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Home My WebLink About1999 [05] May 13 I I I Page 3522 May 13, 1999 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, May 6, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the st. Joseph City Hall. i Members Present: Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Councilors Ken Twit, Bob LOsO, Cory Ehlert, Mary Niedenfuer. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. Citv Reoresentatives Present: City Attomey John Scherer; City Engineer Joe Bettendorf; EDA Director Chad Carlson. Others Present: Michael Deutz, John Provinzino, Mike Rennie, Dorine Rennie, Sylvester Prom, Mike Schaebel, Dick Backus, David Terwey, Steve streng, Jennifer Thienes, Mike Schoenecker. Aoorove Aaenda: Twit made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Hiemenz, Twit, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Consent Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Twit. (The outdoor liquor permit of the La Playette was tabled to the May 13, 1999 meeting) a. Capital Purchase request: Asphalt saw, $ 893.00 (Water & Sewer) b. Pay Application No.2, 1999 street Improvement Project, Randy Kramer Excavating, $85,116.08. c. Pay Apptication 8 (Final) 1996 East MN Street. Mid Minnesota Concrete and Excavating, $ 18,690.01. d. Engineer Pay Schedule - Acceptance of the 1999 Engineering Rates Ayes: Hiemenz, Twit, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 i Aporove Minutes: Twit made a motion to approve the minutes of March 10: March 23, and April 15,1999 as presented and April 6, 1999 with the following correction: Page 1: ... the Engineer's estimates have been higher than.... The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Twit, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Bills Payable: Ehlert made a motion to approve the bills payable as presented; check numbers 26829 - 26855; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Twit, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Overtime and Callouts: Ehlert made a motion to aPProve the overtime and callouts as presented seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Twit, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None. Motion Carried 5:0:0 Public Comments to the Agenda Steve Frank, 606 Birch street W spoke in regard to the dog license fee charged by the City. Frank stated that he was not satisfied with the service he received at the st. Joseph Vet Clinic when purchasing the dog license and indicated the fee was the highest in the area. Frank presented a summary of dog licenses in the area of which st. Joseph was the highest for spayed animals. Further he stated that two yearn ago the fee was $ 2.00 and one year ago the fee as $ 7.00. In his opinion the fee has increased to a point where it exceeds the value of the license. Frank also expressed objection to having to purchase the license at the St. Joseph Vet Clinic. Ehlert clarified that the Vet Clinic offered to assist the City in licensing dogs and property owners Page 3523 May 13, 1999 are not required to vaccinate their animals at the clinic. The St. Joseph Clinic is just another location to purchase the license. I Michael Deutz stated that he would like the opportunity to present information regarding Joseph Street and questioned if he would have the opportunity during the Engineer's Report to speak. The Council agreed that Deutz would be allowed to present his information during the Council discussion of Joseph Street. City Engineer Reports Joseph Street ImDrOvemenl: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf stated that since the public improvement hearing regarding the proposed improvement of Joseph Street he has had an opportunity to review the project costs and street design. Bettendorf stalled that in an effort to reduce the cost of the improvement the following can be considered: 1. Storm Sewer materials - can reduce the cost by changing th,e type of piping. 2. Road Width - The road can be constructed at 26 feet rather 1han 40 feet and the curb and gutter could be removed. This deduction would reduce the street cost by approximately 23% and an average decrease in the assessment of 9.7%. Bettendorf clarified that a major portion of the street assessment is for drainage. At the present time a drainage system is not available for Joseph Street and it must be constructed. Niedenfuer questioned if reducing the road bed would create a problem for trucks loading and unloading in the Industrial ParK. ' Bettendorf responded that when the driveways are reconstructed to the individual businesses the apron will need to be enlarged to accommodate truck traffic. Michael Deutz questioned the City Attorney as to who is responsible for providing proof that the proposed assessment will increase the value of the property. City Attomey John Scherer responded that the burden of proof rests with the property owner. Scherer further stated that before the public hearing was conducted the City Assessor reviewed the assessments and compared the values against existing Industrial Parks in the area. It was his opinion that the values were equal to or less than surrounding Industrial ParKs. I Deutz questioned if the City Council would consider subsidizing the project. Loso stated that prior to 1996 the property owner was responsible for pay 100% of a street reconstruction. Since that time the City has adopted a policy where a residential property owner pays 60% of the street improvement cost. At the same time the Council discussed what type of cost share would be appropriate for business development, but no action was taken. Loso questioned whether the tax payer should be burdened with the additional expense. Deutz responded that it is his opinion that the business community makes the majority of revenue for the City and the residential lots actually cost the City money. John Provinzino, attomey for Detuz, stated that while he understands the decision to move forward with the proposed development is a political decision, the Councillleeds to determine if they will subsidize the project The property owners are looking for finandal relief from the City. Provinzino further discussed the property owned by Deutz and the comparison between the property purchase price and proposed assessment. Weyrens stated that Jerry Hirschfeld has submitted a letter of support for the proposed improvement to include street, curb and gutter, storm sewer, water and sewer. Niedenfuer stated that she has been contacted by residents who expressed opposition to subsidizing the Proposed improvement. I Page 3524 May 13, 1999 I Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 Public Hearina - Zonina Ordinances: Weyrens requested the Council establish a special meeting to conduct a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. The meeting will be published as a public hearing on the proposed changes to the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances. Loso made a motion to schedule the public hearing for the Ordinance revisions for Monday, June 7, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Niedenfuer. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 I MisceHaneous: Mayor Hiemenz reported on the following: o The City Engineer met with the residents along 90th and 91"' Avenue regarding the street improvement project. The main concern expressed was the height of the road and why it was lowered. Additionally, one property owner is questioning why separate trenches were used for his water and sewer line. This matter will be referred to the City Engineer. o Hiemenz reported on proposed housing units on Minnesota Street. One of the units proposed would contain over 100 beds. The Council discussed the intent of Genera Business and how the proposal meet the guidelines. Weyrens stated that the Council has the opportunity when revising the Ordinances to require that a certain percentage of the property be developed with a commercial use, thereby limiting the amount of rental units in the General Business area. Further, the Council could require multiple family uses in a General Business area to meet the minimum design standards of R-3 zoning districts. Adioum: Ehlert made a motion to adjoum at 9:50 p.m.; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hiemenz, Loso, Ehlert, Niedenfuer Nays: None Motion Carried 4:0:0 ~"'~ ,U Deputy Clerk I