HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [05] May 20
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May 20,2002
Page 110f 2
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session
on May 20, 2002 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. I
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Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Cory Ehlert, Bob Loso, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider'.
Administrator Judy Weyrens, '
Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, S. Phyllis Plantenberg, Jim Graeve, Dan Molitor I
4'h Avenue NE Tree Plantina: S. Phyllis Plantenberg approached the Council regarding the planting of
trees along 4'" Avenue NE. Plantenberg stated the Healthy Community Partnership is sponsoring a tree
planting drive and would like to create a green corridor along 4'h Avenue NE. The greenway would I
include the planting of trees between Minnesota Street and County Road 75. The property owners I
involved have been contacted and approve of the plantings. The trees would be placed far enough ba.ck
so that they will not impede traffic or snow removal. '
The Council discussed the desire to construct sidewalk on the west side of 4'h Avenue NE between II
Minnesota Street and County Road 75. This area is frequented by walkers and joggers and safety is
becoming a concern. The Council agreed that financing is not available to construct sidewalk at this time,
but they would consider such in the future. I
Ehlert made a motion to allow the planting of trees along 4'h Avenue NE, provided the planting is
coordinated with the Public Works Director. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed
unanimously, '
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2002 Business Park Improvements: Bettendorf approached the Council regarding the improvements for
the 2002 Business Park. The awarding of the bid has been tabled as the City has been approached by
an affected property owner, Leo Buettener, objecting to the improvement. Attorney David Shay, ' I
representing Leo Buettner, stated that the improvements will place an undue burden on his client. The
City has been working with Buettner to sell industrial lots, while the City has received many leads, they
have not resulted in property sales. Shay stated that Gohman construction has been working with Vicl
West Steel and they have not finalized their project. Shay questioned if the project can be divided, only
completing Eim Street at this time. '
Bettendorf stated that the contract bid was the entire project, it was not laid out in alternates. In ,
discussing this matter with the low bidder, they have not bid on other projects as they were the low I
bidders on the City of st. Joseph project. Their was no indication throughout the design stage that the
property owner would object. Hosch concurred and expressed frustration that the property owner is
creating objection at such a late stage of the project. I
With regard to constructing only Elm Street. Bettendorf stated that the majority of the pipe work is in 15'h
Avenue. Therefore it would not be feasible to only construct Elm Street. Ehlert made a motion to delay
the bid award for the 2002 Business Park Improvements to June 17, 2002 to allow the City
Engineer to meet with the affected property owner, The motion was seconded by Loso,
Ayes: Hosch, Ehlert, Loso,
Nays: Rassier, Schneider,
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Rassier expressed his disappointment with the project as the City cannot sell industrial lots if the
improvements are not available. He further stated that this project has been discussed for over one year
and the property had plenty of time to express his opinion before the project was bid. !
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Countv Road 121 - Contract Award: Bettendorf reported that Stearns County has opened the bids for the
reconstruction of County Road 121. The project includes the installation of water and sewer laterals, II
Bettendorf stated that he is concerned with the sub-contractor that will be installing the utility services. In
researching the sub-contractor it has been noted that they have trouble meeting completion dates, they
do not perform quality work, and they not always paid their subcontractors, creating supply shortage
issues. Since the City is involved in the utility portion of the project, the City m~st make a
May 20, 2002
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recommendation to the County Board regarding the awarding of the contract. Bettendorf clarified that the
general contractor, Bauerly Brothers, is a reputable company that is very responsible. Rassier made a
motion to recommend the Stearns County Board to thoroughly research the performance of the
subcontractors and award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder. The motion was seconded by
Schneider and passed unanimously,
Adiourn: Schneider made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 PM; seconded by Rassier and passed
unanimously,
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May 20, 2004
Joint CG/PC
Page 1 :of 2
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council met in joint session with the Planning
Commission on May 20, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall at 7:20 PM.
City Council Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Cory Ehlert, Bob Loso, AI Rassier, Kyle
Schnedier Administrator Judy Weyrens. I
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Plannina Commission Members Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski,
Marge Lesnick, Kurt Schneider, Jim Graeve, Mike Detuz.
Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf
Northland Plat Six: Hosch stated that the Council is being requested to accept the recommendations of
the Planning Commission and approve the Preliminary Plat for Northland Plat Six. Accepting the ¡
recommendations of the Planning Commission includes relieving the following requirements on specifi~d
lots: minimum lot size, rear yard setback, lot width and side yard setback. The preliminary plat includes
three phases of development with the first phase completed in 2002. I I
Loso questioned if access to County Road 2 will be provided with the first phase. Bettendorf responded
that the connection to County Road 2 will not occur until the second or third phase. Before construction
of the first phase, the developer will need to mitigate some wetlands. Schneider made a motion to !
accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission, adopting their findings, approving the
Preliminary Plat of Northland Six and approving the variance request on lot configuration. The'
motion was seconded by Rassier.
Ayes: Hosch, Loso, Rassier, Schneider
Nays: None Abstain: Ehlert Motion Carried 4:0:1
Ordinance Amendments R-3Zonina Districts and Temporary Sians: Planning Commission Gary Utsch
stated that the Planning Commission is in the process of reviewing and amending the Ordinance I
governing temporary signs and R3 zoning districts.
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Sign Ordinance: The Planning Commission indicated that two sections of the Sign Ordinance'
need to be amended, maximum size and temporary. With regard to the maximum sign size, the current
Ordinance oniy allow 50 square feel. Property owners developing on CR 75 have indicated that due to
the speed of travelers on County Road 75 and the volume of traffic, larger signs are needed for visibility.
Utsch stated almost every developer is requesting a size variance for his or her business sign. It is ti~e
for the City to review that Ordinance and determine what size would be acceptable. Ehlert concurred;
with Utsch and stated that the First State Bank of 51. Joseph recently completed a variance proceeding to
add an additional 83 square feel. The Council was in general agreement that the current Sign Ordinance
should be reviewing and amended to reflect the current needs of businesses. !
Temporary Signs: The Planning Commission and Council discussed the need to enforce the!
Temporary Sign Ordinance. This Ordinance is the most abused of all the Zoning Ordinances and I
enforcement should be equal. Temporary signs include political/campaign signs as well as the portable
signs on wheels. The Commission questioned if the portable signs on wheels are designed to meet wind
resistance. The Planning Commission will continue to work on this Ordinance and in the mean time the
Building Official should be notified to contact sign companies notifying them that 51. Joseph will be I
enforcing the Sign Ordinance.
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R3 Zoning District: Utsch stated that the Planning Commission is in the process of
recommending an amendment to the R3 Zoning Ordinance that would allow the construction of multiple
family dwellings without the issuance of special use permit and removing the provision requiring a !
developer to use the PUD process. Planning Commissioners stated that if property is zoned R3, Multiple
Family, then it should be allowed to be developed. Before property is zoned R3, the property owner I
would be required to submit a development plan. The submittal requirements for a development plan' in a
R3 Zoning district would be similar to that required in the Highway Business Districl. The use of this
May 20, 2004
Joint CC/PC
Page 2 of2
requirement would give the City the ability to deny a specific development plan if it is not compatible with
adjoining property or if the plan would compromise safety.
Council Action Items
CR 2/194 Proposed Development: The Council and Planning Commission discussed the proposed
commercial development adjacent to County Road 2. A developer is requesting to construct a combined
retail and industrial business on 34 acres of land. The proposed area is in St. Joseph Township and they
are opposed to the use. Both the Council and Planning Commission agree with the proposed use and
encouraged the EDA to work with the property owners. Ehlert made a motion requesting the
Administrator to pursue the required action to annex the Zimmer Property adjacent to CR 2 and
194. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Memorial Park Ball Field: Park Board Marge Lesnick requested the Council consider naming the
Memorial Park Ball Diamond "Schneider Field", Lesnick stated the Park Board has discussed this matter
and would like to find a way to acknowiedge the commitment that Pat and Don Schneider have made to
keep baseball in St. Joseph. Lesnick stated that naming the Field would not change the name of the Park
as it will still be called Memorial Park, Ehlert made a motion to name the Memorial Park Ball Field
"Schneider Field" in honor of Don and Pat Schneider. The motion was seconded by Hosch and
passed unanimously.
COPS FAST Grant: Police Chief Pete Jansky approached the Council requesting authorization to make
an application for funding to add a seventh officer to the St. Joseph Police Department. The Department
of Justice is once again offering financial assistance, paying up to $ 75,000 over a three year period, for
Cities adding to their police force. Jansky stated that adding another officer would allow the department
to have a night supervisor, In addition, the use of part-time officers can be reduced significantly. Loso
questioned if the City can make application for funding and then decline if it is determined that the City
cannot afford the matching requirement. Jansky stated that applying for the glrant does not commit the
City, however, it would not look favorable if the City declined the award.
Jansky questioned if the Council would approve the application if the College of St. Benedict and St.
John's University agreed to pay a portion of the wages not covered by the grant. The Council was in
general agreement that they would reconsider such if the College/University agreed before the grant
documents are submitted.
Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 9:10 PM; seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously.
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