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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 [01] Jan 28 I I I I I January 28, 2004 Page 1 of 2 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors AI Rassler, Gary Utsch, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: City Engineers Joe Bettendorf and Shannon Smith, Public Works Director Dick Taufdn. Storm Water Utilitv: Shannon Smith of SEH presented the Council with a brief overview of the function' and purpose of a storm water utility. Discussion included the following: · The need for the utility and how it is collected · How the utility fee is calculated · Utility criteria · Surrounding community rates Smith clarified that a storm water utility benefits a community by providing dedicated funds for surface water management activities including the required activities under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Storm Water Permit Program. In addition, benefits can also be seen in the following areas: drainage system construction and maintenance; water quality improvemen s, wetland protection and enhancement; erosion and sediment control., I The rate structure for the utility is based on the concept "contributors pay". The ~ate is based on land Jse type, density, parcel size, and the amount of runoff and/or pollution load contributed by a particular parcel. The formula used to determine the rate is a standard engineering formula that includes actual water ~ runoff, potential maximum runoff and potential maximum retention and initial rainfall abstraction. This I method is the same method used if a pipe size were to be designed to drain all the storm water from each property. ' I Bettendorf and Smith presented the Council with proposed monthly rates illustrating residential rates frþm $ 1.75 per month to $ 2.50 per month. From the residential rate commercial rates were illustrated I calculating the fee per acre. In addition, the proposed rate includes a 25% credit for properties that contain some or all of the storm water. The Council also discussed the proposed storm water utility as, it relates to the College/Monastery of St. Benedict. Bettendorf stated that St. Benedict's operates and i maintains a storm sewer system with the outfall located on their property. The majority of the property: with the exception of that which abuts County Road 121, drain to their system. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to charge all College/Monastery property. In order to determine the amount of benefit to the College/Monastery, Bettendorf and Taufen will meet with the Physical Plant Manger for the College an~ review the storm sewer system. Once it is determined the number of properties that use the municipal' system, a fee can then be determined. i I , I Bettendorf also presented the Council with a proposed Revenue and Expenditure Summary for the Storm Water Utility. The original budget presented included the assumption that the College/Monastery could be charged fully and the base fee for residential would be $ 2 per month. Bettendorf will revise the ' budget and separate capital costs from maintenance and then determine what fee is needed to cover' such costs. In effort to keep the process moving forward, the Council agreed to meet specially on February 11, 2004 at 5:00 PM to continue the discussions. I , i Buettner Business Park - Restatement of Covenants: Weyrens reported that Leo Buettner is requestirg to restate the Covenants for the St. Joseph Business Park to exclude the commercial lots in the Buettr)er Business Park Plat from the minimum lot size of three acres. The St. Joseph Economic Development: Authority has reviewed the restatement of covenants and approved the modifications. Since the City I owns a holding pond in the Business Park, the City is being requested to sign the revised covenants with consent. Rassier made a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the restatement of covenants for the SI. Joseph Business Center with consent. The restatement will allow the commercial lots to January 28, 2004 Page 2 of 2 be subdivided into parcels less than three acres. The motion was seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously. I Discussion: Bettendorf and Taufen clarified that when utilities were installed in the Buettner Business Park, only one utility service was extended to each lot. Therefore, if the lots are to be subdivided, extending utilities could be costly and difficult. In addition, any change to the lots may limit the ingress and egress. Weyrens stated that before the property can be subdivided it must go through the Planning Commission and City Council. Therefore, the Engineer and Public Works Director will have the opportunity to review and comment on the impact of subdivision. The recommendation would then be forwarded to the Planning Cornmission and City Council. Citv CouncilJDepartment Head Planninq: Weyrens reported that the Department Heads are requesting to meet with the City Council on February 18 for an all day planning workshop. Weyrens stated that the Council will be asked to provide input at the beginning of the day summarizing their reftections on the activity that occurred in St. Joseph during the year 2003. The remaining day will be spent discussing City policies and future capital planning. It was the consensus of the Council to accept February 18, 2004 as a Pianning Retreat with the Department Heads. LELS Contract: Hosch reported that he and Rieke met with representatives of the Police Bargaining Unit, LELS, and were unable to reach an agreement for labor contract for the years 2003 - 2005. Therefore LELS is requesting mediation. It is anticipated that mediation will begin sometime in March. AdministratorlPolice Chief Performance Review: Weyrens requested how the Council wished to proceed with the annual performance review for the Police Chief and Administrator. The forms have been submitted and compiled but need to be presented. The Council was in general agreement that Hosch and Rassier will present the Administrator review and Weyrens, Hosch, and Rassier will present the Police Chief Review. ~ ¡;)·,¿Y-1.£t,ej I Adiourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn at 6:20 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. I