called the meeting to order at 7: 10 p.m. with Reber, Loso,
and Rieke present.
AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Paul Wallin discussed that the lower manholes reduce the speed of cars
an the project area. He questioned i:f any smoothing will be done at
the edge of the project area where it goes into the old area.
Bettendorf stated that he will loclk at it to see if there is too big a
bump. Wallin also asked why the short stretch was done on Baker
Street. Bet tendo:c':f stated the rest of Baker St:c'eet was improved a few
years ago.
I Steve Dehler questioned if an overlay is an improvement or maintenance,
and if there is a street maintenance plan in place. He felt that it is
maintenance. He also questioned what is the expected life of a street,
to which Bettendorf' responded that book life is about 20 years. The
overlay is expected to extend it about ten years. Many streets in St.
Joseph outlast their expected life.
Dehler discussed the ef:fect construction traffic may have cm a street,
and when St. Joseph reaches 5,Ø0Ø population it will quali:fy :for
addi ticlnal funding for state aid st:c'eets. Bettendorf stated that
traffic does have an impact on street li:fe, but we can not control
where the tra:ffic goes and it is hard tCI quantify the impact of various
types of tra:ffic. Additionally the state aid funding is to be spent on
specific state aid roads. The City may assess costs with state aid
funding and this is :frequently done to cover the City costs.
Mike Hazen questioned if the houses owned by the College would be
assessed. Bettendor:f stated that the exempt properties are assessed as
all other properties.
Ross Rieke stated that the City has a street improvement plan and is
not intending to change the assessment policy. Bet tendor'f is con:fiden'!:,
in the maintenance schedule. Streets are inspected and seal coating is
I done as the streets need it, not on a specific yearly schedule.
Jan Nadeau stated that she feels this is not an improvement, but
maintenance.
Paqe 2867
October 19, 199~1
Also she stated that the project area was not blended adequately into I
the existing l"oadway, which made it look like a patch job. Bet tendm.-f
stated there will al\'iays be a little bump, and the color will be
darker.
Paul Wallin questioned wha-t will happen at the end o:f ten years or so.
Bettendorf stated that if the :coad has not failed another' overlay could
be done, or- if the street is failing a total reconst:ruction would be
done. He does not expect that to happen because it will be mostly
1"E'sidential tra:ffic.
Questions on when interest is imposed were discussed. Stapleton stated
that the property owners have thirty days after the date that the
resolution is approved by the Council t.o pay the assessment in full
with no interest. A:fter' that time interest will be imposed fo1' the
full next yea 1'- and the amount will be certified to the County Audito1'
to be collected with the taxes.
After discussion that the full Council is not in attendance, Nayo:c
Reber made a mClt i CIT! to table the resolution until the next meeting;
seconded by Loso. Discussion - Mayor' Reber' and Rieke discussed this is
the fir'st assessment policy with 8ØX of the cost assessed to the
property owners. They felt the full Council should be in attendance to
vote on it. I
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso.
Nayes: None. Motion carried.
Loso made a motion to recess for ten minutes at 8:00 p. m. ; seconded by
Rieke.
Ayes: Rebe:C" , Rieke, Loso.
Nayes: None. Motion car'r'ied.
Mayor Reber reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p. m.
Cory Ehlert arrived at 8: 10 p. m.
PARK BOARD MEMBER RETIRES: Mayor' Reber p:cesented a plaque to Fay
Gretsch in honor of her years of service to the City as a member o:f the
Park Boa:c'd since 1982.
BUS STOP ISSUE: Rieke discussed that the CORE Committee is of the
feeling that Second Avenue NW and Minnesota Street is the correct
location f or' the bus stop. He also stated that he had suggested an
escrow account is set up for financing improvement for the bus stop.
The five members donating would be the City, St. Ben's Senate, St.
John's Senate, and both Colleges.
The County Engineer indicated that any bus stop must be at least 20 I
feet from a cross walk, but he does not have str'ong feelings either way
about the 2nd Avenue NW site.
Loso stated that he disag:cees with the corner as a stop site but agrees
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Oct,clber' 19, 199~I
with the area. He recommended considering a site by the US West
building. Rieke questioned the number of parking places this would
l~emove. Steve Dehler also indicated that the lost parking stalls may
cause problems for the area businesses.
John Scherer stated that he heal~d fourth hand that after this year
there may be no more o£f campus stops.
Loso made a motion to pull the stop sign :from the boulevard by the
Schwagel property and install it in the boulevard by the US West
propel~ty in the appropriate location. The motion was seconded by Mayor
Reber.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ebler't.
Nayes: None. Motion carTied.
Rieke recommended establishing an escrow :fund with the City dedicating
$1,000 for bus stop improvements. He :felt that when the City takes the
lead the eIther gr'elups will follow in donations. The leaders of the
student groups that are willing to donate are seniors, so they would
not reap the bene:fits of the donation, but are still willing to donate.
CONSENT AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda;
seconded by Rieke.
a) Minutes of the October 5, 1995 Council meeting.
b) Dick Tau:fen's attendance at Water Operators School at St. ~iohn's
on October 25t with registration fee o:f $23.00.
c) Tau:fen's attendance at a seminar on Ice and Snow Removal in St.
Cloud on November 1, with a registr'ation fee o:f $20.
d) An amendment to Ordinance 103 Leaf Burning Ordinance, which
regulates and controls burning within the City. Publication to make
the ordinance e:f:fective, will be a£ter November 15, the ending date
cd the season for the existing allowance for burning of leaves, to
prevent any con:fusion and allow time far education an the new
o:cdinance.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ehler't.
Nayes: None. Moticln carried.
MAYOR REPORTS: Mayor Reber stated that he is supportive of allelwing Gar'
I\ellom, St. John's University o:f:ficial, to contact the City Attorney
directly to discuss rental hClUsing issues, as Mr. Kellam has requested.
Loso questioned what were the speci:fic issues. Mayor Reber stated that
t.he City is trying to work with the colleges and rental housing is a
ser'ious issue. Mr. Scherer indicated that he did not see this
allowance as being over used, and :felt that it would be o:f benefit to
the City. He would be representing the City and be el:f benefit to the
City rather than helping aut the colleges. Rieke stated that although
there is an associated cost this will cemtinue tel open ·the lines o:f
communication. LOBo made a mati em to allow Gar' Kellam of St. John's
University to have conversations up to :fi:fteen minutes with the City
Attorney on :c'ental housing issues. The City Attorney will give a
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October 19, 1 ~1g=,
quartel~ 1 y report and advise the Council on all cQntacts; seconded by
Ehlert. Discu:õ>siQn that the time limitation is too restrictive.
Ayes, Loso.
Nayes: Rebe:r, Rieke, Eh 1 e:ct. Motion failed.
Rieke made a motion allowing Gar Kellom direct access to the City
Attorney, as per his re-quE'st. If the City Attorney feels that this
cClntact is gett,ing too in depth o:c :c'equi:c'es a meeting he will get
app:coval from the Mayor', as this contact should be informational and
sho:c,t ter'TO. The Attorney will ç¡ive the Council feed back and upda+_e on
contacts. The mClticln was seconded by Ehle:ct. Discussion - LOBO stated
t.hat this allowance of access to the City At tOT'ney is more than Council
member's o:c' St. Joseph citizens have.
Ayes: Rebe:c' , Rieke, Ehlert.
Nayes: Loso. Motion ear:cied.
Loso questioned the status of the O:cdinance Amendment :regulating
pa:rking lots. The status of it will be c.hecked and I-epoI-t.ed at the
next meeting.
Rieke stated that t,he issue of liability was raised at the last meetinçl
celncerninÇJ the location of the bus stop. MT'. Scherer stated it depends
on the si tuaticln. Sign placement normally deles not expose
munic.ipalities to a gr'eater degT·ee.
City Engineer Joe Bettendorf discussed with the Council that he was
asked by Mike Ryan, College o! St. Benedict, to attend a meeting at
thei:c facility to discuss their Toads along with County Re,ad 121.
Rieke made a motion to authorize Bettendorf to attend a meeting with
College officials to discuss the roadways to meet. both City and College
needs. The motion was seconded by Ehlert.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Lelso, Ehlert.
Nayes: Neln€'. Motion caT'T'ied.
BILLS PAYABLE: Loso madE> a motion to approve the bills payable check
number's 21612 through 21630 and Building Inspection cha:c'ges of $566.05
and Stat.e building surcharges of $575.75¡. seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Reber', Rieke, Losel, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion ca:c':cie-d.
Loso made a mClti on tCI approve the callouts and overtime as pre::::ented¡.
seconded by Rieke.
Ayes: Rebe'!.· , Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Nayes: None. Motion car':cied.
DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORT
POLICE: The Council received Chief Brad Lindgren's written report for
Septembe:c.
PUBLIC WORKS
SNOW REMOVAL: Dick Tauier1 appeared beforE' the Council and discussed
the method snQW was :cemoved in the Cit.y durìng the 1994 - 1995 sno",
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Octobe:C' 19, 1 9~1::1
I seast')n.. After discussion of plowing and sidewalk SliDW removal, Mayor
Reber made a motion to continue the methods as from the past year and
accept the snow removal p,:>licy as presented; seconded by Ehlet~t.
Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Mayes: None. Motion carried.
WINTER PART TIME HELP: Taufen discussed how the Council wished to
handle getting extra help during snow emergencies. Mayor Reber stated
that part time help is not needed. Snow removal and winter duties need
to be prioritized. Rieke stated if maintenance feels a situation
exists and extra help is needed the Mayor should be consulted.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Steve Dehler recommended considering a street
light be installed at the new proposed bus stop loc:;ation.
DOG ISSUES: Lorraine Leidholdt appeared before the Council to request
special permission to keep three dogs at her residence. Ordinance 104
Regulation of Dogs, requires special permission from the City Council
for harboring more than two dogs:. Ms. Leidholdt discussed het~ use of
the dogs in conjunction with her teaching position, care of the animals
and t he ü~ obedience training. Stapleton stated she received several
phone calls and a letter of support ft~om an adjoining neighbor,
reinforcin.g the fact that she cares for her dogs in a responsible
manner. Stapleton stated comments of protest about the dogs have not
been received. Loso made a motion granting special permission allowing
I Leidholdt to keep one more than. the allowable two dogs according to
Ordinance 104 with the following findings; the motion was seconded by
Rieke:
1 ) The dogs are well cared for and Ms. Leidholdt is a respcmsible
- dog owne:c.
2) The ownership 01'" harboring of the dogs shall not create a
threat to the peace, repclse, safety or- health of the general public or
residents residing in the a1"'ea in which the animal will be maintained.
3) The ownership or- harbo1"'ing of the animal will nCtt result in
Ctffensive noise or odors.
Ayes~ Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Nayes~ None. Motion carried.
COUNCILORS REPORT
RIEKE: The CORE CCtmmittee met at SJU; their ne>tt meeting \'7ill be held
November 13 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ben's. They discussed the bus stop
issue, gCtal setting, and community projects. They alscl discussed
establishing a fund fo1'" bus stop improvement.
EHLERT: No report.
LOSO: NCt report.
I CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1 ) The City has received 1"'equests for
street lights in the follo\'ling places:
a) PaT'k TeTrace by the aT'ea of house numbers 26, 31 and 32 on Fifth
F'aç¡E' 2e.71
October 1 c, 199~t
-' ,
Avenue NW. I
b) At the entrance to Northland cd f County Road ~) on First Avenue NE.
k
These roads arE' not in the City limits.
NSP will install lights where ever the City asks, but we had the lighting
plan cd the whole city r'ev i sed about 11 years agel. Council requested to
have a repr'E'sentati ve oÍ NSP r'evie,,¡ the matter' and make a :cecommendati on to
them.
2) The Council and Planning Commission need to meet to review the proposed
land use map fe,:r the a:r'ea, as prepared by APO. Celunci 1 will set a meetinç
date at a Íuture Council meeting.
3) ~1ayor Reber made a motion to send a thank you to the Star Cit.y Commission
and the facilitators oÍ the StaT' City WOT'kshop ÍOT theiT assis'LanL:e to thE'
City oÍ St. Joseph~ seconded by Rieke.
Ayes~ RebeT', Rieke, Loso, EhleTt.
Nayes~ None. Motion caTTied.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Loso made a motion to accept the September Treasurer's
Repct:r-t t secctnded by Rieke.
Ayes~ RebeT' , Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Nayes: Nelne. Motion caTTied.
FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION: Loso discussed and mad" a motion to ac.c."pt thee I
:C'evised St. Joseph Fire Relief Association T'epoTt and city contribution :for
.1.995 clÍ $7,671~ and for 1996 cd $5, 32~1 to be paid over a two year period~
seconded by Mayor' Reber.
Ayes: Reber', Rieke, Loso, Ehler-t,
Nayes~ None. Motion caTTied.
Rieke made a motion to approve the attendance cd Cory Ehlert at a property
tax seminar October 24 in St. Cloud; seconded by Mayor Reber.
Ayes~ Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Nayes~ None. !1otion caTTied.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p. m. with a motion by Ehler-t ~ seconded b"
- 1
Rieke.
Ayes~ Reber, Rieke, Loso, Ehlert.
Nayes~ None. Motion carTied.
Q
Rachel Stap eton
Clerk/Administrator
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