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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] November 16th Minutes November 16, 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, November 16, 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. Administrator Judy Weyrens. City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Police Chief Joel Klein. Others Present: Paula Eich, MaryBeth Munden, Tom Klein, Logan Gruber, Mark Thompson Public Comments Agenda Approval: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. a. Minutes- approved the minutes of November 2, 2015 b. Bills Payable - approved payment of check numbers 049871-049922, Payroll EFT #001127-001131 and Accounts Payables EFT#001711-001712. C. Agreement Release—authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute an agreement release for a document recorded in 1974 regarding special assessments for sections of Loso's 3rd Addition. d. Gambling Report—accepted the 3rd Quarter Gambling report as presented. e. Donations—Accepted the following donations: Anonymous $502.15 (Disc Golf, Camping, Archery) and Scheels- $150.00 for foot golf. f. Treasurer Report—accepted the October 2015 Treasurer Report as presented. g. Liquor License—authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute an off sale/on sale Sunday liquor license for Bad Habit Brewing. John Anderson, Dog Park Presentation: Park Board Chair, John Anderson approached the Council presenting the options for dog park placement within the City. Anderson stated each of the park board members rated all the parks within the city and selected which was most suitable for the dog park location. The park board held a public hearing to allow for resident feedback on the proposed dog park. The drainage easement location in the Northland area obtained the highest scores and the park board recommended the site be approved by the City Council first as a Park and second allow the Park Board to complete a design for a dog park on a portion of the easement area. Wick questioned what the public feedback included. Anderson stated that the Park Board posted and conducted a public accepting public input. Anderson added that the majority of adjoining property owners opposed the location of the dog park. Others were in favor of the site and some were in favor of just having a dog park within the city limits. Anderson noted most of the concerns were that the park was going to take up the entire location. The criteria for the dog park matrix included parking, restrooms, conflict with current park use, pedestrian access, safety, size, potential to expand, and conflict with neighbors. Loso noted that the site being recommended by the Park Board was the only site that had a conflict with neighbors. Wick stated he went to the site and is unsure of the layout and whether it would work for the dog park and questioned the amount of staff time the park would consume. Thene stated that maintenance time would consist of grooming the area and installing the woodchips. Thene added there would not be a lot of staff time but regardless of which site is chosen, staff time would be needed. Anderson added that there is a coalition that has formed that will provide funding and maintenance assistance to include preparing the site. November 16, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Wick stated he is not in favor of the site adding it is too close to the Wobegon Trail, there is no water access, and the grass is too high to accommodate smaller sized dogs. Loso questioned if any other sites have been looked at besides within the parks. Loso suggested exploring other places such as the land by the new water treatment plant. Killam stated the Park Board is looking for approval to have the dog park in the drainage easement. The Dog Park group will be fundraising for the park, rather than the funds coming from the City and/or Park Board budget. Thene stated that the property cannot be used for much else and it was not meant to be a groomed area. Schultz stated that greater than 50% of people have a dog and many residents of cities expect to have a dog park within their respective community. Thene estimates the cost to be around $2,500 to get water to the park. Killam noted that Sartell has a large dog park right now that does not have water. Killam made a motion to approve the drainage easement in the Northland area as the location for the dog park. The motion was seconded by Schultz. Discussion: Wick questioned the lack of information provided to the Council in order to approve the dog park. Wick agrees the City needs a dog park, but does not agree with the location. Anderson stated the Park Board did not want to go into further details without having a location. Schultz stated he would like additional detail as well regarding the layout and costs. Killam made a motion amending the previous motion to include approval of the drainage easement as the location of the dog park contingent upon additional details being provided including the layout and costs. The motion was seconded by Schultz. Ayes: Schultz, Killam Nays: Wick, Symanietz, Loso Motion Failed: 2:3 City Engineer Reports: Sabart reported that at the last Council meeting Mayor Schultz reported that he had been in contact with a resident who expressed concern with the quality of the improvements in the Northland area. Sabart stated that neither he nor Thene have seen any issues with the new paving areas. Sabart added that the contract will be held over into 2016, so if any discrepancies come up, they can be addressed by staff. Community Development Director: Weyrens stated at the last meeting the motion to hire a full time Community Development Director failed and the Mayor requested that those voting nay should provide suggestions on how the EDA services would be provided. Weyrens stated that since the last meeting no suggestions have been received. Symanietz suggested the City consider hiring an intern and then budget later for a full time employee. Killam questioned the knowledge level of an intern and the amount of staff time that would be required to train an intern. Killam noted after reviewing the position and speaking with area cities, he would be for the full time position contingent upon a few things: The Community Development Director would need to report directly to the City Administrator, the City Council would need to be involved in the hiring process with the final three candidates, the CDD would assist with any larger projects coming to the City, and City Staff would help train the new hire. Killam made a motion to approve the hiring of the full time Community Development Director based on the feedback and requirements as noted in the new job description. The motion was seconded by Wick. Discussion: Killam stated his main concern was how the previous job description was worded. Killam noted that the position will do more than just EDA work and will be involved in the planning aspects of the City as well. Killam added the position would greatly help the Community Center. Schultz questioned if the EDA goals would still be made by the EDA. Weyrens stated the EDA and Council would work together to come up with the goals. November 16, 2015 Page 3 of 3 Loso stated he would like to have the Council look at the past, present, and future as far as costs of the City. Loso added that the government center will also have a significant impact on the tax statements. He further expressed frustration with reversing a previous Council action and encouraged the Council to uphold the original vote. Loso questioned whether the new position will be laid off in future years due to the continued increases in taxes. Symanietz stated an intern would be the best option as there are a lot of interns looking for jobs and it would be a good way to see if a full time position is needed. Ayes: Schultz,Wick, Killam Nayes: Loso, Symanietz, Motion Approved: 3:2 Finance Reports Fee Schedule Draft 2016: Weyrens reported the public hearing for the 2016 Fee Schedule will be held at the December 7 meeting. Provided to the Council is the draft fee schedule illustrating the fees for 2016. Some of the changes include increases in the liquor license fees, increases in the Fire Hall Rental, and increases in the rental housing rates. Utility rates will be addressed once numbers are received from the utility rate study. Wick questioned the increase in building permits. Weyrens stated the City has not been charging for the actual cost inspections such as fence permits and roofing, which resulted in the rate increase. Enterprise Budget, 2016: Weyrens stated the Council approved the preliminary general fund budget and capital equipment plan. The enterprise funds include services for water, sewer, refuse/compost, storm water, and street light utilities. Included in the packet are the engineer's project CIP and the Enterprise equipment requests. Sabart noted the Engineer CIP included new rankings of the top 5 most needed projects. The five include the following: the Southern E/W Corridor Construction College to Elena, Street overlays on Old Hwy 52, 4th Ave SE, and Pond View Ridge, CBD Alley Improvements, Water Treatment Plant 1 Media and Tank Reconditioning, and CIPP Improvements on 1St Ave NE. Schultz questioned what the next steps will be for the CBD Alley Improvements. Weyrens stated that a meeting with the property owners will be established for continued input. Mayor Reports Schultz reported on the following: • Schultz reported he will be meeting with Superintendent Willie Jett regarding Kennedy and Colt's Academy. • CMGC: The fall conference was this past week including water quality changes that will need to be made to comply with state regulations. • Rebecca Otto, the state auditor, presented a program that can show the conditions of sewer and water piping in cities throughout Minnesota. Otto is hoping to take it to the next level to include streets. • Community Center Open House: Schultz reported there were about a dozen people that came to check out the building. Schultz added there will be another open house as well as further meetings to see what residents would like to have at the facility. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:05 PM; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator This page intentionally left blank