City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – August 5, 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 Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the Consent agenda.  Motion passed 5-0.

PUBLIC CONCERNS.
There were no public concerns at this time.

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
There was not a Deputy at the meeting to give a report.  

PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Holmer Property
Councilmember Farnham reported Mayor Jones, Duane Stensland, City Building Inspector, and himself met with the Holmer’s.  He reported Duane has asked for further inspection on the electrical and septic.  Duane reported that he is waiting for Washington County’s report and could not speculate about what the report will say.
Lundquist Variance
Councilmember Farnham reported John Glomski, City Planner, had informed him that a landscape plan is in place and we are waiting to hear back from the DNR regarding their review and approval.
Hubbard Property
Street right of way- John Glomski, City Planner, is working with the family’s legal counsel to ensure that we understand the complete issue.  Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, is assisting John Glomski with this project.
Comp Plan/LSWMP
Mayor Jones reported on the comp plan and the accompanying LSWMP.  The comp plan has been disseminated for review and SMP is waiting for comments from surrounding communities.  Inputs on the LSWMP report have been updated and reviewed; John Parotti, City Engineer, provided further updates to the Council.






Councilmember Williams inquired on policy 1.6 (page 12).  John Parotti, City Engineer, reported that the wording was used by recommendation of the WMO.  Councilmember Williams voiced concern over the WMO and their inclusion in the plan.  Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, commented that because the state gives them the power to be included, SMP is obligated to abide by their rules.

Mayor Jones reminded the Council that this is a general document used only as a guide for future action by the City.

Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, outlined resolution 2008-08-02, approving the revised LSWMP for the city, for the Council.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham , seconded by Councilmember Jacoboson to adopt resolution 2008-8-02 . Motion passed 4-1.

Proposed City 2009 Budget

Tom Niedzweicki, City Treasurer, reported that the first  draft budget came in at a 6.1% increase.  Tom reported that by reducing the general contingency, from $10,000 to $8,800, he was able to reduce the levy to 4.9%.  Tom reported the general contingency was reduced from $10,000 to $8,800 to reduce the increase percentage.   Tom reviewed the proposed budgets and proposed property tax levies for the year 2009.  

Mayor Jones inquired about the debt service for the fire district.  Tom reported this is a twenty year budget; the only change will generally be the allocation among cities, which may be a small adjustment.  

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to adopt resolution 2008-8-01, adopting the proposed 2009 city budget and property tax levy.  Motion passed 5-0.

City Park Maintenance

Mayor Jones reported that there are trees and brush down in the area west of the ball fields and north of Iroquis.  Improvements have been made and the property has been kept up to the best of the ability of the City.  Mayor Jones reported there is a resident who would like to remain anonymous and donate money to clean this area up.  Mayor Jones recommends Councilmember Williams contact this resident and gain more specific information.  Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, will also look into the ordinances pertaining to this issue.

STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District
Councilmember Williams reported that the Fire District is working on various trends and estimates through 2012 for their budget. This will be addressed at the board meeting a week from tomorrow, and the budget will most likely be approved in September.  The Council will have the opportunity to review the budget after it is approved by the Fire District.

Cable Commission
Mayor Jones reported the last meeting was cancelled.  He reported he inquired about financial statements and would like to monitor the revenues and expenditures.

Middle St. Croix WMO
Councilmember Jacobson reported the Stillwater Goodwill parking lot was re-paved; which didn’t trigger a permit of any kind.  The WMO was therefore not involved.  She reported she was under the understanding that all local communities would get a letter regarding the need to obtain permits for paving; but doesn’t expect it will come at this point.

LSCV Alliance
Mayor Jones reported a flyer was distributed on pandemic influenza at the recent meeting.  He also reported there was a presentation from the LMC on transportation, and the transportation bill that was recently passed through Legislature.  He also reported Brian Zeller of Lakeland reported on the possibility of putting trash cans along the bike trails and would request funding from the 5 surrounding cities for this project.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland, Building Inspector, reported on the status of the current projects in the City.
 
City Engineer
John Parotti, City Engineer, distributed a report to the Council.  The 2008 cut & patch project addresses the bids that were received; Asphalt Associates was the lowest bid.  

        He recommended a motion to grant the work to Asphalt Associates.  

John reported on the crack/sealing project.  Asphalt Associates was again the lowest bid.  Asphalt Associates presented a few options.  John reviewed the two different approaches and the cost of each option to the Coucil.  John reported his recommendation would be option two, though it is more expensive.  
        
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to adopt the cut & patch project as presented bye the City Engineer, for an estimated cost of $7, 572.56.  Motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to adopt the crack/sealing project as presented by the City Engineer, for an estimated cost of $16, 461.  Motion passed 5-0.

City Attorney
Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, reported on conditional use permits.  He reported he is in the information gathering stage for the residents who currently have conditional use permits.  He reported that to annually renew the permits there are different factors to consider including a fee, staff time and type of reporting involved in the process.  

Mayor Jones reported that and he and the City Clerk will review the minutes to identify the Conditional Use Permits prior to the year 2005.  Mayor Jones also recommended using a table in Excel/Access to sort/file these types of issues, in the future.

Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, distributed a memorandum regarding the handling of diseased trees.  Cameron outlined the memo: 1.) Identify tree 2.) Determine how to abate it 3.) Identify how to divide costs to take care of the tree.  At this point SMP will determine if the tree is an imminent threat to other trees in the City.  

The Council discussed the issues that surround diseased trees and where the responsibility lies. The decision was made to adopt the approach of having a professional come in and identify the diseased trees in SMP.  One diseased tree will be removed at this time, per the consensus of the council, for the amount of $200.  

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

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks numbered through 3161, and the 5 electronic payments for a total of $12,636.24.  Motion passed 5-0.

E.)    City Clerk
The City Clerk reported she would like to set up a meeting with Gary LeMay regarding the copy/fax/phone machine in the Clerk’s office and the possibility of using high speed Internet as opposed to dial-up.

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He reported he received a Planning Commission meeting notice from the City of Lakeland regarding the construction that is taking place at the Plaza.   

Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He had nothing additional to report.

2.    Councilmember Jacobson
She reported Dave Nelson came to City Hall and assisted with the new DVD machine. Councilmember Jacobson reported Dave Nelson was very helpful and explained how to set up and work the equipment properly.  Councilmember Jacobson reported she very much appreciated Dave taking the time to explain and help her with the DVD equipment.

Councilmember Williams
He reported on ongoing issues at the post office for handling City mail.


Councilmember Theede
He reported that he reviewed the Comp Plan for Lakeland/Lakeland Shores.  Councilmember Theede will draft and send letters to these communities.

ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Farnham to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:41p.m.  Motion passed.



Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Donald R. Jones, Mayor                Megan R. Rucker, City Clerk


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