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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [04] Apr 21 I I I April 21, 2005 Page 1 Öf 1 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council met in special session on Thursday, Apri121, 2005 at 6:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Car!bom. Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Public Works Director Dick Taufen Closed MeetinQ. Glatzel Land Purchase: Mayor Richard Carlbom turned the floor over to City Engineer Joe Bettendorf. Bettendorf reported that he along with the Public Works Director have identified a parcel of property for the future water filtration site. The site is located at the southwest intersection of 1-94, 1 owned by Leo Glatzel. The property owner has indicated a willingness to sell the property. Bettendorf requested the Council go into closed session to discuss strategy for the land purchase. ' Rassier made a motion requesting the Council go into closed session at 6:05 PM to discuss strategy for the potential land purchase for the water filtration plant and well field. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. The meeting was opened at 6:25 PM SI. Wendel Public InDut MeetinQ: Weyrens reminded those present that an informational meeting for the SI. Wendel residents has been established for April 25, 2005. The Council on April 21 agreed that SI.I Wendel Township would conduct the meeting and the City would provide one representative to speak þn behalf of the City and the City Engineer. Rieke recommended and the Council concurred that the Cityl spokesperson should be AI Rassier. Bettendorf reported that he has provided 81. Wendel with the I requested information and he will prepare a short presentation. Weyrens stated that Bob Heim has agreed to moderate the meeting and Stearns County Environmental Services Director, Don Adams, will be present at the meeting as well. Carlbom reminded the Council of his opinion that the City has spent too many resources on this project and unless SI. Wendel reimburses the City or agrees to provide financial assistance the project should not move forward. Adiourn: Symanietz made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. ~" ~.d&1j ~ud eyrens ministrator Judy Weyrens Administrator I THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK I I I I I April 21, 2005 Page 1 \Jf 4 i Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of SI. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. I i ' Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. I i Others Present: Roger Schleper ADDrove AQenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Consent AQenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows. a. Minutes - Approve the minutes for April 7, 2005. b. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 35660-35700 The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Rock ProDerties. Rental License 29 East MN Street: Roger Schleper approached the Council to request the Council begin the process of reinstating their rental license at 29 East Minnesota Street. The license was suspended in March as a result of two noise violations in the same license period. Schleper stateø that the SI. JoseDh Code of Ordinances allow a property owner to request reinstatement of their license upon completion of 50% of the suspension period. Schleper stated that he met with the Police Chief to discuss possible ways to prevent future noise violations. Since the Court has not rendered a judgment on the Unlawful Retainer, Schleper stated he is unable to have the property vacated. He further stated that he has done everything is his power to vacate the I property and has not been successful. Schleper questioned the Council as to what they would like to see from Rock Properties to reinstate the rental license on June 1, 2005. i I According to Schleper, there are 8 tenants scheduled to move in on June 1 st and he doesn't understand why the new tenants are being punished for issues from previous tenants. If the rental license is not i reinstated, these students will need to scramble to find new housing for either the summer months or éli of next year. ' Weyrens stated that the City Attorney has advised that action not be taken on this matter until the Cou'rt rules on the pending litigation involving the City of SI. Joseph, Rock Properties and the tenants of 29 E Minnesota Street. Rassier made a motion to table action on the request to reinstate the rental license at 29 East Minnesota Street until the City receives a judgment on the Temporary Restraining Order. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. POLICE CHIEF REPORTS Ordinance Amendment ParkinQ Ordinance: Chief Jansky requested the Council consider amending \he Parking Ordinance to prohibit overni9ht parking of trailers on City Streets and stating a distance vehides must move when parking in a timed parking area. Jansky requested the following additions: I o Ordinance 83 - , I OVERNIGHT PARKING: No trailer or other object shall remain parked for more than forty-eight (48) hours upon any street or alley. Any trailer, which is moved less than one (1) block, shall be deemed to have remained stationary. It is unlawful to remove any mark made by a Police Officer to determine the length of time a trailer, or other object remained parked. April 21, 2005 Page 2 of4 Sub 2: No vehicle shall in any case be parked upon the street, boulevard, or alley in anyone place for a longer continuous period of twenty-four (24) hours, and any vehicle, which is moved less than one (1) block, shall be deemed to have remained stationary. It is unlawful to remove any mark made by a Police Officer for determining the length of time a vehicle, trailer or other object remained parked. I o Ordinance 84 - Sub 3: Vehicles must be moved one block. Carlbom questioned whether or not the City Attorney has reviewed the proposed amendments. Weyrens stated that the attorney will review the proposed amendment if the Council decides to move forward with the proposed changes. Councilors questioned why vehicles can only be parked for 24 hours whereas a trailer can be parked for 48 hours. Jansky stated that vehicles are more readily moved. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the amendments to the City Attorney for adoption. Ordinance Amendment - WeiQht Restrictions: Jansky stated that the City has received requests to enforce street weight restrictions as heavy trucks are using residential streets. The City has posted some of the streets as 5 ton but does not have an Ordinance regulating such. If the City intends on enforcing weight restrictions, an Ordinance must be adopted and the streets signed. Jansky presented the Council with two sample Ordinances which were received from the League of Minnesota Cities and requested the Council determine if they would like to adopt a similar Ordinance. The sample Ordinances mirror Minnesota Statute and exempt school buses and garbage trucks from weight restrictions. Jansky stated that the City Engineer is in the process of developing a map illustrating the maximum I weight each City street has been designed and constructed for. The map will indicate which streets will be limited to five ton and which will be limited to nine ton. It is anticipated that when the Ordinance is completed, a copy of the map will be attached to all new construction building permits. The Council requested that City Staff prepare a proposed Ordinance with the assistance of the City Engineer and City Attorney, presenting the Council with a final amendment. Pine Stock: With Pine Stock approaching, Jansky stated that he had a meeting with several students to discuss keg races and stressed that they are only allowed to have one keg on the property. In anticipation of the event all the Officers are scheduled to work. Police DeDartment UDdate: According to Jansky, things are going well in the department. They are looking to hire a part time officer to fill in for vacation and sick time for the full time officers. He also stated that Jeff Young would be retiring on June 30, 2005. At that time, one of the part time officers will be promoted to patrol officer. The sergeant position will not be filled until after the first of the year. Senior Farewell: Jansky stated that the Senior Farewell Party has been scheduled for Centennial Park on May 6, 2005 from 5 - 8 PM. The event is alcohol free and he has requested the College hire four security officers to staff the gate assuring that alcohoi is not brought into the park. Police Vehicles: Jansky reported that the new squad car has been ordered as one of the vehicle leases ends in 2005. MAYOR REPORTS Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Carlbom reported that there was a luncheon on Tuesday to welcome the new President for the College of SI. Benedict, Mary Ann Bennagir. He thanked everyone who helped I make the event successful. I I I April 21, 2005 Page 3 ?f 4 Proiect Pride Dav: Carlbom stated that he organized a project pride day in the City on Saturday, April) 6. The purpose of the event was to organize volunteers to clean the area along Highway 75 and the Wobegon Trail. The event was successful with approximately 75 people participating. I , District 742 School Committee MeetinQ: Carlbom reported that the School District is continuing to discuss the growth of SI. Joseph and education needs. The Committee has viewed a proposed school site in SI. Joseph. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANI ETZ - No Report WICK Rec Association: Wick reported that the Rec Association cleaned up all the ball fields and the parks ara ready for the 2005 Softball season. : i I i TAC MeetinQ: Wick stated that and open house for the Field Street Study will be held on April 28, 2005 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the SI. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The purpose of the open house is to: present corridor alternatives and seek public input. The open house will be conducted by WSB, the consultants hired to complete the corridor study. RASSIER - No Report RIEKE EDA: Rieke informed the Council that the EDA met and they discussed a possible downtown committee to research revitalization of the downtown area. As part of the research, the sketches completed during the Minnesota Design Team visit will be reviewed. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS , , GamblinQ Ordinance: Weyrens stated that previously she has received a request from a SI. Cloud I Charitable Organization for a Gambling Premise Permit. During review of the ordinance, it was noticed that the current Ordinance restricts each organization to one premise permit. The SI. Cloud group hasl since rescinded their application as the SI. Joseph Rec Association is looking at the same site. The I Recreation Association already holds two premise permits (La Playette and Softball Field). Before the Permit can be considered the Ordinance must be amended. The Recreation Association is not the only club holding more than one license as the SI. Joseph Jaycees currently hold two licenses. Weyrens requested the Council consider the issues identified below as they relate to the Gambling Ordinance and provide staff with direction to draft a proposed amendment for Council consideration. issues for consideration are: , I The 1. Limitation on the number of licenses 2. 10% Contribution - for all license holders or for those holding more than one license. 3. Reporting process for verification Carlbom stated that it is his opinion that service clubs should be limited to once license. Carlbom clarified that he is not concerned about limiting the number of permits if the money is given back to the SI. Joseph area, however he doesn't want one group controlling everything. i Rassier stated that he was involved with the Gambling Ordinance when it was first adopted. He stated that 80% of the proceeds should be spent locally and that they originally wanted City Groups to hold the premise licenses within the City. Weyrens stated that most other cities with gambling ordinances require that the clubs contribute 10% to the City. She also stated that the Council may' want to require Premise April 21, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Permit holders to report annually to the City Council verifying the contribution to SI. Joseph. Rassier stated he supports charging ail license holders 10% for the purpose of consistency. Weyrens stated that the following groups that hold premise permits in the City include: Q Jaycees (hold multiple permits) Q Lions Q American Legion Q 51. Joseph Rec Association (hold multiple permits) Wick stated that the Rec Association leases the softball fields and that they plan to use the Gambling proceeds to replace the lights in the parks. It is estimated that the replacement lights will cost approximately $100,000 and currently there is no budget for park equipment replacement. After considerable discussion the Council concurred that three premise permits would be the maximum ailowed. Wick stated that in his opinion if the City requires a 10% contribution the City will see a decrease in voluntary contributions. The Council agreed that it may be better to continue to require 80% of the proceeds be used in the "trade area" which can be identified as the City proper or the Order1y Annexation Area. They also agreed to require the 10% contribution to those who hold more than one permit in the City. Rieke questioned whether the process is currently working and whether or not the only problem is having multiple permits. Weyrens stated that he is correct and they do not need to re-write the Ordinance, however they need to clarify the current language so that it works for what the City wants. Resolution to StoD the Hate: Weyrens presented the Council with a proposed Resolution formulated by GRIP (Great River Interfaith Partnership) encouraging the six area Cities (SI. Cloud, Sarteil, 5auk Rapids, SI. Augusta, Waite Park and SI. Joseph) to support an effort for racial harmony. Passage of the resolution includes SI. Joseph appointing a Council person to a committee to work on Harmony. At this time the support does not include any financial contribution. Rieke stated that he does not see a need for this type of resolution to be passed as he expects hate crimes to be handled by the police. Wick stated that the end result of the Harmony Committee may be a regional Human Rights Office. Carlbom stated it is his understanding that the formation of the Harmony Committee is to address high profile crimes using a regional effort for enforcement. Rassier and Rieke stated that they agree with the items identified in the Resolution, but do not feel a resolution is needed. Wick made a motion to approve Resolution 2005-11; seconded by Symanietz. Ayes: Carlbom, Wick, Symanietz Nays: None Abstain: Rieke, Rassier Motion Carried 3:0:2 Wick made a motion to appoint Symanietz to the Harmony Task Force. The motion was seconded by Carlbom and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. ~a~ Ju we%ns ministrator I I I