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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [10] Oct 16 , ¡ ¡ Page 3219¡ i October16, 1997 Pursuant to due call and notice theroofthe City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 1997 in City Hall. MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Mayor Ken Twit; Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Mary Niedenfuer; Clerk! Administrator Rachel Stapleton. Mayor Kenneth 1. Hiemenz was absent. OTHERS PRESENT: Bradley Lindgren, Steve Streng, Jim Graeve, Ellen Wahlstrom, Bob Wahlstrom,. Ken Heinen, MaIjorie Lesni~ Rudy Vigil, Steve Johnson, Bruce Gohman, Jim Muellenbach, Mike Deutz. . Acting Mayor Twit called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors Loso, Ehlert, and Niedenfuer present. AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Níedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: The Consent Agenda was approved with a motion by Niedenfuer; seconded by Loso as follows: The minutes of the September 30, 1997 and October 2, 1997 minutes were approved with an insertion in the October 2 minutes under Director of Public Works Report 1) to read as follows: "1) A proposal from Vessco to discontinue the usage of the chlorination equipment and place it in storage. Twit made a motiøn 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. " Following is the vote on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Ellen Wahlstrom's asking the length of the waJking trail around B. Klinefelter Memorial Park led to a short discussion on marking the trail. The Council discussed marking the 2,800 foot trail at certain intervals and referred the matter to the Park Board. Ellen Wahlstrom also commented on how nicely Silver Motors/St. Joe Auto Sales is being operated and maintained. Ehlert questioned and will check further, if a fence is still needed between them and the neighbor on the south. Ken Heinen questioned why taxes are raised to maintain the streets for new homes. The Council responded that the taxes are not raised for maintaining the new streets. The cost of government increases beyond the additional taxes derived from single family developments. Taxes derived from resideutial properties usually do not cover the cost of providing governmental services. Heinen also reconmtended shorter Council meetings by having less repeating of the same phrases and thoughts during Council discussions. I I I I I I Page 3220 October 16, 1997 Heinen also. discussed a visibility problem.at the comer of East Minnesota Street and 4'" Avenue NE due to overgrown shrubbery. The matter was referred to Chief Lindgren and Director of Public Works Taufen. BILLS PAYABLE: The Council reviewed the bills payable and discussed several bills. Ehlert made a motion to approve the bills payable, check numbers 24639 - 24681, requesting further information on the cost of a printer, a cell phone bill and department allocatiOn detail on the bills. The motion was seconded by Loso. Discussion - Council requested the Engineering bills show further detail. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. The overtinte and callouts were reviewed and discussed with the ED A Director's status and omission from the report noted. Loso made a motion to approve the overtintè and callouts as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. ACTING MAYOR REPORTS: 1) The Personnel Connnittee will soon be scheduling a meeting with the Department Heads to further discuss changes to the Personnel Policy. 2) At a recent Planning Commission meeting Council Liaison Ehlert stated hk was disappointed with Councilors in not thoroughly discussing their feelings on the land use isime moratorium. Acting Mayor Twit stated Councilors had discussed their concerns at several meetings. COUNCILORS REPORT EHLERT: The Planning Commission met and 1) reférred to a public hearing: a) Steve Johnson's request to allow used car sales on the Why USA Realty Property. b) Len Wiener's request to install a miniature golf recreational facility in a building on the southwest comer of College Avenue and Ash Street. 2) made a recommendation on Schroeder's Sports Facility to be considered later on this agenda. 3) authorized Bee Line Marine to make application for a building permit with contingencies regulating and restricting outdoor storage of repair parts, cootainers, packing materials and debris. An adequate parking plan was received by the Planning Conunission. ! LOSO: I) The fence along the St. Joseph Parish sand parking lot is bent, extending over the alley.! Stapleton will cootact Parish representatives concerning their plans for the fence. 2) Adequate donations were received for the hockey lighting from the St. Joseph Recreational Association, the St. Joseph Lions Club and the Women of Today. i 3) Concems from thl" maintenance staffw~received on the drainage aherations in Northland (to alleviate dr¡¡inage pr<Jblèms). Council ~ the City Engineer review the area and report back to the Council. Page 3221 October 16, 1997 4) Loso again brought up a request to address and reconsider the winter parking policy. Ehlert agreed and recommended a committee address the matter and make a recommendation to the Council Loso, Ehlert, Brad Lindgren and Richard Taufen will be the ",,';nuittæ members. NIEDENFUER: No report. CHIEF OF POLICE REPORTS: 1) Chief Bradley Lindgren made the Council aware of the density of Northland Addition (100 homes), and of a correction needed ùl the St. Cloud Times stating the location of the compost area. 2) He also recommended consideration of a pawn sbop ordinance With local controls. Council referred the matter to the City Attorney to prepare a draft for consideratioo.. 3) Chief Lindgren reported he, along with Mayor Hiemenz and Councilor Ehlert welcomed the students and told them of ordinances and requirements effecting them. Lindgren fèlt the student problems are much better this year than in prior years. 4) The Police Department has received a large number of calls to the Northland Addition. 5) (New) Officer Joel Bill seems to be doing well. Ehlert stated he has reCeived positive conun<>nt. about him. 6) Loso stated he has received concerns about the squad sitting in the middle of the road (by Kings Express) during dark hours, without any ligbts. Lindgren will issue a memo to the Department on this matter. Niedenfuer questioned at what level speeding tickets are issued. Lindgren responded the general rule of thumb is to stop all vehicles going 10 mph over the speed limit, 60 mph are stopped, and generally warned, but rarely issue tickets for under 70 mph. Ellen Wahlstrom questioned if speed lirnit signs could be installed on County Road 133 between Highway 75 and Minnesota Street in order to help control excessive speed. Being a County Road the County Engineer will be consulted. . Loso recommended enforcement of pedestrian safety at crosswalks. Niedenfuer stated people need to be educated and reminded of the need for pedestrian safety. Ken Heinen stated sidewalks were installed on East Minnesota Street, but only a small amount of pedestrians and roller bladers use it. On his questioning if there is any means to require use of the sidewalk, he was told there are no laws requiring such. Concerning the CORE Community grant the Council, Niedenfuer questioned if part of it could be used to deter couch bumings. Lindgren will look into it. CLERKlADMINISTRA TOR REPORTS: 1) The City of St. Joseph will host the Stearns County Municipal Leagnemeeting at 8:00p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 1997 in the City Hall. 2) The Public Hearing for the Orderly Aonexation Agreement will be held at Kennedy Elementary at 8:00 p.m. on October 30, 1997. I I I I Page 3222 i October 16, 1997 3) The St. Ooud Area Joint Powers Agreement is auticipated to be finalized for approval by the 3 counties and 5 cities. It is anticipated to be considered at the next Council meeting, as well as appointment of a representative and alternate to the Joint Powers Board. 4) Stapleton reported on the IISAC meetingTeCently attended. The IISAC Council is being reorganized with more focus on local government through the Office of Technology. 5) Stapleton requested to attend part of the Minnesota Computer & Infonnation Management Symposium to be held November 5 - 7, with Stapletion's registration, as an IISAC Board member, paid through IISAC. On Ehlert's questioning if other employees should be attending training & seminars, Stapleton stated they are encouraged and do attend training. Loso made a motion to approve Rachel Stapleton's attendance at the Symposium as requested; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 6) A property owner in Park Terrace is not willing to allow the City truck on his property in order to access the manhole to pump the sewer. Council was in general agreement to have the City Engineer review the matter and make a recommendation to the Council. I I CABLE ACCESS EOUIPMENT: Rudy Vigil appeared before the Council to discuss and present a proposal for cable access equipment, installation and training. He has worked with other cities and groups in acquiring and installing equipment. His proposal was for up to $14,957 of equipment and $600 for his services to include installation, setup, training and support. The Council referred the matter to the Cable Conunission. Vigil recommended using the cable franchise fees exclusively for cable activhy by resolution. A financial report on the franchise revenue activity should be presented to the éable company at least annually. If the revenue is not nsed for cable activity the company could require it be returned. SCHRODER WAREHOUSE - SPECIAL USE PERMIT: Bruce Golnnan spoke on behalf of Gary Schroeder. He discussed Gary Schroeder's Sports Warehouse distributioni>peration as an industrial operation requiring a special use permit. He proposes to locate it on the north side of County Highway 75 (adjacent to the old Grill & Cone site) with access froni the roadway functioning as the east entrance to Millstream Park and the compost area. Loso made a motion to approve the Special UsePermit as recommended by the Planning Conunission. The motion waS' seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Golnnan stated Schroeder is also requesting the City to plow the snow from the private roadway leading to the parking lot. The Council briefly discussed this matter but didnot act on it. I Gohman requested clarification on the business sign square footage requirements. Acting Mayor Twit stated the City Attorney recently clarified the background only behind the letters would be considered aspart of the sign. Golnnan feh this would exceed the allowable 50 square feet, and would make application for a variance. BRIAN KLINEFELTER MEMORIAL PARK TRAIL: Loso made a motion to approve the Applications for Payment Number 2 (final) for the Brian Klinefelter Memorial Park Trail as follows: I Contract A - Custom Smfacing Co. - $30,587.40 Contract B - Metropolitan Dirtworks, Inc. - $2,064.15 Page 3223 October 16, 1997 The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I 1998 STREET OVERLAY AND RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: Loso made a motion to set the Public Improvement Hearing for 7:00 p.m. November 20, 1997; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. LAND USE MORA TORIDM AND RE-ZONlNG: The Council reviewed and considered the Planning Commission's recommendations on the proposed re-zoning for certain parcels. Acting Mayor Twit noted that a super majority vote of the full Council is needed for passage. The Council agreed the lot on the northwest comer of Minnesota Street East and Fourth Avenue NE is proposed to be public. Each reconnnendation was reviewed and acted on separately. 1. The Plauning Commission's recommendation was "All þwpcdies in the Moratorium area North of Minnesota Street East fronting 3'" Avenue NE will be eIUmged ftom R-3 to R-l~. Niedenfuer made a motion to approve recommendation No. I; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I 2. The Planning commission's recommendation was "All property fronting Minnesota Street East from the comer of3rd Avenue NE to the Roske Property will be changed from R-3 to R-l." Niedenfuer made a motion to approve recOmmendation No.2; seconded by Ehlert. ' Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 3. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "Roske Property to be zoned as follows: Remains General Business with the exception of the lOt where the Fire Hall is constructed. That portion is to be zoned Public." Acting Mayor Twit made a motion to approve recommendation No. 3 with the addition of the following properties to be public: I) the lot that abuts Minnesota Street East, and West of Fourth Avenue NE. and 2) the holding ponds on the Roske Property. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 4. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "All property ftoot ing Minnesota Street East from 4th Avenue NE to 5th Avenue (Minnesota Street entrance on SE, to include property owned by Charles Fuchs and William Wasner). to be changed from R-3 to General Business." Ehlert made a motion to approve recommendation No.4; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. I Page 3224 October 16, 199-j; Nays; None. Motion carried. I 5. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "All property from the extension of 5th SE to County Road 133, with the exception of the property owned by Graeve and I Wahlstrom will be changed from R-2 to R-3". i Niedenfuer made a motion to approve the recommendation as revised as follows: All i property from the extension of 5th SE to County Road 133, along the east-west sectiori line, (currently owned by Leon Hoffinan, Irma Hoffinan, and Rita Douvier) with the exception of the property owned by Graeve will be changed from R-2 to R-3. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 6. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "Property West of County Road 133 and abutting such (currently owned by Graeve and Wahlstrom) to be changed from R-3 to R-l (excluding the Roske Property)." I Niedenfuer made a motion to approve recommendation No.6; seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - The EDA Director felt this property would be appropriately zoned general business, although the property owners have expressed buffer concerns. The Planning Conunission views this area as a business area in the future. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I I 7. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "All propertY abutting and North of Minnesota Street East and East of County Road 133, excluding the vacant lot owned by Mike Scherer, and South of the Section/Quarter line from County Road 133 to 91st Avenue to be changed ftom R-3 to R-l." Ehlert made a motion to approve recommendation No. 7 as follows: All property abutting and North {)fMinnesota Street East and East of County Road 133, excluding, the vacant lot owned currently owned by Mike Scherer, and South of the east-west 'I center Section line of Sections 10 and 11, from County Road 1~3 to 91st Avenue to be changed from R-3 to R-l. The motion was seconded by Loso. Discussion - Acting Mayor Twit felt R-3 does not belong with R-l. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer. Nays: Twit. Motion fails. Niedenfuer made a motion to rescind the motion ofreconunendation No.7; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I Ehlert made a motion to approve recommendation No. 7 excluding the Scherer property; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Acting Mayor Twit extended the meeting a,t 10:00 p.m. I I I Page 3226 , October 16, 1997 Loso reconnnended consideration by the Planning Commission to rezone the Mobile Home Park to General Business. Loso made a motion to lift the moratorium; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Nieden:fuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT ITEMS: Steve Johnson, Mark Twain Cablevision, recommended accepting Rudy Vigil's proposal. He felt it would be a functionable system for our city. Loso made a motion to accept the proposal of Rudy Vigil to select and acquire up to $14,957 of equipment for a cable access channel, installation, setup, training, and support. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - Need to allocate franchise fees to cable use by resolution at the next meeting.. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. with a motion by Loso; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried (2 Rachel Stapleton Clerk! Administrator Page 3225 October 16, 1997 8. The Plauning Commission's recommendation was "The property abutting East Minnesota Street excluded in #7 is to remain R-3." Acting Mayor Twit made a motion to change the property abUtting East Minnesota Street excluded in recommendation No.7 (Schererproperty)ftom R-3 to R-l; seconded by Niedenfuer. Discussion - Ehlert stated that the property owners discussed their properties at the Public Hearing. Scherer's discussed their needs for their property as well as other property owners. Scherer's left with the understanding that their needs would be considered as well as Wahlstroms' and Graeves'. He recommended notice to the property owner before any zoning further change would be made to the property. Ayes: Loso, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: Ehlert. Motion fuiled. I 9. The Plauning Commission's recommendation was "All property abutting and North of Minnesota Street East and North of the Section/Quarter 1itl,~ lying east of County Road 133 to be zoned General Business." Loso made a motion to approve recommendation No.9 as revlÍsed as follows: All property abutting and North of Minnesota Street East and West of91st Avenue and North of the Section/Quarter line lying east of County Road 133 to be zoned General Business. The motion was seconded by Acting Mayor Twit. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I Moratorium Area # 2 - North of County Road 75 and west ofColJege Avenue North to the westerly end of the Corporate Limits. 1. The Planning Commission's recommendation was "All property abutting College Avenue North between Date Street West and Elm Street West is to be changed from R-3 to General Business". Acting Mayor Twit made a motion to approve recommendation No. I; seconded by Loso. . Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 2. The Plauning Commission's recommendation was "All property in this area currently zoned Industrial, with the exception of the wetland immediately North of the former Krebsbach Bulk Tank Facility, is to be changed to General Business". Niedenfuer made a motion to approve recommendation No.2.; seconded b,y Ehlert. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. 3. The Plauning Commission's recommendation was 'The wet1aDd described in #2 should be designated as Public". Niedenfuer made a motion to accept recommendation No.3; seconded by Ehlert. Discussion - Verification is necessary that the City owns all the wetland area zoned public or the matter shall come back to the Council table for further consideration. Ayes: Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. I Motion carried. I