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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [03] Mar 13 Page 3860 March 13B, 2001 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of SI.Joseph met in special session on Monday, March 12, 2001 at 5:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider. Clerk/Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, City Attorney John Scherer, City Bond Counsel Monte Eastvold, Pubiic Works Director Dick Taufen, Nick Pahl, Dale Wick, Sara Colburn Hosch stated the purpose of the meeting was to receive information and discuss sewer capacity issues and the potential annexation of SI. Wendel Township. City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the Council with information regarding the sewer capacity of SI. Joseph. In 1986 the City became part of the SI. Cloud Wastewater Interceptor. At that time the City purchased enough capacity to pump and treat 600,000 gallons of wastewater per day. The City is currently pumping almost 300,000 gallons per day. While the City has enough pipe space for future growth, if the City is to continue to grow SI. Joseph needs to purchase additional space for treatment in SI. Cloud (conveyance space). SI. Cloud has agreed to sell the space to SI. Joseph at the same rate it paid in 1986, .10 per 1 .00. The additional conveyance the City needs is 1.5 M gallons. The total cost for purchase is approximately $ 750,000.00. City Attorney John Scherer clarified that the City currently has an agreement with the Township of SI. Joseph and it is understood that the additional space purchased in 1986 was for expansion ¡ and growth in SI. Joseph Township. SI. Wendel has approached the City to request utility services for a portion of SI. Wendel Township, Pleasant Acres. If the City is to annex Pleasant Acres, additional space would need to be purchased and it should be paid for by those residents. I Rassier questioned if the City can financially afford to annex a portion of SI. Wendel Township and if the existing water system will be sufficienl. Bettendorf responded that he has discussed , the water system with Dick Taufen and the City will need to look at an additional water source. At this time he has not reviewed the elevations and is uncertain about the water distribution. ' Loso questioned the affordability of annexing a portion of SI. Wendel Township as the City has many projects underway. With or without a grant the improvements to County Road 121 hasa significant financial burden to the City. In addition, the City needs to look at the roads within the City as many of the streets are in dire need of repair/replacemenl. Ehlert questioned if the City should start annexing property within the Orderly Annexation Agreement between the City and Township of SI. Joseph to minimize the cost sharing of taxes. Scherer stated that the purpose of the Orderly Annexation Agreement was to provide for annexation as property owners requested services. It would not be within the spirit of the agreement or would the terms of the agreement allow for annexation that is not orderly. Bettendorf stated the City needs to review the outstanding projects as well as the funds avaiiable to determine the financial ability of the City. Scherer stated the City should determine the amount of revenue to be received if Pleasant Acres is annexed. This cost of the study should be ! absorbed by SI. Wendel Township. Weyrens and Hosch agreed to attend the annual meeting Of' ' SI. Wendel Township to ask for a financial commitment from SI. Wendel to research the possibility of providing services to Pleasant Acres. It must be related to SI. Wendel Township that the study will not guarantee services, rather allow SI. Joseph to conduct a financial analysis. The City will also review the existing hookup fees and charges to assure that SI. Joseph is covering the operating costs for water and sewer. I The Council agreed that the Township of SI. Joseph has priority and the City is committed to the Orderly Annexation Agreemenl. If the City agrees to move forward to provide services to SI. Wendel Township, the agreement will not include a provision for tax sharing. The City will need Page 3861 March 13B, 2001 to capture 100 percent of the taxes. If SI. Wendel does not agree to pay for the financial analysis study, the City will not pursue the annexation of Pleasant Acres. Adiourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn at 6:20 PM; seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. I ~dL¡ filr~ , Ju y eyrens Cler Administrator I I