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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [07] Jul 21 I I I July 21,2005 Page 1 of 5 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of S1. Joseph met in regular session on Thursday, July 21, 2005 at 6:45 PM in the S1. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Ross Rieke, Renee Symanietz. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. City Representatives Present: City Engineers Tracy Ekola, Joe Bettendorf Others Present: Steve Frank, Peter Lyle Approve Aqenda: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Consent Aqenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 35958-36015 b. Minutes - Approve the Minutes May 19, June 2 and June 16, 2005 c. Remove for Discussion. d. Fire Department By Law Amendment - Accept the recommendation of the St. Joseph Volunteer Fire Department to amend the By Laws to require that continued membership on the Fire Department requires that Members respond to at least 20% of the calls annually. Members not meeting this requirement must appear before the Investigating Committee to determine continued membership. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. Public Comments: Steve Frank. 606 Birch Street NW, approached the commissioners to discuss the City Watering Ban. He stated that there are many residents, including himself, that are upset about the watering ban. He stated that he will be installing either a sand point well or having a well drilled on his property for use in the future. According to Frank, a considerable amount of money is spent on annuals, bushes, trees, etc. every year. After doing some research on this issue, he reported that S1. Joseph has the most restricted water policy in the State of Minnesota. After doing his research, he suggested that the City ban watering from 10AM - 5PM, as that is the time when most water is lost due to evaporation. Carlbom stated that he understands that residents are upset; however the City had an equipment malfunction. Weyrens updated everyone that the ban has been slightly lifted to allow residents to water on the odd/even cycle between the hours of 7PM and 10PM. These restricted times will remain in effect until it is clear that the system can meet the demand as well as provide enough water for emergency situations. Weyrens stated that this is a public safety issue and the City needs to provide adequate fire protection. Libertv Pointe - PUD Amendment and Final Plat: Weyrens reported that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to consider the amendment to the Liberty Pointe PUD. The amendment replaces the attached patio homes with detached patio homes. The density will remain the same as the original PUD. Peter Lyle, Vice President of Sales for Signature Homes stated that Signature Homes is requesting to change the plat based on market needs. Over the past year they have had a difficult time selling the twin homes and are therefore requesting to change the plat to detached homes. Wick questioned if the plans before them at this meeting reflect the requirement of the Planning Commission verifying that 10 (ten) feet will separate all buildings. Weyrens stated that the plans before the Council are the same plans submitted to the Planning Commission. However, the new plans have been received and the 10 (ten) foot setback has been included. Weyrens stated that the City Engineer has not reviewed the final grading plans and the outstanding financial obligations of Signature Homes will be resolved by July 22, 2005. July 21, 2005 Page 2 of 5 Rassier made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approve I the PUD Amendment contingent upon the developer meeting the 10' setback between homes. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed. Ayes: Rassier, Symanietz, Wick, Carlbom Nays: None Abstain: Rieke Motion Carried 4:0:1 Wick made a motion acceptinp the recommendation of Planning Commission approving the final plat entitled Liberty Pointe 2" Addition and authorizing the same to be executed by the Mayor and Administrator. The motion was seconded by Rassier. Ayes: Wick, Rassier, Symanietz, Carlbom Nays: None. Abstain: Rieke Motion Carried 4:0:1 Affordable Housinq: Rieke asked for clarification on the proposed LCHU Amendments. The St. Cloud Area Life Cycle Housing Committee and Board have proposed four amendments to the LCH Joint Powers Agreement. Weyrens stated that two of the proposed amendments were approved by the area Cities a year ago, however, a public hearing was not conducted. The amendments cannot be implemented without the hearing. The two that were previously approved by the City Council in 2003 are: 1. Allow gap loans to be repaid without interest upon sale of an LCHU. This is now a standard procedure for gap loans in Minnesota. 2. Change the annual reporting date by cities from February 15 to March 15. She also stated that the other two amendments have been proposed this year. I 1. Change from 80% of the area median income to 80% of the state median income, in line with all housing subsidy programs at the state level. 2. Alter the method of calculation for capital improvements for town homes and other attached units. Wick made a motion to approve the amendments and allow the execution of Resolution 2005-18 Amending the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing a Board of Directors to Organize and Govern a Community Based Effort to Provide Life Cycle Housing. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS Chanqe Order Request - Hill Street Improvement Proiect: Ekola approached the Councilors to discuss the Change Order for the Hill Street Project. She stated that R.L. Larson excavated approximately 700 tons of garbage from the western portion of Hill Street, near the top of the hill between 3rd Avenue and the cul-de-sac. Samples were taken and testing indicated that it did not contain asbestos, but it did contain rubber, insulation, foam and other miscellaneous garbage. The material was rejected at a demolition landfill and has to be hauled to a municipal solid waste landfill. According to Ekola, this was unforeseen and was not included in the bid price. The additional cost for the refuse removal is $18,900. This Change Order will exceed the 5% project contingency. In addition to hauling the garbage, additional costs have been incurred due to poor soils. Rieke questioned if the garbage was contained within the roadbed or if the surrounding area contains similar garbage. Ekola stated that they are not aware of additional buried garbage as they only excavated an area for the sewer installation and roadbed. When questioned if the Change Order will result in a completion delay, Ekola responded that the completion date will not change. Wick questioned I if there is a way to determine when the garbage was buried or who was responsible. According to Ekola, it is very unlikely that this garbage was put there after development and it would be extremely difficult to prove responsibility. I I I July 21, 2005 Page 3 of 5 Wick made a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute Change Order #1 for the removal and disposal of approximately 700 tons of garbage at a cost of $27/tSJn. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Update - Filtration Plant: Ekola stated that previously the Design Team addressed the Councilors as to some changes in the design of the Filtration Plant. The floor plan that was discussed at the previous Council Meeting included a circular driveway and a curved wall for the generator room. The Council requested to see some cost comparisons for both the driveway and the wall for the generator room. Ekola explained the cost differences as follows: Front Parkinq Area Circular Driveway - preferred site plan Rectangular Driveway - original site plan Cost Difference Circular Driveway is more expensive. $32,500.00 $21,300.00 $11,200.00 Generator Room Curved Wall - as shown on floor plan Straight Wall - as discussed at Council Meeting Cost Difference Curved wall is more expensive. NOTE: Exterior enclosure not inside building $105,000.00 $93,000.00 $12.000.00 $40,000.00 Carlbom questioned why the generator should be inside the building. Ekola replied that although the exterior enclosure would serve as a sound barrier, it does not offer a lot of room for general maintenance. Also, having the generator inside the building would add more aesthetics to the site. This would also make the water filtration plant more conducive to future development. Rassier stated it is his opinion that the generator should be located within the building. With regard to the driveway, Rassier stated that since both parking plans include the same number of parking spaces he would prefer the rectangular driveway. Wick agreed with Rassier that the generator should be kept inside. Carlbom stated that he prefers that straight wall for the generator and the rectangular driveway. Rieke made a motion to move forward with the rounded generator wall and rectangular driveway. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Update - Land Purchase: Bettendorf reported that a purchase agreement has been prepared for the purchase of the Glatzel Property and the same has been forwarded to the property owners. Bettendorf stated that they are hoping to have the purchase agreement finalized in early August. MA VOR REPORTS St. Cloud Economic Development Partnership: Mayor Carlbom reported that the Partnership and the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have been discussing a possible associate membership for the Partnership. He also stated that the Partnership has taken the lead in the bioscience initiative and he participated in a retention visit to Sunset Manufacturing. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce compiled a list of businesses that are in both the Partnership and the Chamber and they found that only 23 are members. St. Cloud Joint Planninq District Board: Carlbom reported that he attended the recent Joint Planning District Board and they will be requesting the area Cities to contribute to a study to update the Joint Plan. It is anticipated that St. Joseph will be requested to contribute $ 2,000 for the study. Chamber Luncheon: Carlbom reported that he attended the St. Joseph Chamber Luncheon. The River Bats are partnering with the St. Joseph Chamber for St. Joseph night at the River Bat Game. The St. July 21,2005 Page 4 of 5 Joseph Chamber will receive a portion of the proceeds from general admission tickets sold by Chamber Members. COUNCIL REPORTS SYMANIETZ Human Riqhts Task Force: Symanietz reported that she attended the Regional Human Rights Task Force meeting. She stated that Duluth has established a similar Task Force. Coalition Conference: The annual conference for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities will be held in Moorhead July 27-29. Symanietz will be representing St. Joseph. WICK Field Street: Wick reported that the TAC Committee for the Field Street Project is working thru some issues and preparing for an Environmental Assessment Study. RASSI ER Field Street: Rassier stated that the minutes and information from the Field Street T AC Meetings are available online for interested residents. RIEKE EDA Meetinq: Rieke reported that the EDA had their monthly meeting last week. They reviewed a site plan for Bliss Direct Media. Downtown Committee Meetinq: Rieke stated that the next meeting for the Downtown Committee will be on Wednesday, July 27 at 5:30PM. Rassier questioned if people can still volunteer. Carlbom responded that the Committee members have already been appointed; however the meetings are open to the public. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Budqet Schedule 2006: Weyrens stated that August is a busy month as the Departments are working on their budgets for the following year. The preliminary budget is due by September 15 therefore the Council needs to determine meeting dates to review the budget. In addition the Council needs to establish a meeting date with Bond Counsel Monte Eastvold. The Council agreed to meet the following dates: August 9 5:30 Budget August 17 5:30 Financing Water Treatment Facility August 29 5:30 Budget Work Comp Premium: Weyrens stated that annually the City must review the deductible for the Worker's Compensation Plan. In 2004 the City experienced 3 claims and based on the deduction in premium, Weyrens recommended the Council continue the same deductible. The $1000 deductible will result in a 5% discount on the premium. Rassier made a motion to accept the recommendation of the City Administrator and approve the $1000 Worker's Compensation deductible. The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously. School Meetinq: Weyrens reported that she met with the property owner of the area where District 742 is considering purchasing land. She was advised that the School District has already received a Purchase Agreement and the City participation will come back to the Council for discussion and consideration. Water Ban: Weyrens clarified that the water ban has been lifted and residents are now able to water their lawns, trees, etc between 7PM-10PM based on the odd/even system. Those residents who have an odd I I I I I I July 21, 2005 Page 5 of 5 house number would water on the odd day and those with an even house number would water on the even day. Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 7:40; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. ~~~ ~~rator