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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 [11] Nov 06 I I I I November 6, 2003 Page 1 of 5 ! , Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of SI. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. . Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Gary Utsch, AI Rassier, Dale Wick. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Absent: Ross Rieke. Citv Representatives Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Public Works Director Dick Taufen. Others Present: Robbie Robinson Approve Aqenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Aqenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Minutes - Approve the minutes of October 2, 2003 I b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 33425 - 33497 . I c. Change Order - Authorize the Mayor to execute change order #2 for the 2003 Liberty Pointe Improvements. The change order compensates R.L Larson Excavating $ 17,300 for additional rock excavation. I d. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment #3 for the 2003 Uberty Pointe Improvements and authorize payment in the amount of $ I 231,806.18 to R. L. Larson Excavating. e. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment #3 'for the 2003 Northland Plat Seven and authorize payment in the amount of $ 20,972.15 tc! R. L. Larson Excavating. I f. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment in the amount of $ 4,814.10 to Shingobee Builders for the 2003 Maintenance Facility. I , i The motion was seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously by those present. Public Comments to the Aqenda: No one present wished to speak. Rental Housina Report: Rental Housing Inspector Steve Ha9man presented the Council with the annual rental housing report. Hagman stated that he has completed inspecting and licensing the rental units ih the City and presented the following information: I I , , , ! ~ Totai number of rental properties licensed -121 ~ Total number of rental units - 342 ~ Increase 1 decrease in rental properties from prior year - 2 Hosch questioned Hagman if any iicenses were revoked due to unsafe living conditions. Hagman responded that this year no licenses were revoked, but many landlords were required to complete majbr improvements. ! , Utsch questioned if the Rentai Housing Ordinance defines the minimum square footage for a bedroom. Hagman stated the Ordinance makes reference to 70 square feet as the minimum square footage I ailowed for sleeping quarters. In addition, the Ordinance correlates the required number of parking I spaces to the number of bedroom and distinguishes bedrooms over 140 square feet as two bedroomS for the purpose of determining the maximum number of required parking spaces. i I Rassier made a motion to accept the 2003-2004 Rental Housing Report as presented; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. November 6, 2003 Page 2 of 5 CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Northland Plat Eiahl. Feasibilitv Report: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the Council with the feasibility report for the proposed grading, utility and street construction for Northland Plat Eight Construction is proposed for spring of 2004 with special assessments proposed for the improvements. Northland Pial Eight is the third and final phase of the Northland Six Preliminary Plat and consists of 23 single family lots. The proposed utilities will connect to the existing utilities installed in the previous two project phases. I The proposed improvements will consist of extending a 1 O-inch water main from the northem edge of Northland Plat Six, along Northiand Drive to the northern edge of Northland Plat Eight. An 8-inch water main will be installed on Jasmine Lane. Proposed 1-inch water service pipes will be provided to all lots in Northland Plat Eight. The costs of the improvement will be divided equally among all 23 lots. The table below illustrates the probable cost and assessment. Probable Probable Costs Assessments Site Grading and Street $ 280,893 $ 12,213 Storm Sewer 54,376 2,362 Sanitary Sewer 46,988 2,043 Water Main 86,862 3,776 Soil Borings 3,000 130 Lift Station 600 $ 472,109 $ 21,126 per lot Wick made a motion accepting the feasibility report as presented by Bettendorf and adopted Resolution 2003-25, Ordering the Improvement and Preparation of Plans for Northland Plat Eight. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously by those present. I Field Street Studv: Bettendorf requested the Council initiate the transportation study for Field Street. The study will be funded in part through Federal Funding, which will be available in 2006. The City can advance fund the study at this time acknowledging that the federal funds will not be received until 2006. Wick questioned if the study will include a "no build" option for all or a portion of the road. Bettendorf stated that some studies result in a "no build" for the entire corridor but seldom is only a section identified as a "no build". Bettendorf stated that the first step for the corridor study is the preparation and submittal of a Project Memorandum outlining the scope of the study to be performed. The Project Memorandum can be completed within three weeks and the preparation cost is estimated at $ 2,000. Bettendorf clarified that SEH will not be completing the study; rather the City will solicit proposals from Transportation Engineers. Utsch made a motion authorizing Bettendorf to prepare the Project Memorandum for the Field Street Study. The motion was seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously by those present. Wobeqon Trail- Welcominq Center: Bettendorf presented the Council with a revised site plan for the Wobegon Trail Welcoming Center. The site plan has been modified, as Stearns County will not allow an ingress/egress from County Road 2 to the facility. Access from County Road 2 has been denied for safety reasons and Bettendorf stated he concurred with the County Engineer. The ingress/egress to the Welcoming Center will be located on 1" Avenue NE. It is anticipated that the grand opening for Wobegon Trail will be held between April 26 and April 29,2004. Countv Road 121 Street Project: Bettendorf reported that the final walk through has been completed for I the County Road 121 Street Project. The County had indicated that only five sidewalk sections will be repaired. Rassier stated it was his understanding that the sidewalk in the project area has 21 sections I I I , I November 6, 2003 Page 3 bf 5 I with cracks and questioned why they are not being repaired. Bettendorf stated the County Engineer has indicated that their may have been contributing factors that caused the remaining cracks and do not feel the contractor should be held liable for repairing the damage. Rassier stated that it is his opinion that nQ matter whose fault it is, the cracks should be repaired. Bettendorf agreed to relay the comments to the' Stearns County Engineer. Bettendorf stated that the sewer line 9aps have not been repaired nor has the contractor agreed to the request of the Council to line the pipe around the gaps. Bettendorf stated that he informed Stearns County that the City will not settle for anything less than lining the areas identified and submitted to the general contractor. , I Arcon Development: The Councii requested an update on the status of the Transportation Planning for the Arcon Development. Bettendorf stated that he has been in contact with the developers engineer and they are still working on finalizing the design. The project engineer is coordinating the alternative corridor routes with the Stearns County Engineer and SI. Cloud Area Planning Organization. As soon as the I concept plans are completed they will be forwarded to the Council for review and comment. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORTS Sidewalk Snow Removal: Public Works Director Dick Taufen presented the Councii with a proposed I snow removal sidewalk district. Taufen stated that during preparation of the 2004 Budget, the Council unanimously agreed to reduce the amount of sidewalks whereby the City would remove the snow. The Council had requested that Taufen present a sidewalk snow removal district for the Council to review. II Therefore, Taufen presented the Council with the following sidewalk snow removal district: ~ MN Street Wand 2nd Avenue NW, east to MN Street and 1" Avenue NE and SE (both sides). ~ MN Street Wand 1" Avenue NW north to County Road 75. ~ Ash Street from 2nd Avenue NW to 1" Avenue NE. ~ College Avenue N from Minnesota Street to Date Street (both sides) Hosch stated that he concurs with the plan with the exception of Ash Street East between 1 ,t Avenue NE and College Avenue N. Hosch stated that in his opinion that section of sidewalk is more residential in I nature and the City should only be considering commercial areas. The Council was in general I agreement with Hosch. I Utsch made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Director identifying the areas stated above as sidewalks whereby the City would remove the snow, with the exception of the one block area between 1't Avenue NE and College Avenue North. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously by those present. I Maintenance Facilitv - OSHA Requirements: Taufen presented the Council with a report from the Safety' Consultant hired by the City to review the new maintenance facility in regard to OSHA requirements. The report indicates where OSHA could cite the City if they completed a safety inspection. Taufen stated that while some of the items will be completed, there would still be outstanding items. If the City establishes an implementation plan for completing the items, the City would not be in violation of OSHA regulation~, as long as the City continually works on completing implementation. The Council requested that Taufen prioritize the list and prepare an implementation schedule for review and consideration. I Snow Removal in SI. Joseph Township: Taufen reported that he was requested to attend the SI. Joseph Township Board meeting regarding snow removal. When the City annexed property only parts of roads were considered leaving one half of the road in the City and one half in the Township. The Township is requesting the City plow 16th Avenue SE in its entirety, including two cul-de-sacs, in exchange for the I Township plowing Jade Street and some minor streets near the corporate limits. Taufen stated that he would review the request of SI. Joseph Township and report back to the Council for consideration. November 6, 2003 Page 4 of 5 MAYOR REPORTS Fire Board: Hosch reported that he recently attended a Fire Board meeting where the following items were discussed: ~ The contract for the sale of the Ladder Truck has expired and the Fire Board agreed to advertise the Truck without the consignment company and accept bids until February of 2004. ~ The Fire Department has applied for a FEMA Grant to assist with the purchase of a new Hearst Extraction Device. The City should be notified shortly if the Fire Department is successful. I Council Meetina Schedule: Hosch requested the Council consider revising the meeting schedule for the Council. It appears as the months October through March are slow months for Council activity, therefore, Hosch requested the Council consider meeting monthly between October and March and follow the regular two monthly meeting schedule for the remaining months. Rassier stated that it is his opinion that the Council should maintain the current schedule for meetings. Residents expect meetings twice a month and have the opportunity to address the Council with concerns. Reducing the meetings would reduce the opportunity for residents to forward concerns. Rassier stated he would prefer canceling a meeting if there were no business rather the adjusting the meeting schedule. Utsch questioned if the City would have difficulty completing land use requests within the 60-day requirement if the Council did not meet twice a month. Weyrens stated that it could become problematic, but the Council would have the ability to meet specially if needed. The Council generally agreed to maintain the existing meeting schedule. However, due to the lack of activity in December, the 2"d meeting in December will be canceled. COUNCIL REPORTS I UTSCH - No Report WICK Recreation Association: Wick reported that the SI. Joseph Recreation Association met and reviewed the softball operations for the year 2003. It was determined that the State Tournaments hosted by the Recreation Association were successful and the financial impact was noticed by the area businesses. RASSIER Stearns Countv Leaque Meetina: Rassier reported that he recently attended a Steams County League Meeting where the program included a presentation by the Stearns County Attomey's Office. The County Attorney discussed the financial benefits to Cities contracting with the County for prosecution services. Due to budget constraints some municipalities have already entered into an agreement with the County as a cost saving measure. Historical Societv: Rassier reported that the St. Joseph Historicai Society is accepting donations of artifacts for display and preservation. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Finance Officer Position Update: Weyrens reported that the sub committee for the hiring of a Financial I Officer met and interviewed five candidates. One of the candidates was offered the position, but after consideration it was determined that the Committee would continue the search. Weyrens stated that she has contacted Account Temps who is in the process of checking their data base for available candidates. I I I i I November 6, 2P03 Page 5 of 5 They have indicated that they have one candidate who has government experience. Account Temps JII notify the City when they have candidates for interview. I Utility Franchise Fee: Weyrens reported that the City Attorney has completed the Ordinance/FranchisEi Amendments required to implement a utility franchise fee. The documents were forwarded to the Utility Companies and they objected to the first draft, but have since agreed to the revised format. The ! documents will be forwarded to the Council at the next meeting for adoption. i I Buildinq Inspection Services: Weyrens reported that the City is in the process of requesting proposals for Building Inspection Services for the year 2004. The City is seeking a firm that would contract services I and staff the office. Included in the packet was a proposed list of essential functions. It is anticipated that interviews will be conducted on November 19, 2003. I Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 PM; seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously by those present. ~7::i ~ I THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK I I