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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 [01] Jan 21 I I I Page 3459 January 21, 1999 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the City COuncil for the City of St. Joseph met in regular i session on Thursday, January 21,1999 at 7:30 p.m. 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, Chad Carlson, Bradley Lindgren, Jason Dahl, Karl Samp, Ellen Wahlstrom, Steve Streng, Jerome Salzer, Joe Bechtold, Jim Graeve, Lee Zipp, Joanne Zipp. Mayor Hiemenz called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and stated the recommendations of the Personnel Committee on the personnel evaluations from ctosed meeting (prior to this meeting) shall be considered. I Twit made a motion to accept Ihe Personnel Committee's recommendations of the evaluations of the following employees as performed by their respective Department Heads: Police Department - Jeffrey Young, Bradley Meyer, Virginia Gustin, Jason Dahl, Joel Bill; Administration - Judy Weyrens, Mary Generous; Maintenance - Ray Bechtold and Mike Sworskí. All these employees have received acceptabie evaluations with recommendation the employees continue to advance in the step system. Loso seconded the motion. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carIied. The Council will go into a closed meeting at 6:30 P.M. an January 28, 1999 to continue the closed meeting that was held tonight on personnel issues. I AGENDA: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carIied. I CONSENT AGENDA: Niedenfuer made a motion to approve.the consentagenda.aS-foJlows: seconded by Ehlert. I a. Sanitary Sewer Extension, payment to Pond View Ridge llP $1 ,863.05 according to agreement for Purchase of Road R.O.W. b. Clerks Annual Conference, March 16 -19, Brainerd, Registration $185, Pre-conference work$hop March 16 on Y2K, Registration $25, Rachel RbopJptnJ) !.equestíng to attend c. FAST COP grant completed, Resolution to Retain 6 Full Tune Police Officers d. Ordinance Amendment to Zoning Ordinance 52 Regulation of Aclivítíes in Wetlands; Amendment to Ordinance 54, SubdMsíon Regulations, Addressing Wetlands; Amendment to Ordinance 106 Weed and Brush Control, Regulating Ve,getation and Wetlands . e. Guidefmes for Use of Community Sign . Discussion - Loso discuSSed item c. Resolution 10 retain 6 full time officers; He questioned if this is part of the grant agreement and if the C~ would be required to retain 6 positions in the future. Twit questioned what is the cost of the 6 h officer to the City. Council agreed to remove this item for furtberdíscussionlater in the meeting. Twit discussed the Ordinance Amendments questioning if the setbacks from wetlands are as stringent as State guidelines, expressing .concern on$et!íng precedent. BIen Wahtstrom~ted the State has no setbacks, but the setbacks in the Ordinance were taken from other states and cities existing regulations. Twit.also discussed tbeimpact tbese restrictions will have .on the development of the St. Joseph Business Park. Vote on the .consent .agenda llim1sa, 1>,11, ande ("yclw:ling item Co Resolution toRetain 6 F.ull Time Officers. Page 3460 January 21, 1999 Ayes: Hiemenz, Lose, Ehlert, Níedenfuer, Twit Nays: None. Motion carIied. I MINUTES: Twit made a motion to.approve the minutes of the January 1, 1999City Council meeting with a correction as request by Mayor Hiemenz - last page under IISAC ADDOintment: (second sentence) Hiemenz .statedibat.stapleton prDllkJedhim infoanationlbat c/arítied that appointees to the Board who are employees of a political subdivision aÆ maybe compensated by the board in the.amount of $55.00..._. The motion was.secondedbyNieclenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion .carried. BillS PAYABLE, OVERTIME & CAllOUTS: Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens presented the bills payable che~numbers 26366 -2641b.and.discussed the need for a new.prtnter lathe Administration office. She discussed quotes received on ink jet plinters and laser printers, as well as the benefits of each. AftershOlt diSCII$.'>Í01} Twit made~ motion ~o approve the bills payable, check numbers 26366 _ 26415 as presented and to approve the, purchase of the most suitable printer Jor the needs; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. MotiDn .carried. Loso made a motion to approve the overtime and callouts as presented; seconded ~ Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Lose, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carIied. PUBLIC COMMENTS TO T.HE .AGENDA:Ellen WaÞIstromsatedJn approving the Ordinances regulating wetlands there is not a precedent being set. Quality of life is tieing addressed. . Niedenfuer recognized the efforts.extended by Wahlstrcm in this project. I Jim Graeve asked the status of the City on the Y2K project. He also felt someone other than the ClerklAdmin¡strator .should~the.upcoming Y2KronfereÐœ. He~o expressed concern about the delivery of water and sewer and possible use of shared equipment with other municipalities. He recommended J1e!workíng.witb 1l!her m·opid¡mJities. IAayor Hiemenz discussed the status of the City. A Committee meets monthly, and are using the plan as laid out ~ the League.of Cities. We- expect ID.'ooWOJ'king on fmatizing contingency~byearly summer and involve the community both through action and education. DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORT: PoIiœChief Lindgren presented the .4th Quarter Po!iœ Report, stating there were 735 incidents for the quarter. Loso asked for and received clarification on underage consumption and underage írt bars. Mayor Hie",enz noted there were 101 speeding tickets and 277 parking citations. Ehlert made a motion to accept the report as submitted; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carIied. On Ehlert's asking if copies of the report could be available in the City Office and disseminated to interested persons, Chief stated he encouraged distribution of the report to anyone interested. The Council discussed the proposed Resolution to retain 6 full time offi~,rs and the FASTCOP grant. Loso questioned if the resoItrtíon would require 6 full time positions pelll,a"ently. Twit discussed the costs associated with the grant and what the actual cost to the City to retain the additional position. It was furtherdiscussed that the FASTCOP grant has ended and the intent of the resolution is to clalify the retention of the Officer now employed with the City. Ehlert made a motion to table the matter to the next meeting for rewording of the resolution and clarification of the costs of the position; seconded by Loso. I I Ayes: Hiemenz, loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. i I i I Page 3461 January 21, 1999 I I ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS: Officer Jason Dahl discussed a propoSed program for alcohol compliance checks. He stated the program gets the community involved, informs the bars, provides community policing and hopes to cut down on underage consumption. On Twit's asking at what point the program is, Dahl stated he is first introducing the program to the Council, then will get the community involved by establishing a committee and taHor the program' to St. Joseph's needs. loso asked what is the anticipated time line. Dahl responded they i anticipate having the program in place in four to six months, and use the summer months to I activate the program. Loso made a motion to support the Alcohol Compliance Check program asl presented by Officer Dahl, and allow him to move f0lW81'It with the progranr,seconded ~ i Niedenfuer. Discussion - Ehlert felt the colleges should be involved and Brother Willies Pub' i should be included in the pi ogl a,". Dahl stated there wilt be check points and both colleges will i be involved to some degree. St. John's is under the County jurisdiction, therefore outside the City's juIisdiction. The Committee calls for two members of the Council to be committee members. Mayor Hiemenz' recommended the Council members consider these appointments at the next meeting. Vote on the motion - Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: Karl Samp, representing Central Minnesota Initiative Fund, gave a presentation on the Healthy Communities Partnership Program, designed to help communities build the capacity to plan for integrated community development. This two year .program ¥Ðvides trailling,$.Hl,OOO.grant, BI1d some support staft It requires a strong commitment from the community and the committee members. The purpose of the Program is to provide integrated community develo¡:¡meat training, grant support, and technical assistance to strengthen the leadership capacity of communities to plan effectively for the futUl"&. Communities apply for the program .by submittin¡}.an .applicatioll,Aflerdiscussion Council was supportive of the program, with Niedenfuer offeling to lead the process. If the City is the fiscal agent a resolution of support will be needed. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS JOSEPH STREET FINANCING PROPOSALS: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf and EDA Director Chad Carlson presented assessment proposals for the proposed Joseph Street Improvement. Proposals included assessments baSed on lot area, front footage, and a combination of both formulas. After d"lSCussion of the various proposals including the impact on specific lots, the Council expressed the desire to use the most equitable formula for all properties. Bettendorf further suggested the City have an appraiser involved in the assessment process to determine that the assessments will increase the lots by the amount appraiSed. Loso made a motion to table the matter for further consideration at the next meeting; seconded by Twit. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. I JOSEPH STREET ACCESS TO AREA ROADWAYS AND PARCELS: Bettendorf discussed the status and options of Joseph Street to County Highway 75 and possible situations that need further planning. He further discussed possible access to Ridgewood Road. Joe Bechtold I discussed the requirements and status of nearby Township platted and easement roadways and railway crossings. I Bettendorf again reiterated the need to have a uniform transportation plan between the County, Township, APO and City. He urged meeting with those entities and agreeing on road plans, as Page 3462 January 21, 1999 well as the viability of such plans including the impact of wetlands. Mayor Hiemenz indicated he will be meeting with the County Engineer soon and will set up a meeting at that time PLANS AND SPECIFICTIOJIISFOR COUJIITY ROAD 133 THROUGH THE INDUSTRIAL PARK: Bettendorf discussed the status of County Road 133 Improvement. He stated an appraiser will be appraising the property needed for right of way acquisition in the City. I At 10:00 P.M. Mayor Hiemenz extended the meeting. Chad Carlson presented and discussed a proposal for $255,000 General Obligatiolt Tax Increment Bonds for financing the St. Joseph Business Park Improvement. REFUSE SERVICE TO RENTAl UNITS: Lee Zipp appeared before the CotmciI rodisctJss the cost of refuse to his rental property. He stated it would cost effective for him to hire his own service rather than to be on the City refuse coIIII ad and requested this bl> aJlowed. Loso discussed the benefits of the spling and fall cleanup for rental units that the City contract provides. Mayor Hiemenz stated there are other rentat property owners that h<Mt "AVfèSSed this concem as well. After short discussion, the Council generally agreed to consider the request at the February 18 meeting. . Due to the last hour the Council tabled the "Item for discussion - Insurance Coverage for Elected Officials" to the next meeting. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Hiemenz reported that concern expressed at a recent APO Executive meeting and the st. Cloud Area Joint Planning CommitteE: ana recentiy adopted resolution by the St. Joseph City Council on Parks and Trails. Steams County does not want to give up its parks and trails. The resolution did not address the proposed legislation for APO to take over parks and trails. I Discussion at a recent joint meeting of area Mayors was the Events Center and the increase in costs- for use of the St. Cloud's- wastewater facility. 11 is .anticipated the nlext budget year will require additional increases in sewer rates. A request for a street light on County Road 2 and 1st Avenue NE at the entranœtcr Northland was received. After short discussion of julisdiction and beneftt to the City including, Resurrection Church property is in the City but the residences on First Avenue across from the Church arein- the Township, it was determined that the Council generally supported lighting that comer. COUNCilORS REPORT TWIT: The Personnel Committee is scheduled to meet with the non-union employees January 26, 1999. EHLERT: The Park Board met and is requesting to move forward with the 3"' Phase "Big Toy" development in B. Klinefelter Memolial Park. Ehlert presented a proposal for such equipment at a cost of $5,410.49. After short discussion loso made a motion to approve the purchase ofthe "Big Toy' as presented, cost $5,410.49; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. . Motion carried. lOSO: No report. NIEDENFUER: Niedenfuer reported attending a recent Steams- County Municipal League meeting, at Cold Spring. The County Assessor gave a presentation on the assessing process. I I Page 3463 January 21,1999 I CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS: 1) Sewer Rates - A sewer rate schedule adopted June 25, 1998 called for removal of the surcharge at the end of the year, as well as increasing the rates to $1.25 per hundred cubic feet if needed. Council discussed the increase in cost to St. ! Cloud and felt the increase is needed. Loso made a motion to raise the sewer rates to $1.25 per hundred cubic feet as scheduled; seconded ~ Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion earned. 2) At the last meeting: o Concem was expressed about the status of the property at 119 Cedar Street East. Stapleton has been in contact with an official of HUD who is handling the property. The requirements of the zoning ordinance were faxed to the agency to alert them of the zoning requirements. o The Council received an inquiry if it was possible to offer inducements for prepaying special assessments. Stapleton has discussed this matter with Monte Eastvold, City Financial Consultant, who indicated prepayments could be considered along with the assessment process pIior to the assessment healing. The City has an ordinance in place which allows partial payment of assessments, as well. o The Mayor had discussed Stapleton's reimbursement for attendance at IISAC meetings, indicating she may receive per diem ($55 per day) as well as mileage. ¡ The Mayor will be receiving a letter from the Executive Director of IISAC stating that members do not receive per diem. 3) The water heater in the City Hall Annex failed causing some water damage. After receiving two quotes it was replaced wittT tire low quote. TtTere was some plumbing which needed to be replaced at that time, due to leaks. I 4) The City received notice from the State Demographer that the population of St. Joseph was increased to 4,530 with 1,029 households; This increase is due to the annexation of Whispeling Pines Addition. . MISCELLANEOUS OR ANNOUNCEMENT ITEMS: There were no announcements. ADJOURN: The meeting was adjoumed at 10:35 P.M. with a motion by Loso; Seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer, Twit. Nays: None. Motion carried. Rachel Stapleton Clerk/Administrator I I I I