HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [06] Jun 13
June 13, 2002
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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 Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall Conference Room,
Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch, Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Kyle Schneider, AI
Rassier. Administrator I Clerk Judy Weyrens,
Others Present: Tom Skahen, Steve Frank, Kevin Kluesner,
Wobeaon Trail- Welcomina Center Location: Wobegon Committee Chair Tom Skahen
appeared before the Council to discuss securing property for the location of the welcoming center
for the Wobegon Trail. Skaken stated the Wobegon Committee had been approached by
members of the Donald Reber Estate regarding the upcoming sale of the estate property. The
property is located adjacent to the Wobegon Trail and would provide enough space for parking
and a welcoming center. The estate also includes a second parcel of property that is referred to
as a sand pit. The two parcels are not connected but are both included in the appraisal price,
The property has been appraised at a value of $ 80,000.00. If the City is considering this
property, a purchase agreement would need to be submitted no later than June 20, 2002,
Skahen further stated that the City was not successful in securing a grant from the Department of
Natural Resources. However, the Wobegon Committee has raised approximately $ 30,000 as of
this date, Municipal Development Group, acting on behalf of the WobegonCommittee contacted II
the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding excess right-of-way adjacent to
Resurrection Lutheran Church, The property is approximately 600 feet in length and 30 to 37 feet
in width. MNDOT is offering the property to the City of St. Joseph for $ 7,000. However, the 1
process to secure the property will take approximately 12 months. In the event the City is ready !
to construct the building before the property is secured, MNDOT is willing to provide the City with I'
an easement for construction. I
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Ehlert and Rassier stated it is their understanding that the property has already been purchased,
and if the City submitted a purchase agreement it would be in confict with an existing purchase
agreement. Rassier and Loso questioned how the property purchase would be funded. Weyrens;
responded that the Wobegon Committee has already raised $ 30,000 and the City could back the;
purchase until all the funds have been received, The City also has the opportunity to collect an !
additional one-half cent sales tax, and the proceeds could be used for the Wobegon Trail, '
However, the sales tax must pass a referendum before collection can begin.
Ehlert made a motion to send a letter of commitment to MNDOT verifying the conversationl
of Municipal Development Group and securing the purchase of the additional right.of-way~
This property will then become the welcoming center for the Wobegon Trail. The motion I
was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously,
Hosch stated that a proposal has been forwarded to the Stearns County Commissioners
requesting snowmobiles not be allowed on the Wobegon Trail between Avon and Collegeville.
St. John's University has offered to clear the trail for walkers and joggers during the winter
months. Hosch further stated he was disappointed by recent information from the Healthy
Community Partnership whereby they are suPportin9 the prohibition of snowmobiles,
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Ehelrt stated that the snowmobile clubs provide considerable revenue to the local community
through patronage of local restaurants and clubs and donations to the trail. Excluding
snowmobiles from using the trail may hamper fund raising and grant availability. The Council
agreed to consider a resolution supporting the inclusion of snowmobiles on the Wobegon Trail
and forward the resolution to the Stearns County Board of Commissioners.
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Comprehensive Plan Mappina:· Weyrens requested the Council consider authorizing SEH to
prepare all the mapping for the Comprehensive Plan, The consultants hired for the updating of
the Comprehensive Plan have agreed to provide mapping at a cost of $ 5,000, As SEH is
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currently providing mapping services and will be responsible for updating the mapping in the
future, it would be economical to use SEH for the Comprehensive Plan mapping as well.
Steve Frank recommended the City contact the GIS Department at St Cloud State University for
an estimate for the Comprehensive Plan mapping, as they have provided mapping services for
Stearns County,
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Frank also expressed concern regarding the recent survey that he received regarding the
Comprehensive Plan. Frank stated that in his opinion the survey contained may errors and the
results should not be portrayed as the opinion of the residents of St. Joseph. Hosch clarified that
the survey is only one tool being used by the consultants. In addition to the survey, the
consultants will be conducting neighborhood meetings and public hearings.
Rassier made a motion to contract with SEH for mapping services in the updating of the
Comprehensive Plan. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and pass,ed unanimously.
One-half Cent Sales Tax: Weyrens stated that the legislature has approved the collection of an
additional one-half cent sales tax for a period of three years. The tax cannot be collected unless
it is approved by the voters at the general election in November of 2002. The cities of St. Cloud
and Sartell have taxing authority as it was approved by the voters in 2001,
The question on the ballot must be project specific, allowing voters to vote to fund specific
projects. Projects that are not successfully voted will reduce the amount of taxes that can be
collected by the City, At this time the City needs to determine which projects, if any, will be
placed on the November ballot.
The Council agreed that the matter should be placed on the ballot, as residents of St. Joseph will
be paying the additional tax in St. Cloud whether or not it is approved by tl1e voters of St. Joseph.
The distribution formula for the additional sales tax, distributes $ 2.00 to SOt. Joseph for every
$ 1.00 collected.
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Hosch stated in his opinion any project placed on the ballot in November should be self sufficient
after the tax has ended. The legislature continues to place levy limits on municipalities.
Therefore, approving a project with on going expenses could create a finalncial hardship in the
future. Ehlert stated that the City should find projects of interest to the residents, and projects
that do not already receive contributions from service groups,
Loso stated it is his opinion that the additional one-half cent sales tax should be placed towards
future street maintenance, Weyrens stated that additional sales tax cannot be used for
maintenance. Rather, it must be used for regional roads, parks, or public buildings.
Hosch and Schneider stated they would request the additional sales tax be used for the Wobegon
Welcoming Center. The Center has the potential to attract a large volume of tourists to St.
Joseph,
After considerable discussion, the Council agreed the following projects should be considered for
the November 2002 referendum,
o Senior Center
o Kiddie Pool, Water park
o Wobegon Trail
o Expanding Camping and shelter area at Millstream Park
o Bathrooms at Klinefelter Park
o Mass Transit, provided the project is supported by the College of St. Benedict and Sl
John's University,
o Street Beautification
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CJ Land Acquisition for a High School.
CJ Pathway connecting all the parks,
Julv 4th, Temporarv Road Closure Reauest: Weyrens stated that she has received a request to
close Minnesota Street East between College Avenue and 1st Avenue NE on July 3,2002. The
request for closure is to allow the St. Joseph Fire Department to host a waterball fight as part of
the 4th of July festivities, The Fire Department is also requesting relief from the water ban for the
duration of the event on July 3, 2002.
Schneider made a motion authorizing the closure of Minnesota Street East between ¡
College Avenue and 1st NE Avenue on July 3, 2002 and to relieve the water ban to allow the'
St. Joseph Fire Department to host a waterball fight. The motion was seconded by Rassier
and passed unanimously. '
Klinefelter Park, Walkina Path: The Council discussed the possibility of removing snow from the
trail in Klinefelter Park during the winter months, Removing snow from the trial would allow
residents access during the winter months. The Council agreed snow removal of the trail would
be a low priority and requested that Weyrens contact the Public Works Director to see if the
removal is practicable.
Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM; seconded by Schneider and passed
unanimously.
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