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Home My WebLink About2001 [10] Oct 18 i October 18, 2001 Page I of4 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of SI. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Kyle Schneider, AI Rassier. City Administrator/Clerk Judy Weyrens. Citv Representatives Present: City Attorney Tom Jovanovich, City Engineer Joe Bettendorf. Others Present: Brad Torok, Mike Slavik, Rick Adams, Dan Miller, Leo Buèttner I Approve Aqenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda with the deletion of #7, Alcohol Matrix Discussion; seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Aqenda: Schneider made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. 1. Approve bills payable, check numbers 30311 - 30404 2. Approve the minutes of September 5, September 25, October 4, 2001. 3. Authorize the Mayor and Administrator/Clerk to execute the grant agreement accepting the COPS Technology Grant in the amount of $ 23,696.00 with a 25% matching contribution and authorize the purchase of three mobile computers based on the Stearns County Bid price. 4. Accept revised selling price of $ 67,250 for the property located at 21 - 1st Avenue NW. The revised selling price is a result of the delay in closing. I Public Comments to the Aqenda: No one present wished to speak. ì Comtrac - Development Request: Dan Miller of Miller Architects spoke on' behalf of Comtrac. Miller stated that his firm has been working with Comtrac for the past 45 days designing a building to be located in the Buettner Business Park. Comtrac is a company that builds communication antennas throughout a five state area. Comtrac is requesting the City Council approve a lot split and site plan for the development of a warehouse/storage facility. The i proposed facility will be approximately 7200 square feet and constructed as a steel structure with' brick accent. The site plan includes a large area that will be fenced for outside storage of materials. Miller stated that the proposal before the Council at this time has been contingentiy approved by the Planning Commission. ! I i The main issue presented by the Planning Commission is whether or not adequate ingress/egress is provided to the site. The site in question is located in the unimproved section 0, the Buettner Business Park. Miller stated that Comtrac is aware the roads abutting the proposed' development are gravel in nature and are willing to use the road beds in the current condition. ! Comtrac owner Rick Adams stated that his company has equipment that can grade the road and; remove snow. ! i , I Hosch stated that he has concerns locating a business in an area that does not have public road$ and questioned whether or not the City assumes liability by doing such. Hosch further stated it is' his understanding that Elm Street East has already been barricaded due to the manhole covers that extend above grade. Adams responded that his company would have minimal traffic on Elm Street East as they report to work on Monday, pick up the necessary supplies and return on Friday. At I this time ten (10) employees would be dispatched from this site and each driver would bé aware of the road conditions. He further stated that he would assume liability for i damage. I October 18, 200 I Page 2 of4 Schneider stated that he concurs with Hosch and stated that the roads and improvements must be completed before development occurs. While Schneider empathized with Adams, he stated that the City must aiso consider the effect that this development has with regard to emergency services. The City has spent considerable resources in fire and police equipment and unimproved roads will be a risk to the equipment and personnel. Schneider further stated that residential development cannot occur until the roads and improvements are completed and indicated that this project should follow the policies of the City. City Attorney Tom Jovanovich stated that the Developer's Agreement between the City of SI. Joseph and Leo Buettner requires that the improvements be completed. Further, the Agreement outlines the future assessments and obligates Buettner for payment of such. If the project moves forward, the City would need an assurance in writing from Comtrac that the improvement costs will be paid as they are stated in the Developer's Agreement. I Miller stated that Adams has agreed to install screened fencing at a height of eight feet. In addition he has agreed to meet the covenants of the Business Park and 25% of the building will be brick. Leo Buettner stated that the business park will not move forward until a business is located in the park. It is at this time that the improvements can be installed without risk. Loso stated that as a member of the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority he is supportive of the project and urged the Council to approve the request. Loso reminded the Council that this is the first industrial park the City has developed and the company before the Council at this time is not looking for any financial incentives. They are simply requesting to construct a building with the understanding that future assessments are pending when the streets and utilities are installed. Rassier stated that he does not want to send a message to businesses that St. Joseph does not support expansion or relocation. However, the Council must look at the proposal before them at this time and determine if the plan meets the Ordinance requirements. Loso made a motion to table consideration of the lot split request and site plan approval of Comtrac to October 25, 2001 at which time the following issues can be resolved: I 1. Agree to pay the future assessments in full to the City of St. Joseph 2. Agree to construct site improvements so as to match the road when constructed (ie: driveway) 3. Maintain Elm Street as a private road until such time it is improved. If necessary the property will be fenced. 4. Provide the City with liability insurance for the use of Elm Street East. 5. Pay the assessment balance in full upon sale of the property described above. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Public Improvement Hearinqs: Bettendorf requested the City Council establish a special meeting for the public improvement hearing for the 2002 Street Project and the portion of College Avenue North from Minnesota Street to Ash Street. Rassier made a motion adopting the resolution setting the public improvement hearings for the below described pra,jects. The hearing will be scheduled for November 15, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Resolution Establishing the Public Improvement Hearing 2002 Interior Street Project and College Avenue N,orth I I I I October 18, 2001 Page 3 of 4 , I I WHEREAS, pursuant to resolution of the council adopted September 20, 2001, a report has bee~ prepared by Joe Bettendorf of SEH with reference to the improvement of street, curb and gutter, sidewalk, water and sewer lines and storm sewer. The project area is described as: First Avenue NW from Minnesota Street W to CSAH 75; Second Avenue NW from Minnesota Street W to CSAH 75; Birch Street W from Second Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Ash Street W from I Second Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Ash Street E from College Avenue N to Third Avenue NE; Second Avenue NE from Ash Street E to Alley N; Alley between Second Avenue NW and I First Avenue from mid-block to Birch Street W; Alley between Ash Street Wand Birch Street W from mid-block east to First Avenue NW; Alley between Second Avenue NW and First Avenue NW from mid-block N to Ash Street W; Alley between Minnesota Street Wand Ash Street W from mid-block west to Second Avenue NW; Alley between Minnesota Street W, and Ash Street W I from mid-block west to First Avenue NW; Alley between First Avenue NW and College Avenue N' from Ash Street W to Birch Street W; Alley between Ash Street Wand Birch Street W from First I Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Alley between College Avenue N and First Avenue NE from Ash Street E to CSAH 75; Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from College Avenue N to i First Avenue NE; Alley between First Avenue NE and Second Avenue NE from Ash Street E to I Alley N; Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from First Avenue NE to Second Avenue NE; I Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from Second Avenue NE to Third Avenue NE. The improvement includes street, curb and gutter, sidewalk, water and sewer lines and storm sewer. ì WHEREAS, the report provided information regarding whether the proposed project is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible, I NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ST. JOSEPH, MINNESOTA: I The councii will consider the improvement of such street in accordance with the report and the assessment of abutting property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the improvement of $ 1,900,000. ' 2. A public hearing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 15'h day of November, 2001 in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall at 7:00 PM and the clerk shall five mailed and published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law. I , Northland Drive Utilitv Installation: Bettendorf reported that the contractor installing utilities for the Indian Hills Park Plat has requested authorization to cut into Northland Drive. Due to the shallow' depth of the sewer lines it will be necessary to insulate the line and that process cannot be done without cutting open Northland Drive. Bettendorf stated that the City in the past has not allowed contractors to cut into new streets unless it is absolutely necessary. Rassier made a motion authorizing Larson Excavating to cut into Northland Drive for the installation of utilities provided a written agreement is provided the City stating that the road will be repaired to City specifications. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. 1. MAYOR REPORTS Miscellaneous Meetinqs: Hosch reported that he will be attending the annual Initiative Foundation Award Banquet and the 2002 Transportation Planning Seminar sponsored by the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization. ' COUNCIL REPORTS I LOSO - No Report RASSIER October 18, 2001 Page 4 of4 Street Siqns: Rassier reported that the Public Works Director Dick Taufen approached the Lions Club regarding the replacement of street signs. Taufen has requested the City Council consider replacing the existing street signs with six inch plates. The current signs are 4 inch plates and are difficult to read. The Lions Club pledged support for the replacement of signs and agreed to contribute funds. I EHLERT - No Report SCHNEIDER Historical Society: The Historical Society is in the process of formation and will be meeting the last Wednesday of Each month. For the present time Bill Wasner has agreed to chair the Society. Park Board Matter: Bill Wasner has agreed to store the skate ramp for the winter. Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM; seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously. ~;¡.~ I I