HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 [06] Jun 17
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June 17,12004
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session
on Thursday, June 17,2004 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. i
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Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Gary Utsch, AI Rassier, Dale Wick. City Administiator
Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Jeff Ledin
Approve Aaenda: Utsch made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes:
Remove 3(b) Minutes
The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
Consent Aaenda: Rassier made a motion to approve consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Utsch and passed unanimously.
a. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 34355-34421
Public Comments to the Aaenda: No one present wished to speak.
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Fire Report - Six Month Activity Report: Randy Torborg, St. Joseph Fire Chief, presented the Council'
with the 6-month fire report. He reported that there was the same number of calls during this 6-month I
period as there were last year during the same period. The report included medical and fire calls as w~1I
as the time, location and cost of each call. He stated that the number of calls in the City has increased,
but that is expected as a result of the growth in the City. Hosch questioned how many are volunteers are
dispatched when there is an emergency call. Torborg said that it varies depending on the call. For I
example, for a medical call, the first 4 or 5 volunteers to show up to the fire hall will respond to the scene,
while others responding will wait at the fire hall until they are cleared. However, if there is a structure fire,
all those who respond are dispatched to the scene. ¡
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Torborg also reported that the four (4) new firefighters are very excited to have joined the department pnd
they have started the training process. There are two parts to training, medical and fire. Candidates have
two years to complete the training. The plan is for them to complete the medical part in September and
October of this year and to complete the fire part between October and the end of the year. He stated 'hat
there are a few volunteers who are eligible for retirement; however, none of them have given notice yet.
According to Torborg, the size of the department should remain at 30. I
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Utsch made a motion to accept the 6-month fire report as presented by Torborg. The motion was
seconded by Wick and passed unanimousiy. I
CITY ENGINEER REPORTS. I
Public Hearina - 16'h Avenue SE and Wobeaon Park Improvements: Mayor HcisCh opened the PUbliCi
hearing and stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider the extension of utility services to certain I
properties on 16'h Avenue SE and to complete a parking lot facility at the Wobegon Welcoming Center
City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the Council with the feasibility report regarding the
improvements. The project is being requested by two property owners with failing septic systems. In
order for the project to be financially feasible the project has been extended to provide services for an
outlot in Pond View Ridge that can be split and sold as individual lots. The Wobegon Trail project is
needed to provide a parking area for the Wobegon Welcoming Center.
Mayor Hosch opened the Public Hearing with no one present wishing to speak. i
Utsch made a motion to close the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Rassier and
passed unanimously.
June 17, 2004
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Utsch questioned whether or not the properties along 16'h Avenue have been annexed. Weyrens stated
that both the City and Township have executed the Annexation agreement which has since been
forwarded to Minnesota Planning.
Wick made a motion to accept Resolution 2004-20 ordering improvement and preparation of plans
for the 16'h Avenue SE and Wobegon Park Improvements. The motion was seconded by Rassier
and passed unanimously.
Award of Bid _ Callawav Street: Bettendorf presented the Council with the following bid results for the
Callaway Street Improvements:
Larson Excavating
Molitor Excavating
Randy Kremer Excavating
Engineers Estimate
$
213,439.69
215,413.92
231,295.55
218,295.55
Bettendorf stated that he has reviewed the bids and requests the Council award the Callaway Street
Improvement contract to the lowest bidder, Larson Excavating.
Rassier made a motion to accept the low bid of Larson Excavating in the amount of $ 213,439.69
and authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the contract for the 2004 Callaway Street
Improvements. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
Utsch questioned whether or not the bid just accepted includes repair work to Cedar Court and if so what
work will be completed. Bettendorf stated that Larson Excavating will repair Cedar Court and a small
portion on Pond View Lane. It is uncertain what caused these two road sections to fail, but it is likely that
the problems are a combination of poor soils and utility companies disturbing the right-of-way. It appears
as the road has shifted and it can be repaired with milling the cul-de-sac, re-shaping the area and then
paving the area.
Field Street: Bettendorf presented the Council with the final request for proposal form (RFP) for the Field
Street Transportation Study. Before the RFP can be released, the form must be approved by the State
Aid Engineer. Bettendorf will be adding boiler-plate provisions (State and Federal language) to the
request before it is distributed. Disadvantaged businesses are going to be asked to evaluate alternatives
for the corridor as part of the process. The approved budget for this project is $159,000 of which $56,763
is the responsibility of the City. Wick questioned Bettendorf as to the proposed timeline for the project.
Bettendorf stated that he anticipates the project to begin fall of 2004 with completion in early 2005.
Rassier requested that throughout the process, each group identified in the RFT, be informed bi-monthly
as to the status of the project. Hosch questioned how long the bidding would remain open. Bettendorf
stated that it would remain open for 30days because of the federal funding. Rassier stated that even
though his term expires in 2005, he would like to be involved with the project.
Rassier made a motion to accept the final draft of the Request for Proposals for the Field Street
Corridor. The motion was seconded by Utsch and passed unanimously.
CR 121 Update: Rassier questioned Bettendorf as to the status of the CR 121 sidewalk. Rassier stated
that he has been contacted by a resident who is concemed about the cracks, pop-outs, etc. Bettendorf
stated that the City should see resolution on this matter shortiy.
Proposed Water Filtration Plant: Jeff Ledin of SEH presented the Council with the proposed plans for the
Water Filtration Plant. He stated that he has been working on issues with the City's water plant needs
over the past months. Part of the process includes a review of the current and future water usage and
demands. Ledin presented the Council with the following facts concerning the water system:
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June 17,12004
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~ Average daily water usage is 450,000 gallons/day with the maximum daily usage about 2 Y. tiles
the average daily usage. I
~ Water supply and water treatment are sized by the maximum daily usage. !
~ To project the usage for the next 10-20 years, data from the past 7 years is used. Using math! as
a tool, it is clear that the average daily usage wili more than double in those next few years. For
design purposes, the average daily usage is going to be projected at 1.1 million gallonslday with
a peaking factor at 2.5 million gallons/day. The current water filtration plant was updated in 1995
and was projected for 1 million gallons/day. . i
Rassier made a motion to take a 5-minute recess; seconded by Wick and passed unanimousl)
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The meeting was reconvened at 7:40 PM. i
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Ledin stated that the current household average for water usage is 250 gallons/day. To prepare for future
development, it is necessary to look at the different areas where water usage may increase. For exarhple,
if St. Wendel adds 400 new homes, the City would need to prepare for 230,000 gallons/day. With the ~ew
Arcon Development with 1,000 units, that would add up to 600,000 gallons/day. Those two areas would
add an extra 1,000,000 gallons/day. It is important to try to size for the future. According to Ledin, it is
easier to size over a 20-year window and then build appropriately. The City will need to make decision's
that we may not if we knew the future. i
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Hosch questioned what would happen if we would project for more than 2.5 million gallons/day. He st~ted
that the last expansion was only 9 years ago and he doesn't want to see the City having to expand again
in 9 years. Ledin stated that it can be difficult to determine the needs for greater than 10 years as the I
housing market is dependent upon the economy. They City could grow faster than projected creating a
need expand sooner than 9 years. The new facility has an expected life of 20 years, however, if planned
correctly the faciiity could be a lifetime project. 'I I
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1.5 million gallons per day treatment capacity .
Design features: Single garage space, one chemical room, one office and lab,
and the generator is stored outside. i
Future expansion: none I
Projected cost: $ 2,900.000 i
1.5 miliion gallons per day treatment capacity ¡ . I
Design features: Double garage space, chemical rooms are separated into f9ur,
conference room, men and women's facility, lockers, reception area, generator
stored inside I
Future expansion: ability to add 3 million gallons per day
Projected cost: $ 6,320,000
Ledin presented the Council with three aiternatives for a new filtration plant. They are as follows:
Alternate A
Alternate B
Alternate C
Same as alternate B, but the future expansion is constructed
Projected cost: $ 8,000,000
Bettendorf stated that the Council does not need to make a decision at this meeting. Rather, review the
information and determine what size of facility is needed. Rassier questioned whether the costs I
presented at this meeting include land costs or if they are just the facility. Bettendorf clarified that the I
costs presented do not include land. The City has been working with a developer to secure land, but that
has yet to be completed. Rassier stated it is his opinion that the City should build the larger of the I
facilities with the anticipated growth. Bettendorf reminded the Council that in addition to constructing the
water treatment plant, the City will need to begin planning for a second water storage facility. '
MAYOR REPORTS
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EDA: Hosch stated that the EDA met yesterday and that there was a unanimous vote requesting the City
Council to start discussions with St. Joseph Township to expand the Orderly Annexation area to include I
all the property to Interstate 94. It is the position of the EDA that property abutting CR 2 and the
proposed bypass is a viable option for commercial expansion. Hosch also requested the Council pursue
executing an Orderly Annexation Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and St. Wendel Township.
Local Government Aid: Hosch reported that the City has a potential of losing a significant amount of
Local Government Aid. The potential loss of revenue is a result of the Legislature failing to come to
consensus at the end of the 2004 Session.
COUNCIL REPORTS
RASSIER _ Rassier stated that he too has concerns regarding the proposed loss of revenue in 2005.
The City was able to recover the loss in 2004 due to the considerable growth St. Joseph is experiencing.
However, if the growth does not continue, the loss may result in a reduction of services.
WICK - None
UTSCH - None
ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Memorandum of Understandina with St. Joseph Township: Weyrens reported that previously the City
meet jointly with St. Joseph Township to discuss the process of piatting in the Orderly Annexation area. It
was the consensus of those present that the existing Memorandum of Understanding was unclear and did
not require a developer to contact the City prior to platting. Therefore, it was agreed to amend the
Memorandum of Understanding. Weyrens presented the Council with the amended Memorandum of
Understanding, which now requires a developer platting property in the Orderly Annexation area to notify
the City. The City will then forward any comments or concems to Steams County Environmental
Services. The Memorandum also provides an opportunity for the Joint Planning Committee to meet.
Rassier made a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding
between the City and Township of St. Joseph. The motion was seconded by Utsch and passed
unanimously.
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Ordinance 54.18 _ Park Dedication: Weyrens presented the Council with the final Park Dedication
Ordinance. The Ordinance before them is the result of the discussions at the previous Council meeting.
The Ordinance has been numbered sequentially and the notice has been published. Utsch stated that
he has concerns regarding the new dedication fee and questioned whether the per lot fee is the total fee
paid by the Developer. Weyrens stated that in addition to the per lot fee, the developer is required to
connect the development to the Trail system in St. Joseph. This connection can be via trail, sidewalk or
street.
Wick made a motion to accept the amendment to Ordinance 54.18 - Park Dedication. The motion
was seconded by Utsch.
Discussion: Rassier and Utsch both stated their concern for the developers paying more per lot
and also more in connection fees. Hosch stated that when they plan to develop in the City, they should
be prepared to connect to the trail system within the City. Utsch said that the requirement to connect to
the trail system is not there are no trails in the Northland Addition, so therefore the cost of connecting to
the trails should be included in their Park Dedication Fee. Hosch and Wick feel that these fees are very
reasonable. Hosch stated that there were Public Hearings held in regards to this fee and no one attended
or voiced their opinions. Wick also stated that the CMBA was aware that the City was amending the
Ordinance and they did not attend the meeting to raise objection.
Weyrens suggested that maybe developers get partial credit on the trail connection fees. Utsch agreed
with Weyrens. She proposed wording it so that developers would receive 50% credit for conneclion fees,
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June 17, '2004
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but not to exceed a specified amount. Utsch stated that the Council should look at each developmenton
a case-by-case basis and determine the amount of credit that they would receive. I
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Rassier stated that he would hate to see the Parkland Dedication Fee increase and not be able to usJ
any of those funds to fix existing parks. Hosch stated that he believes that the new fees will help to
control development. Wick agreed to amend the motion to allow the Council discretion in
determining if a credit will be provided to a developer for connection of the trail system.
The motion was passed unanimously.
Adiourn: Utsch made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
cLý ~~ç
eyrens
Istrator
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