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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] February 5 MinutesFebruary 5, 2018 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, February 5, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center, opening with the pledge of allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Troy Goracke, Matt Killam, Bob Loso Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Sarah Govman, Kat Podewils, Alexandria Erickson, Bill Durrwachter, Elizabeth Grygar, Tiffany Stumps, Abdirizak Jama, Kristin Nelson, Ronald Pasnuca, Marcia Allard, Rita Kill, Sylvia Luetmer, Kris Vonnegut, Margy Hughes, Ellen Wahlstrom, Molly Weyrens, Caroline Desert, Jaheer Jones, Florence Sheesley, Gerald Shamla, Christen Strollo, Ted Garden, Jon Bruns, Becky Staneart, Derek Larson, Thereas Anderson, Pastor Jennifer Thul, Steven Schirber, Zach Eichten, Monica Cofell, Jamal Elmi, Ray Sjogren, Doris Minnerath, Kevin Lanave, Vincent Smiles, Joan Thralow, Ken Ungeracht, Vincent DeVargas, Peggy Roske, Michael Roske, Jody Terhaar, Raj Chaphalkar , Richard Leguil, Jim Graeve, Jon McGee, Sister Mariterese Woida, Sister Thomasette Scheeler City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Joel Klein Public Comments Cultural Bridges: Raj Chaphalkar, 102 – 2nd Ave SE: Chaphalkar thanked the Council for giving Cultural Bridges the opportunity to speak tonight. Chaphalkar stated Cultural Bridges believes St. Joseph is already a welcoming community. Chaphalkar added that sometimes things need to be said out loud in order for people to believe it. Cultural Bridges is requesting the City to adopt a resolution stating St. Joseph is a welcoming community to all people. A draft resolution was presented to the Council for review. The resolution has received endorsements from the following organizations: The Church of St. Joseph, Resurrection Lutheran Church, College of St. Benedict, St. Johns University, SJU Student Senate, Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, St. Johns Abbey, Central MN Community Empowerment Organization, Central MN Catholic Worker, Social Justice Faith Network of St. Joseph, Joetown Vibe, and Unite Cloud. Chaphalkar read the proposed resolution to those present. Margy Hughes, 128 Able Court: Hughes stated her vision is to have St. Joseph be a place of destination. Hughes hopes that families would want to seek out St. Joseph and Collegeville to further their education. Hughes added she would like the City Council to review the resolution before them tonight. Jim Graeve, 619 MN St E: Graeve stated he has been a member of the community for 54 years. Graeve added he was welcomed into the community by his neighbors and local businesses at the time. Graeve stated he supports the resolution and wants St. Joseph to be known as a welcoming City. Steve Schirber, 103 – 3rd Ave SE: Schirber stated he moved to St. Joseph in 1973, raising three sons. He grew up with a large family and his parents adopted a child from Hong Kong. His father was subject to questioning from others in the community as the adopted child could not speak English. Schirber is in full support of the resolution. Ray Sjogren, 24 2nd Ave SE: Sjogren stated every holiday season they go caroling in the City. This year the group utilized a hay wagon to go door to door. In that wagon there were people of all races and ages. Sjogren stated he had worked for Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Washington. At one point in his employment he was tasked with finding out ways to prevent kids from committing crimes . The majority of the kids were marginalized and easily influenced by those supporting hate. Sjogren stated he wants the community to have a proactive response. There will be kids in the community who are vulnerable and need the support of the community. Bill Durrwachter, 1416 Pond View Court: Durrwachter approached the Council in support of the idea of the resolution, however believes it should be rewritten. Durrwachter wants the community to be welcoming but using the word all is too inclusive and there need to be exceptions. February 5, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Annie Buckvold, 810 MN St E: Buckvold approached the Council to say that often times those that have had crimes done to them; those crimes have been committed by someone they know whether it’s a friend or family member. Buckvold noted there is going to be crime and that is where officials need to hold those accountable for their actions. Buckvold stated there are a number of institutions who need help in creating a welcoming community. Abdirizak Jama, 120 2nd Ave NW Apt 103: Jama approached the Council in support of the resolution. Jama has lived in St. Joseph for three years and is currently a senior at St. Johns University. Jama walks to the bus stop almost every day since he has lived here and he has always felt safe. After seeing the posters around town, Jama felt sad and unwelcomed. Jama thanked those who have an agenda towards justice and for taking the steps towards St. Joseph being a welcoming community. Doris Minnerath 609 3rd Ave NE: Minnerath stated discrimination is tak ing place in schools. Minnerath’s nieces live in a suburb of the Twin Cities. They come home crying because incidents are happening in the schools. Minnerath strongly supports the resolution as it is a proactive stance in providing safety for all including children. Zach Eichten, 12 – 3rd Ave NW: Eichten is a member of the St. John’s Senate. Over the past couple of Senate meetings there has been an increase in attendance. Students are coming forward to share their stories about treatment on campus and in the community. The Senate is creating action plans for the best ways to address student concerns and challenged the Council to do the same for its residents. Jaheer Jones, 37 College Ave S: Jones is a member of the St. John’s Senate. Jones brought up the underage issue that has been addressed in the City. The majority of those at the parties were white. Jones added that he and his friends do not hang out in St. Joseph on the weekends partly because they do not feel like they belong due to the color of their skin. He added that if people of color do not feel like they belong then there won’t be people of color in the City. Jon McGee, Vice President of Planning CSB: McGee stated the students and faculty of CSB come from all over the world. The College has been a key part of the City. They contribute not just to the college, but to the City. McGee thanked the Council for the opportunity to bring the resolution forward. Vincent Smiles, 21 -3rd Ave NW: Smiles is a Professor at CSB and has lived in St. Joseph for 26 years. When his family first came to the area they were welcomed by the Sister of the Order of St. Benedict. He experienced some conflict as his wife and children are not Caucasian. Now, his wife loves St. Joseph and they both support the resolution. Smiles added that even though there is a lot of support for the resolution at the meeting, there are people in the community that endorse racism. Smiles stated the resolution shows the City is in favor of inclusiveness. As no one else present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. Wick stated conversations go a long ways. Even though the Council won’t be voting on the resolution tonight, he wants the people to know that their efforts are recognized by the City. Wick made a motion that the St. Joseph City Council recognizes the actions of the groups represented tonight and their efforts to continue building a friendly, inclusive, and safe community for all those who live, work and visit the City of St. Joseph. The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously. Approve Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. a. Minutes – Approved the minutes of December 28, 2017 and January 16, 2018. February 5, 2018 Page 3 of 4 b. Bills Payable – Approved check numbers 053049-053117, Payroll EFT #001456-001466 c. Gambling Permit – Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-003 Approving the Application to Conduct Off-Sale Gambling for the St. Joseph Lions. d. Liquor License – Authorized a 3.2 Liquor License and Cigarette License to Kwik Trip at 15 - 20th Ave NE. e. Police Vehicle – Authorized the Police Chief to execute the lease agreement for a 2018 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle at a cost of $622.64 per month effective May 1, 2018. f. Liquor License Violations – Authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018- 007, Resolution 2018-008, and Resolution 2018-009 Adopting the Stipulations for liquor license violations for Bello Cucina, Sliced Pizza & Grill, and The American Burger Bar. Tammy Omdal, Northland Securities, Inc., Equipment Certificate Sale: City Bond consultant Tracy Omdal presented the Council with the bond issuance for the $ 265,000 equipment certificate. Due to the size of the bond, requests for proposals was submitted to financial institutions, saving on issuance and rating cost. While the local bank submitted a proposal the best interest rate was received from the Grand Marais Bank. The Equipment Issuance is for a term of five years, with an interest rate of 2.5%. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018 -006 providing for the issuance and sale of the $265,000 Equipment Certificates, Series 2018A, pledging for the security thereof net revenues and levying a tax for the payment thereof. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. City Engineer Reports: Sabart reported the work at Water Treatment Plant 1 has progressed to fin ishing up the coating of the system and the filter tank was found in good condition. The contractors are on schedule with completion towards the end of May. Annual Reports: Weyrens presented the annual reports for the departments. In the Administration r eport a summary of permits, licensing, tax information, ordinance amendments, and overviews of the Planning Commission, EDA, and Joint Planning Board. Wick questioned if the Police Department has noticed either a spike or significant reduction in any typ e of call. Police Chief Klein stated that the overall number of calls has increased and will continue to as the City grows. Klein noted that calls regarding noise complaints and underage drinking have decreased since the department stepped up on their enforcement. Wick made a motion to accept the 2017 Annual reports as presented. The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously. Administrator Reports, Ordinance Amendment: Weyrens presented a proposed Ordinance Amendment adding some enforcement language to Ordinance 1007 Refuse. T he Ordinance Amendment provides the Police Department with additional tools for enforcement regarding junk and garbage. Klein added that usually when the department addresses a junk car or garbage issue, they typically comply. As the ordinance sits now, if someone doesn’t comply there isn’t language allowing the Police Department to go to the next step. This amendment provides those additional steps for the department. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-004 Amending Ordinance 1007. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018 -005 Authorizing Summary Publication of the Amen dment to Ordinance 1007 Garbage and Refuse Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Administrator Reports, 2018 Fee Schedule Amendment: Weyrens stated that when the fee schedule was adopted in December 2017, a fee was added for residents that only have sewer service. This fee as not correctly stated. The fee schedule should have added a provision to charge residents the water line charge if water is available and they have not connected. The City has been working on connecti ng residents to water as it is required by the MN Building Code. Loso questioned the legality of charging February 5, 2018 Page 4 of 4 residents a fee for a service they are not using. Weyrens stated that the attorney has indicated that we can charge them the water line charge as the line is to the property or in some cases in the house, just not connected. Wick made a motion to adopt the proposed 2018 Fee Schedule Amendment as reqeusted. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Administrator Reports, OAA Discussion: Weyrens presented the Council with an overview of the comments/questions raised at the January 25, 2018 public input session regarding the annexation of the OAA.  Why Annex? In 1997, the OAA was created to facilitate the long term planning so that the City could effectively and efficiently install infrastructure. Some development has been constructed and has created problems with enforcement. There were three zones to determine when those areas could be annexed. The final zone was to be annexed in 2017. Additionally it will be beneficial for township residents to have one place to go when building or processing land use applications. Currently there are a few developments where houses and driveways were built in the wrong spots. Having everything go throu gh the City would minimize the potential for those errors. Some developers have also had to pay for engineering fees from the City and Township.  Taxes – The OAA Agreement includes a provision whereby residents can stay at the township tax rate until they are developed. The City does not have the intent on taxing all residents at the City tax rate as they will not be receiving the same services.  Governance/Ordinance Regulation – Weyrens stated the City is trying to stress that the City is not trying to create urban living in a rural setting. There is the possibility of establishing an Urban Development District. Some Ordinance Regulations concerns were regarding hunting, burning, accessory buildings, sign regulations, kegs, open container, public urination, wood burning stoves, spill piles and construction storage. Staff will continue to work on developing regulations that are conducive to all parties. Weyrens stated the presentation given tonight will be presented at the open discussion meeting on February 15th. Mayor Reports, Mayor Appointments: Schultz presented the 2018 Mayor Appointments. Schultz stated Mike Ross will be the newest member of the Planning Commission. Also, Councilmember Killam requested to be removed from some of his roles. Schultz will fill in until a replacements are appointed. Loso moved to approve the 2018 Mayor Appointments as presented. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Schultz opened up nominations for acting mayor, nominating Dale Wick for acting mayor. As no other nominations were received, Schulz closed the floor for nominations and a motion accepting the nomination of Dale Wick as acting Mayor. The motion was seconded by Loso. Ayes: Killam, Schultz, Wick, Goracke Nays: Loso Motion Carried: 4:1 Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 PM; seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator