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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [12] Dec 04 I I I Page 3245' December4,1997 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, December 4, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Kenneth Hiemenz. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Ken Twit, Mary Niedenfuer. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Bob Wahlstrom, Ellen Wahlstrom, Mike Deutz, Dick Taufen, Steve Streng, Jim Graeve. ADDrOVe Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the deletion of City Engineer Reports; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Consent Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Niedenfuer. DISCUSSION: Twit questioned the why certain establishments are not making application for an Off Sale Non Intoxicating Liquor License. Council1"equested clarification at the December 18, 1997 Council meeting. I Twit questioned the status of the Fire Hall payments and if enough money 1s being withheld to satisfy the correction list. Weyrens responded that no additional funds will be released to the contractor until they are authorized by the Fire Chief. Loso amended his motion to approve the consent agenda with the deletion of Cigarette, Off-Sale Liquor. On-Sale Non-Intoxicating Liquor, Amusement and Entertainment Licenses. The motion also requires approval of the Fire Chief before Payment Number 8 for the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall is released; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Public Comments to the Aaenda Mike Deutz requested clarification as to why he is responsible for reimbursing the City for an expenditure to cap the water selVice at 123 College Avenue North. He stated that during development of the property, the water service needed to be capped and the property did not have a curb box. Therefore, Deutzstated the City required him to dig back 20 teet and cap the line. Deutz stated he recently received a bill for $ 347.50 for excavation services performed by Gene Lange Excavating. It is the opinion of Deutz that he could have capped the service without incurring any additional costs. I Public Works Director Dick Tauten stated that he requested Deutz to dig back to the first joint to cap the water service. T auten stated that it is his professional experience that water should be capped outside development. It is easier and less costly for both the property owner and city to repair a ruptured water line that is not contained in a development. Taufen also clarified that the existing water service to 123 College Avenue North was constructed in the 1940's and at that time curb boxes were not installed. The City has been installing curb boxes when streets are reconstructed and the cost is assessed to the property owner. The City currently has a policy whereby the City is only responsible for the main and the property owner is responsible for the service line to the main. Deutz's'tàted that the main issue is that he would have capped the water service where it was locatèd åhd waited until College Avenue was rebuilt to cap the line back to the line. Had he Page 3246 December 4, 1997 done this he would not have incurred any additional costs. Deutz also questioned ifthe property owner was billed in Apñl when a service line ruptured. I Taufen responded that the line break in Apñl was a different situation and the water was bubbling through the street. When the excavator was hired, the break was thought to be in the main and the City was obligated to repair the break as it was bubbling through the street. Further, Taufen stated that he did inform Deutz that he would be responsible for all costs incurred. Twit responded that as he was acting Mayor at the time of this incident, !Taufen discussed the matter with him. The County would not allow any excavation in the County Road, so other alternatives were discussed. Twit reiterated that the property owner is responsible for the service line. Mayor Hiemenz questioned Deutz if he would be willing to pay a portion of the bill at which time he agreed. Loso made a motion to pay 50%, $173.75, ofthe excavation bill; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Camed 5:0:0 Bills Payable: Twit questioned the Engineeñng bill and again requested, the City receive detail for all bills submitted. Ehlert questioned the follow up on the Praiñe Restoration bill submitted in October. Weyrens will report back to the Council on the above questions. Twit made a motion to approve the bills payable, Check Numbers 24814 - 24874; seconded:by Elert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer . Nays: None. Motion Camed 5:0:0 Overtime & Call Outs: Loso made a motion to approve the Overtime and Call outs as presented; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Camed 5:0:0 Winter Parkina - Permit Proposal: Loso stated that he and Councilor Ehlert prepared a draft proposal to allow winter parking on streets by permit. Loso made a motion to approve the following amendment; seconded by Ehlert. I Proposed Amendment to Ordinance 84.3: Snow Season Parking Create exception by permit, to allow parking in front of the residence holding the permit, on any City Street from November 1 to Apñl1 duñng the hours of 2:00 a.m. arid 7:00 a.m. Subd.3: From November 1st to Apñl1st street parking will be allowed bypermil a. Permits may be acquired on a monthly basis. [No pro rating} b. Permits will be issued for residence only. [One per vehicle} c. Parking will only be allowed if} front of permitted residence only. d. In the event of snow removal, Subd 2, of Ordinance 84.3 shall apply to all regardless of a special parking permit. e. The fee for the permit shall be $ 10.00 per calendar month: Niedenfuer questioned if the permit would be one per residence or one per vehicle. Loso responded the amendment proposes one permit per vehicle and the permit only allows the parking directly in front of the residence of the applicant obtaining the p'~rmit. , Twit responded that he is opposed to any winter street parking. It is his opinion that it will create enforcement problems for boUt the Police and Maintenance Departments as well as an administrative headache. Ehlert stated that he has received a request from residents to allow winter parking and the amendment presented is a compromise. Further, Ehlert stated that he would be willing to change the monthly fee to a seasonal fee $50.00. I I i ! ! Page 324~ December 4, 1997 Twit stated that the compromise already exists, residents have the ability to caU the Police Department to allow overnight parking. Byallowing winter parking, the City would incur additional costs to clean up the streets where permitted vehicles were parked. Taufen questioned if the permit would apply to rental units, or areas zoned R-3. Loso responded that the permit could be limited to an R-1 district. Hiemenz stated that this matter has been discussed at MN League of Cities meetings and it is general consensus that there are two types of snow removal that works, one being odd/even and the other is no parking. Most participants agreed the most effective system is prohibiting all street parking during the winter months. Loso made a motion to amend the motion deleting the requirement to purchase a monthly permit and removal of item b) allowing permits in only residential areas. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Vote on the amendment: Ayes: Loso, Ehlert Nays: Hiemenz, Twit, Niedenfuer Vote on amended motion: Ayes: None. Nays: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Mavors Report I January Council Meetings: Mayor Hiemenz reported that the first Council meeting in January falls on a holiday and needs to be rescheduled. Therefore, Twit made a motion to establishing the following meeting dates: January 8, 1997 and January 22, 1997. The motion was seconded by Loso. January 8,1997 7:00 p.m. January 22, 1997 7:00 p.m. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Cat Bite Incident: Hiemenz reported that a child was bitten by a cat in the City limits. The City does not have any regulations for cats, but because of the potential health hazard the cat needed to be impounded. To save on costs the cat is being impunded at the home of the owner rather than at the St Joe-Cold Spring Vet Clinic. Hiemenz stated that he has been in contact with the St Joseph Police Department and the MN Health Department. The Health department indicated that cat rabies are becoming as prevalent as dog rabies and the City should consider some type of regulation. I North Star Corridor Commuter Rail Study: Hiemenz reported that he along with Cory Ehlert and Chad Carlson attended a meeting sponsored by Representative Joe Opatz regarding a proposed light rail study. The study will be deferred to the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization and funding will be requested from the Legislature. Handicap Sign: Hiemenz questioned the status of the requested handicap sign on Old Higrn,¡,¡¡y I 52. Taufen reported the sign has yet to be installed. Hiemenz reported the sign would best Þt:.. . . placed on Old Highway 52 as exiting from County Road 75. Niedenfuer made a motion to irlSí~' the handicap sign as stated above; seconded by Loso. ..c.i Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Page 3248 December 4, 1997 Sustainable Community Development: st. John's is ready to implement the cooperative grant on Sustainable Development. The City will have two intern programs beginning in January. The first program will concentrate on a wetland study. The second will concentrate on the I potentiál development of the Fire District if developed according to theOrderty Annexation Agreement. This study will also include the cost factor of development along with the pros and cons. ~ Councilor Reports TWIT Investment Committee: The Investment Committee has met and discussed the City investments in relation to the current and future interest rates. Duane Sorenson will be presenting the Investment Committee with an analysis and investment recommendation for the Council to approve in January. EDA - The EDA met on December 3'" with the primary focus the developmentofthe Industrial Park. The proposed design of the Industrial Park may have a more extensive design then needed. Cartson reported to the Board that he has had contact from three separate business that would like to locate in St. Joseph but office space is not available. i Personnel Committee: The Personnel Committee will be meeting with the Department Heads shortly to review the Personnel Policy and recommended changes. Ehlert Plannina Commission: The Planning Commission met on December 1, 1997. Due to a conflict Mark Lambert could not be present and requested to be scheduled at a later meeting. The Commission rescheduled him for 7:00 p.m. on January 2,1998. As laimbertwason the agenda, the Commission briefly discussed his proposal and requested that when he appears in January he provide proof of ownership. Niedenfuer questioned Ehlert if the Commission reviews signs before installation. She has noticed a Super America Sign was placed on Minnesota Street and does not feel it belongs on Minnesota Street. Ehlert responded that the sign is classified a Trail Blazing sign and is part of the sign requirements when advertising on Freeways and Highways. ! Ehlert will review this matter and report back to the Council. . I Ordinance Review UD<late: The Commission reviewed Ordinance pages 84 - 92 noting various corrections. The City Council will receive a copy of all recommended changes including additions and deletions. The Commission discussed the need for the City to recapture all expenses as they relate to development requests. The next meeting to review the Ordinances will be on December 10, 1997. . Truck Route Committee: Ehlert stated that he and Niedenfuer met regarding a proposed truck route. Niedenfuer will report on this matter. Police Hirina Committee: The City Offices notified the top Police Candidates from the last hiring informing them of the Patrol Officer opening. The Hiring Committee will interview the eight candidates that responded on December 30, 1997. CORE Committee: The CORE Committee will be meeting on Decembe>r9, 1997. The Committee will be discussing possible uses for the Community Grant obtained by Police Chief Brad Lindgren. I Central MN Events Center. Ehlert reported that he attended a meeting of the Central MN Events Task Force Center. The main focus ofthis task force is to determine iftheir is need and if Central Minnesota is willing to move forward to authorize a feasibility study to determine the need of a large events center. The proposed center would have a seating capacity of 12,000 to I i Page 3249 December4,1997 15,000 and would cost approximately 50 million dollars. Governor Cartson has requested Legislature to fund 20 million of the total project costs. LOSO Cable Access Channel: Loso reported that the broadcasting of City meetings is still in the trial period and errors and bugs need to be worked out. Loso also stated the Council will need to take a break during the meeting as the tapes only run two and one half hours. The Council also discussed the need to establish specific times as to when the meetings will be re-broadcast. í Loso also questioned the Council as to which radio station should be played on the access channel. Niedenfuer requested Minnesota Pubfic Radio (Music or all News) station be-selected. Hiemenz suggested and the Council concurred to select the St. Joseph radio station, 92.9 to be broadcast on the access cbannel. Niedenfuer Truck Route: Niedenfuer reported that she and Ehlert met to discuss the designation, signage and implementation of a truck route. Niedenfuer stated that she only noticed on truck. route sign which is on County Road 75 as you· approach 2nd Avenue NW. Both Niedenfuer and Ehlert stated a need to have additional signs. Signs need to be placed at the intersection of County Road 133, (from the Industrial Park), South from County Road 2, County Road 2 coming from Cold Spring and one possibly at the three way stop. If signage does not work, Niedenfuer and Ehlert suggested the Police make a "friendly' stop informing the truck drivers of the truck route. Twit cautioned the use of the Police Department to mak.e stops without probable cause. Ehlert agreed to contact the County to check on additional signage. I Department Head Report - Dave Theisen Fire Chief Dave Theisen presented the Council with the 6 month activity reþort for the St. Joseph Volunteer Fire Department as well as a full year summary. The annual summary of the Fire ! Department is as follows: . 1997 Fire Calls - 237, up 19 from 1996. The-following is a breakdown by jurisdiction: · 11 calls - St. Benedict · 25 calls - Bel Clair Acres · 87 calls -- St. Joseph Township · 29 calls -- St. Wendel Township · 118 calls - City of St. Joseph I Niedenfuer discussed a recent article in the LeaQue of Minnesota Cities magazine which addresses charging for Fire Calls. Twit and Theisen reported that if the Fire Department would charge for services provided, the Fire Department would not qualify for grants covering training, medical supplies and equipment. Theisen requested the Council look at the local radio frequency licensed t>Y the City of St. Joseph and shared by the City of Waite Park. As both Cities are experiencing considerable growth, air conflicts are becoming more frequent. Theisen recommended the City request Waite Park to obtain their own local frequency. Ehlert made a motion to request the City of Waite Park to secure their own local radio frequency. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Clerk Administrator Reports Weyrens presented the Council with a quote from KLN to upgrade the Office computer system. The software company for payroll, fund accounting and utility billing is in the process of converting the program to Windows '95 requiring greater hardware requirements. The Page 3250 December4, 1997 process of converting the program to Windows '95 requiñng greater hardware requirements. The computers need to be upgraded to include a Pentium processor, minimum of 2.0 Gigabyte I hard dñve space and minimum RAM of 32K. Twit requested this matter be placed on the December 18, 1997 agenda. Miscellaneous and Announcement Niedenfuer reported that she cannot attend the December 18, 1997 City Council meeting. The Council accepted the resignation of Claudette Klein from the ParK Bloard. Loso reported that Irma Lanier has also resigned from the Board. Adjoum Loso made a motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.; seconded by Twit. I Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Twit, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 ..' ........~... ~)ÞfÞ5 \.._.··/7 I , "Deputy ClerK J I