Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [05] May 16 I I I May 16, 2002 Page t of6 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular sessit on Thursday, May 16, 2002 at 7:00 p.m, 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 Amy Schaefer, EDA Consultant Joanne Foust. Others Present: Tim Borresch, Mike Gohman, Joe Fitzgerald, Ted Schmid, Approve Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda deleting or omitting the Minutes of April 9 and April 24 and tabling consent agenda item (c) 2002 Business Park Improvements to I Monday May 20, 2002. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously, ! , ! Consent Aaenda: Schneider moved approval of the Consent Agenda, The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. a. b, c. d. e. f. I g. h. i, j, k. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 31189 -31241 Approve Minutes of April 18, May 1, May, 22002 Tabled to May 20, 2002, I Accept the low bid of Larson Excavating in the amount of $ 161,840.50 and authorize/he Mayor and Clerk to execute the contract for the 2002 East Baker Street Renovation, I Approve the amendment to Ordinance 41 and 42 requiring hookup fees to be paid at the time of securing a building permit. .. . ! Approve the revised by-laws of the St. Joseph Relief Association as recommended by: the Fire Relief Association, . I Authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with Municipal Development Corporation for the updating of the Comprehensive Plan, I Adopt the findings of the Planning Commission denying the variance request of Brad & Holly Bohlen to allow construction of a deck in the front yard setback area. The property is located at 349 Pond View Lane East. I Adopt the findings of the Planning Commission rezoning Lot 3 Blk 1 Roske Addition from Public to R1, Single Family, The property is owned by the City and Township of St. II Joseph. . Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to split the westerly 429 feet pf Lot 2 Block 1 Buettner Business Park. Approval is contingent upon the submittal of a ! certificate of survey, i I Authorize the purchase of 3 PI Hitch Flail Mower - $ 4,275,00 and the purchase of a 3 pt Hitch rotary mower - $ 1,340.00 I I Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. I I Reauest to repair drainaae on 5th Avenue NW , Joe Fitzaerald. Joe Fitzgerald of 115 - 5th Avenue NW approached the City Council to request reconsideration of the drainage issue on 5th Avenue NW, ¡ I Fitzgerald stated that before the street improvement of 1984, the water on 5th Avenue NW drained north and then south to Ash Street West. After the improvement was completed the drainage was changed to drain to Birch Street. Since that time Fitzgerald stated that he has had as much as five inches of water; sitting at the end of his driveway and the silt and sand that goes along with drainage, I , , Fitzgerald stated that he contacted the City Engineer at the time of construction and requested the matter be resolved. The contractor heated the road with torches and used vibrating packers to change the road configuration. Fitzgerald stated that while he was aware the City Council agreed to not repair this section of street until the road is overlayed, he is requesting that they reverse the decision and correct a desigri problem that in his opinion was created by the City. May 16, 2002 Page 2 of6 City Engineer Amy Schaefer stated that the project would be cost effective to do with the 2002 Street Improvement Project. Schaefer concurred with Fitzgerald that an overlay of the street will not resolve the drainage problem as a portion of the road needs to be cut out and reconstructed, Ehlert made a motion to repair the drainage issue at 115 - 5th Avenue NW with the 2002 Street Improvement Project provided the contingency fund will cover the cost of said repair. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. I Municipal Development Group - Vie West Development APplication: EDA Consultant Joanne Foust appeared before the City Council to discuss the proposed Vie West expansion project. Foust stated that Vie West has presented a plan to construct a 67,000 square foot facility. The facility will be located on a portion of Lot 1 Block 2 Buettner Business Park, Vie West is in the process of making an application to the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) for financial assistance in the amount of $ 75,000. The amount of funds that are awarded are tied to the number of jobs that will be created. At this time Vie West has indicated that they will be adding seven new jobs. Foust stated that MIF is a revolving loan program that is administered by the State of Minnesota. If Vie West is awarded funding, the City of St. Joseph retains the funds for a City mvolving loan fund, In addition to the $ 75,000 of principal, the City would also receive the interest. The loan is for a period of seven to ten years. As the City is the beneficiary of the MIF program, the City must authorize the application of such, Ehlert, acting on the recommendation of the EDA, made a motion authorizing Municipal Development Group to make application to the Minnesota Investment Fund on behalf of the City of St. Joseph, The funds be will used for the relocation and expansion ofVic West Steel. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Foust requested the City Council consider the TIF application for Vie West Steel. The EDA requires that I all applicants wishing to utilize TIF complete an application which is then graded. The application before them received a 3.6 rating, which is a very good rating, Foust clarified that the City has a policy allowing TIF on a case by case basis and St. Joseph subscribes to the pay-as-you-go method. This fomn of TIF does not place any risk to the City as a portion of the taxes are only rebated after the property owner pays hislher taxes, Loso made a motion to approve Resolution 2002-_; Calling for the Public Hearing on the proposed adoption of the development program relating to development district No.1, the proposed establishment of Tax Increment Financing and District 1-4 within development district No.1 and the proposed adoption of a tax increment financing plan relating thereto. The motion was Seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2002-_ CALLING FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO.1, THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT 1-4 WITHIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO.1 AND THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council (the ·Council") of the City of St. Joseph, Minnesota (the ·City"), as follows: 1, Public Hearina: This Council shall meet on June 27, 2002 at approximately 7:30 PM, to hold a public hearing on the following matters: (a) the proposed adoption of the De'velopment Program relating I to Development District No, 1, (b) the proposed establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No, 1-4 within Development District No.1, and (c) the proposed adoption of a Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto, all pursuant to and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.124 through I I I , I I I , May 16, 2002 Page ~ of 6 I 469,134, both inclusive, as amended and Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.171 through 469.179, boJ inclusive, as amended (collectively, the "Act"). I ¡ 2. Notice of Hearina: Filina of Proaram and Plan: The City Administrator is hereby authorized to ¡ cause a notice of the hearing, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be published as required by the Act and to place a copy of the proposed Development Program, and Tax Increment ! Financing Plan on file in the Administrator's Office at City Hall and to make such copies available for ' inspection by the public, Preliminarv Plat. Ted Schmid, Lumber One Avon, Inc, - Northland Plat Six: Ted Schmid of Lumber One Avon appeared before the Council requesting approval of the Preliminary Plat of Northland Plat Six. I Schmid stated that he did receive approval from the Planning Commission, but the approval required that he remove two lots. After reconsidering the matter, he is requesting the City Council approve the original preliminary plat without the removal of the two lots from Blocks 8 and 9. I Schmid stated that the removal of two lots would increase his Jot prices by $ 3,000, His goal for I Northland Plat Six was to provide St. Joseph with additional affordable housing. Adding $ 3,000 per lot may make the lots unaffordable for some potential buyers, Schmid stated that by reducing the number of lots allowed, the City is also limiting the potential tax revenue, The amount of roads and service required will not change with the reduction of two homes. Therefore, in Schmid's opinion the City is accepting ð loss of revenue. I I Rassier stated that the Planning Commission had considerable discussion on the preliminary plat. The reduction of lots was in response to testimony received at the public hearing. Residents came forward and requested the Planning Commission require that all lots meet the Ordinance requirements. ¡ I Hosch stated that the City Council will be meeting jointly with the Planning Commission on Monday, May 20, 2002 and would hesitate to reverse the decision of the Planning Commission without further discussion. Schneider made a motion to table further discussion of Northland Plat Six until Monday, May 20, 2002. The motion was seconded by Loso. i Ayes: Hosch, Loso, Ehlert, Schneider Nays: Rassier Motion Carried 4:1:0 I I Schmid stated that since Northland Six contains over 100 lots, an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) must be completed and distributed for comment. Weyrens reported that the EAW was just I received and the final plat cannot be considered until the mandatory 30 day comment period has expired. The Council needs to accept the EAW and request distribution and publication, 1 I Rassier made a motion to accept the EAWas presented by Lumber One Avon and requested to distribution of the report and publication as required by Statute. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. City Engineer Reports I Feasibilitv Report Northland Plat Six: Schaefer reported that until the design for Norhland Plat Six is approved the feasibility report cannot be completed. The Council agreed to consider this matter at a special meeting scheduled for May 22,2002. Feasibilitv Report, Southeast Utilitv Expansion: Schaefer presented the Council with the feasibility report for the Southeast Utility Expansion, which would extend services to the Del Win and US Army Facility. i The propose improvements will consist of the following: ! . I The extension a 12-inch water main east on Minnesota Street from 17'h Avenue Southeast to the southern edge of St. Joseph Business Park. I , I·" ! I I WATER ~.: 0,,:_'"", .... -." .'}jt'.;-Vc.:..,,"::._,:, May 16, 2002 Page 4 of 6 An 8 - inch water main will be installed in Lynx Road, looping the water main from 17th Avenue to Minnesota Street. All the lots abutting the service area will be provided a six inch service line, SANITARY SEWER A 10 _ inch sewer line will be installed from Minnesota Street to the manhole at CSAH 75. An 8 - inch sewer line will be installed in Lynx road from Minnesota Street to the east-west iintersection. An 8 - inch sanitary sewer will be stubbed to the south intersection of 17th Avenue Southeast and Lynx Road. A 6 - inch serviĊ“ line will be provided to all lots, I STORM SEWER Installation of a 15 - inch storm sewer, 6 catch basins, and an outlet into the ditch on the north side of Lynx Road, approximately 550 feet east of 16th Avenue SE. STREETS The existing 28 foot wide asphalt pavement and aggregate base on Lynx Road, from 16th Avenue to approximately 700 feet east, would be reclaimed, excavated, stockpiled, and used as base for the new asphalt to be placed after the water and storm sewer installation. A new 2 - inch thick wear course and 2 - inch thick base course are proposed to be placed over the reclaimed material. PROBABLE COST Storm Sewer and Street Sanitary Sewer & Water Main Proposed Assessment $ 71,253.00 $ 530,765.00 $ 14,986.100 per acre (waterlsewer) Schaefer stated that the proposed project includes approximately $ 110,000 of City costs for oversizing. I Ehlert and Rassier questioned since the proposed project area is commercial, if the oversizing should be included in the assessments, Ehlert questioned what size pipe is considered adequate for commercial. Schaefer stated that she would refer this matter to Joe Bettendorf who can respond to the Council at the public hearing scheduled for May 22, 2002, Hosch requested the preparation of a proposed assessment role before the Public Improvement Hearing on May 22, 2002, Third Avenue NW - Street Improvement: Schafer presented the Council with a cost estimate to reconstruct 3"' Avenue NW, The information is in response to a request by the property owner who owns property on both sides of 3"' Avenue, The proposed project, including the east I west alley is approximately $ 42,000, Schaefer stated that if 3"' Avenue NW is to be included in the 2002 Street Improvement, the Council will need to take action by May 22,2002, The Council agreed to place this matter on the May 22, 2002 agenda at which time Joe Bettendorf will be present. Sidewalk 2nd Avenue NW: The Council agreed to table this matter to May 22,2002. County Road 121 Improvement Bids: Schafer reported that Steams County opened bids for the Improvement of County Road 121. The apparent low bidder was Bauerly Brothers with a bid of $ 2,489,105.95. Assistant Stearns County Engineer Jodi Teich, requested the Council delay making a recommendation on the bids until after further review of the bids, Schneider made a motion to table this matter until May 20, 2002 as requested by the Stearns County Engineer. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. Graceview Estates _ Developers Aareement: Weyrens presented the Council with a revised Developer's I Agreement for Graceview Estates. The Agreement includes the changes r~quested by the City Council I I I , ! I May 16, 2002 Page 5 of6 i regarding an assessment of a fee in the amount of $ 250.00 fee per acre for fu\ure roads. In additioJ the Agreement indicates that the road fee can be used for any road constructed in Graceview Estates,l Police Chief Reauest - Authorization to submit COPS Universal Grant: Police Chief Jansky has I requested the Council authorize the submission of a grant application to the US Department of Justice for a COPS Universal Grant. The grant would provide funding in the amount of $ 75,000 over a three year period for the hiring of an additional Police Officer. The City's contribution over a three year period is I estimated at $ 68,000,00, i I Hosch stated that while he is not opposed to adding an additional officer, there is another department that has a greater need for staffing. Further, the Legislature has imposed levy limits for the upcoming budget year that are equivalent to 2%, Weyrens stated that if the grant application were submitted, the City ! would have the opportunity to review the funding again before accepting any funds. Ehlert stated that it is his understanding that if the City is awarded funding, the COPS Office does not look highly upon return of grant funds, If the City authorizes the application, then the City should be prepared to accept the awarþ, Loso made a motion to deny the request to submit a grant application to the US Department of; Justice for a COPS Universal Grant. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed ' unanimously, Department Head Reports Department Head: None Mayor Reports Sales Tax Authority: Hosch reported the legislature has approved legislation that would allow for a one half cent sales tax, The City of St. Joseph will need to place this matter on the upcoming ballot. Sartell and St. Cloud have already passed the referendum, The legislation that was passed only allows for the sales tax to be collected for a three year period. Weyrens reported that she has contacted the St. Cloud City Administrator regarding distribution of taxes collected, and found the formula to be the same as in lithe past. I I City Council Reports I SCHNEIDER i I Park Board Frisbee Golf: The Park Board has requested that the City allow a donation box installed by the Frisbee Golf Course. Schneider stated the donation box will be donated and funds collected will be designated for the upgrading of the golf course. Rassier made a motion to authorize the installation of a donation box for the Frisbee Golf Course. The motion was seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously, i I , Wobeaon Trail: Schneider reported that he and Tom Skahen appeared before the Stearns County Board of Commissioners to discuss the status of the Wobegon Trail. Historical Society: The Historical Society will meet on May 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fire Hall. EHLERT - No Report RASSIER - No Report LOSO - No Report May 16, 2002 Page 6 of6 Administrator I Clerk Reports Mav 20, 2002 Meetina: Weyrens reported that the HCP sub committee working on the tree placement on 4'" Avenue NE has requested to meet with the City Council at 6:30 PM May 20,2002. The Council agreed to meet at 6:30 PM as requested, MN DOT Open House: Weyrens reported that MN Dot is sponsoring an open house on May 23,2002 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, City Engineer Joe Bettendorf is encouraging the Council to participate in the open house, Adiourn: Schneider motioned to adjourn at 9:15 PM which was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously, ~d/a~ Jud Weyrens inistrator I Clerk -~ I I I