HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 25th Minutes
May 25, 2017
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council met in joint session with St. Joseph
Township at 7:00 PM on May 25, 2017 at the St. Joseph Government Center.
St. Joseph City Council Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Troy
Gorake.
St. Joseph Township Members Present: Township Board Chair Jerome Salzer. Supervisors Mark
Thompson and RalphEiynck.
Other City/Township Representatives Present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, Township Clerk Ann
Reischl, Township Deputy Clerk Anne Jarrell. Township Planning Commission Members: Michael Koltes,
Steve Gohman.
Others Present: (Those signing in) Darrell Boulton, Cecilia Boulton, Mark Theisen, Dan Willard, Kelly
Willard, Lenny Billitzer, Barb Gillitzer, Pam Schwartz, Kevin Schloemer, Rich Pfannenstein, Virginia
Pfannenstein, Pat Schneider, Mike Schneider, Eric Essert, Al Krey, Joe Prom, Delrose Willard, Marybeth
Theisen, Jim Willard, Larry Schafer, Joe Viere, Connie Viere, Jenny Bromenschenkel, Chad
Bromenschenkel, Steve Bloch, Cheryl Bloch, Bob Guggenberger, Linda Terwey, Peter Drew, Lisa Drew,
Timothy Mader, Marilyn Mader, Roy Willard, Sandy Willard, Mark Yanta, Pat Wimmer, Doug
Fredrickson, Susan Sink, Shirley Hove, Karen Bechtold, Roger Schuler, Travis Mick, Alysia Mick, Carmie
Mick, Len Bechtold, Quentin Donabauer, Bob Ethen, Megan Ethen, Cindy Hiltner, Rob Manion, John
Forsell, Joe Braun, Tony Rassier, Marv Bierschbach, Clarence Birr, Ross Hulls, Imogene Worm, Greg
Worm, Jeff Gebhardt, Deb Gibhardt, Brian Knauss, Mark Kostreba, Roger Clausen, Diane Schneider,
David Surma, Julie Surma, David Thomas, Linda Thomas, Kevin Kennedy, Brent Bruns, Mike Hornstein,
Sandy Skuze, Loyal Skuza, Ron Theisen, Dean Hansou, Anthony Januszewski, Rose Januszewski, Jim
Kuebelbeck, Carol Kuebelbeck, Robert Oschwald, Jennifer Oschwald, Beth Vorpahl, Tony Vorpahl, Jim
Gebhardt, Lois Gebhardt, Daryl Counter, Cy Pfannenstein, Janet Pfannenstein, David Theisen, Mary
Theisen, Wilber Wilkens, Jim Nathan, Bev Nathan, Mark Nathan, Mike Boulton, Mary Warnert, Dan
Rassier, Duane Pfannenstein, Lisa Pfannenstein
Land Use Management of the OAA: St. Joseph Township Chair Jerome Salzer opened the meeting and
stated that the purpose of the meeting is to continue the discussion of developing land use regulations
for those residents impacted by the Joint Orderly Annexation Agreement. Salzer stated that he is aware
that a notice was mailed by a St. Joseph Township residents indicating that the meeting at this time
included annexation. He stated that was not accurate, the meeting at this time is to discuss who will
manage the land use applications in the OAA. Stearns County has been serving as the Zoning
Administrator and they informed the City and Township in 2016 that they could no longer fulfill that role
as MN Statute does not give them authority. In December, the City and Township agreed that the City
would fulfill the role as zoning administrator and the Board/Council needed to determine which
Ordinances applied.
Township attorney Boe Piras reaffirmed the purpose of the meeting. He clarified that the City and
Township have two agreements in place, one for annexation and one for the land use management. At
this time, the meeting has nothing to do with annexation; rather it is all about land use management
and who will fulfill the role as zoning administrator and what regulations will be applied/adopted.
May 25, 2017
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Salzer stated that they will open the floor for questions for about 15 minutes. Those speaking did not
identify themselves; however to follow is a summary of questions raised:
Residents spoke in opposition to annexation and questioned the status of the annexation as it
was unclear from the OAA as to what areas would be annexed and when.
Piras stated that the OAA identifies zones, and those zones are not being changed and
annexation is not on the table for this meeting. The meeting is purely to establish zoning
regulations and administration.
Expressed frustration that information is not readily available and they are looking for
transparency as they want to know what is going to happen to their property.
Piras again reiterated that the Township and City are not discussing annexation or the
OA Agreement. He further stated that the information presented at this meeting has
been posted on the City website and is available to anyone who wants a copy. He
agreed to have copies of the OAA available at the next Township Board meeting
including a copy of the map of impacted properties. Township Clerk Ann Reischl stated
that the agenda are posted at Sentry Bank and the St. Joseph Township Hall. She
expressed frustration that the Township conducts an annual meeting each March and no
one attends those meeting.
Suggested that the OAA should be terminated and they can remain in the Township as it is
today.
Piras reiterated that the meeting at this time is not to discuss annexation or the OA
agreement, the focus is only the zoning administration.
Mayor Rick Schultz stated that since those present have concerns for the St. Joseph Township Board, it
will not be productive to continue the Joint meeting and adjourned the St. Joseph City Council. Salzer
stated the Township will continue the meeting to discuss the concerns of the constituents.
Adjourn: The Joint meeting of the City and Township was adjourned by consensus at 7:20 PM at which
time the Township continued the meeting as a St. Joseph Township Meeting.
Jerome Salzer Rick Schultz
Chair, St. Joseph Township Mayor, City of St. Joseph