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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.02.21August 2, 2021 Pagel of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 2, 2021, at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Kevin Kluesner, Kelly Beniek, Bob Loso, Jon Hazen City Representatives Present: Administrator Therese Haffner, City Clerk Kayla Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Public Works Superintendent Ryan Wensmann, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Community Development Director Nate Keller, City Engineer Randy Sabart Councilmember Oath of Office: Jon Hazen was sworn in to the City Council. Public Comments: Tim Borresch, 11 3'd Ave NW, commented that he is not in favor of closing the alleyway that runs north and south between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. He feels that his concerns have not been heard by the Council and that closing the alley is a waste of taxpayer money. He feels the alley provides good access for pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area. Borresch added he is frustrated with the approach the City has taken to projects like this. Stephen May, owner of 211 Minnesota St W, spoke against closing the entry to block seven. He stated that the area will become more dangerous if there is not an easy exit on the south side as people park on that alley when they are at the ballfield. He mentioned other safety hazards that will be created by closing that part of the alley, such as renters having to move in and out of the various rental properties using the busier Minnesota Street instead of that alleyway. He added that snow removal will be a challenge and drifting of snow built up in the alley would be an issue. He would like the Council to reconsider. Frank Osendorf, 615 7th Ave NE, spoke as a resident of St. Joseph who was a part of the Community Center Committee, he made it clear that he was not speaking on behalf of the Committee. He expressed that the Community Center Committee worked on this project for years and that it was an extensive, thoughtful and well documented evaluation process. Osendorf has been in contact with the cities of Golden Valley and St. Louis Park. Both of those cities had comparable projects and spoke very highly of HGA, the firm the St. Joseph Community Center Committee recommended. He mentioned that Mayor Schultz once said this project was a citizens' project, and as such, he wanted to urge the Council to follow the recommendation of the Community Center Committee. Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Consent Acenda: Loso made a motion to approve consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes of July 19, 2021. b. Gambling Permit — Requested Action: Approve gambling permit for the St. Cloud Boxing & Wrestling Club. c. Police Officer Hire — Requested Action: Approve the hiring of Reece Riegel as Police Officer at Grade 9, Step 1 at $24.48 per hour on the wage scale. d. Resolution Setting Hearing for Alley Vacation — Requested Action: Adopt Resolution 2021- 045 Setting Public Hearing Block 7 Alley Vacation. Public Hearing — Delinouent Accounts Proposed Assessment: Finance Director Lori Bartlett explained that per the City Ordinance, balances that are three periods past due are subject to being shut off. Bartlett recommended certifying the accounts totaling $2,768.10. She also recommended the $50.00 assessment fee be waived.The account holders will have 30 days to pay before the amounts are certified to the county. Schultz opened the public hearing. As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. August 2, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Beniek made a motion to approve the Resolution 2021-041 Adopting Assessment Outstanding Invoices; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Ordinance 502 Amendment, Sign Ordinance: Community Development Director Nate Keller explained that there was a proposed change to the signage ordinance that would now include language prohibiting dynamic displays or electronic signage in the downtown area. Council directed staff at the July 6, 2021 meeting to bring back the proposed amendment. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on May 10, 2021 on the proposed sign ordinance amendment and recommend approval. There are two Council actions needed. Schultz asked if there was a problem with illuminated signs downtown. Keller replied that concerns had been expressed regarding dynamic signage and changes to the character of the downtown area. The City is following the recommendations in the 2007 Downtown Design Standards plan to keep character intact. Council discussion followed and concerns were raised about the age, standards and relevance of the 2007 document. It was suggested that the Downtown Design Standards document be revisited. Keller stated that revisiting the document is something that is planned for this winter. There were concerns about brightness, "light pollution" and changing the look of the downtown area. It was verified that this change only impacted the B1 zone, which is the downtown area. Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-011 Amending Ordinance 502, Section 502.11; seconded by Loso. Aye: Kluesner, Beniek, Hazen, Schultz Motion Carried: 4:1 Nay: Loso Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-043 Summary; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Sale of Property — Portion of PID 84.53843.0005: Administrator Therese Haffner stated that last spring Council approved moving forward with the RFP process for the renovation and sale of the former Police and Fire Department building. On June 21s' Council approved drafting a purchase agreement contingent on input from the EDA. The EDA met and are supportive of the sale. On July 19th, Council reviewed the terms of the sale in a closed session and the terms have also been reviewed by the City Attorney. Schultz asked how concerns about parking and design would be addressed. Loso reminded him that those concerns were indeed covered and would be addressed in the development agreement. Beniek made a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-044 Approving the Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Sale of the Property with the terms as identified; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Hazen made a motion to Approve SEH to Complete Survey and Prepare Plat; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Community Center Architect: Administrator Therese Haffner explained that on July 6th Council discussed the architect proposals and moved to table any decision. They directed staff to obtain more detailed fee information from HGA Architects. On July 19th Council discussed proposals again and directed staff to obtain more detailed fee information from HMA Architects. That information has been provided and Council is aware of the Community Center Committee recommendation. All Councilmembers had an opportunity to provide feedback on the firms. It was mentioned that each firm presented well and all were great options. The Council was appreciative of the extra time to do research and dig deeper into the firms. The key factors that led the Council toward selecting HMA Architects were their history of working with the YMCA and with the City of St. Joseph as well as their local connection. August 2, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Schultz made a motion to move forward HMA Architects and direct staff to draft a contract; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Engineering Reports: City Engineer Randy Sabart gave a status update on the 2021 Street & Utility Improvements. Staff met with C & L Excavating for the preconstruction conference. C & L is anticipating starting in alley areas of Block 7 and Block 8 as soon as August 9th. The focus is the alley areas and then they will broaden out to the northland neighborhood and then the 20th Ave E area. A newsletter will go out to residents soon and staff is working on contracts with C & L. There was discussion addressing parking on alleyways as well as drainage, erosion and paving on the alley going east and west near the ballfield. This included explanations on how the drainage works, what improvements can be made and future options for the Council to consider. Mayor Reports: a. Acting Mayor, Schultz explained that this is a nominated and not appointed position. Former Councilmember Theisen was acting mayor. Schultz moved to nominate Kluesner to be acting mayor, Hazen seconded; and passed unanimously. b. Appointments Schultz made a motion to accept the Mayor Appointments, Kluesner seconded; and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 PM; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. KaA Klein City Clerk