Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 [08] Aug 03 1714 August 3, 1989 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met on Thursday, August 3, 1989 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mike Loso; Members of the Council Donald "Bud" Reber, Leo Sadlo, Ross Rieke. Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. Steve Dehler absent due to illness. OTHERS PRESENT: John Anderson, Kevin Blanchette, Nelson lance, Rosie Diedrich, Hugo Weyrens, Edmund Kremers, Eileen Kremers, Steve Kuebelbeck, Joe Bettendorf, Claude Menzhuber, Dennis Tamm. AGENDA APPROVAL: Sadlo made a motion to approve the agenda with additions; seconded by Reber. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Rieke arrived at 7:36 p.m. BILLS PAYABLE: Sadlo made a motion to approve the bills payable as presented; seconded by Reber. I Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. TREASURERS REPORT: Reber made a motion to approve the treasurer's report as presented; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. MINUTES: Sadlo made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 20 meeting as corrected; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. MAYOR REPORTS: The APO full board met and discussed FAU cooperation in funding for the CSAH 75 signal project. Because the City of St. Joseph has asked for assistance in the engineering expenses for this project and it was a valid request, the APO considered it. A variance for the City of St. Joseph was approved, which indicates that FAU Funds will be considered for the engineering costs of the City of St. Joseph portion of the CSAH 75 signal project. COUNCIL REPORTS: SADLO: No report. REBER: No report. I RIEKE: Planning Commission will meet August 7. Rieke also expressed concern on parking set back requirements at corners. Visibility may be a problem at some corners. Mayor requested the Planning Commission discuss this issue. 1715 PUBLIC HEARING: At 8:00 p.m. the Mayor called a public hearing for a proposed alley improvement project as petitioned, and a feasibility study completed, for an improvement on the east - west alley in Block 1 of Loso's Second Addition between First Avenue Northeast and Second Avenue Northeast, with bituminous surfacing. He requested that City Engineer Joe Bettendorf discuss the project and questions be directed to him. Mr. Bettendorf stated that the intention is to keep the project as simple as possible. It may be combined with another project to keep costs down. Kevin Blanchette questioned the purpose of the improvement and expressed concern for increased traffic and speed. The alley is already overburdened by persons not living on the block, using it. Speed is already a problem. Mr. Bettendorf stated that to control dust is the main purpose of the proposed improvement. Hugo Weyrens asked if any provisions for speed bumps or a four way stop at the intersection were proposed. He also stated that since the Ash Street stop sign was installed the traffic in the alley has greatly increased. Mr. Bettendorf replied that speed bumps are not usual for an alley and a four way stop is not justified. John Anderson also expressed concern for increased speed in the alleys of the block. he felt that the improvement would make the function of the alley as a street and he would have through streets on three sides of his house. He also stated that the number of alleys in the City should be limited. Steve Kuebelbeck questioned the snow removal priorities for alley and would not like the alley improved, but if it is, he would like speed bumps installed. Rosie Diedrich stated that the speed is a problem, a real hazard. Enforcement is needed. The purpose of the proposed alley improvement is to control dust and dirt. John Anderson stated that during the school term, there is a wide array of traffic. Mr. Bettendorf stated that there are two issues being discussed; 1) speed, 2) dirt. Blacktopping of alley would reduce dirt but may increase speed. If speed bumps are even considered, maintenance should be consulted on it. Various methods of impeding traffic in the alley were discussed. Kevin Blanchette suggested that measures be taken to control/restrict traffic this fall and winter. Then if the desire is still to improve the alley, it could be in conjunction with another project next year. Mr. Blanchette also stated that he is opposed to upgrading the east/west alley. The hearing closed at 8:38 p.m. Mayor stated that the Council will do a study within 30 days form this hearing and will notify the property owners of their intentions. Council also requested that calcium chloride be applied to the alley to control dust. 1716 Claude Menzhuber and Dennis Tamm discussed with the Council a proposal to install volleyball courts by the El Paso. This recreation area would not take up any parking spaces. They wished to have a door from the main bar area to the volley ball area, with no drinks served outside but wished to allow them to be consumed outside. Council was supportive of the concept for recreation purposes and will look into the legal channels to allow this facility, and other similar facilities such as beer gardens. Owners of the EI Paso also questioned the matter of the existing bus stop by their property. It tends to cause vandalism problems. Council stated that St. Ben's established this bus stop and the matter should be discussed with their representatives to solve the matter. Mr. Menzhuber and Mr. Tamm also questioned if a building permit is needed to repair the south side of their bUilding. One is not needed if only re-siding and new windows; if expansion or major changes are proposed, a building permit is needed. Mayor declared a recess at 9:10 p.m. Mayor reconvened at 9:20 p.m. CITY ENGINEER JOE BETTENDORF REPORTS: Mr. Bettendorf presented a request for payment from Hardrives, Inc. for an improvement to the entrance to Fourth Avenue NW, between the St. Joseph Apartments and the Rainbow House. He recommended payment, and stated that the improvement was completed as requested, except grading of the street area behind the entrance area. City maintenance staff would be consulted to see if the City could do the grading. Reber made a motion to pay Hardrives, Inc. $1,395 as requested for the entrance improvement to Fourth Avenue SWj seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. SOUTHEAST DRAINAGE ISSUE: Mr. Bettendorf discussed the drainage matter for the area of Cloverdale Estates Additions. He had met with the property owners south of Seventh Avenue SE, the logical area for drainage. They would like about 600' of culvert, and a pond constructed and landscaping of the area, in return for an easement. Council felt this was an inordinate request. CSAH 75 PROJECT: Mr. Bettendorf presented the areas of the project to be assessed for Council review, and consideration at a future meeting. FIRST AVENUE SOUTHEAST IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Rieke made a motion to approve application for payment #3 (final) to Hardrives, Inc. of $830.96 as recommended by City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, for completion of this 1988 street 1717 improvement project; seconded by Sadlo. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1 ) Clerk/Administrator presented a gambling license application of Kennedy PTA. 2) Property owner requested to install a privacy fence by the south side of the City Hall Annex property. This would ba storage type enclosure. Council agreed to a privacy fence with a gate for entrance to the area, and storage must be kept within the fenced area. 3) LMC Regional meeting at Sauk Center on September 7. 4) Garage behind City Hall Annex has been cleared in order to provide space to park the Police car. Council requested the Clerk send a directive to the Police Department to store the car in the garage when it is not in use. The Officers are allowed to park their private vehicles in the garage while they are on duty. POLICE REQUEST: Reber made a motion to approve a request from the Police Chief for four tires for the patrol car (48,388 mileage), at $265.48; two cleatmats for office at $73.32; and window blinds to conform with meeting room windows. Sadlo seconded the motion. Ayes: Loso, Reber, Sadlo, Rieke. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Rachel Stapleton Clerk/Administrator