HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [04] Apr 24
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April 24, 2002
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special sessiL
on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 5:30PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.· I
Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider.
Administrator I Clerk Judy Weyrens.
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, City Attomey John Scherer,
Others Present: Bob Herges, Rick Heid.
Graceview Estates: Weyrens reported that the City has not received a response from the College of st.
Benedict regarding the access for Field Street and the north access road. City Attorney John Scherer¡
reported that he and Weyrens met with representatives from the College of st. Benedict to discuss thE>
revised Memorandum of Understanding. The revised document submitted by the College included ¡
language that precluded the College property adjacent to County Road 121 from being assessed in the
future, It was the opinion of the College that the proposed north road only benefits the developers of I
Graceview Estates, therefore they should not be assessed. The College has also linked the two roads
for discussion purposes and the City does not have an agreement for utility easements or the requested
construction road.. . , I
Scherer stated that the Council may wish to include language in the Developer's Agreement requiring !he
developer to deposit with the City a per acre road fee that would be used for the construction of a future
road, This fund would assist the City when traffic warrants the construction of an additional 'I
ingresslegress from Graceview Estates. Scherer stated for discussion purposes he included in the ,
Developer's Agreement, a $ 250.00 per acre road fee that is paid as each phase of Graceview is I
developed. The funds would be held by the City and accrue interest. If after six or eight years the road is
not constructed, the funds would be returned to the Developer's, I
Hosch questioned Scherer as to the cost if the City authorized the condemnation process for securing 'the
needed right-of-way. Scherer responded the legal costs would be minimal as we have recently I
completed the same process for the County Road 121 project. While the legal fees should not exceed
$ 1,000, the City will have to bear the cost of an appraisal. Scherer recommended the Council move I
forward with an appraisal of the property and once the appraisal is received an offer for the ROW ¡
purchase should be forwarded to the College of St. Benedict. If the College rejects the offer to purchase
the needed ROW the City could then proceed with condemnation proceedings. !
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Rassier stated it is his opinion that if the City must go through the condemnation process for Field Street
the City should also do the same process for the north access, Ehlert concurred with Rassier and stated
that purchasing the property at this'time will be the most economical to the City as an appraiser will have
recent property sales to base the market value. I
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Heid questioned the south access and where the road will be placed. Bettendorf responded that it is his
opinion that Field Street could qualify as a Federal Road. As such, 80% of the road costs will be paid I
through federal funding, However, before the road can be classified for federal funding, a significant
amount of work must be completed, including an environmental assessment and placement study.
Herges stated it is his understanding that utilities will be installed in the north access and will be of ben~flt
to the College of St. Benedict. Scherer stated that while that is true, the College is contending that the!
only purpose they have for that property is athletic fields, As such they do not require utilities. Schere~
stated the proposed Memorandum of Understanding prepared by the City only required cost participation
for utilities if the College used the services. Under this scenario the College would be assessed based on
the use of the property, '
The Council agreed that before a Developer's Agreement can be executed for Graceview Estates, the I
developers must make a commitment to the City with regard to any additional costs incurred by the City if
condemnation is required for the roadways described above, I
April 24, 2002
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Hosch made a motion authorizing execution of the Developer's Agreement for Graceview Estates
contingent upon the developer cost sharing in the eminent domain expenses for the right-of-way
acquisition of Field Street and the Northern access. The Developer's Agreement will also be
amended to include a $ 250.00 per acre charge for future roads. This fee is paid at the time of
executing a Developer's Agreement for each phase of Graceview Estates. The motion was
seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously.
Ehert requested the Council begin the process for identifying the location for the south and north road,
preparing legal descriptions and securing an appraisal fee for the acquisition of such.
Environment Worksheet. Graceview Estates: Bettendorf reported that any development including more
than 100 development lots must complete an environmental assessment worksheet. The Preliminary Plat
for Graceview Estates includes 394 units, thereby requiring an EAW. Rassier made a motion
requesting the completion of an EAW before final plat approval of Graceview Estates. The motion
was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously.
Sunset Manufacturina. Allev Pavement: Weyrens reported that she has not been able to contact the
owner of Sunset Manufacturing regarding the request to pave a portion of the eastlwest alley between 1st
Avenue NE and College Avenue North, Bettendorf stated that he too has been unable to contact the
property owner and will report back to the Council after discussing the matter with the property owner.
Southeast Utility Extension: Weyrens reported that she along with the EDA consultants have meet with K
& L Properties who own ten lots in the proposed extension area. Representallives of the Partnership have
agreed to consider the improvements but requested the Council consider deferring the assessments for a
specified period of time, The property is currently vacant and the owners would like an opportunity to
market the lots before incurring assessments.
Weyrens stated that she also contacted the Steams County Auditors Office regarding the tax status of the
Armory. While the Armory is not tax exempt, they make a payment in lieu of taxes, This payment is a
token and is not based on valuation, The amount received by the City would be a portion of the total
taxes paid to Stearns County for federal property, Weyrens stated the City currently receives payment in
lieu of taxes for the apartments on .10th Avenue SE. The payment for 2001 equaled approximately $
350.00,
The EDA Consultants have recommended the Council move forward with the feasibility study as they
receive many inquires for the property in the proposed area. If the project moves to the construction
stage, the lots should sell in a relatively short period of time.
Loso made a motion authorizing resolution 2002-_, ordering the preparation and plans for the SE
Utility Improvement. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously.
Resolution 2002-_
Ordering the Preparation and Plans on Improvement
SE Utility Improvement
WHEREAS, it is proposed to improve property north of Lynx Road and south of Minnesota Street (County
Road 134) between County Road 88 and 17th Avenue NE by the installation of water, sanitary sewer and
storm sewer and to assess the benefited property for all or a portion of the costs of the improvement,
pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Chapter 429.
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ST. JOSEPH MINNESOTA:
That the proposed improvement be referred to Joe Bettendorf of SEH, for study and that he is instructed I
to report to the Council with all convenient speed advising the Council in a preliminary way as to whether
the proposed improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible and as to whether it should best be
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April 24, 2002
Page 3 of 4
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made as proposed or in connection with some other improvement, and the estimated cost of the
improvement as recommended.
Bettendorf stated that the Council should also consider establishing the public hearing if the project is ro
be completed in 2002. Since the project does not include street reconstruction the project will not be I
labor intense for contractors and can be completed in a short period of time, The project will include the
installation of water and sanitary sewer mains and storm sewer, The road will be overlayed when the 1
project is completed, !
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Hosch made a motion to adopt Resolution 2002-_ calling for a public hearing on the proposed
improvement for the SE Utilities extension. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed
unanimously,
Resolution 2002-_
Resolution Requesting Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement
SE Utility Extension
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WHEREAS, pursuant 0 a resolution of the City Council adopted April 24, 2002 a report has been ordeied
to be prepared by Joe Bettendorf of SEH with reference to the improvement of property north of Lynx I
Road and south of Minnesota Street (County Road 134) between County Road 88 and 17th Avenue NE
by the installation of water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer. I
WHEREAS, the report will provide 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
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1. The Council will consider the improvement of the area stated above in accordance with the
report and the assessment of abutting property for all or a portion of the cost of the I
improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the
improvement of $ 620,000. . I
2. A public hearing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 22"' day of May, 2002
in the council chambers of the City Hall at 7:00 PM and the Clerk shall have mailed and 1
published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law, I
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Capitallmorovement Plan: Bettendorf presented the Council with a revised Capital Improvement Plan,
Future items for consideration include: Property for well field; property for second water storage facility;
sewer capacity study; generator for CR 121 Lift Station; upgrade of the wastewater plant; additional to ¡he
water plant; hollow park storm sewer repair; relocation of sanitary sewer on 2'" Avenue NW; WObegDn'l·
Welcoming Center; 16" watermain from County Road 133 to water storage facility.
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Weyrens stated that she has contacted Carol Tamm of the EI Paso to discuss the relocation of the :
sanitary sewer line that extends through the driveway of the EI Paso, The proposed relocation moves the
sanitary sewer east on Second Avenue NW and north on 1" Avenue NW, Weyrens stated that the I
property owner is not willing to cost share in the re-Iocation as it is her opinion that the replacement is the
responsibility of the City. Bettendorf stated that if the Council moves forward with the relocation, an I
easement along 1" Avenue NW will be required. Loso made a motion to replace the sanitary sewer
line that is currently located in the parking lot of the EI Paso as recommended by the City
Engineer. The cost of the relocation will be borne by the City, The motion was seconded by
Rassier and passed unanimously,
Ehlert requested the Capital Improvement Plan be expanded to include property acquisition for a
middlelhigh school. Bettendorf requested that transportation planning for the location of Field Street also
be included in the Capital Improvement Plan. 1
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April 24, 2002
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Loso made a motion to adopt the Capital Improvement Plan as presented by Bettendorf with the
addition of transportation planning for Field Street and property acquisition for a future
middlelhigh school. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously.
Loso requested the Council begin considering the 2003 Street project and identify which streets are in
need of repair.
Adiourn: Hosch made a motion to adjourn at 7:00 PM; seconded by Ehlert and passed
unanimously,
eyrc::r );)~~
strator I Clerk
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