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Home My WebLink About1997 [09] Sep 09 September 9, 1997 Page 3201 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council and the EDA for the City of St. Joseph met in joint special session at 7:00 p.rn. on Tuesday, September 9, 1997 in City Hall. I MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth 1. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Mary Niedenfuer, Ken Twit at 8 :35; Clerk! Administrator Rachel Stapleton. MEMBERS OF EDA PRESENT: Chair Kenneth 1. Hiemenz; Board Members Ken Twit (as above), and Mike Deutz at 7:30 p.m.; EDA Director Chad Carlson. OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Bettendorf, Steve Streng, Bruce Osendorf, Ellen Wahlstrom, Edmund Schneider, Vicky Osendorf. Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. with Councilors Loso, Ehlert, and Niedenfuer present to discuss the Industrial Park and Capital Improvement Program. INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVELOPMENT: The Boards discussed the status and development plans for the Industrial Park area as well as funding for any improvements. Joe Bettendorf, City Engineer, discussed the need to proceed with topographical mapping of the entire area in order to proceed with plans for any portion of the area. Funding sources and allocation of benefit to property owners was discussed. It was noted that tax dollars must benefit the general welfare rather than individual property owners. The plamring and proposed improvements to the Industrial Park could be handled as a development. Acquiring railroad crossings (one for the realignment of County Road 133 and one at 4& Avenue NE) and identifying the funding sources need to be accomplished. Plans include retaining the existing railroad crossing to service the adjacent businesses. I Mayor Hiemenz discussed the EDA Board's plans for the Industrial Park and is seeking general direction from the Council concerning the development of it. Loso recommended being visionary in handling the railroad crossing impediment. Mayor Hiemenz indicated County Engineer Doug Weiszhaar is contacting railroad officials concerning acquiring more crossings. The City will be required to negotiate and acquire the right of way needs for the County Road 133 project. Further discussion - Chad Carlson stated the EDA is looking at the mechanics of the proposed development, such as phases or whatever is necessary to accomplish the development. He felt the City will have to absorb the costs initially. The Council discussed the drainage and street improvement needs of Joseph Street, indicating they could be included in a project. Bettendorf indicated drainage will have to be considered with the realignment process of County Road 133. Ken Twit arrived at 8:35 p.m. Loso made a motion to authorize the City Engineer to have topographical maps of the three phase area prepared (in order to do comprehensive planning of the entire area for drainage) contingent upon the costs being allocated to, and recouped through development of the area, or other I September 9, 1997 Page 3202 I ! I I sources, and authorizing the City Engineer to prepare a cost estimate of preliminary design; seconded by Ehlert. Member of the Council present voting aye: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nay: None. Members of the EDA voting aye: Hiemenz, Twit, Deutz. Nay: None. Motion carried. NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Ehlert discussed the traffic problems of the residents on First Avenue NE as well as the Northland residents. Because the only ingress and egress ITom Northland is on First Avenue NE the traffic on volume is very high on that street. Bruce Osendorf requested provisions be made for another route for ingress and egress to Northland. Council further discussed and acknowledged the problem and impediments to solutions. They will review the ingress and egress with future developments. STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Council reviewed and considered the proposed I reconstruction, overlay and maintenance plan projects. They agreed to send an informational letter to the property owners on Joseph Street, polling them on their needs for street and drainage improvements as well as city utilities. I I The Council also agreed to send an informational letter to the property owners on the overlay and reconstruction project areas. An informational meeting will be held prior to the public improvement hearing only if the response ITom the informational letters shows need for such a meeting. ¡ Loso made a motion to approve a Resolution Ordering Preparation of a Report on the I hnprovement for the overlay and reconstruction projects (feasibility report) as follows; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. OVERLAY: First Avenue NW- Date Street to north end. College Avenue - Date Street to railroad tracks Alley between Ash Street W. and Birch Street W. - Second Avenue NW to east alley Alley between Second Avenue NW and First Avenue NW - Ash Street north to alley Eight Avenue SE - Able Street to east end Tenth Avenue SE - Able Street to Baker Street I ! RECONSTRUCTION: i Alley between Ash Street W and Mirmesota Street W - First Ave. NW to College Avenue Fourth avenue SE - Mirmesota Street to Baker Street i Fifth Avenue SE - Mirmesota Street to Baker Street I Sixth Avenue SE - Able Street to Baker Street Able Street E - Fourth Avenue to Seventh Avenue Western Court Eastern Court September 9, 1997 Page 3203 I CAPITAL PROGRAM BUILDING NEEDS AND PRIORITIES: Mayor Hiemenz reported the Krebsbach property on Minnesota Street will be put on the market. If the Ci1y is interested in the property the property owner is willing to hold it. The Mayor also suggested the City consider various fmancing options for City facilities including mechanisms such as a lease agreement. He also recommended urgency in the decision making process due to the deteriorating condition of the Annex Building as well as consideration of a municipal parking lot for part of ~~erty. ' I The Council discussed possible future use of the old fIre hall when the F ire D~trtment vacates it, including storage. Mayor Hiemenz stated it could be divided for use by two œ:partments. , I Twit recommended using property that the City currently owns on Minnesota Stf!eet for City facilities and consideration of the level of debt the City holds. He felt the Fire Hall building should be used by olÙY one department or consider using it for City Hall He fuI1ther discussed cost of heating and maintenance of the building. At 10:00 p.m. Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting to 10:30 p.m. I Ehlert felt the maintenance facilities should be keep in one area. He recommended City Hall be located in the downtown area. ! I Loso recommended planning and rebuilding the city facilities in their current location and consider acquiring adjacent properties. ! I , Niedenfuer felt ~ current location is does not have enough area. She felt the Kn::bsbach property is centrally located but may not have adequate space either. She felt the Administration, Police, Council Chambers, parking and perhaps a library be located in one facility. She reiterated that we need to look twenty years to the future. i Council discussed affordability, current costs of operating facilities, and to consider an interim building solution. Niedenfuer stated the City could buy the old bank building to use for office ~~. I The Council will review a needs study done a few years ago and consider viewing area cities facilities. They will further consider this matter at a later date. , i BRIAN KLINEFELTER MEMORIAL PARK TRAIL PROJECT: Joe Bett~dorfreported the project is nearly complete. Of a $75,000 project budget, overages are anticipated to be about $2,000. He reported sod or seeding the edge of the trail was not included in the project budget, but stated if the Council wished to fmish that area, this is the best time to seed, anticipated cost for seeding is $1,500. After short discussion of source of funding for the seeding Twit made a motion to approve the cost of seeding the area as described, \Vith the source of the! revenue !Tom the Park Budget; seconded by Ehlert. i Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried I i The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. with a motion by Twit; seconded by Ehlert I September 9,1997 Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I I I , , Page 3204 (KaeU~~ Rachel Stapleton Clerk! Administrator I I