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Home My WebLink About[06b] Annual Report ADMINISTRATION Annual Report 2016 This page intentionally left blank 1 CITY COUNCIL Mayor Rick Schultz Term Expires: January 2017 Councilor & Acting Mayor Dale Wick Term Expires: January 2019 Councilor Matt Killam Term Expires: January 2019 Councilor Bob Loso Term Expires: January 2017 Councilor Renee Symanietz Term Expires: January 2017 The City Council conducted its business on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. At the first meeting each year, the City Council ratifies the Mayors appointments to the various committees and positions. ELECTION The City of St. Joseph is a Statutory City and as such the City Council members are elected during State General Elections. In 2016 residents had the opportunity to vote for the Mayor and two Council seats for seats held by Symanietz and Loso. The following is a summary of the elections with the elected positions beginning the first meeting in 2017. General Election Information Number of persons registered at 7 AM 3,341 Number registered on Election Day 926 Number Absentee Ballots 321 Total number voting 3,425 CITY ADMINISTRATION The City Administration administers city government within the guidelines of MN State Statute and city policies as established by the City Council. The City Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer for the City and reports to the Mayor and City Council. In addition, the administrator is responsible for managing the overall operation of all city departments to include: Administration, Police, Public Works, and Fire in addition to the consulting planning, legal, and engineering. The Administrator is responsible for providing overall direction and guidance for the City including, presenting the annual budget, human resource management, policy and ordinance management, collaborating with other agencies and organizations, managing the City Council Agendas, and coordinating strategic planning and visioning for the City of St. Joseph. The following tables summarize some of the activity completed by administration. The tasks completed by administration are wide ranging and include variety as well as complexity. 2 Number of City Council Meeting Packets Compiled Year City Council Regular City Council Special Committee/ Meeting’s Meetings Board Meetings 2014 16 7 43 2015 21 7 39 2016 25 5 39 Resolutions/Ordinance Amendments Ordinance Year Resolutions Amendments 2014 24 7 2015 37 3 2016 59 7 State Demographer Census Data Year Population Households 2014 6805 1881 Administrative Citations Renting w/out Year Weed Cutting License Parking Pad Other 2014 101 3 58 - 2015 30 3 - - 2016 33 0 - - Facility Reservations Year Millstream Park Centennial Park Fire Hall Wobegon 2014 32 30 46 1 2015 35 27 43 4 2016 34 25 49 4 Licensing Type 2014 2015 2016 Liquor, Intoxicating On Sale 8 9 8 Liquor, Malt 3 3 3 Liquor Off Sale 6 8 7 Special Sunday 8 7 7 Wine, on sale 2 2 2 Strong Beer 2 2 2 Amusement 7 7 7 Cigarette 7 7 8 Peddler 2 2 5 Dog 309 296 308 Gambling 5 7 6 Rental Housing 143 150 148 Rental Housing, Interim Use Permit 15 19 22 3 Permitting Type 2014 2015 2016 Compost 535 548 571 Kegs 27 22 7 Excavation 61 35 35 Watering 4 1 - Building Permit, total number 279 289 299 Building Permit, inspections (total) 856 905 1,061 Building Permit, Valuation Increase $4,861,212.70 $10,003,064.16 $37,381,882.60 FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION The Finance Department is responsible for the following support services: accounts payable; accounts receivable; payroll; cash receipting; project accounting; implementation of financial controls; budget preparation; capital improvement planning; grant administration; cash and investment management; utility billing; utility rate analysis; audit and comprehensive annual financial report; special assessments; asset management, mandated state and federal reporting; debt monitoring. Bond Rating Standards & Poor’s affirmed the City’s bond rating of A+. The rating were based on the following factors: 1) very strong budgetary flexibility, with fiscal 2013 audited reserves at 65% of the general fund expenditures; 2) very strong liquidity providing very strong cash levels to cover both debt service and expenditures; and 3) strong management conditions with good financial management policies and practices. Bond Activity The City issued General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds Series 2016A in the amount of $ 4,275,000 for the construction of the Government Center. The City also issued General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2016B in the amount of $ 740,000 for the construction of Field Street including subsurface improvements. While the Field Street Project had an estimated construction cost over $ 2,000,000, the City utilized Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds to help offset the cost. The project does include assessment revenue although most of the assessment revenue is deferred revenue as it abuts undeveloped property. Assessments typically become due when the property is developed. Tax Classifications Property Classification 2014 Assessment 2015 Assessment 2016 Assessment Payable 2015 Payable 2016 Payable 2017 Residential $ 239,167,900 Commercial $ 60,144,800 Tax Exempt $ 164,048,700 $ 169,207,000 Other $ 8,797,600 Total $ 472,153,000 $ 486,714,900 4 Donations The City of St. Joseph is fortunate to have generous service clubs and residents who made donations for various projects during 2017. The total value of donations in 2017 equaled: $55,856.61. The following is a summary of donations: Donor Purpose Donation Dean Schenk Police Training Supplies $500.00 Y2K Lions FD Farm Extrication Equip. $500.00 St. Joseph Fire Relief FD Farm Extrication Equip. $2,412.97 GM Drilling Movie in the Park $400.00 JM Oil Company Movie in the Park $400.00 Astech Corporation Movie in the Park $400.00 JKA, Attorneys At Law Movie in the Park $400.00 Omann Insurance Agency Movie in the Park $400.00 Kwik Trip Movie in the Park $400.00 C&L Excavating Movie in the Park $400.00 Russell Eyecare Movie in the Park $400.00 St. Joseph Lions Movie in the Park $400.00 Central MN Credit Union Movie in the Park $400.00 SEH Movie in the Park $400.00 Mosquito Squad Movie in the Park $250.00 City of St. Cloud Speed Trap Trailers (2) $1,000.00 Archery Country Archery Range $650.00 AgStar Financial Footgolf $200.00 William Mancy Fire Services $17.72 Muscle Car Mafia Police Services $100.00 St. Joseph Jaycees FD Thermal Camera $3,000.00 St. Joseph Fire Relief FD Thermal Camera $17,440.97 #6 Bed Slide/Painted Topper BP Machine Kwik Trip Police Operations $1,000.00 Anonymous Disc Golf $152.91 Anonymous Archery Range $377.38 Anonymous Millstream Camping $3.75 Anonymous Footgolf Open House $9.05 College of St. Benedicts Annual Donation $20,000 McDonalds Parks 100.00 American Legion #328 AED $250.00 Coborns Footgolf Open House $25.00 Y2K Lions Squad AED $466.86 GM Drilling Squad AED $1,000.00 Chris Haugen Squad AED $200.00 Rug Doctor, LLC Squad AED $800.00 Y2K Lions Squad AED $1,000.00 TOTAL DONATIONS 2017 $55,856.61 5 BUILDING CODES The Building Official is responsible for administering the MN State Building Code and the primary services include: building permit administration and plan review; building code enforcement and inspections; mechanical and plumbing enforcement and inspections; rental housing licensing and inspections and sign enforcement. All building permit applications are reviewed for zoning compliance. The table below is a summary of building permit activity. Building Permit Type (excludes Plumbing & Mechanical 2014 2015 2016 permits) Residential Dwelling Multi Family New Construction - - New Single Family – Detached 6 7 16 New Single Family – Attached - - 2 Remodel/Addition 17 16 17 Residential Accessory Accessory Building 8 10 2 Deck 11 14 13 Other 110 80 72 Total Residential – Number of Permit 149 127 104 Total Residential Market Value Increase $2,039,966.80 $1,913,228.35 $4,265,000.00 Commercial/Industrial New Construction - 2 4 Accessory Structure - - 1 Remodel/Addition - 14 13 Sign (permanent) 2 5 7 Other 35 17 17 Total Commercial/Industrial – Number of Permit 37 38 42 Total Commercial/Industrial Market Value Increase $2,753,487.00 $6,452,956.81 $26,716,819.00 Utility Billing Over 1,800 utility accounts are billed bi-monthly for the City’s utility services to include: water, sanitary sewer, storm water, refuse and street light utility. Residents have the opportunity to pay their bills via the website (41 users), automatic withdraw (160 users) and the balance of accounts are paid through the mail or use of the City payment drop box. The City has a high collection rate, collecting over 98% of the utility accounts without going through a certification process. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Dale Wick Term Expires: Council Term Rick Schultz Term Expires: Council Term Doug Danielson Term Expires: January 2018 Gary Osberg Term Expires: January 2019 Larry Hosch Term Expires: January 2023 6 The Economic Development Authority conducted is business on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM in the City Hall Conference Room with all meetings open to the public. During the calendar year, the EDA meet eleven times including two joint meetings with the St. Joseph City Council. The EDA is responsible for the maintaining, creating and developing a strategy for commercial and economic growth. The St. Joseph EDA has operated using the following four core functions: 1. Organizational Development 2. Business Development 3. Market Development 4. Infrastructure Development. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - RETENTION The existing businesses are important to the St. Joseph EDA. During 2016 ten site visits were completed and include the following: Cone Castle; Sunset manufacturing, American Manufacturing, Finken Companies, Midwest Supply & Distributing, Tamarack Materials, Best Way Fabricating, Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center, Central Canvass Manufacturing, and Tanner Systems. During the visits all the businesses indicated they were satisfied with the City and their business were enjoy being part of the local economy. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – NEW DEVELOPMENT Kwik Trip constructed a new 10, 145 SF convenience store, gas station and car wash on the former EL Paso site with an estimated construction cost of 3.5 Million. Assistance was not requested for development and the business opened in August 2016. 24 North Lofts formerly entitled Bayou Alley Flats is working towards completing the final plat that would allow for a downtown mixed use commercial and residential development Other Commercial Activities: The City approved the development of athletic fields for the College of St. Benedict. The project includes soccer, lacrosse, softall, multipurpose fields, a pavilion, concession stands, an athletic center and trials. Site work began in 2016 with construction to be completed in 2017. rd The College also received approval to make application for a new admission which be located near 3 Ave NW, repurposing property purchased form the monastery of St. Benedict. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2017 and finish late 2017. MARKETING DEVELOPMENT MAPPING: The EDA discussed an innovative mapping project and invited the St. Joseph Chamber to be a partner. The Chamber has opted to not participate in paper mapping but would be interested in helping businesses register with Google Maps so that visitors of St. Joseph could take advantage of the opportunities. 7 In an effort to increase funding for market development, the EDA researched and recommended the City Council implement a three percent lodging tax. The funds collected from the lodging tax by Statute can only be used for marketing. Therefore the EDA did discuss the pros and cons of partnering with the St. Cloud Visitors Bureau and opted to collect the funds for a short period to determine available funding and then determine the best use of the funds. As of December 31, 2016 the balance in the lodging fund is $ 8,034.00. PUBLIC FINANCIING CONSIDERATIONS The EDA considering financing applications for two senior developments, Country Manor and Fortitude Housing with each offering a different type of housing. Country Manor requested Tax Abatement in the amount of $ 505,000.00 which was approved by the City Council. Their development is multi phased encompassing 134 acres. The first phase includes 12 patio homes, 60 independent living units, 24 memory care units and ancillary commercial uses to include restaurant/coffee shop, chapel and rehab center. Construction began in 2016 and occupancy is anticipated in late 2017. Fortitude Senior Housing requested TIF in the amount of $ 530,000.00 which was approved by the City Council. The project includes a 47 unit senior aging in place apartments where services are brought to the resident as needed. Construction began in 2016 and occupancy is anticipated in mid 2017. INFRASTRUCURE DEVELOPMENT The City Council approved the construction of the eastern portion of Field Street which will extend from th College Avenue/CR 121 to 7 Ave NE. This connection will provide additional open space for future development. The EDA reached out the financial institution holding the property known as the Parkway Business Center to inquire about the extension of utilities. The institution is not interested in development; however, the EDA continues to identify this area as a primary location for future development and continue to pursue options for development. The EDA also continues to reach out to the property owners near I-94 to inquire about extending utilities but they too are not ready. The Eda will continue to monitor. 8 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK