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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [05] May 02 I I I P:1f r' ~C¡:-I::¡ May 2, 1996 Council for May 2, 1996 ! the City at 7~00 I Loso; Ken Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, P.I'!. in the City Hall. BEBBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bud Reber, Councilors Ross Rieke, Bob Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert, Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. OTHERS PRESEHT: Judy Weyrens, John Scherer, Joe Bettendorf, Steve ' Streng, Jim Graeve, Mary Ann Graeve, Donna Blanchette, Kevin I Blanchette, Steve Frank, Fred Reber, Dave Theisen, Joe Miller, Carol Anderson, John Anderson, Greg Kacures. I . i Mayor Reber called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with Councilors Rieke, Loso, and Hiemenz present. ! I AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda as corrected, seconded by Rieke. , Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I CONSENT AGENDA: Rieke made a motion to approve the ¿onsent Agendal as follows with the removal of item e) "Sal's Outdoor Events APprovall and Rescheduling" for discussion during the meeting, seconded by Loso.. 1. Minutes of the April 17 and April 18 meetings. . , 2. Ordinance 38 - Senior & Disability Assessment Deferral - Providing for an Assessment deferral process. I 3. Updated Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid Agreement.! . 4. Application for Payment Number 2, to M.C. Magney Construction, Inc. for the water treatment facility of $52,439.05 as submitted and approved by Jim Norton from SEH, the engineer for this project; I I 5. Approval for Rachel Stapleton to attend the Minnesota i I Telecommunications Conference in Bloomington May 22, (registration fee of $95 is waived, as a member of the IISAC Board). ; 6. American Legion Post 328 St. Joseph, # B-01373-0Ø2 Gambling Application renewal for July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1998. i Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Nayes: None. Hiemenz. Motion carried. Cory Ehlert arrived at 7:01 P.M. PUBLIC COftBENTS: Fire Chief Dave Theisen stated the Mutual Aid agreement has little revision, it includes rescue in addition to fire emergencies and ib gender sensitive. i I Mary Ann Graeve questioned the Council how each one will be workin'g with the residents during the upcoming East Minnesota Street proje'ct. The Councilors indicated as individuals they are willing to listen' to the people and address their concerns, either at the Council level;' or be managed through the city engineering firm, consultants, and sta'ff. I I PR!1e 2954 May 2, 1996 I Jim Graeve questioned the issue of sidewalks in the East Minnesota Street project, and if the Council is proceeding appropriately. He also inquired if the Council has ever questioned the particular costs of the project. Fred Reber stated his property was in a recent project area and the engineering firm was very accommodating in all matters. Steve Frank suggested requesting proposals for consultants services every few years to see what is available. Mayor Reber indicated that recently the City turned down a request to provide legal services because it was offered at the same cost as the firm the City currently uses for legal services. Additionally, the firms we currently use have much knowledge of the City and need to do less background and research work. Frank also felt there is a flaw in the current decision making process, with an artificial style being used. Frank also questioned what is going on with the bus stop. He indicated his wife is involved with the transportation issues at one of the colleges and has not heard about a change in the transportation plans. I He felt our college students should have a shelter at the bus stop, the area should be maintained and vehicle parking prohibited. Rieke indicated that CORE Committee student members are checking on the situation. Frank questioned the EDA Appointment on the agenda. Council informed him this is an informational item, and the procedures for seeking and appointing members has not yet been established. BILLS PAYABLE CALL OUTS AND OVERTIME: Hiemenz made a motion to approve the bills payable check numbers 22380 - 22429 plus Miller's storage for street sweeper storage, seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts; seconded by Rieke. Discussion - Some holiday hour balances are over thirty days old. Clerk/Administrator will remind employees of the need to use holiday hours according to policy. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Weyrens recommended establishing construction funds for the East Minnesota Street project (415) and the Roske Addition project (416). I Rieke made a motion to establish the funds as recommended, seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I Page 2955 May 2, 1996' MAYOR REPORTS: 1) Hiemenz made a motion to authorize I'!ayor requested, to have a plaque prepared retiring badge number hung in the Chief's office; seconded by Rieke. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: None. I'!otion carried. Reber, as 775 to be I I i 2) Mayor Reber thanked all the Councilors for attending the County: Board meeting and informing the County Board of the importance the Council places on the East Minnesota Street project. he 3) Rieke made a motion to support the I'!ayor's appointment of Cory Ehlert to the Police Hiring Committee; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: Hone. Motion carried. 4) A complaint was received of rubbish, trash and brush on a property. Procedures according to the ordinance will be followed. Rieke questioned why these situations exist until neighbors complain ab6ut them. Council felt City personnel should see these situations when they are driving in the city, and take actions to correct them. Uoso discussed another property by the highway that needs to be cleaned up. I COUNCILORS REPORT RIEKE: The CORE Committee will meeting May 13 at CSB. EHLERT: 1) The Planning Commission reviewed Joe Miller's proposed plat, Miller East Cedar. Rieke made a motion to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation and approve the final Miller East Ced~r plat as presented by Joe Miller, contingent upon complying with the recommendations of the City Engineer. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Mayes: None. Motion carried. 2) Ehlert presented information on financing, location and recreational uses of Lake Wobegon Trails. propos~d i I that were followed LOSO: No report. HIEMENZ: 1) Questioned why each of the Star City meetings cancelled were not posted. He noted procedures need to be consistently. I 2) A meeting held in St. Cloud on Trust for Public Land concerning local governments acquiring land and the need for open space was attended by Hiemenz. This group may be helpful in future land acquisition needs. 3) The City flag was shown at the current stage of developmentforl , recommendations. Council generally felt the location of the lettering should be changed. ! PA!1F' 2956 May 2, 1996 1995 FINANCIAL AUDIT: Dave Hinnenkamp, of Kern, Dewenter, Viere, presented the 1995 Audit report. He reviewed it with the Council and generally indicated the City is financially healthy. The City received an unqualified opinion on the audit, the highest opinion given. The Council thanked Mr. Hinnenkamp for his report. BONDING: Monte Eastvold of Juran & Moody met with the Council to discuss £inancing the East Minnesota Street project and the Water Treatment Facility. After discussion Hiemenz made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing issuance and sale of $780,000 General Obligation Water Revenue Bonds of 1996 and $1,435,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds of 1996, seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: None. Motion carried. Loso made a motion to recess for ten minutes at 8:40 p.m; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: Hone. Motion carried. Mayor Reber reconvened the meeting at 8:50 p.m. EAST BINNESOTA STREET SIDEWALKS: The Council reconsidered including sidewalks in the East Minnesota Street project. At a previous meeting the Council had agreed to remove them £rom the project only as a negotiating measure, but the issue did not result as such. Council discussed the need for sidewalks on this street to ensure pedestrian safety. They also discussed installing them on the north side rather than the south side, but noted that most of the population is on the south side of the street. Also considered was including this proposed sidewalk in the Public Safety Sidewalk plan with snow removal by the City. Loso recommended purchasing equipment for snow removal by the City and presented an estimated cost of about $9,500 with trade-in. Mayor Reber made a motion to include sidewalks in the East Minnesota Street project plans, designate the project area part of the Public Safety Sidewalk District and authorize the purchase of equipment needed to clean snow from it. Rieke seconded the motion. Discussion - Ehlert questioned if this change would necessitate a public hearing or notification of the public. Council generally agreed that the public has been given many opportunities to express their interests to the Council. Rieke indicated the Council has received many different views and taken them all into consideration along with other information the Council has at hand, including safety requirements and the street maintenance plan. From all this information the Council is making an informed decision. The Council did not feel any new information would be brought to their attention. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Hayes: None. Motion carried. RECONVENED PUBLIC HEARING ON ALLEY VACATION PETITION: Loso recommended denying access to the alley from Minnesota Street to reduce the I I I I Page 2957 May 2, 1996 or leaving I I Hiemenz indicated other members of the public are requesting the alley , remain open for public use. He also stated that blocking or closing the alley would block access to a garage which enters on to the alley, and cause snow removal problems. I traffic. it open. Council discussed closing the alley, vacating it, John Scherer recommended considering the issues of vacation and c16sing separately depending on the future intent and current use. : I Donna Blanchette stated the alley has a lot of traffic and is being used like a street. Greg Kacures suggested controlling the speed in the alley. Jim Graeve stated young families considering moving out of town. and keep them in town. on East Minnesota Street are We need to provide for young families I I After further discussion of making the alley a one way, controlling speed, and the traffic on it, Mayor Reber made a motion to deny thè petition to vacate because it does not benefit the public good. Rieke seconded the motion. Discussion - Ehlert stated the problem is I primarily a safety issue, and there are other methods of controllirig safety. He also noted that the bushes by the alley that blocked the view have recently been trimmed. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Loso introduced a motion to run the curb on East Minnesota Street across the alley area on the Minnesota Street end and barricade the , alley, seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Rieke, Loso, Ehlert. Nayes: Reber, Hiemenz. Motion carried. I PARKING PROBLEftS: Complaints have been received concerning parking on First Avenue NE, but they have been resolved between property owners. Parking problems on Date Street by Floral Arts is a concern. The business owners have complained that when the parking ban is lifted cars are parked all along Date Street taking away all street parki¿g , places for customers. After short discussion with Gregg Kacures i representing Floral Arts, Loso made a motion to designate the south . . I s1de of Date Street between College Avenue and First Avenue NE an area of parking restricted to two hours, seconded by Rieke. i Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. i Nayes: None. Motion carried. I COMMUNITY EVERTS SIGN PROPOSAL: The Council reviewed the proposed I Community Events and Advertising sign documents, which include a provision for a future sign for St. Benedict's should they decide they want one. John Scherer expressed concerns on the length of the .1 , contract, without a buyout provision for early release. He also . Page 2958 May 2, 1996 I questioned if the City still wants to make provisions for a future sign for St. Benedict's. He will further study it and make recommendation for the next Council meeting. Hiemenz expressed concerns about certain clauses also. CLERK/ADftINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) A request from a business to rent the upstairs for office space was received. The Council was in general agreement to use the apartments only for City use to help relieve the space shortage. 2) Joe Fitzgerald was recommended as an environmentalist to be on the EDA Board. The process has not yet been prepared for seeking interested, qualified members to the Board. The Star City Commission will be preparing information for Council consideration. 3) Hiemenz made a motion to approve the attorney's recommendation to approve a Waiver of Claims and Insurance Preservation Agreement with the State of Minnesota concerning the St. Augusta Landfill Settlement, seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. I 4) Council discussed the proposed Nuisance Ordinance with the City Attorney. They generally felt that it could be costly to enforce it and may not solve the original reason for considering it, namely to control odor from spreading manure on fields. Hiemenz indicated state law has some restrictions in this matter to help control odor. After further discussion of the additional situations a nuisance ordinance could cause, Loso made a motion to table the matter indefinitely; seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Mayor Reber extended the meeting 15 minutes at 10:00 p.m. 5) The Council discussed the existing weed ordinance, State law controlling noxious weeds, and that lot maintenance is an expected responsibility of living in a City. Rieke indicated persons living in the City wishing to exercise their environmental concerns and knowledge through enhancing plant growth and wildlife may be directed to a park area. Hiemenz made a motion to table any consideration oÍ an amendment to the weed ordinance, seconded by Loso. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion carried. SPECIAL OUTDOOR EVENTS PERftIT: The Council held a short discussion on I the applications for Outdoor Liquor Permits for events scheduled at Sal's Bar & Grill. Discussion included concerns of neighbors, and the ordiance requirements to end outdoor music at 9:00P.M. and outdoor liquor at 10:00 P.M. They also discussed the owner's plans to light the alley, and contact the neighbors, along with security planning. On consulting with the City Attorney the Council generally indicated that all Outdoor Liquor Permits comply with the ordinance, whether they are I Page 2959 May 2, 1996 1 i I Rieke made a motion to approve the Outdoor Liquor Permits with the following conditions: if there are problems with one event the p~rmit for following events may be reconsidered, and the events operate w'ithin , all the boundaries of the ordinance (including ending time i requirements), and strong communication lines are maintained with rhe Chief of Police and the neighbors. Approval is for events on May ¡11th, May 17th, and May 26th. The events are small bands, wrestling, and Johnny Holmes. The motion was seèonded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz. Nayes: Ehlert. in a tent or outside. Motion carried. At 10:15 p.m. Mayor Reber extended the meeting until 10:30 p.m. I LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Loso requested to attend the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference in Rochester Junei 11. Rieke made a motion to approve the attendance of one Councilor to I attend the annual conference as requested, seconded by Ehlert. 1 Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Hiemenz, Ehlert. I Nayes: None. Motion carried. i i CITY ENGINEER REPORTS: Joe Bettendorf presented the schedule for the East Minnesota Street project as follows: Open Bids Consider Award Begin Construction Estimated Completion May 15, 1996 May 16, 1996 June 3, 1996 Sept 20, 1996 ADJOURN: Ehlert made a motion Ayes: Reber, Rieke, Loso, Nayes: None. to adjourn at 10:30 Hiemenz, Ehlert. Motion carried. p~m.; seconded by Loso. @M~ Rachel Stapleton ! Clerk/Administrator I