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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 [11] Nov 02 November 2, 2015 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hali, opening the meeting with the Pledge of Atlegiance. 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. Others Present: Stephanie VanBeek, Paula Eich, lan Cochran, Wade Dumont Public Comments Agenda Approval: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 4.1 Student Senate Representatives; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Consent Apenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. a. Minutes -approved the minutes of October 21, 2015 b. Bills Payable- approved payment of check numbers 049831-049870, Payroll EFT #001122-001126 c. Grant Amendment—authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute an amendment to the DEED Housing Grant extending the grant period one year to December 31, 2016, d. Premise Permit—accepted the premise permit application for the St. Joseph Lions to conduct lawful gambling at Sal's Bar, 109 MN St W. e. Pay Application—approved application for payment no. 4 to Knife River in the amount of $9,307.15 for the 2015 Bituminous Street Improvement. f. Pay Application —approved the application for payment no. 10 to Geislinger& Sons, Inc in the amount of$78,371.44 for the 2014 Main Pump Station and Collection System improvements. g. Transfers—approved the annual operating transfers as requested. Student Senate Representatives: lan Cochran, SJU Student Senate and Stephanie VanBeek, CSB Student Senate approached the Council to provide an update if activities undertaken by both Student Senates. Cochran stated that recently the Student Senates coordinated cleaning the downtown area after the Johnny Tommy football game so that downtown would be ready for the Millstream Arts Festival. The Senates are currentiy working on planning a 5K run and will work with the City staff during the planning process. Kwik Trip-Preliminary/Final Plat, Speciai Use and Variance: Weyrens stated the Planning Commission conducted a pubiic hearing in October to consider the preliminary/final plat, variance and special use permit submitted by Kwik Trip. The property was platted to clear legal titie discrepancies; the special use is being requested as all convenience stores require such by Ordinance; and the two variances are being requested, one regarding the location of the sign and the second regarding green space. With regard to the special use permit, during the public hearing concern was expressed with the car wash and if additionaf screening or landscaping could be provided to buffer the noise. Since the public hearing, the developer has added additionai trees addressing the concern. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the Council approve the requests as submitted, contingent upon meeting the engineer requirements. The recommendation for approval of the variances included a finding that the intent of the Ordinance is being met and the property owner is being held to the same standards as the adjoining property that was developed prior to the Ordinance regulations. Loso questioned if the EI Paso buiiding wiil be demolished in 2016. Wade Dumonf Kwik Trip approached the Council to address Councilmember Loso's question. Dumont stated the building will not be November 2, 2015 Page 2 of 4 demolished this year. The ciosing process wi►I not be comp(eted until the end of the year and they will need to inspect for asbestos. The goal is to have the demolition completed in February 2016. Schuitz stated the owner of the Creamery apartments attended the public hearing and were concerned about the lighting and noise. Dumont stated they have added additional landscaping trees to block some of the light and noise. Wick made a motion approving the preliminary and final plat submitted by Kwik Trip. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimousiy. Symanietz made a motion authorizing the mayor and administrator to execute the finding of fact of the Ptanning Commission granting a special use permit to aliow for the operation of a Convenience Store and a 10 foot variance on the location of the sign and a variance providing relief from the green space requirement.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Public Hearinq— Refuse Hauler Ordinance: Schultz opened the public hearing to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider establishing and implementing a refuse hauler license fee. The fee is being implemented to help offset street maintenance/repair due to the wear and tear on the roads. Weyrens stated feedback was received from West Central Sanitation who stated the average fee they see is$50.00. Currently they service 15 commercial accounts in the City as they are prohibited from serving the residential services because of the City's exclusive contract. Weyrens presented the Council with the average rates in the area and the proposed fee schedule is consistent with the surrounding area. She further stated that over 400 Minnesota cities currently have a similar license fee. As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. Wick questioned how the trucks are monitored. Weyrens stated staff will work on enforcement and notification ta the various companies. Loso made a motion authorizing the mayor and administrator to execute resolutian 2015-034 Ordinance 1013— Refuse Hauler Ordinance with the deletion of Section 1013.02 A and D. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Discussion: Wick suggested the removal of Section 1013.02 A and D. Schultz asked how the ordinance will be enforced. Weyrens state staff will send out a notice and if not complied with by the end of January, then it will be an enforcement issue to be worked through with the police. Schultz questioned if consideration is given to companies that have minor accounts in the City or pick up little refuse. Weyrens stated that it would be difficult to have tiered rates and the vehicles are still driving on the City streets. Wick made a motion authorizing summary publication of ordinance 1013 Refuse Hauler Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Committee Updates Park Board: Killam reported the Park Board discussed the development of a dog park and will be forwarding a recommendation to the Council at the next meeting. The Park Board analyzed various locations and determined the best location is the utility easement area in the Northland area adjacent to the Wobegon Trail. Thene stated the dog park will not be utilizing the entire easement location. Wick added he would like to have costs for construction as it is not in the CIP. Schee�s donated $15Q towards the foot golf course. The funds are in the account and now supplies will be ordered so in the spring everything can be installed. Schultz suggested having a grand opening of the course inviting the local businesses and residents. November 2, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Kiilam stated that he recently meet with a representative if the St. Joseph Recreation Association and they are requesting the Council approve the five year land lease. In 2016 the Association will be adding teams from Albany as they wiil no longer have adult teams. Killam stated the development of Millstream Park was discussed and further discussions will be had. Schultz suggested having priorities set on what is going to be put in Milistream. EDA: Wick reported the EDA met recently and one of the agenda items was the positon of EDA Director. The EDA unanimously recommended the City Council hire a fuli time Community Development Director. Wick stated the EDA stated that the City needs a person there more than one day a week. Wick made a motion to move forward with the hiring of the full time Community Development Director. 7he motion was seconded by Schuttz. Discussion: Loso disagrees with hiring of the Community Development Director. Loso added he does not feei the amount of work requires a full time position. Loso proposed waiting a year where it wiii not have as much impact on the budget. Symanietz agreed with Loso and would like to see the position being two-three times a week. Symanietz stated that she has done marketing and does not believe there is enough work for a full time employee. Wick stated that hiring a full time position would allow the city to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to city develapment. Killam would like to see the scope of the job description narrowed down. Killam suggested having the candidate having some background and experience in work relating to the position or experience of working with city government. Loso stated the City used to have a full time community development director and then downsized ta a person one day a week. Loso asked why the City would go back to a full time position. Wick responded that was 15 years ago, the City is in a different position at this time. Aye: Schultz, Wick Nay: Killam, Symanietz, Loso Motion Failed: 2:3 Administrator Reports Budclet Discussion: Weyrens presented the Council with an overview of the debt schedule for 2016 and the projected future schedule including proposed projects such as the City Hai�. With regard to the City Hall project, the appraisai for the current facility should be completed shortly. Wick questioned if the funds for the Community Development position can be taken out of the budget. Weyrens stated that funds will still need to be budgeted as staff does not have time to add the EDA functions. Wick questioned what the other options are for the position. Loso stated SEH is an option; however SEH is oniy available through December of this year.Weyrens added that Northiand Securities would help by project only at a rate of$200/hour. Schultz questioned Loso what on an as needed basis means, Loso stated that if the work is something that current staff cannot handle, and then it can be forwarded to the person the City chooses to help with EDA and Community Development. Loso questioned if there are any current projects that need additionai attention. Weyrens stated there are a number of projects that staff is currently working on, and there is one project that will require significant attention. Projects with property owner that have not developed consume considerable services as staff must waik them through each step. Staff currentfy does not have a lot of time to devote for this type of service; however, a full time Community Development Director would fill this role. Schultz requested that those voting nay regarding the hiring of a full time Community Development Director submit ideas for providing the service. Ideas should be submitted ta the City Administrator and the matter will be on the agenda again for the next meeting. ISD 742: Weyrens updated the Council on the status of the access issues at Kennedy Community School. Previously the City entered into an agreement whereby District 742 agreed to complete modifications to the access from the site to Jade Road. Staff has been working with District November 2, 2015 Page 4 of 4 representatives and they have yet to complete the necessary modifications and the timeframe for completion has passed. The City has not issued the certificate of occupancy as it is tied to the modifications. Due to the weather and time of year, the improvements must now wait unti(2016. Weyrens stated that she has already informed District representatives that the City will not ailow occupancy of the new portion if the improvements are not compieted. Wick questioned where the City's liability end when the City has issued a temporary certificate of occupancy knowing there are safety issues. Schuitz stated the City can make the school vacate the new classrooms untii the work is complete. He further stated that he would be meeting with the superintendent of District 742 and wiil discuss the frustration with the process and the need for the school to comply. Mayor Reports Meet& Greet: Schuitz stated he had a meet and greet and two questions came up. The first was if the water connection has been made to Resurrection Lutheran Church. People also questioned the overlay that was completed up in Northtand, stating the road is rough. CSB Senate Meetinp: Schultz reported he met with CSB Senate where it was requested to add additionai lighting further on MN Street. Levv Vote ISD 742: Schultz reminded the Councii of the referendum vote for the schooi district tomorrow, November 3` at Colt's Academy. New Business South East/West Corridor: Sabart updated the Cauncil on the status of the feasibility report for Field Street. His staff is currently working on the report and estimated the costs. As it is anticipated the project will be constructed in 2Q16, Sabart stated he would like to start the topographic survey this year, prior to the snow failing. The survey is anticipated to start in about a week if approved. Completing the survey at this time would also save costs. Loso made a mation authorizing SEH to move forward with the topographic survey of the south east/west corridor.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. AdJaurn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 PM; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. ��� u y Weyrens A ministrator