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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [05] May 05 I I I I : May 5, 2005 Page 1 :of 4 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of SI. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. I Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, .Ross Rieke. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Citv ReDresentatives Present: City Engineers Joe Bettendorf and Tracy Ekola Others Present: Ken Jacobson, Bill Durrwachter, Jim & Mary Anne Graeve, Bob & Ellen Wahlstrom, Roger, Herman Gangl, Philip Welter ADD rove AQenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda with the following change: Delete 6 Add 10b Arcon Development, Rivers Bend (To be discussed May 19, 2005) St. Wendel Update i The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Consent AQenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 35701-35751 b. Minutes - Approve the minutes for April 5, April 18, and April 21, 2005. c. Downtown Committee - Accept the appointments as presented for the creation' of a Downtown Committee. I d. Signalization - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2005-13 Supporting Stearns County's application for funding form the Routes of Regional I Significance and Rural Road Safety Account for the construction of a signal at County Road 75 and Northland Drive. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Public Comments: , [J Darlene Theilman, 29414 Kiwi Ct, approached the Council to state her concerns about the Fied Street Study and how things are being done thus far. She attended the Open House that was 1 held at the Fire Hall on the 28th and questioned why this issue is such a secret to the residents. She stated that there were no Township Board members or City Council members present and she didn't understand why they were not in charge of the meeting. She also stated that she was concerned as to why there were no maps available at the Open House, as one of her neighbors had already seen maps with some possibilities for the new street. I 1 [J Ellen Wahlstrom, 409 8th Avenue NE, approached the Council as well. She stated that she I attended the Open House as well and that she was disappointed in how it was presented. There were two stations at which there were pictures of the area in question. People were crowded II around the two stations, which made it very hard to hear the information that was being presented. According to Wahlstrom, people left there very confused and she felt the information presented was inadequate. ' [J Jim Graeve, 619 E Minnesota Street, aiso addressed the Council with his concerns in regards 'to the Field Street Study and its possibilities. He stated that this road will have long-term effects on the community and he feels that there is not enough citizen input. According to Graeve, there I should be more citizen participation on the Task Force that has been set up for this study. Graeve also stated that the new Field Street would drive Economic Development, however it would also have serious effects on the community and the environment. In his opinion, it would be better 'f the potential road were not to affect the residents nor the Rassier farm or the College of SI. Benedict. May 5, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Q Phil Welter, 29413 Kiwi Ct, also approached the Council and stated that he agrees with the others in regards to the perception that the information on the project is a secret. In his opinion, the I residents are in a reactive mode right now. He also stated that he is unaware of discussion regarding environmental and zoning concerns. In response to questions raised by the residents, Mayor Carlbom explained the process and why it is being done the way it is. He stated that the purpose of the study is to look at different locations for proposed street referenced to as "Field Streef'. The City received Federal Funding for the corridor study and it was anticipated that the process would take one year to complete. The Open House was simply an effort to introduce the residents to the study and provide introductory data. He stated that the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meets monthly and has only met three times prior to the open house. The main focus of the study is travel management. He stressed that the information is not secret information. In fact, he stated that the T AC is larger than most committees formed by the City. It is a group of technical people as well as City Representatives and landowners. Comment cards were available at the meeting and they will be discussed at the next T AC meeting. According to Wick, the Open House was just a way of starting the process and a way to make the citizens aware. He and Rassier stated that since they are members of the T AC, they encourage resident comments. Citv Sloqan: Ken Jacobson, SI. Joseph Chamber President, approached the Council to announce the new City slogan. Jacobson stated that the Chamber received over 75 slogans of which six were presented to the Chamber. The winning slogan was submitted by Bill Durrwachter of SI. Joseph and the slogan is "Tomorrow with Tradition". Bill Durwachter accepted the prize for the wining slogan and stated that he proud to be a resident of SI. Joseph. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS North-EastlWest Corridor Studv: Bettendorf stated they had submitted the Project Memorandum for the North east/west Corridor Study which is the first step in the federal funding process. At this time I Bettendorf is requesting that the Council establish a committee for interviewing consultants. The Request for Proposal will be modeled after the RFP for Field Street. However, this study will be joint venture between the City of SI. Joseph and Stearns County. Rassier made a motion authorizing preparation and distribution of the RFP's for the North east/west Corridor Study and to establish the interview committee consisting of the following: Mayor Carlbom, Councilor Rassier, Administrator Weyrens, Planning Commission Chair Gary Utsch, Public Works Director Dick Taufen, Stearns County Engineer Mitch Anderson and a representative from the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Northland Heiqhts: Bettendorf reported that previously, the Planning Commission and the City Council reviewed a concept plan for the development of a plat entitled Northland Heights. The preliminary plat is in the process of being reviewed and the hearing will be scheduled for May 16, 2005. At this time Lumber One is requesting that SEH begin the feasibility study. The design process will start right after the preliminary plat is approved. Bettendorf stated that they are asking for approval to do these items contingent upon the developer paying all applicable charges. Wick made a motion to adopt resolution 2005·12 declaring adequacy of petition and ordering preparation of the feasibility report for the proposed Northland Heights Improvements. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Well Field UDdate: Bettendorf stated that he and the Public Works Director will be meeling with the property owner next week regarding the purchase of property for the well field and filtration plant. I Other Matters: Rassier questioned whether or not it would be possible to put up a block building around all the City wellheads and/or lift stations. After riding along with the maintenance crew, he stated that he was concerned about the safety of them not being enclosed. Bettendorf stated that it would be difficult to I I I I I May 5, 2005 Page3'of4 have them enclosed due to the accessibility needed for equipment. Bettendorf stated that he would discuss the matter with the Public Works Director. MAYOR REPORTS School Committee MeetinQ: Carlbom reported that he attended the District 742 School Committee meeting with Wick last week whereby the education needs of SI. Joseph were discussed. Area PlanninQ District MeetinQ: Carlbom stated that he attended the Area Planning meeting and they requested that SI. Joseph submit a land use summary for the year 2004. Life Cvcle Housina: Mayor Carlbom reported that he attended the Life Cycle Housing meeting and that they are recommending the Area Cities amend the current Joint Powers Agreement to meet the current housing needs and price points. They would like to have a joint meeting with the all the Planning i Commissions and City Councils to present an updated report on housing needs. If an area completes' a housing study it is anticipated that SI. Joseph will be required to contribute $ 600.00. I APO: Carlbom stated that he attended the APO meeting with Wick and Symanietz at which time they i were updated on the Federal Transportation Bill. The SI. Cloud area will receive approximately 40% pf the funds. I COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANI ETZ Chamber MeetinQ: Symanietz reported that she attended the SI. Cloud Area Chamber meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to unite area City Councils with SI. Cloud Chamber members. WICK School Committee Meetina: Wick reported that he attended the School Committee meeting with Carlbbm. Discussion at the meeting included open enrollment as well as declining enrollment as it relates to the' School Districts short term and long term facility planning. ' RASSIER PlanninQ Commission: Rassier reported that the Planning Commission met and they discussed the following items: o Graceview - They reviewed a plat amendment of Graceview Estates and requested additional information. 1 o Owner Occupied Rental - Considered the Interim Use Permit for Linda Hutchinson to operate' an owner occupied rental unit. This matter will come before the Council at the next meeting. Historical Societv: Rassier stated that the Historical Society is looking for help in writing a grant. Weyr~ns stated that she could provide assistance to the Society. Rassier also reported that the Classic Snow I Machine Club donated $100 to the Historical Society. I , ~ i I SI. Cloud Area Chamber: Rieke suggested that the May 19, 2005 City Council agenda include discussion on Membership to the SI. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. As the City is working with the SI. Cloud River Bats, it would be appropriate to consider membership. There has been some discussion that Sf. Joseph benefits from the SI. Cloud Chamber via the River Bats and do not financially support the same. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS 1 GamblinQ Ordinance: Previously, the City Council has been discussing a possible amendment tothe I Gambling Ordinance. Since the last discussion, Weyrens stated that she called the service clubs in the 1 , I May 5, 2005 Page 4 of 4 City holding Premise Permits and discussed the current Ordinance. Through discussion it was determined that most of the existing Ordinance is obsolete. The current Ordinance requires that 80% of I the net proceeds be distributed within the '1rade area" which is defined as a radius of 15 miles. Many of the proceeds are expended outside the "trade area". Weyrens provided the Council with a copy of the Sauk Rapids Gambling Ordinance. Their Ordinance requires 10% to the City as well as providing a quarterly financial report to the City. Weyrens stated that she would like to incorporate language from the Sauk Rapids Ordinance into the current Ordinance and provide all Premise Permit License holders in SI. Joseph and opportunity to review the proposed Ordinance. The Council could reconsider the matter on May 19 providing an opportunity for input from the service clubs. The Council accepted the recommendation. SI. Wendel: Weyrens reported that the SI. Wendel Township has requested to meet with the Council on May 23, 2005 at 6:30 PM to further discuss the potential sewer expansion to the 51. Wendel area. Wick requested that they provide an agenda of what will be covered to keep order to the meeting. Rassier made a motion to go into a closed meeting at 7:45 PM to discuss potential land purchases. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. The meeting was reopened at 8:05 PM. Rassier made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. ~dy dl~ Jud Weyrens A inistrator I I