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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes, August 7 August 7, 2017 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 Monday, August 7, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge of allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke, Administrator Judy Weyrens. Members Absent: Matt Killam Others Present: Dave Demars, Casey Black, Monte Eastvold, Craig Vaughn City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Joel Klein, Public Works Director Terry Thene Public Comments: No one present wished to speak Approve Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present. a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of July 17, 2017. b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 052345-052418, Payroll EFT #001379-001390 and Accounts Payables EFT #001792. c. Treasurer’s Report – Accepted the July 2017 treasurer’s report as presented. nd d. Gambling Report – Accepted the 2 Quarter 2017 Gambling Report as presented. f. Application for Payment No. 6 – Approved Work Order No. 2 and Application for Payment No. 6 in the amount of $336,652.20 to Douglas-Kerr Underground, LLC. g. Transfers – Authorized the operating transfers as presented. Discussion: e. Tax-Forfeited Lots Re-Assessed – Allowed costs to be reassessed on tax-forfeited lot sales to be at a term of 0% and up to a 5 year payment period. Loso questioned why the item is on the agenda. Weyrens stated the majority of foreclosed lots have outstanding assessments and the City has heard that if the buyer has to pay the assessment, they push the lot prices to high. Therefore, the City in the past has allowed the assessments to be placed over a five year period at 0% interest. The City is foregoing the assessment, just not collecting interest. Loso made a motion to approve item 4e, Tax Forfeited Lots Re-Assessed. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Bond Sale, Northland Securities: Financial Advisor Monte Eastvold presented the Council with the proposed bond sale for the 2017A GO Capital Improvement Bonds (Government Center) and 2017B GO Bonds (CBD Alley Improvement). The capital improvement bonds is gap financing for the Government Center. The Government Center financing included the anticipated sale of the former City Office in the amount of $ 500,000. As the building has yet to sell, the funding for the Government Center has a gap of $ 500,000. The 2017A Capital Improvement Bond is structured so that it can be paid in full at anytime without penalty. Therefore, when the City Hall sells the proceeds will be used to expire the debt. The second issue, 2017B GO Bonds funds the CBD Alley Improvement project. The project has been final assessed and the bond issue has been sized on the project cost less the prepaid assessments. The term of the bond is 10 years. Due to the small size of the bond issues, Eastvold requested quotes from financial institutions. This method is effective when the issue is small, avoiding some of the issuance fees. The proposal before the Council at this time is from the Granite Community Bank in Cold Spring offering an average interest rate of 2.75% for the Series A Bond and 2.59% for the series B bond. Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2017-044 providing for the issuance and sale of $337,000 general obligation capital improvement plan August 7, 2017 Page 2 of 5 bonds, series 2017A and levying a tax for the payment thereof; and authorizing the execution of the contract between the City of St. Joseph and Granite Community Bank. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2017-045 providing for the issuance and sale of $697,000 general obligation bonds, series 2017B, pledging for the security thereof special assessments and net revenues and levying a tax for the payment thereof; and authorizing the execution of the contract between the City of St. Joseph and Granite Community Bank. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Weyrens presented the Council with an amended resolution adopting the interest rate for the assessments. She stated that the Council adopted the assessment role with the verbiage that the interest rate for the assessment will be 2% above the bond rate. Since the Council has issued the bonds, Weyrens requested the Council adopt a an admended resolution clarifying the interest rate of the assessments will be 4.75%. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute resolution 2017-020A amending the assessment rate for the 2017 CBD Alley Improvements to 4.75%. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. SRF – Final Report, Pedestrian Study: Craig Vaughn with SRF Consulting approached the Council to present the final Pedestrian Study Report. Vaughn reminded the Council that SRF has been retained by the St. Cloud APO in collaboration with the City of St. Joseph and Stearns County to review alternative for safe pedestrian crossing over CSAH 75. The purpose of the pedestrian crossing study was to understand existing conditions, evaluate the feasibility of ways to improve safe pedestrian and bicyclist crossing of CSAH 75, and enhance at-grade crossing treatments and grade separated concepts. The ththth study focused on 5 crossings: College Avenue, 4 Avenue, 12 Avenue, 20 Avenue, and a grade separated location. The key issues identified in the study included: lack of grade-separated crossing, high speeds on CSAH 75, lack of or gap in sidewalk connectivity, the close proximity of Cedar Street to the thth CSAH 75/4 Avenue intersection, and the pedestrian walk time to cross CSAH 75 at the 12 avenue crossing. th  Grade separated crossing: The recommendation is to have the crossing near the 4 avenue intersection. The crossing would be accessible to all pedestrians st  At grade crossing/1 Avenue – no recommendations to improve as it does not meet any pedestrian traffic requirements.  At grade crossing/College Avenue – no recommendations th  At grade crossing/4 Avenue – recommend a phased approach for at grade improvements; then construct grade-separated crossing if funding becomes available. Enhance the north/south crossing with marked crosswalks, construction of a pedestrian refuge island, push buttons, up to date ADA requirements, and traffic stop bars. th  At grade crossing/12 Avenue – recommendations include relocating marked crosswalk to align through center median, increase pedestrian walk time clearance, and installation of push button activators. th  At grade/20 Avenue – recommendations include either removing the pedestrian push buttons and install no pedestrian crossing signage; or option two is to make the intersection compliant with current requirements. Schultz questioned if there is anything the City can do to encourage pedestrians crossing at College st Avenue as opposed to 1 Avenue. Vaughn stated the only way to completely prevent pedestrian traffic at st 1 Avenue is to close the intersection as well as install an additional physical barrier. Regarding the College Avenue intersection, Schultz questioned the amount of time allowed for pedestrians to cross. Schultz felt the crossing time was too short especially for senior citizens. Vaughn stated when the pedestrian button is pushed the walk time allowed is 3 feet per second which takes into consideration the senior citizen population as well. Vaughn added if the push button is not activated, the crossing time will be shorter. August 7, 2017 Page 3 of 5 th City Engineer, Randy Sabart, questioned if the alignment of the crossing near 4 Avenue NE is set in stone or can it be shifted to the east to avoid some conflicts. Casey Black, SRF Engineer stated the alignment is not set in stone and there are options; however, due to the topography and drainage the shift is somewhat limited. Black added that the southern access to the crossing could be narrowed down to have one access point rather than two to create additional room for the pond. Black added the box culvert is currently designed to be 12’ wide and 10’ tall, however, it can be made smaller. Black suggested building the culvert to allow for emergency vehicles to pass through. Schultz questioned the next step in the study process, to which Vaughn stated he will incorporate the comments from this meeting into the study and make a final presentation to the St. Cloud APO and final report will then be provided to the City. 2018 Budget Discussion: Weyrens reminded the Council that the first step in the budget process is to review and discuss the Engineer CIP. Staff has reviewed the CIP and identified the top five priorities for discussion purposes. The projects identified include: Industrial Park (create shovel ready lots); generator th for Baker Street lift station; Minnesota Street Streetscape; welcome signs; and 16 Ave Improvements. Staff is seeking feedback from the council on their concerns and/or visions on infrastructure needs. The City Council and EDA have previously identified the creation of shovel ready industrial lots as a high priority. Wick and Schultz agreed that the Industrial Park is a priority but it also needs to be development driven. Loso stated he would want the second phase of the CBD alley improvements on the CIP for a 2018 project. The City started the project in 2017 be reconstructing Block 9 and Block 12 and he would like to see the next two blocks east be completed in 2018. When questioned as to the condition of the sections referred to by Loso, Public Works Director Terry Thene stated that some of the alley is failing but can be patched. In addition, two of the alleys are dirt and would require some additional work. Wick cautioned the Council on identifying a project for 2018 that has yet to make it in the CIP. The purpose of the CIP is to identify the needs and prioritize the improvement. He supports adding the project to the CIP, but does not think it is prudent to potentially fund a project that has not been discussed or identified as a need. Wick questioned if improvements on the CIP can be moved from year to year as certain years have more projects than others. He would like to see the CIP balanced between years to avoid large spikes. Sabart stated the projects can be moved if the Council chooses. Regarding the City’s welcome sign project, Loso stated if the signs were placed today than they would need to be moved again if the City expands. Schultz stated he is okay with keeping the sign in the 2018 CIP. Weyrens suggested designing and locating the signs in 2018 and then have the construction completed in 2019. Sabart stated the grant for the Parkway Business Center could range from $500,000 - $800,000. Loso stated the City needs the grant in order to move forward. Schultz agreed adding the City would also need a developer to help with the costs of expansion. Sabart suggested that if the Council would like to move forward with an alley improvement, consideration should be given to ordering the feasibility report. Wick reiterated that since the project is not currently on the CIP, he is hesitant to move in that direction only to delay a project that has been previously identified as a need. Sabart replied that there are a number of gravel alleys throughout the City that need paving and they did not rise to the level as a top priority, but the business district alleys can be added for future consideration. Wick questioned the staff prioritization. If the City is required to develop a plan for complying with the ADA act and updating pedestrian ramps, that item should be identified as priority. Sabart noted the ADA transition plan in the 2019 budget is required. To pursue any federal funding, an ADA plan will need to be August 7, 2017 Page 4 of 5 on file. Wick suggested having the ADA transition plan being a numbered item on the CIP because it is required of the City. st Weyrens stated additional budget data will be presented to the Council at the August 21 meeting. Project Updates, City Engineer: Sabart reported that Field Street is open to traffic and the project is finishing up with punch list and cleanup items. The CBD Alley Improvements have begun this week as well. Committee Updates, Park Board: Thene stated the Millstream Pavilion construction is going well. The walls are up. Completion of the shelter is set for the end of August. Schultz suggested having an opening event for the public. Committee Updates, Joint Planning Board: Loso stated the Joint Planning Board met to consider a setback variance for Derek Schaefer. The variance was needed as the main structure was constructed before Stearns County adopted the setback regulations and the house on one side encroaches the setback by three feet. While the addition the property owner proposed was in the backyard, it was attached to the main structure which was non conforming. The Joint Planning Board approved the variance request. Committee Updates, Fire Board: Loso reported the Fire Board discussed the budget which came in under expectations. Loso hopes the City’s overall budget will decrease as well. Another main topic was the resurfacing of the Fire Hall parking lot. The Board approved to spend up to $50,000 for the replacement of the parking lot. Weyrens stated the estimates received did not include making the parking lot ADA compliant which would increase cost. Sabart estimated the cost to be closer to $60,000. Weyrens clarified that the Fire Budget was reduced as the Fire Hall debt retires in 2017 relieving the funding needs for the debt payment. th Committee Updates, EDA: Wick stated the EDA will be meeting tomorrow, August 8 and that all future EDA meetings will be the third Tuesday of each month. Administrator Reports, Alcohol Matrix: Weyrens presented the Council with a summary of various cities table of fines for liquor license violations. At the last Council meeting the Council agreed to review St. Joseph Matrix as it has been over ten years since the fines have been reviewed. Weyrens also presented the Council with a summary of liquor violations for the last three years which illustrate that the last two years three license holders were cited each year. The current fee structure fined each establishment $ 150.00 and the list included two establishments that failed two years in a row. In reviewing the table of fines, St. Joseph is the only community with a complex matrix. Other cities charge one fee for a liquor violation, regardless of the violation. Weyrens stated that the Council should consider the dollar amount per violation and how many years the violation will remain on the license when subsequent violations occur. Schultz stated that he supports establishing a matrix similar to other cities and abolish the complex grid. Goracke stated he would like to see the City take a more aggressive stance on alcohol related violations. Chief Klein stated the department’s main goal is safety of the community. He meets regularly with the College and alcohol is always one of the main topics discussed. Weyrens stated that a representative of the College expressed some concern as they are being asked to help enforce behavior issues yet the violations for liquor violations are such that they do not create a need to be more vigilant. Schultz stated he wants to compare matrixes to those of other cities with college campuses. General consensus of the Council was to have staff come back with a recommendation. Mayor Reports: Schultz reported that he recently attended the CGMC meeting where the storm water regulations and legal costs were discussed. He also met with Stearns County Environmental Services to August 7, 2017 Page 5 of 5 discuss adding the hazardous waste pick up to the annual clean up in October. Stearns County has agreed to participate this year only and requested that staff with Stearns County to work out the logistics. Goracke questioned if the City had considered doing a collection of peoples’ leaves similar to that of the City of Hutchinson. Hutchinson allows the residents to place the leaves along the street and they come and sweep then. Weyrens stated that the City does not, as we do not have the resources for such. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:49 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator