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Home My WebLink About[04a] Minutes Aug 3 August 3, 2015 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors: Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Matt Killam, Renee Symanietz. City Administrator Judy Weyrens City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Joel Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene Others Present: Matt Vollbrecht-Westwood, Keith &Joyce Louwagie, Mary Nimmerfroh, Paula Eich Public Comments: No one present wished to speak Agenda Approval: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 4e, Pay Application to Knife River and 7b, Work Comp Deductible. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. a. Minutes- approved the minutes of July 6, 2015 b. Bills Payable - approved payment of check numbers 0, Payroll EFT#049516-049560 and Accounts Payable EFT#001088-001092. C. Liquor License—authorized issuance of the following liquor licenses for Bad Habit Brewing: Intoxicating on sale 3.2 and special Sunday; Wine and Strong Beer; Intoxicating Off Sale Brew Pub. d. Street Closure—amended the street closure request for the Millstream Arts Festival on September 27, 2015 closing MN Street from 1 st Ave E. e. Payment Application —approved application for Payment No. 1 to Knife River Corporation in the amount of$25,674.70. Westwood Professional Services— Issuance of FONSI: Weyrens stated the City Council had previously authorized administration to distribute the EAW to the required distribution list, issue the press release and publish the notice in the EQB regarding the proposed distribution center in the Industrial Park. Since the release of the EAW, comments have been received. Westwood Professional Services has reviewed the responses received by the City and addressed all the concerns. Weyrens added that if the Council is of the same opinion that all the concerns have been addressed, the next step would be issuing a FONSI (finding of no significant impact.) Sabart added he had reviewed Westwood's responses and he concurs with their responses. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2015-026 approving the St. Joseph Distribution Center EAW finding no need for an environmental impact statement; seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Committee Reports Park Board: Killam reported the Park Board is busy with many upcoming projects. The first is implementing a foot golf course in Northland Park. It will be a six hole course and the board is hoping to receive donations for each of the holes. Two checks have been received to date. Killam added that the Park Board has selected a potential location for the dog park. A public meeting will be held on September 28th in the City Hall Council Chambers for residents whom want to speak. August 3, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Lastly, Killam stated the board is looking at planting prairie grass/flowers in Klinefelter Park at a cost around $4,000. The Park Board anticipates including the funding in the budget. The restoration would include ridding the park of weeds. Loso received calls regarding the foot golf course and the liability that comes with that. Loso asked if it has been run past the league. Weyrens stated that she asked the Public Works Director to contact the insurance provider. Symanietz questioned where the dog park would be located. Killam stated it would be next to the Wobegon Trail abutting a residential area. Schultz suggested the Park Board come back with a presentation to the Council with updates, current projects, and past completed projects of the past year. Facility Committee—Government Center: Symanietz reported the facility committee met and discussed the current and future needs for government center space. They discussed the building that was previously designed and bid in 2014. The building at that time would require the existing facility to be demolished with a new facility constructed on the same site. The Committee came to consensus that it would be reasonable to consider constructing that same facility on the site of Colts Academy, connect to the two facilities. In turn the existing facility could be sold to help offset the cost of the new facility. By locating all facilities at one site, services, staffing and parking could be shared. In addition, the City could recapture the money that was spent designing the facility and not have to incur relocation or demolition costs. Schultz added that the committee would like to sell the current city hall building. The idea and layout was well received by the committee. The costs would still be around $4.5 million. Staff suggested getting an appraisal of the land of the current City Hall to see what the value is. The cost of the appraisal would be between $3500 - $4000 which can be funding through the building permits. Loso was under the understanding that there was already a purchase agreement on the current City Hall building. Weyrens stated the agreement is not completed and the City was not in the position to accept. Weyrens updated the Council on the Colt's Academy Purchase. The City sent a letter to the school district regarding some issues that were found during the inspection that were not addressed in the purchase agreement. The school has not yet responded. Additionally, there are some title issues due to the number of land swaps that have taken place over the years. The purchase is still in the discovery stage. Loso asked what would happen to the bonds if the purchase falls through. Weyrens stated staff would reach out to Monte Eastvold, Northland Securities for advise as she would not want to speculate on what would happen. Weyrens added she believes the purchase will work itself out as the issues right now are minor. Schultz wants to have an open house of the property prior to school starting. Loso wants to see a financial package put together for the school purchase. EDA: Schultz reported two new businesses applied for the BFA grant, Babygiriz Boutique that will occupy the space across from Bello Cucina and Rolling Ridge Properties. The EDA granted both requests. Staff met with business owners regarding the downtown alley improvements. Only two business owners attended the meeting. Three proposals were presented with varying levels of buildout. The owners are open to a more scenic downtown, but are more concerned with having the alley paved. Timeline for alley paving would be in either 2016 or 2017. August 3, 2015 Page 3 of 3 Administrator Reports Budget 2016: Weyrens stated the budget will be presented to the Council at the next meeting. The initial budget that has been prepared is being revised as it would have an 11% increase in the tax rate. Some of the items that are driving the increase in the budget is staffing, EDA funding request and additional proportion of the fire budget. It is anticipated that the budget will be presented to the Council on August 17. Work Comp Deductible: Weyrens stated every year the City has the opportunity to review the workman's comp deductible. Currently the City has a $2500 deductible which has been working well. By choosing the higher deductible, the city will save 6%on the premium. Loso motion to approve the work comp deductible in the amount of$2,500; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Mayor Reports Schultz reported he attended the Coalition of Greater MN Cities summer conference where he listened to the state demographer's presentation. Schultz presented a map illustrating population changes throughout the state. Along the Interstate 94 corridor is where the more significant increases have taken place. The presentation also included information on the aging population in MN. The next couple of decades will see large increases in the population over age 65. This is largely due to the baby boomers generation. Retirees will increase and the labor force will see a significant decrease. New Business Symanietz stated over the weekend her daughter, who has not been in the area for over a year, returned back to St. Joseph and pointed out all the changes the City has undergone in the course of a year. Symanietz added it was interesting to see it from another person's point of view. Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 6:35 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator This page intentionally left blank