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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [04] Apr 18 Page 2946 April 18, 19961 i ! Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Councit for the City I of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, April 18, 1996 ~t 7:00 P.I'!. in the City Hall. I . ftEKBERS PRESENT: Mayor Donald Bud Reber, Councilors ¡Ross Rieke, Bob , Loso, Ken Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert, Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. I OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, John Scherer, Mike Hazen, Bob Wahlstrom, Ellen Wahlstrom, Steve Streng, Jim Graeve, Mary Ann Graeve, Fred Reber, Jean Gustin, Gage Dennison, Taryn Kocian. AGENDA: Loso made Ayes: Reber, Nayes: None. a motion to approve the agenda, seconded Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. Councilo~s I by Hiemenz. i Mayor Reber called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with Rieke, Loso, Ehlert and Hiemenz present. PUBLIC HEARING - ECONOftIC DEVELOPftENT AUTHORITY: Mayor Reber open~d the public hearing to receive questions and comments from the public, concerning establishing an Economic Development Authority. Hiemenz stated the resolution is patterned after the City of Becker's I resolution. The Council may change the resolution at any time by holding a public hearing. I Loso questioned the powers of an EDA. John Scherer stated the Cou~cil I may reserve as much authority as it desires. The powers are, as al political body, to acquire property, lease property, accept gifts, land issue bonds except G.O. bonds in their own right. The Council may I reserve these powers. The EDA may do TIF and Industrial Revenue Bonds and may ask the Council to levy. A certain number of Council memb&rs must sit on the EDA board. 1 I Board members would be selected from persons expressing interest. Recommendations from the Star City Commission would also be accepted. Mayor Reber would like to give an opportunity for as many people as possible to be on the Board, although it should not be too large to function well. I Hiemenz stated an advisory board may be set up that ~ay have a greater mix of individuals. 1 i Rieke recommended reviewing the size of the Board after a test period of time. It could be increased at the review time after holding a public hearing. Loso stated the Council may act as the EDA board with a subsidiary advisory committee. Establishing an EDA is creating ¡another body, , I which in turn could cause a problem between the Council and the EDA. Hiemenz stated the Star City Commission felt strongly that the EDAI Board should not be the Council. Also the terms of the EDA Board i members are six years. Be aware this is a long commitment for boa~d members. Page 2947 April 18, 19961 I Ellen Wahlstrom questioned the EDA's role in relation to the Plannîng I Commission. John Scherer explained zoning and land use issues are, I Planning Commission responsibilities. The EDA's role is to bring in development. They will still have to comply with zoning issues. I Wahlstrom questioned if a member of the Planning Commission should be I on the EDA. Scherer responded not necessarily. Wahlstrom furtherl questioned the mechanics of the EDA and subsidiary committee. She, also recommended having an environmentalist on the EDA Board and asked if there was one on the Planning Commission or if the Planning Commis~ion reviews environmental issues. I Ehlert responded the Planning Commission reviews environmental issues as they come before them along with other issues. Scherer stated ~he Planning Commission reviews plats for noise, drainage, aesthetics, I etc. Mike Hazen stated he is a community member of the Star City Commission, I whose mission statement includes "to bring environmentally friendly business or industry to the City and Community." He invited Wahlstrom to attend Star City Commission meetings. i Hiemenz stated when he was on the Planning Commission the Board expressed environmental concerns for issues as they came up. I Mike Hazen stated when the Star City Commission met with Gerry Wenner of DTED he recommended the City Council not be the EDA Board. He ~lso recommended if an EDA Director is hired, this individual should only serve St. Joseph in this capacity. i Mayor Reber indicated the Partnership, of which the of ethics. If a director of ethics could be used. . ¡ St. Cloud Area Econom1c Development City is a member, has recently adopted a I would serve more than one City a similar 1 ! code code I an Econ'omic by Ehlert. I I I PUBLIC COftftENTS: 1) Taryn Kocian and Gage Dennison appeared before the Council to request blocking off Ash Street for a party. There arel I several rental houses on Ash Street in the 100 East Ash Street block and would like to have a daytime party. They were willing to talki to the neighbors and fence the area. John Scherer advised them selling alcohol or allowing underage drinking is not legal. ¡He also advis~d emergency situations in the neighborhood could cause! liability. I Kocian and Dennison stated their alternate plan is to hold the par~y in the back yard. They were advised to contact the neighbors and keep in mind the noise ordinance, to which they agreed. Hiemenz made a motion to adopt the resolution establishing Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph. seconded Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: Loso. Motion carried. Mayor Reber closed the hearing. Ehlert made a motion to deny the request to close the street, seconded PR!1F' ?94A April 18, 1996 by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Nayes: None. Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. 2) Mike Hazen stated in line skaters are out in force. Skaters were three abreast on East Minnesota Street recently and would not move to the side to let him pass. He recommended a notice be published in the school papers asking skaters to move over. City Attorney John Scherer will look into this matter. Rieke expressed a need to have a place for roller blades, bikes etc. such as the proposed park to park trail. Ehlert recommended providing education and friendly common courtesy before ordinance regulation is considered. CONSENT AGENDA: Hiemenz made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, seconded by Loso. 1. Minutes of the April 4, 1996 Council meeting as corrected. 2. Application for payment Number One to M.C. Magney Construction, Inc. for the Water Treatment Facility of $35,876.75. 3. The Engineering rate schedule for Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. effective April 1, 1996 as submitted. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hayes: Hone. Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. BILLS PAYABLE: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable. After short discussion Loso made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 22322 - 22351, seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: None. Motion carried. Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts as presented; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the first quarter 1996 Treasurer's report and recommended establishing a construction fund (414) for the Water Treatment Facility project. Loso made a motion to establish the fund as recommended, seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. After short discussion of previous budge~ overages Hiemenz made a motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. I I I I I I i Page 2949 April 18, 1996 Hayes: Hone. I'!otion carried. MAYOR'S REPORT: 1) The Mayor met with Rob Schwegel concerning the construction of the monument for the rededication of ¡Mornings ide Park. Mayor Reber offered to form the base for it. Heeded will be concrète and washed sand, along with one maintenance worker to work three dàys with the artist constructing the monument out of field stone. Loso made a motion to approve the materials and maintenance worker as requested; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: Hone. Motion carried. COUNCILORS REPORT RIEKE: 1) The CORE Committee met and received the Còmmunity Day and discussed plans for next year. College representatives were attendance to discuss plans for Pinestock. report .' 1n ! 2) Rieke thanked the Council for the honor of attending the Chiefs of Police conference award ceremony and the honoring of Brian Klinefe¡ter with the Medal of Honor posthumously. He stated this was truly an! honor and our City was well represented by the Officials in attendance. EHLERT: 1) Two student workers from St. John's have been approved for funding through the program this year. Efforts will be made to get a third position funded through the program. Ehlert made a motion t6 hire Aaron Reznechek, Charles Mehr, and Brandon Schneider for the ¡ summer job positions, forty hour weeks, with the wages determined by the funding program. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz. i Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Ii Nayes: Hone. Motion carried. I 2) During the planning phase of the HRA homes, the Cedar Village Town I Home Association expressed concern about future residents of the I adjoining HRA homes using the Town Homes private driveway. This is now happening and the Town Home Association would like to put up a fen'ce. John Scherer recommended the Town Home follow usual procedure for ! installing a fence, to contact the building official for a permit.¡ . 3) Residents on Third Avenue HE would like to have Third Avenue. HE by their property looked at for improvement. Currently! this area is not a street constructed to standards, but functions as an: alley. I i I LOSO: 1) The St. Joseph Recreational Association would like to have the City provide payroll services for their employee for Millstrea'm Park. The Association will reimburse the City for all costs incurred. Loso made a motion to provide this service as requested, seconded by Ehlert. 'I Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: Hone. Motion carried. . 1 2) Loso recommended establishing a procedure to receive information on proposed projects from affected property owners prior to the planning stage, and to receive requests for improvements or services prior !to , ~ Page 2950 April 18, 1996 the budgeting process. He proposed setting a meeting date to receive I requests and comments and providing information on the effect the projects will have on property taxes. Notice could be. sent to affected property owners along with information and a request for input. After short discussion Council requested Loso to compile a plan and bring it back to the Council. HIEftENZ: The Star City Commission will be reviewing the Star City package and revising a couple items prior to submission of the full application. Portions of the marketing aspects need to be finalized. RIEKE: Rieke recommended the Council drive our city at the level of street lighting, and consider if it is the Mayor Reber recommended reacting to people's requests, people do not want more light by their property. night, noticing correct level. because some CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS: John Scherer reported 1) the Council had asked for a recommendation on a request to reimburse Kevin and JoAnn Evens attorney fees. He stated the City is not authorized to make that type of payment. Loso made a motion to accept the recommendation of the City Attorney and deny the request for reimbursement of Kevin and JoAnn Evens, for their legal fees, seconded by Ehlert. I Ayes: Reber, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Rieke abstained. Motion carried. 2) The model nuisance ordinance was reviewed by Scherer and recommendations will be sent in a letter. He felt portions of it would be hard to enforce. 3) Tom Jovanovich of Scherer's office will be making a recommendation on the St. Augusta landfill issue. 4) The weed control ordinance could be amended to make some allowances that are not controlled by state statute. Information will be sent on this matter. Loso made a motion Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Nayes: None. to recess for ten minutes at 8:40 p.m; seconded by Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. Mayor Reber reconvened the meeting at 8:50 p.m. ST. JOSEPH POLICE OFFICERS FEDERATION: Rieke discussed the negotiations with the Police Officers and they are accepting of the revised pay scale along with each officer's placement on it. He recommended leaving the uniform allowance issue as it currently is. He advised the Council that Officer Young had noted an error in the vacation allowances in the contract and praised him for recommending and allowing a correction from "days· to "hours" without contention. The Council also discussed the status of payment for gloves. Mayor Reber recommended gloves be part of the initial issue. Rieke moved to modify I P"fW 2951 April 18, 1996 , , I the motion of February 15, allowing the gloves purchased be part of the original uniform issue for those officers forth gloves shall be part of the initial uniform issue. was seconded by Reber. February 1st and hence I The motion Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Hiemenz, Hayes: Loso. Ehlert. Motion carried. Rieke recommended changing article 10.01 of the contract to gloves as part of the initial uniform issue. include I I i Loso stated he would like the resolution of January 4 allowing $500 uniform allowance per officer per year, charging the uniforms to the City, be included under 15.2 of the contract. Rieke stated they felt there are enough issues in front this year, and if the uniform issue is asked for reconsideration in!a future year the documentation issue will have to be faced. ' Hiemenz made a motion to adopt the contract as presented; seconded I by Rieke. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: Loso. Motion carried. I Council generally agreed employees will move up a step on their anniversary date. CLERK/ADftINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) County Road 134, East Minnesota Street, is on the County Board agenda on April 23 at 1:30 p.m. fori their consideration. 2) Todd Fultz is requesting the following changes and permits for his proposed events. i I i I May 11 - Originally the Council approved an outdoor liquor permit with Johnny Holmes. Small bands will be substituted for this! event with hours and security to be the same. ! i May 17 - A wrestling event has been rescheduled to May 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Security will meet the requirements of the Police Chief. i May 26 - Johnny Holmes. Outdoor liquor permit as originally I scheduled. Security will meet the requirements! of the Policei Chief. , Council requested Fultz work with the Police Chief on security and' control. The Council reserved the right to reconsider any event ' following an event causing problems. I 3) The compost area another attendant. Newsleader. i i may open April 26 - April 27. We are in need ,of Mayor recommended putting an ad in the St. Jos'eph I i I : PA!1F' ?952 April 18, 1996 4) Complaints of a semi-truck in a residential zone were received. owner of the truck will be notified. The 5) Consideration of a stop sign coming out of Morningside Park or a four way stop sign at the corner of Dale Street East and 10th Street SE was requested. After short discussion Loso made a motion to install a stop sign on 10th Avenue SE on the south side of Dale Street, seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: Hone. Motion carried. 6) The College of St. Benedict has not yet made a decision on a second community events sign. Rich Feneis asked how the Council wished to proceed. Council was in general agreement to move forward with allowances for a possible second sign, and have materials prepared for Council consideration. 8) Spring cleanup has brought some complaints of trash being hauled into the City from other areas. Council discussed various methods of control, and possibility of enforcing them. Criminal penalty, identifiers of trash such as stickers to be placed on it was considered. No action taken. ADJOURN: Loso. Ayes: Reber, Nayes: None. Hiemenz made a motion to adjourn at 9:43 p.m., seconded by Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. Rachel Staple on Clerk/Administrator I I I