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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [12] Dec 15 December 15, 2005 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 Thursday, December 15,2005 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. I Members Present: Mayor Richard Carlbom, Councilors AI Rassier, Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, City Administrator Judy Weyrens Citv Representatives Present:. City Engineers Tracy Ekola, Joe Bettendorf, Police Chief Pete Jansky, Building Official Ron Wasmund Others Present: Mary Ayote, Cress Gackle, Ed Kacures, Mike McDonald Approve Aoenda: Symanietz made a motion to approve the agenda with the following change: Add 10d Project Updates The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Consent Aoenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. b. c. d. e. I f. g. h. Minutes - Approve minutes of November 17, 2005. Bills Payable - Approve check numbers 036558-036626. labor Agreement - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the labor Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and lElS #224 for contract year 2006. Equipment Purchase - Authorize the expenditure of $814.73 to purchase a metal locator from Frontier Precision, Inc. Application for Payment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Application for Payment #3 for the 2005 Northland Heights Project and authorize payment to Erin Contracting for $326,388.46. Liquor License - Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute an Intoxicating Liquor License for the College of St. Benedict. Fire Report - Accept the six-month fire report for the period June 2005-November 2005 as presented. Stormwater Utility - Accept the Stormwater Utility Credit Policy and Application as presented. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Kacures, 107 5th Avenue SVV, approached the Council concerning the proposed 2006 Budget. Kacures stated that he read in the St. Joseph Newsleader that the budget was increasing $170,000 for which it is his understanding is to support the Police Department operations. He stated that, in his opinion, the taxpayers cannot afford to support the increasing costs and residents may begin losing their homes. Mary Kay Moening, 313 1dh Avenue SE, approached the Council in opposition to the automated garbage service. Moening stated that she lives on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay $13 a month for garbage service and urged the Council to reinstate the bag system. Moening stated that he bag system worked well for her as she is a single person with little garbage. She questioned why neighbors could not share a garbage can and why there are required to have this garbage service. Carlbom advised her that each resident is required to have city refuse service according to City Ordinance. The reason that the bag system had been discontinued is because the refuse haulers are going with an automated service, requiring a specific type of container. Moening concluded by questioning why seniors are the only ones who receive a discount. I December 15, 2005 Page 2 of 5 Water Filtration Bond Sale. Series B: Monte Eastvold presented the Council with the results of the Water Filtration Series B bond sale. Eastvold presented the Council with the following bid summary: Cronin & Co Inc 3.8907% Northland Securities 4.0627% Similar to the previous Bond Sale, the current issue is also rated Baa1. Eastvold stated that as the City continues to grow reducing the debt per capita, the City will move into the A series. Since the bond issue was insured, the rates reflect a Aaa bond rating. The revenue to pay for this bond issue will come from WAC charges as well as some trunk funds and water rates. Symanietz made a motion to approve Resolution 2005-31 issuing the $3,575,000 bond for the Water Filtration Plant. The motion was seconded by Wick. The motion passed unanimously with Rieke being absent. BUILDING OFFICIAL REPORT Ron Wasmund, St. Joseph Building Official gave a brief description of the permit activity for both 2004 and 2005. Wasmund stated that 2005 was a good year for growth for the City. During the permit period January 1 - November 30, 2005, there were a total of 806 permits issued. This number includes building, plumbing and mechanical permits. Of the 382 building permits that were issued, 158 of those were for new homes. From 2004-2005, the total number of building permits has increased by 337 permits and the number of new home permits has increased by 80 permits. When discussing the revenue generated by the building permits, he explained that it is used to offset administration costs as well as the fees paid to Inspectron. Wasmund concluded by stating that he gives a lot of credit to Lee Gladitsch as he is the Building Inspector for the City and he has done the majority of the inspections and plan reviews. CITY ENGINEER REPORTS 2006 Street Improvement Proiect: Ekola advised the Council that she would like to hold meetings similar to those done with the residents of the Hill Street Project in which residents can come to look at the design, ask questions and give feedback. She would like to schedule the dates for the open houses for the first week in January. There are 130 properties affected by the Improvements. Ekola also stated that they would follow up with a newsletter similar to what was done in the past. Residents will be asked to contact the City Offices to schedule an appointment. The open house schedule is as followed: Wednesday, January 4, 2006 4-8 PM Thursday, January 5, 2006 2-6 PM MAYOR REPORTS APO Meetinq: Carlbom stated that he attended the APO Meeting at which they discussed the 2030 Transportation Plan of which the southwest beltway is included. School Update: Carlbom stated that he has recently spoken to District 742 School Superintendent Bruce Watkins regarding the location of the new school in St. Joseph. He reiterated to Watkins that the City is interested in keeping track of the purchase of the land and has a desire to work with the District. He also stated that the School District is looking at how to make this a collaborative effort with the School District, the City, YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. Extension of the Business District: Carlbom reported that he would like to discuss the extension of the business district to include JR's garage, located at the corner of Minnesota Street and 2nd Avenue SW, at a future City Council Meeting. Rassier advised Carlbom to bring this item up for discussion with the Downtown Committee. COUNCIL REPORTS I I I I I I December 15, 2005 Page 3 of 5 SYMANIETZ LMC Conference: Symanietz reported that she attended the LMC Conference in Rochester. Citv/Townshif Meetina: Symanietz reported that she attended a Joint City/Township Meeting on December 51 to discuss the Water Filtration Plant. CAC Meetina: A meeting was held on December 13, 2005 for the Corridor Advisory Committee to discuss CSAH 2 and the North Corridor. Monastery Tour: Symanietz stated that she was invited on a tour of the St. Benedict Monastery on December 15. WICK Lifecvcle Housina: Wick reported that the Lifecycle Housing program is looking at funding sources to offer to help residents buy existing homes or improvements to their homes. Weyrens stated that the Maxwell Housing Study is also available. RASSIER - No Report RIEKE - No Report ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Charter Transfer: Weyrens presented the Council with the resolution to approve the cable franchise transfer from Astound (Seren) to Charter Communications. The area Cities have been working with Charter Communications to negotiate the terms of the franchise. Charter has agreed to maintain a local office, honor existing contracts as well as extend cable services to all municipal locations at no charge provided they are located within 150 feet of their existing plant. This would allow both the Maintenance Facility as well as the Water Filtration Plant to receive services in the future. Weyrens reported that the City Attorney who is recommending approval has prepared the resolution and transfer agreement. Tucker Carlson approached the Council on behalf of Charter. He stated that they are committed to growing with the community. He stated that they would be moving their facilities from St. Cloud to the Waite Park location. Carlbom questioned whether email addresses with Astound would change. Carlson stated that they are working at acquiring a new domain, which would allow customers to keep the same email name only changing the domain. Symanietz made a motion to adopt Resolution 2005-33 concerning the transfer of the cable television franchise for the purpose of granting the consent of the City Council to the assignment and transfer of control of the cable television system from Seren Innovations, Inc. to CC VIII Operating Inc. and authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the transfer agreement by and between the City of St. Joseph and Seren Innovations. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. Water/Sewer Rates: Weyrens stated that the Council has been reviewing the water and sewer rates over the past months. The increasing costs and the capital expansion have created the need to increase water rates. Currently, the City charges a minimum charge based on 700 cubic feet. The minimum charge represents the portion of capital that all end users must share. Water usage above the minimum covers the additional operating costs. In reviewing the rates, the minimum charge ill be converted to a water line and sewer line fee that will be charged per unit, per billing period eliminating a minimum charge. Eliminating the minimum charge will encourage water conservation and only charge residents for the water actually consumed. In addition to charging the water/sewer line fee, the water and sewer rates will be increased to $ 1.60 per 100 cubic feet (sewer is based on the water usage). Weyrens presented the following utility fees for 2006: NEW - Water Line Fee $8.00/ billing period December 15, 2005 Page 4 of 5 NEW - Sewer Line Fee $6.00/ billing period I Water $1.60 I cubic foot Sewer $1.60/ cubic foot NEW - Stormwater Fee Residential $2.25/month Commercial amount based on acreage Based on the fee schedule, a minimum water user will see a small decrease in the bi-monthly billing and an apartment user would see an increase as each unit will be charged a water/sewer line fee. Weyrens explained the reason for the change is that due to the change in accounting rules and practices, cities need to cover depreciation expenses. Rassier made a motion to accept the water/sewer rates as presented effective January 1, 2006. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. WAC/SAC Fees: Weyrens stated that in addition to increasing the water and sewer rates, the water and sewer access fees have been reviewed. The City is in the process of constructing a new water filtration plant to accommodate the additional growth and to add processes and space that the City does not currently have. Therefore, the payment of the facility is a combination of user fees and development access charges. Since the size of the plant was based on projected growth, review of fees used the same basis. Therefore, Weyrens presented the Council with the following rate schedule for water/sewer access fees: WATER ACCESS FEE 2006 $3,500 (effective February 1) 2007 $3,700 2008 $3,900 2009 $4,100 SEWER ACCESS FEE 2006 $2,000 2007 $2,000 I Weyrens stated that the fees will reviewed annually and the projected increase may change based on the actual growth or demand. Wick made a motion to adopt the 2006 WAC/SAC fees as presented. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. 2006 Budaet Adoption: Weyrens stated that the Truth and Taxation hearing was held on November 29, 2005. At that meeting, residents approached the Council and requested the budget be reviewed. Since then, the budget has been revised with the following changes: . New Staff - decrease by % time as these positions will both be filled later in the year . Bond Adjustment - The bonds of 1998 and 2003 have been reduced. Weyrens stated that the adjustments since the TNT hearing have reduced the levy by 3.962%. Weyrens then presented a chart showing the tax rates over the past five years. Although the proposed 2006 tax rate is 3% more than 2005, it is similar to that of 2003. One item that has not been approved is the Gang Task Force. This is an $8,000 item that could be deleted from the budget if not approved. The grant was not approved for this, which means that cities must budget for this item. Budgeting for the Gang Task Force would mean a .03% increase in tax levy or $2.28/year for a $75,000 home. Police Chief Jansky was present at the meeting and he stated that he recommends that the City budgets for this item, as other area cities are going to budget for the same. I Weyrens stated that if this item is not added at this time, there might be money later on in the year that could be used to fund it. I I I December 15, 2005 Page 5 of 5 The following is a summary of the final levy: General Fund Levy 1998 Improvements 1999 Improvements 2002 Improvements 2003 Improvements 2004 Improvements 2005 Improvements 736,099 2,500 29,863 116,000 128,934 93,000 169,000 General Fund Budget 1,994,099 Wick made a motion accepting the Resolution adopting the 2006 Budget with the changes stated above. The motion was seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. School District: Weyrens reported that she spoke with Kevin from the School District and they are committed to the ARCON site. ARCON will be coming before the Planning Commission in January with a new Preliminary Plat, which shows the proposed school site. Rassier stated that there is some concern as to whether they plan to construct a K-8 facility or a K-6 facility. Carlbom reported that he spoke with the Superintendent of the school district and the facility plan calls for a K-8 facility. The concern is whether or not residents want to give up some programs such as sports, etc in order to keep this a K-8 facility. Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Symanietz and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator