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Home My WebLink About[04a] Minutes - September 6, 2018 September 6, 2018 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Troy Goracke, Anne Buckvold, Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Richard Liguall Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions: 5.1 North Drainage Area (Near Wobegon Trail) 4 (d) Insurance Claim The motion was seconded by Gorake and passed unanimously. City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Community Development Director Therese Haffner, Public Works Director Terry Thene, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein. Engineer Reports – Award Bids, MN ST W Trail: City Engineer Randy Sabart reported the City opened bids on August 23, 2018 for the MN St W Trail Extension. The City received the following four bids: C&L Excavating, Inc. $ 1,280,224.60 JR Ferche, Inc 1,509,602.05 Landwehr Construction 1,399,277.35 R.L Larson Excavating 1,192,353.71 Sabart stated the engineer estimate for the project was $ 1,294,900; therefore the project bids came in under budget. He reminded the Council that the trial extension includes $650,594 of federal funding. Federal funds can only be used for construction activities and not for soft costs. The federal funding will offset almost 50% of the construction cost. Sabart discussed the enhanced signal devices that will be installed as part of this project assisting trail users crossing CR 2 to CR 51. Some of the site work is anticipated to begin this fall and substantial completion is July 2019. Final completion is scheduled for August 30, 2019. The Council discussed lighting along the project and if it would be completed on the north side of CR 2. Wick questioned if the City will have the opportunity to reduce the speed limit along MN St W. Sabart stated they may be able to extend the 30 MPH slightly but not much. As previously discussed since the area is not residential or developed it would require a speed study to make a significant change. The City could extend to the boundary of the last residential property. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2018-039 awarding the bid for the 2018 MN St W Trail extension to the low bidder, R. L. Larson in the amount of $ 1,192,353.71 and authoring execution of the required contract documents. The motion was seconded by Wick and passed unanimously. City Engineer Reports – Soil Borings, MN ST W Trail: Sabart presented the Council with a quote from Braun Intertec in the amount of $ 15,169.00 for testing for the MN St W Trail. As the trail project is federally funded the grant requires sampling and testing of construction material that follow the minimum testing requirements as established by MnDot. The grant also requires that Quality Assurance sampling and testing be performed by an agency independent from, and not retained by the contractor. Therefore it is the responsibility of the City. The testing requirement has been included in the project budget. Wick made a motion to accept the proposal from Braun Intertec in the amount of $ 15,169.00; seconded by Buckvold and passed unanimously. September 6, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Administrator Reports – Outdoor Liquor Events, Bad Habit: Weyrens presented the Council with two applications for outdoor events for Bad Habit as follows: Rock for Alzheimer’s – September 22, 2018. Event includes live music and food from 2:00 PM t 8:00 PM. The Police Chief has reviewed the application and includes the provision the outdoor area is fenced and one licensed police officer is required. Octoberfest – September 15, 2018. Event includes live music and food from 2:00 PM t 6:00 PM. The Police Chief has reviewed the application and includes the provision the outdoor area is fenced and one licensed police officer is required. Loso questioned if timeline for submitting applications and if those before the Council at this time have met the Ordinance requirements. Weyrens responded the Ordinance requires 30 days for submission so those at this time did not meet the requirement. Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator execute the outdoor liquor events for Bad Habit for September 22 (Rock for Alzheimer’s) and September 15, 2018 (Octoberfest) with the conditions indicated by the Police Chief. The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously. Administrator Reports, Purchase Agreement Amendment: Weyrens reported that the closing for the old City hall is scheduled for the week of September 10. As the closing company was preparing the necessary records, it was noted that the EDA was listed on the Purchase Agreement as they were the original owners of the property, leasing back to the City. The lease agreement conveyed ownership to the City on December 31, 2015 when the debt was fulfilled. The EDA met specially conveying the property to the City and the City must remove the EDA as owner. Therefore a third amendment has been prepared acknowledging that the EDA has conveyed the property to the City and the City has the authority to sell the property. Loso made a motion authoring the Mayor and Administrator to execute the third amendment to the Purchase Agreement for the sale of the property at 25 College Ave N to Bad Habit; execute Resolution 20018-038 stating authority to sell the aforementioned property; and to execute the required closing documents. The motion was seconded by Schultz. Administrator Reports – Budget factors and status: Weyrens reported that the City Council will be receiving the operation budget in the following week. In preparing the budget assumptions needed to be made regarding the compensation study and capital projects. It is anticipated that the budget presented will have less than a 1% proposed increase in tax rate. Staff is working to keep the tax rate level. Buckvold questioned funds could be included in the budget for participation in the MTC for busing. Loso questioned what she was considering to which she stated that she has been talking to the MTC and there is a cost sharing to be part of the board. She would like the Council to consider adding funds to have busing. Weyrens questioned the amount to be included in the budget. Buckvold stated she did not have that number with her at the meeting, but will forward. Administrator Reports – Insurance: Weyrens reported that during the last rain storm the two City facilities were struck by lightning, causing significant damage. The maintenance shop on Elm Street received the most damage and staff is working through the insurance company to repair the damages. East Park Schultz presented the Council with the concept for East Park. The Park Board has been working with SEH to complete a master park plan for East Park. The Park Board has completed public outreach soliciting ideas. The Park Board is hoping to plant the portion of the property that is currently rented to a farmer with prairie plantings and trees. Some of the trail features include walking trails, parking area and canoe access. The Park Board will be hosting an open house on the concept plan September 24, 2018. After that meeting the Park Board will be coming back to the Council for authorization to starting the planting. Funding for the project will include funds received from the developer at the time the property was conveyed to the City and park dedication funds. September 6, 2018 Page 3 of 3 North Drainage Area: Buckvold discussed a recent experience she and her family encountered while using the Wobegon Trail. She stated that they were biking along the path east of the Wobegon shelter and their was a person in an open area that had appeared to be drinking creating a feeling of uneasiness. When she talked to the Police they indicated even though that is City property, unless it was a Park there is nothing that could be done. Sabart explained the area she is referring to is an easement area for property in the northland area. At one point the City had considered this area for a dog park. Chief Pfannenstein stated that if people encounter a situation such as described they should call the police and they can help assist. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator