City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – August 4, 2009
St. Mary’s Point Web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org

PRESENT:  Mayor Williams, Councilmember Russell, Councilmember Jacobson, Councilmember Theede
ABSENT:  Councilmember Freesmeier

CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Williams 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 Russell, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson, to approve the consent agenda, including the July meeting minutes and the August agenda.  

Motion passed unanimously.

CITY TREASURER’S REPORT.
Tom Niezwicki, City Treasurer, gave the financial report for the month of July.  

Motion by Councilmember Russell, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson, to pay the bills and the 5 electronic payments.  

Motion passes unanimously.

5.    PRELIMINARY 2010 BUDGET AND LEVY.
Tom Niezwicki, City Treasurer, reported on revisions following the July CC meeting in the preliminary budget and certified levies for the year 2010.  
    
Tom outlined the revisions and the Council reviewed the updated information.  The Art in the Park program was discussed, including the continuation of the monetary contribution in the year 2010.

Councilmember Jacobson and Councilmember Russell commented that they would like to continue contributing to the Art in the Park program.  

The budget will be finalized at the September City Council meeting.  

PUBLIC CONCERNS.
Mary Farnham was present at the meeting to present her concerns about the St. Croix Valley Youth Center.  Mary reported that she is concerned about the partying and the noise that is taking place at the center.  

Mary also reported a concern on the debris and garbage located at the construction site.  Mary reported a concern with other people dumping garbage in that area, near the hockey arena.  Gary reported he will follow up on these issues by speaking to the Contractor.  

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
There was not a representative from the Sheriff’s Office present at the meeting to give a report.  

STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District
Councilmember Theede attended the meeting and reported that he spoke with Jim Stanley pertaining to the AED unit.  The City of SMP will have an AED within a few weeks.

Cable Commission
Joe Freesemeir and Dave Nelson were not present at the CC meeting to give a report.

Middle St. Croix WMO
Nancy Jacobson reported she attended the meeting but has nothing to report to the Council.

LSCV Alliance
An Alliance meeting was not held in the month of July.

E.)    Planning Commission  
It is noted that the Planning Commission meeting is August 24th, not the 31st, as indicated on the agenda.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland, Building Inspector, distributed a list of ongoing projects within the City.

City Engineer
John Parotti, City Engineer, reviewed the Engineering report that was distributed and reported on ongoing projects within the City.

Itasca Avenue Drainage Issues were discussed; focusing on 22nd St. and Itasca Avenue.    Mike Theede reported he walked through the City with the City Engineer and would like to see the Council request to have quotes received on the project.  

The City Engineer recommends authorizing him to finish the plans and request bids from local contractors for the projects.  This action was authorized by Gary Williams and agreed upon by the Council.

John also reported on street maintenance in the city of SMP and new technologies that are available to be used.  John outlined this new technology and the advantages and disadvantages of using a new technology as compared to the cut and patch method that has previously been used.  

Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson, to approve the chip emulsion project for the city of SMP.
        
Motion passes unanimously.

Mayor Williams inquired about the grants and financing available for storm water treatment.  John reported there are Grant Specialists that keep him up to date on available grants and financing opportunities.  

City Attorney
Mark Vierling, representing the City Attorney, reported a revised letter was sent to Lynn Allen.  Mark reported there are no new projects to report on.


E.)    City Clerk
Reported she will come to the next meeting with a count of the copies printed from the copier and will contact Kris Blake to invite her to come to the September CC meeting to present information on the Art in the Park program.


COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
Gary Williams reported on the letter received from the MET council reducing the SMP household census.  Gary reported on re-builds being counted as two homes, resulting in the counts being off.  
        
    Gary reported he attended the Art in the Park program and felt it it was an excellent event.  

He also reported he inspected both the inside and outside the ice arena and was impressed.  He did not see anything buried under the dirt and was impressed with the construction process.
 
Councilmembers
Councilmember Freesmeier
Was not present.

2.    Councilmember Jacobson
Nancy reported she gave a demonstration on our audio system.  

Councilmember Russell
Nothing additional to report.

Councilmember Theede
Nothing additional to report.





ADJOURNMENT.
Motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion passed.



Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Gary Williams, Mayor                    Megan R. Rucker, City Clerk




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