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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.18.21October 18, 2021 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, October 18, 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 Director Ryan Wensmann, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein, Fire Chief Jeff Taufen Public Comments: Lily Fredericks introduced herself as the new meeting attendant for the City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Approve Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Consent Acenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. a. Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the minutes from October 4, 2021. b. Bills Payable — Requested Action: Approve check numbers 058226-058295, Payroll EFT # 112141-112146, Accounts Payables EFT #2009-2014, and Pay Periods 20, 20.01: Council Pay Period 10. c. Treasurer's Report — Requested Action: Approve the September 2021 Financial Reports as presented. d. Donations — Requested Action: Approve Resolution 2021-037 accepting donations. e. Change Order #1 — Requested Action: Approve Change Order #1 for the 2021 Street & Utility Improvement Project. f. Grant Application — Requested Action: Authorize staff to apply for the State's Water Assistance Program Federal Grant. g. Repayment Agreement Satisfaction — Requested Action: Approve the Repayment Agreement Satisfaction for 151 51h Ave SE, St. Joseph, MN 56374. h. Northland Business Center Amended Assessments — Requested Action: Adopt Resolution 2021- 059 Adopting the Amended Final Assessment Roll for the 2019 Industrial Park Project and approve refunding the three properties the difference of the assessment paid. Alley Closure Request, Weathered Revivals: City Clerk Kayla Klein presented the request submitted by Weathered Revivals for an alley closure. The closure is tied to a holiday launch event to be held on November 61h from 10AM — 4PM. Klein noted that the Public Works Director and Police Chief reviewed and recommended approval of the request. Alcohol will be contained within the area presented and will be provided, along with food, by Krewe Restaurant through their catering license. The Council had concerns such as parking and if there would be enough room for 400 people to attend as expected. Klein responded that the applicant anticipated there to be 400 people attend throughout the day and not all at one time. Parking will take place on the street and in the rear parking lot of the building. There will be one secured entrance into the designated alcohol area. Loso moved to approve the alley closure request as submitted by Weathered Revivals from 10AM — 412M, Saturday, November 6, 2021. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Preliminary. & Final Plat. Village of St. Joseph Hall: City Administrator Haffner presented the preliminary plat, final plat, and development agreement for the Village of St. Joseph Hall. The utility easements are included in the plat and the city would retain the existing water treatment plant. Haffner added the development agreement proposes to permit up to four off-street parking spaces for employees only for the tenants of buildings of Lot 2, Block 1 on the westerly portion of the property. The parking agreement is included in the development agreement and does not give the developer permanent rights to parking. The City may revote the license at any time by giving the Developer thirty days written notice. October 18, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Loso moved to adopt Resolution 2021-060 approving the preliminary plat of Village of St. Joseph Hall; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Hazen moved to adopt Resolution 2021-061 approving the final plat and development agreement of Village of St. Joseph Hall. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously. Discussion: Loso expressed his concerns with not having enough parking; noting that adjacent business owners have contacted him with concerns. Shannon Wiger, Developer: Wiger acquired the adjacent property to the north and has the intention to provide parking on that lot. There will be retail and a light food concept business in the building so there is not the anticipation of high levels of traffic. Wiger has reached out to some of the neighboring properties and is conscious of the parking issue. Schultz agreed with Loso that previous establishments have been required to have parking and acknowledged that there have been cases where those requirements have been waived or lessoned. Haffner noted that the City's off-street parking ordinance does allow for proof of parking. DEED Grant, JR Mobile Site: The MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) offers various grant programs. Haffner presented a grant opportunity that would provide funding to assist in completing a Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessment. Phase 1 consists of an investigation reviewing the history of the site and phase 2 is testing of water, air, and soil. The environmental work is required before the site can be occupied or construction/permits can occur. Developer, Cory Ehlert, is planning to purchase the property and staff has been working with Mr. Ehlert on pursuing a grant request through DEED for the property at 13 2nd Ave NW, known as the JR Mobile site. The site is currently owned by Gary Lauer If the grant is successful, DEED will cover 75% of the costs with the city covering 12.5% and developer covering 12.5%. Recently, staff was made aware that the property owner to the north has indicated that he has a purchase agreement with the property owner as well. Staff has since reached out to Mr. Lauer for clarification. There is no risk to the City by proceeding with the grant application. Councilmember Loso is not comfortable with moving forward and believes the abutting property owner, Mark Martini, owns the property. Loso wants verification of who the actual owner is of the property. Regardless of who owns the property, the City can still support the EDA in applying for the grant. If the owner does not want to move forward, then the City can back out. There is zero risk to the City. There has been recent activity at the site, including removal of tires that were stored outside and removal of a portion of building/awning, which requires a building permit. The City Building Official posted the structure as unsafe and to cease and desist all activity until the proper permits are obtained. Hazen moved to adopt Resolution 2021-062 authorizing the application to the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development contamination clean-up and investigation grant program; seconded by Schultz. Aye: Schultz, Hazen, Kluesner, Beniek Motion Carried: 4:1 Nay: Loso Engineer Reports: City Engineer Randy Sabart reported on the 2021 Street and Utility Improvement Project. Regarding projects for 2022, Sabart asked the Council to act on the proposed projects for 2022. The first step is to prepare the feasibility report. October 18, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Loso made a motion authorizing SEH, Inc. to prepare the feasibility reports for the 2022 Street Improvement Project; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously. Det-artment Reports: The department heads presented their monthly reports to the Council. The council revisited the JR Mobile site in regards to the dumpster on the property. Staff will contact Mr. Lauer as the responsibility ultimately falls on the property owner. Mayor Reports: No Reports Councilmember Beniek suggested that committee reports be added to the Council agendas at one meeting each month. Adjourn: Beniek made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 PM; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Kayla lein City Clerk