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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 [05] May 02May 2, 2016 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, May 2, 2016 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, Renee Symanietz, Matt Killam, Bob Loso. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Citv Reqresentatives: City Enginesr Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Sartlett, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Community Development Director Therese Haffner. Others Present: Mark Bromenschenkel, Lisa Meyer, Qevan Meyer, Kim Poganski Public Comments: No one present wished to speak. Aaenda Apqroval: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with addition of items 8c Closure of a portion of Callaway St, and 8d Cops Grant; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present by those present. Consent Apenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously by those present. a.Minutes- approved the minutes of April 18, 2016 b.Bills Payable-approved payment of check numbers 050461-050518, Payroll EFT 001188-001193 and Accounts Payables EFT#001732. c.Ordinance Amendments—authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2016-010 authorizing summary publication for amendments to the following ordinances: Ordinance 306, Cable Communication; Ordinance 401 Municipal Water System; Ordinance 806 Unreasonable Acceleration; and the creation of Ordinance 610 Lodging Tax; and ordinance 615 Portable Storage and Mobile Food Vendors. d.Fee Schedule Amendment—Adopted the proposed 2016 fee schedule amendment. e.Government Center Draw No. 1 —Authorized payment to contractors listed in draw#1 for the Government Center Project. f. Lot Split Request—Authorized execution of the Certificate of Compliance creating the redefined parcels. Public Hearinq, Outdoor Events: Schultz opened the public hearing and Weyrens stated that Sal's Bar and American Burger Bar have applied for an outdoor liquor events which extend beyond 10:00 PM; therefore a public hearing was published and abutting property owners have been notified. As of this time Weyrens stated that she has not received any neighborhood concerns. Both establishments have had similar events in 2015 and the Police Department did not encounter any difficulties. As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing for both events. Symanietz made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Outdoor Permit for American Burger Bar for an event to be held on June 4,2016 with the following conditions as identified by the Police Chief: double snow fence will be provided at entrance; music must end no later than 10:30 PM; the stage must face north (away from the residential district); the area must be clean no later than 8 AM June 5; emergency exit must be staffed by employees. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Symanietz made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Outdoor Permit for Sal's Bar for an event to be hetd on June 25, 2016 with the following conditions as identified by the Police Chief: double snow fence will be provided around the perimeter and the alley will be barricaded; music must end no later than 10:30 PM; one futl time police officer shall be on site during the permit period; the area must be clean no later than 8 AM June 26. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. May 2, 2016 Page2of4 Committee Reports Park Board: Killam reported the Park Board has been focused on items at Millstream Park including the Lion's Shelter. The blue prints for the shelter have already been drafted and the Park Board will present the concept in August. May 14th there will be t-ball, softball, and football registration from 9-11 AM at the Millstream fields. Kids ranging from 5-12 are eligible to register. Killam stated the foot golf project came in at$200 over budget; however an additional sponsor was found which will provide additional revenue for the project. Killam has been working with Mary Bruno on artwork to include on signs throughout the course. Killam stated the Park Board is looking at advertising for sponsoring a park and/or sponsoring a tree. Another item currently being discussed is having an annual awards ceremony where community members will be recognized for their contributions to the parks throughout the City. Parks Description Flyer: The Park Board is working on compiling a park guide for residents explaining where the parks are and what is available at each park. Schultz stated he was approached by members of the Lions regarding the reconfiguration of the buildings in Millstream. Killam stated the Park Board is working on it and hoping to provide the information by August. Administrator Reports Chanqe of Pollinq Locations: Weyrens stated that with the election approaching, staff has been reviewing the adequacy and availability of the current polling locations. Precinct 1 has been located at the Kennedy Community and has expressed concern over the past years regarding security. With all the school tragedies using the facility for elections make the school vulnerable as they lose control of the access. !n addition in fall,the school will most likely still be working on the revised access, making access to the polling place difficult. Therefore, staff is considering using the Co(lege of St. Benedict for precinct one. Precinct two is currently located at the Community Fire Hall and that site has become too small. Therefore, staff has looked at Heritage Hall and have inquired if the Army facility would be available. At this time we have not heard back from the Army but Heritage Hall is available. In the future the City will hold one of the precincts in the new government center, but due to the construction it would not work for this year. The deadline for designating polling locations is May 9; therefore staff is requesting authorization to establish new precincts with one being at the College of St. Benedict and the other at either Heritage Hall or the Army Reserve Facility. Loso made a motion authorizing execution of resolution 2016-012 establishing the polling locations for the 2016 General Election. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Government Center Update:Weyrens stated that the Government Center is progressing ahead of schedule. Public Works Director Thene stated the footings have been laid, the deep plumbing work has been installed, and now the interior footings can be installed. Thene also stated the water main has been looped, sanitary sewer and water are also installed. Callawav St Closure: Weyrens stated the Old Glory Run is taking lace in St. Joseph this year and they are requesting close Callaway Street from College Avenue S to 4t Avenue SE. Klein stated the run will start at 9:30 AM until around Noon. The week prior to the run, flyers will be handed out to residents along the run trail alerting them the run will be taking place. Schultz made a motion authorizing the closure of Callaway St E from College Ave. S to 4 h Ave on May 21, 2016. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. May 2, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Con4ressman Emmer: Schultz introduced members of the City and Counci!to Congressman Emmer. Emmer stated he has been in office for 15 months as Minnesota's 6th Congressionaf District Representative. In 2004, he ran for a Minnesota State Legislative Seat, taking office in 2005. Emmer stated he does not know many congressmen whom after being elected, have come back to the local governments of the communities they represent. Emmer stated he ran on customer service, interacting with the peop{e he would work for. The office of a congressman does many different things. Emmer stated his office facilitated over 2,000 capital visits, responding to over 42,000 letters and emails. Emmer held 14 town hafl meetings. Emmer also has caseworkers handling different issues throughout the district closing 230 files last year. Emmer stated last year was the first time in over a decade that a long range transportation bill had been passed at the federal level. The 5 year bill will prioritize projects on Interstate 94 and Highway 10. The bill is a step in the direction allowing states to allocate the funding for the project. Emmer stated he has a bill in to the Legislature requesting the post office at St. John's University be renamed to the Eugene McCarthy Post Office. Emmer opened the discussion up for questions by the Council. Wick questioned how the Transportation Block Grant is administered. Emmer stated it will go to the Minnesota Department of Transportation which is going to empower MnDOT to send out funds to local autharities. Emmer stated he is unsure how MnDOT will administer the funds. Kim Poganski, St. Joseph Chamber President: Poganski questionsd what Emmer's thoughts are on bringing mass transportation to the district. Emmer stated mass transportation is bigger than the light rail and that we need to look at the demographics of the area. Emmer's main focus has been roadways and bridges. All transportation is important. Mass transit will depend on what type of transportation, what is the cost, and will the cost outweigh the benefit. Schultz stated he is the chair of the APO and they have been working with BNSF to extend the Wobegon from St. Joseph to Waite Park for the past couple of decades. Schultz hopes for Emmer's support with getting the extension completed. Emmer stated he does know that BNSF holds all the cards and hopes that they will be flexible, however; Emmer believes the issue is the dollar amount BNSF has set on the right of way that would need to be accessed to construct the trail extension. Schultz stated the requirements of water quality required by the state has resulted in increased water bills for residents. Schultz questioned how the federal government gets involved on the water quality issue. Emmer stated the water in Minnesota is better than what it was in 1972 and because of a law that was passed in 2007 that, to some, has unreasonable requirements. Emmer believes the state Legislature really needs to take a look at water regulations. Emmer stated the water issues are not something that is worked on at the federal level. Emmer stated we have been taught that there are three equal branches to Government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Emmer added Government is designed so that the Legislative is the most powerful branch, the Executive is the second most powerful because it can stop things from happening, and the Judicial, the weakest, is supposed to weigh on the laws. Loso questioned if Emmer would be able to work with Donald Trump when he becomes President. Emmer stated he is not so much worried about who will be President as much as he is worried about Congress regaining its designated power. Lisa Meyer, 27— 17 h Ave SE: Meyer stressed her concerns regarding student loan debt and if there are any programs at the Federal level that are being developed to help reduce the debt burden facing students and family's today. Emmer stated student loans are a problem that everyone should own, not just the school to include the parents and students. Currently, the Republicans have proposed that the May 2, 2016 Page 4 of 4 interest rates cannot fluctuate and that people need to be real consumers when choosing which school, and what the costs and values are of each school. Administrator Reports (Continued) Coqs Grant:Weyrens stated there is an opportunity to apply for a Cops Grant which would fund a full time police o cer for three years at 75%. Based on MN Statute, the Council would need to approve submittal of the application. Weyrens clarified that the action at this meeting would only allow staff to prepare the application and the Council would have to accept if funded. Loso questioned the timing of the grant and when the funds are awarded. Weyrens stated that, like last year, funds are awarded in September before the City wou(d finalize the budget. Loso made a motion authorizing staff to proceed with completing and submitting the application for the Cops Grant.The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Mayor Reports Countv Manor: Abatement has been applied for with the County's Tax Abatement Committee, whose recommendation will go to the board. APO: Six applicants were received for an APO Director, which will be narrowed down to three. The deadline is to have a candidate in place by the end of May. New Business Schultz questioned what was discussed at the Intergovernmental Meeting.Weyrens stated different topics were discussed as well as area City priorities. Adfourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:00 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator