City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – April 1, 2008
St. Mary’s Point Web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org

PRESENT:  Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Farnham, Jacobson, Williams, and Theede
ABSENT:  None

CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  The City Clerk took roll call.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
The Pledge was recited by everyone in attendance.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Theede to approve the Consent agenda.  Motion passed 5-0.

PUBLIC CONCERNS.
Jim Broecker appeared before the Council regarding a piece of his property.  They are in the process of transferring a parcel to Jay & Lisa Roettger, and need to obtain a separate tax ID from the City.  

Cameron Kelly, the City Attorney, replied that they will need to contact the City Planner, John Glomski, to apply for a minor subdivision.  

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
Deputy Wick appeared at City Hall before the meeting and provided the Council with a copy of the March report.

PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Comp Plan Update
Mayor Jones reported that last night was the Planning Commission meeting where a public hearing was held for the draft Comprehensive Plan and Local Surface Water Management Plan.  The Planning Commission recommended to the Council that it is time to distribute the plans.  They do not have any issues with the current drafts.  Mr. Kelly prepared a resolution for the Council to pass.  

Councilmember Williams asked if a copyright could be put on the document.  Mr. Kelly will look further into the issue.  Once that issue is determined, then the Council will have John Glomski, the City Planner, forward CD’s with the drafts to the required organizations.  

Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to approve Resolution 2008-4-1, directing the Clerk to distribute the Comprehensive Plan and Water Management Plan to affected government units, including local cities, school districts, watershed districts, and water management organizations as directed by City Staff and required by Minnesota Statutes.  Motion passed 5-0.


Other Business
Councilmember Farnham reported that they have not heard anything further about the variance application from Cingular for a radio tower.  They have submitted a deposit, but no action has been taken in the last two months.

STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District – Councilmember Theede reported he attended the last meeting. He informed the Council that 18% of all the runs that are made by the Fire District are made to I-94, around the weigh station and rest area.  

Cable Commission – Mayor Jones reported that they did not have a meeting last month.  There is a meeting tomorrow night that he will try to attend.  Councilmember Jacobson informed the Council that Valley Access is changing over to a digital format, so our video-taping has to be adapted. The Cable Commission is supposed to help finance the new equipment.

Middle St. Croix WMO – Councilmember Jacobson reported that she attended the March 13 meeting.  There was a presentation on the Afton-Lakeland gully project.  

LSCV Alliance – Mayor Jones reported that he missed the last meeting because his father-in-law was in the hospital.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland reported on the status of the current projects in the City.  He attended the meeting at Washington County about the new septic system regulations.

City Engineer
Dave Simons reported on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate maps (FIRMs) that the City does now have a copy of at City Hall.  The public will need to take a look at these maps to see if there are any changes that may affect them.  If they do have an issue or want to request a change with the map, the only way they can petition a change is through the City.  Mr. Simons informed the Council they might want to consider having an open house.  There are some properties that were not in the floodplain before, that now are.  And there are some properties that were in the floodplain before and now they are not.  There is a 90-day review period that will begin most likely in the end of April.  

The Council agreed to discuss the issue at the May Council meeting.  Mr. Simons will talk to Mr. Glomski, the City Planner, about a proposed plan/agenda for an open house.

City Attorney
Cameron Kelly had nothing additional to report.




City Treasurer
Tom Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of March, 2008.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks numbered 3056 through 3077, and the 7 electronic payments for a total of $15,725.18.  Motion passed 5-0.

E.)    City Clerk
        The City Clerk reported that she distributed copies of an article that was in the Star
        Tribune about home data being ruled as private for volunteers, such as Planning
    Commission members.  The home data for elected officials is considered public information.

    The City Clerk also addressed the issue of the September Council meeting in response to the comments made by Councilmember Williams at the last meeting.  The September Council meeting is currently scheduled for September 2 which is during the Republican National Convention.  The following Tuesday is the Primary Election.  The Council will reconsider this issue at a future meeting.

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He will attend the Cable Commission meeting tomorrow night.

Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He had nothing additional to report.

2.    Councilmember Jacobson
She reported that she had some neighbors complain about the residence at 2370 Quebec.  The residents are running a pallet business from their home and the work is disturbing the neighbors and the property is becoming an eyesore.  Mr. Kelly will work with Councilmember Jacobson on drafting a letter regarding the concerns.
She received a letter from Cindie Reiter, the St. Croix Beach Clerk, about the Cottage Grove clean-up event.  Residents here are able to participate in their clean-up event.

Councilmember Williams
He reported that property tax statements were sent out in the mail.
He informed the Council that tonight the Washington County Board is considering a vote on a transportation tax.  Our Commissioner, Gary Kriesel, is against the tax.
He attended a town hall meeting with local Representative Denny McNamara.
He is still working on picking out furniture for the Council chambers.
The Sentence-To-Serve workers will be out Saturday for the City Park clean-up.  
He commented that buckthorn is a DNR classified nuisance.  He maintains that the City should have an ordinance to call upon the City Weed and Tree Inspector to clear a property of buckthorn upon transfer of title.  He will contact the League of Cities regarding a model ordinance.

Councilmember Theede
He had nothing additional to report.


ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to adjourn the Council meeting at 8:08 p.m.  Motion passed.



Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Donald R. Jones, Mayor                Holly A. Morley, City Clerk



St. Mary’s Point web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org