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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 [03] Mar 22 I I I I March 22, 2004 I Page 1 of2 I I · Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council me in joint session with St. Joseph Township on Monday, March 22, 2004 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. St. JoseDh Citv Council Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick. Administrator Judy Weyrens. St. JoseDh TownshiD SUDervisors Present: Greg Berg, Joe Bechtold, Jerome Salzer. Township Clerk Ann Reisch!. Weyrens stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss items of mutual concern including the operation of the Rothfork gravel pit and platting procedures within the Orderly Annexation area. Weyrens I questioned if the Rothfork gravel pit is operating under a special use permit and if they have provided the Township with a reclamation plan for pit. Bechtold responded that the gravel pit is a grandfathered use which cannot be expanded. As long as the same grain of gravel is mined, the operation can continue. I I Rassier stated that as the City grows and develops closer to the mining operation, it has the potentiai of becoming a safety hazard. In addition, he stated the City is concerned as to what will happen to the iand when they are done mining. Without a reclamation plan it could be left as a deep depression. Berg I stated that since the mining operation has been in existence for many years, they did not require a i reclamation pian. However, as times and regulations change, he suspects that all mining operations will eventually be required to complete such a plan. I Berg stated that he can understand the position of the City and agrees the City and Township should jointly resolve this issue. Berg stated that as a first step he would contact the County and discuss how' the existing operation is governed and express the concerns of the City and Township. If another I' meeting of the City and Township is needed, Berg will contact Weyrens. I I i The second area of concern is the platting process. Weyrens stated the City was of the understandin(Ì that they would have an opportunity to review and comment on plats within the Orderly Annexation Area. In 2003 a plat was processed and the City did not have the opportunity to review it. The property ownek did present the plat to the Planning Commission at the end of a meeting, but stated that no action was' necessary. Bechtold stated they had a similar experience with the same plat, but before it was approved by Stearns County they had an opportunity for input. Berg stated that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the City and Township of St. Joseph and Stearns County, identifies the procedure an applicant must follow when platting property in St. Joseph' Township. Bechtold questioned the City if the procedure outlined in the Memorandum is acceptable if it is followed. During discussion it was noted that in the section describing the process the Memorandulì1 of Understanding is not clear as it appears to be missing a sentence. I , Those present identified the following as the process that should be followed. 1. The Applicant submits a plan to the Stearns County Platting Committee who reviews the plat. I The review of the plat is then forwarded to the City and Township of St. Joseph. I 2. The City and Township independently review the proposed plat and se~d comments and Ii concerns to Stearns County Environmental Services. I a. Since the City and Township use the same Engineering Firm, the staff from the City ¡'nd Township will coordinate review by such and the cost of the review will be shared. b. The City Administrator and Township Clerk will share the comments from their prospective jurisdiction and if the opinions vary significantly a joint meeting may be scheduled. Berg stated that he will forward the process identified above to the County who in turn will revise the Memorandum of Understanding. The new Memorandum will need to be executed by ail the parties involved. March 22, 2004 Page 2 of 2 Rassier suggested that the City and Township meet quarterly on a regular basis to increase communication and discuss items of concern. Bechtold stated that he agrees the City and Township I should meet, but feels that annually would be sufficient. If an issue came up the City can always request a meeting or they can attend a regular meeting of the Township. Those present agreed to meet annually with the understanding that either jurisdiction could request to meet if an issue of concern surfaces. Summer Recreation: Weyrens reported that the City has contacted the St. Cloud Boys and Girls Club to take over the Summer Recreation Program. They have completed a cost analysis to do such and have estimated that their will be an annual deficit and have requested that the City guarantee payment of any deficit. The City is not in a position whereby the deficit can be paid, and questioned if St. Joseph Township would contribute a proportionate share of the shortfall, based on the number of participants from St. Joseph Township. Hosch stated that the City will be approaching St. Wende) Township for participation as well. St Joseph Township was in agreement that would be willing to pay a proportionate share of the shortfall based on a per student basis, and they would only be able to contribute for residents of St. Joseph Township. Adiourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:20 PM ~~~ ~~;~tor I I