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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [10] Oct 02 I Page 3213 October 2, 1997 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, , 1997 in City Hall. I MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Mary Niedenfuer, Ken Twit; Clerk! Administrator Rachel Stapleton. OTHERS PRESENT: Judy Weyrens, Steve Streng, Dave Theisen, Jint Graeve, Ellen Wahlstrom, Scott & Jodi Brang, Hub Klein, Chad A. Carlson, Harvey Notch. Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors Loso, Niedenfuer, and Twit present. AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with additions; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Cory Ehlert arrived at 7:03 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda items as follows; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 1) Approve Minutes of September 18 and September 9 with the following corrections to the September 9 minutes for the overlay project to include the following areas: I 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 and the motion authorizing topographical maps for the Industrial Patk area to read as follows: 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 sources, and authorizing the City Engineer to prepare a cost estimate of preliminary design; seconded by Ehlert. 2) Exemption ftont gambling license - St. Joseph Rod & Gun Club, Event October 24 at El Paso Club, and waivethe 30 day review. 3) Application for Payment Number 6 - W. Gohman Construction of $124, 705. I PUBLIC COMMENTS TO mE AGENDA: Mike Deutz appeared before the Council asking recommendations for his sign proposals for a new car wash facility. He questioned if the structure . I I I Page 3214, October 2, 1997, holding the signs would be considered part of the sign for maximuin square feet allowed. The Council was in general agreement to refer the matter to the city attomey for clarification. John Bonacchi questioned the status of the development of Northland Park. He had understood a layout for the development had been approved by the Park Board and donated labor would be implemented in the construction of the park. He also questioned why the ground was not prepared for the volunteer labor, but was seeded. Councilor Loso stated the Park had been reviewed by the Park Board and they had agreed to a plan. He recommended the Park Board receive the groups concerns. Mayor Hiemenz stated the Park Board minutes did not reflect authorization of a Northland Park plan. He recommended persons interested in the development of Northland Park meet with the Park Board to work out the plans. Then the Park Board will bring the plans to the Council. Ehlert and Niedenfuer complemented the interested residents for getting involved and felt there was miscommunication. Ehlert indicated the seeding was necessary for ground cover due to the time of year. Development of the Park may continue in the spring. Twit recommended the interested persons continue working with the Park Board and if they feel they are not getting cooperation, to come to the Council. I Jint Graeve stated the Planning Commission did an excellent job of developing uniformity in zoning' while being sensitive to the property owners. He presented a handouts which stated "Residents of the City of St. Joseph will live in a safe and aesthetically pleasant environment which will enhance the quality of family and community life, " and "The City of St. Joseph will have an efficient and cost effective inftastructure which will foster this quality of life and growth of the City." BILLS PAYABLE: Judy Weyrens presented and discussed the bills payable, call outs and overtime. After a short discussion of the bills payable, Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the bills payable, check numbers 24569 to 24626, and to check on the contract with Prairie . Restoration before payment; seconded by Twit. . Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Twit made a motion to approve the overtime and call outs with corrections; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I ¡ i . I MAYOR REPORTS: 1) Mayor Hiemenz made a presentation of the Mayor's award (Certificate of Commendation) to Firefighter Steve Schirber on his award of State Firefighter of the Year. I ! 2) The Mayor received a complaint from AI and Lisa Pfannenstein, who recently purchased property in Pond View Ridge, concerning the unacceptable condition of Pond View Lane and the need for the developer to re-install the road, so the roadway does not fail in a few years. Mayor Hiemenz referred the matter to the City Engineer. 3) After consulting with the Principal of St. Joseph Lab school the Mayor agreed to have a sign reading "No Parking School Loading Zone 7:00 am -7:45 am" installed fora drop off zone. Page 3215 October 2, 1997 4) Residents on East Ash Street have expressed concern because they have experienced couch burnings again this year. Mayor Hiemenz recommended establishing a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in burnings on City streets. The reward will be limited to $500 per incident. Twit made a motion to establish a reward as recommended and communicate this to the student residents. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - Niedenfuer stated Brother Isaac has requested to be notified as soon as possible of incidents involving students. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I 5) The drainage issue in Northland on Hickory Street will be resolved with an open drainage swayle in the roadway going south into the park. The drainage into Hickory Court is being reviewed as well. The City Engineer is donating his time and the City Maintenance will assist with a jack hammer in the removal of the curb and gutter and street as needed. I , ! 6) Mayor Hiemenz signed a proclamation on breast cancer. I 7) A grant application was discussed at the CORE Committee meeting. The CORE Liaison will discuss further details. ! I 8) The roof is leaking into the Police Offices and City Hall. The roof of the Fire Hall leaks as well. Council requested to have maintenance look into the matter. ! I 9) The APO and APO Executive Boards met. The current issue is a propOsed bridge for re-routing traffic on a scenic river corridor. COUNCILOR REPORTS I TWIT: 1) The Investment Connnittee will meet on October 21. The EDA held a joint meeting with the Council. ! ! i 2) The Personnel Committee received employee input on the proposed changes to the Personnel Policy at a recent meeting. Those concerns that were generally agreed on will be implemented; those that were controversial will be further considered at a Department Head meeting. I , i 3) Positive comments were received on the Sexual Harassment Training. Twit l~ded the Council send all employees who attended a letter of thanks for participating and a letter of reprimand to those that did not attend. EHLERT: 1) Ehlert agreed with Twit on the Personnel CommittP.F! issuesi[Personnel Policy and Sexual Harassment Training). . I I 2) The Plauning Contmission held a public hearing on the Land Use Moratorium. Cœœrns discussed from that hearing inclnded ingress and egress issues at the Shannoo' s Upholstery area, and the consideration to zone it general business. The Mobile Home Pm manager is not supportive of land use activities that would increase traffic in the mobile home areas. There was discussion of the proposed zoning for some currently zoned R- 3 resideutial properties on Minnesota Street. There was discussion of zoning mech:mi"",. and the impact zoning has on properties. Final approval for the zoning changes will be considered at the October 16, 1997 City Council meeting, at which time the Council will also consider closing the moratorium. I I Page 3216 October 2, 199~ Jim Graeve, Bob and Ellen Wahlstrom discussed the zoning Îrupacts to their property and the need ¡ to keep neighborltoods intact. Zoning for their properties could be reconsidered in five years. I , . I LOSO: 1) Non-profit organizations requested reconsideration of fees charged for the Community' Events sign, requesting no charge for fund raisers. Council agreed to review the costs and revenue annually. 2) Loso received about twenty phone calls from Northland residents concerning dirt bikes tearing up the park, and excessive noise ftom them. The police were notified and responded. 3) Complaints of hunting in the woods by Pond View Ridge were received also. Mayor Hiemenz recommended they be referred to the Game Warden for enforcement. NIEDENFUER: 1) The CORE meeting was held recently. Discussed at it were: a) The students that received welcome packets were very pleased with them. It was generally felt there is a need to get them to all the off campus students. b) Nominations will be sought for the Brian Klinefelter Community Service Award. c) The need for more community residents on the committee. d) Brad Lindgren is working on a Police Block Grant for activities supported and promoted by CORE. Considerations for assistance in funding were additional street lighting, a victim good will fund, safety lights installed at the cross walk by the Lab School, and possibly contribute to the reward fund. Auticipated grant amount is $10,000 with $1,000 local match. I 2) St. Joseph will host the Stearns County League meeting October 21. EDA DIRECTOR REPORTS: ,ED A Director Chad Carlson reported 1) Six local manufacturers will participate in Manufacturers' Week, including Borgert Concrete and Sunset Supply holding open houses. Mayor Hiemenz signed a proclamation proclaiming October 13-17 Manufacturers Week. 2) Twit made a motion approving an application to the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund for a planning grant up to $5,000; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 3) Gary Schroeder is fín~lizing his plans for locating his sports equipment facility on Highway 75. 4) The Bee Line project will be constructed this fall with a holding tank for waste water, with sewer connection being delayed until next year. I DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORTS: Director of Public Worlcs Richard Taufen ' discussed: I) A proposal from Vessco to discontinue the usage of the chlorination equipinent and place it in storage. Twit made a motion to accept a proposal from Vessco to disassemble the chlorination system, clean as required and store in boxes for $650, as presented; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Page 3217 October 2, 1997 2) Brad White worked on the SCADA system recently and intends to return another day to work on the other problems. John Benedict requested the warranty date start September 24, 1997. 3) The majority of the communication equipment was obtained ftom J~ Benedict's company. The automatic dialers are not operational yet. Because of the dissolution ofhis company the City needs to consider a company to service our equipment. Brad White worked for John Benedict and has started his own company. Joe Bettendorf recommended NBT, a company from the Cities. Twit recommended Taufen prioritize the needed services and repairs and œquest proposals ftom those companies. ! I 4) Taufen stated St. Joseph Township's sand and salt shed, located on Gene Lange's property is available, because the Township has changed snow plow contractors. They have offered the use of part of the shed with the salt and sand contents to the City. Taufen suggested the City pay one half the rent. CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: Rachel Stapleton reported:' 1) the requirement of municipal ordinances which regulate pawn shops tnUSt contain certain minimum standards. Some revisioos/additioos will be required to comply with state law. The Council may consider C'.h~ngjr1g the current ordinance or abolishing it for Œforœment under the state law. The Chief of Police has recommended certain requirements and controls for assistance in enforcement. The Council requested the Chief of Police prepare his f"'-"1ill1Jel\datiOOS on pawn shop requirements, for Council consideration. ! 2) Stearns County is holding public hearings around the County on a propOsed refuse ordinance. Information is available in the City Office ftom our refuse hauler ftom his aspect, on the proposal. FINANCING PROPOSALS: 1) Hockey Rink Lights - Loso reported funds are being solicited for the lighting project. I I I 2) City Hall Antenna - Loso made a motion to approve the quote of Granite Electronics of $1,289.42 for installation of an antenna and base station; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I FIRE CHIEF REPORTS: Dave Theisen reported on the contingency foDd, current and anticipated overruns. He stated there have been minor changes orders inchJding piping for the drainage to the south parking lot, sealer for the bnilding, ceramic tile for th'e shower stalls, and the ceiling painted in the hose tower. The conununication system was not included in the original proposal, but contracted separately. The concrete in ftont of the bnilding had to be removed and replaced and there were problems with the exposed aggregate. A proposal is to accept the exposed aggregate in return for the contractor installing curb and gutter in the parkiI!Jg lot. Sante of the changes are negotiable. On Theisen's request, the Council was supportive of allowing City Maintenance and trucks to assist in the Fire Department move to the new fàcility. i , MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT ITEMS: 1) Tax Forfuited Land - Mayor Hiemenz reported the City has submitted a check of $82.20 for a parcel of land, as previously discussed and the adjacent parcel is being re-<Jvaluated. . I .2) Loso indicated the St. Joseph Recreational Association is considering donating $22,000 to the City with the intention of recommending the City construct a new concessioo bnilding. I I I Page 3218 October 2, 1997 RAILROAD CROSSINGS: Mayor Hiemenz reported he has been in cont3ct with Railroad Officials concerning obtaining crossings. If the railroad would allow the City crossings, the rails would be cut to acconunodate them. Any allowance for a crossing would be be contingent upon requiring the City to reinstall the rail cuts should a buyer of the property desire rails. With this contingencyitis possible crossings for the Industrial Park and 41h Avenue NE may be allowed. Mayor Hiemenz also reported Terry Schmidt is working on proposals for Northland. The meeting was adjourned at 10: 15 p.m. with a motion by Twit; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. r2::f::i¥J Clerk! Administrator