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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes August 22, 2016 Page 1 of 5 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, August 22, 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, Matt Killam, Renee Symanietz, Bob Loso. Administrator Judy Weyrens. City Representatives: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Therese Haffner, Police Chief Joel Klein Others Present: Sue Palmer, Joe Prostrollo, Jay Pomeroy, Brad Sinn, John Anderson, Mary Beth Munden Public Comments Agenda Approval: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 9b, Government Center. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. a. Minutes—approved the minutes of August 1, 2016. b. Bills Payable—approved payment of check numbers 050864-050943, Payroll EFT #001231-001242 and Accounts Payable EFT#001744-001746. C. Fire Department Grant Application —approved applying for an AgStar Financial Services grant up to $3,000 to help fund three sets of turnout gear. d. Donations—accepted the donations and their purposes as presented. e. Gambling Report—accepted the 2nd Quarter 2016 Gambling Report. f. Treasurer's Report—accepted the Treasurer's Report as presented. g. Street Closure—authorized the street closure of a portion of College Avenue, and MN Street for the Millstream Arts Festival on September 25, 2016. Planning Commission Matters Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Law: Weyrens stated the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on August 8, 2016 to consider participation in the Temporary family health care dwelling law. The purpose of the new law is to provide temporary transitional housing for a mentally or physically impaired person by allowing them to stay in a temporary dwelling on a relative's or caregiver's property. If Cities do not opt out of the law by conducting a public hearing the temporary dwellings would be allowed regardless of the Ordinance provisions. The Planning Commission supported the intent of the law but would prefer to research other options. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2016-043 adopting Opt-Out Ordinance 520.73. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Interim Use Permit, Cory Ehlert—29 MN ST E: Weyrens reported that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on August 8, 2016 to consider issuing a new IUP to Cory Ehlert to operate a non owner occupied rental unit in the B1 Zoning District without a commercial component. In 2010 Ehlert purchased the property and the rental license had lapsed as it had been vacant for over one year. In that same year, Cory Ehlert purchased the property and applied for an Interim Use Permit which was granted for 3 years. Since then, the permit has been renewed once for an additional three year period. When it was renewed in 2013 the Planning Commission clarified that the permit could not be renewed and the property must meet the Ordinance requirements. Ehlert approached the Planning Commission in July August 22, 2016 Page 2 of 5 2016 and stated that he did not have commercial interest in the property and requested authorization to seek a new interim use permit. Schultz stated the Planning Commission recommended the Council issue an IUP for a period of two years. Loso stated he would be okay with reissuing an IUP, but would limit the term to one year. Loso added he has not seen any marketing of the property for office space and is hoping the one year term would motivate the property owner. Loso made a motion accepting the Findings of Fact as recommended by the Planning Commission changing the term to one year rather than the recommended two years issuing an IUP to allow a non owner occupied rental without the property containing a commercial component. The IUP will expire on August 14, 2017. The motion was seconded by Wick; motion carried. Aye: Schultz, Symanietz, Loso, Wick Nay: Killam Motion Carried: 4:1 PUD Amendment, College of Saint Benedict: Weyrens stated the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to consider an amendment to the CSB PUD approved in 2011. In 2004 submitted a preliminary plat for 90± acres located adjacent to CR 121/College Avenue south of Callaway and north of the proposed Field Street. At the time of platting the College was seeking approval to final plat four acres for the construction of a president's residence. The remaining parcel would be left as an outlot and future plans included athletic fields, housing and potentially office or multi use buildings. When the plat was approved an agreement was executed between the College of St. Benedict and Stearns County whereby the driveway for the president's residence would be allowed to access CR 121 until the south collector is built. The College approached the City again in 2011 requesting preliminary and final plat approval for the remaining acreage with a concept plan that included housing for both college and private development, a welcome center for the College and athletic fields. A development agreement was executed defining the development and terms including how plans could be modified and when a public hearing would be required. This agreement also referred to the agreement from 2004 regarding access to the south collector. The City received a PUD amendment to the 2011 Agreement as the plans for the athletic fields increased the number of structures, requiring a public hearing. Based on this the Planning Commission conducted a hearing on August 8 and recommended the Council approve the PUD Amendment and relieve the CSB of the requirement to create a second access to the south collector, known as Field Street. The College had indicated during the public hearing that they do not anticipate significant traffic as the athletic fields will be used primarily by the students and they are already on campus. As an alternative CSB provided an enhanced trail that could be used as a southerly access in the event of an emergency. The Planning Commission also considered timing for field lighting and recommended they are turned off by 10:00 PM. The Planning Commission did not review the proposed final plat since they typically just review preliminary plats while final plats go directly to the Council. Wick questioned why the Planning Commission felt that only one access was needed. Schultz stated discussions were had regarding the amounts of traffic and that there will only be impacts when events are held. Loso believes it is a safety issue with too many access points on County Road 121. Weyrens stated staff recommendations for two access points was to remain consistent with what is and has been required from other developments. Loso believes a bottleneck scenario would be created with one access point and that two means of ingress/egress would be able to regulate traffic more efficiently. Sabart stated the August 22, 2016 Page 3 of 5 distance between the two access points would be about 1,000 feet. Schultz stated the Planning Commission came up with a middle ground to where approval is granted and if any issues arise they can be dealt with at that time. Police Chief Joel Klein submitted a letter to the Council expressing concern as the Emergency Services Director. He stated that in an emergency one access will not be a safe situation and he would recommend the City remain consistent and require both accesses. Weyrens reminded the Council that the one access provided services the 124 rental units as well as the athletic fields. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2016-044 approving the PUD plan entitled College 4th Addition with the following contingencies: 1. Full access must be provided to Field Street as originally intended. 2. The lights and audio must cease at 10:00 PM; but can be extended administratively for special events. The motion was seconded by Wick; motion carried. Aye: Wick, Symanietz, Killam, Loso Nay: Schultz Motion Carried: 4:1 Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Development Agreement and Final Plat entitled College 4th Addition. The motion was seconded by Symanietz; motion carried. Aye: Wick, Symanietz, Killam, Loso Nay: Schultz Motion Carried: 4:1 Field Street: Sabart reported the State's Plan Review comments on Field Street were received and resubmittal to the state will be completed this week. The comments were minor and the City should be able to advertise for bids within two weeks. Park Board: Park Board Chair John Anderson presented the Council with projects they would like completed in 2017. The Park Board has spent over a year coming up with plans for Millstream Park. The projects for completion would be the Dog Park, a new Millstream Park Shelter, and Child Playground. The number one priority of the Board is the new park shelter. Shelter renderings were completed through Out Source Architecture. The Park Board approved the renderings and requested engineer blueprints to be completed. The request for the Council is for the amount of$525,000 which includes building cost, fire place, picnic tables, demolition of old building, and gravel. The amount does not include any donations that will be received from service organizations. Schultz questioned how much storage is available at the facility. Anderson stated he does not know the amount of storage. Anderson stated the Park Board has identified a space for a dog park, but there could be issues with how wet the area gets. The costs for the dog park include $20,000 for the fencing and $10,000 for staff time to get the park in working condition. Mary Beth Munden, St. Joseph Dog Park Group approached the Council stating that fundraising is already in the works. Munden added she has a list of about 100 people that would be willing to donate once a location is finalized. Munden stated that it is not going to be a one-time fundraiser, but something that will be ongoing. Anderson added users would be asked to pay a fee of$10.00 to use the park. The fee will not be mandatory. In addition the donation box from the camp ground will be repurposed and used at the dog park. August 22, 2016 Page 4 of 5 Anderson stated in 2010, $30,000 was spent on playground equipment for Centennial. The Board is estimating $40,000 for new playground equipment at Millstream Park. Another item discussed was a potential Amphitheater which would cost between $150,000 - $200,000. The Park Board is requesting $150,000 to budget for the 2018 project. The amphitheater would be in Millstream Park as well. Lastly, the Park Board is requesting that the council allocate $20,000 for parking lot improvements in the East Park in order to start trail developments in that area. 2017 Budget: Weyrens presented the Council with an updated budget presentation. The overall levy indicates a large increase due primarily to the Government Center levy. If that were removed tax levy would be reduced. The City Council has not determined the amount of Sales Tax proceeds that will be used for the Government Center and based on the proposed draft budget, if$ 90,000 in sales tax proceeds were allocated to the levy, the tax impact would be approximately 2% or about$ 39.36 on a $ 200,000 valued home. The department heads did a greatjob at keeping the budget as efficient as possible with the large impact the potential of hiring the 9th officer through the COPS program, increasing the maintenance budget for sealcoating and additional costs for recreation programming. Weyrens stated that the reports provided to the Council include capital projects by department as well as funding source. The next budget meeting will include general operation and CIP with the anticipation of adopting the preliminary levy. Administrator Reports 2016 Fire Contract:Weyrens stated staff had met with the Fire Board to review the first draft of the proposed fire contract. Loso stated the Fire Board had been discussing the contract as St. Joseph Township is losing land value due to Waite Park annexation. The loss of land mass will shift the fire costs to the City and to St. Wendel Township. The Fire Board indicated that they would like to find a method whereby a jurisdiction that loses a land mass would be required to phase out of the financial impact, reducing the impact to the other jurisdictions. Based on estimated numbers the impact of the upcoming annexation in Waite Park will shift approximately$11,000, with the City being responsible for$8,000. When questioned about ownership of equipment,Weyrens stated that St. Joseph Township has owners based on the percentage of contribution and St. Wendel does not have any ownership as they are a contract partner. The Fire Board also expressed concerns with the allocation of the donation received by the Monastery. The Fire Board received $5,000 of the donation which proportionately makes sense. There is the fear that the City will keep the entire donation without allocating any to the Fire fund. Weyrens stated the Fire Board will be meeting in September to finalize the agreement. Schultz questioned if St. Joseph Township or St. Wendel Township could contract fire services from another department. Weyrens stated St. Wendel Township could go to St. Stephen, but the majority of their residents live closest to St. Joseph. It would not be beneficial to use another department as the response time will be slower and the homeowners insurance will increase due to the reduced response time. General consensus of the Council is to move forward with the draft agreement presented for a term of three years. Government Center: Weyrens stated the government center sign has been designed and the total cost for the sign is estimated not to exceed $ 60,000. The sign was reduced in size to bring down the cost. At this time if the City desires to move forward with a digital monument sign, authorization for the August 22, 2016 Page 5 of 5 expenditure would be required. Killam questioned if the sign could be used for advertisement to which Weyrens indicated yes. Loso made a motion authorizing staff to execute the change order approving the government center sign at a cost not to exceed $ 60,000. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Mayor Reports: Schultz stated the EDA meeting is canceled this week. Chief Klein stated the St. Joseph Lions and St. Joseph Jaycees are having an appreciation picnic for the St. Joseph Police Department and Fire Department from 5-7 PM. The public is invited as well. Symanietz stated the grand opening of Kwik Trip is Thursday, August 25th. Ribbon cutting will be on August 30th from 12-2pm. Admiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator August 29, 2016 Page 1 of 1 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on Monday, August 29, 2016 at 7:30 AM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors: Dale Wick and Matt Killam. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Absent: Renee Symanietz, Bob Loso. City Representatives: Finance Director Lori Bartlett Agenda Approval: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. a. Government Center— Draw No. 5: Approved the payments to contractors for the Government Center in the amount of$ 429,999.84 as recommended by RA Morton. Country Manor Tax Abatement: Weyrens presented the Council with the final documents regarding the tax abatement for Country Manor. The maximum tax abatement for the City is $ 505,000 and it is anticipated that the abatement will extend 12 to 14 years depending on the market values. Wick questioned if all the processes are complete at this time. Weyrens stated that the City conducted the public hearing for the utilization of Tax Abatement on June 20, 2016, however, since that participation of the School District was unknown, action was tabled to a later date. Killam questioned the abatement amount for District 742 to which Weyrens responded $ 145,000. Schultz questioned if additional partners can be added at this time as he would be willing to re-address with Stearns County. Weyrens stated that at this time it is too late, the process is complete and the project is moving forward with an anticipated ground breaking on Thursday, September 1, 2016. Wick made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2016-046 Approving Property Tax Abatements, Approving Tax Abatement Agreement and Assignment and Subordination of Tax Abatement Agreement and Authorizing the Execution Thereof. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. Admiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 AM; seconded by Killam and passed unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator