City
of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – August 7, 2007
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.
SHERIFF’S REPORT.
Deputy Mark Rindfleisch appeared before the Council to provide a
report. He reported that there were 6 calls for service during
the month of July.
Councilmember Jacobson commented that she has had several calls about
the kids hanging out in the ballpark after dark. Deputy
Rindfleisch will follow-up and request more patrols of that area by the
Sheriff’s office.
PUBLIC CONCERNS.
Michelle Rivet, 16480 25th Street South, appeared before the
Council. She lives behind City Hall. She is concerned about
the tree removal around City Hall that is being discussed. She is
also concerned about her neighbors who are being very loud during all
hours of the night.
City Attorney Kelly reported that he wrote a letter to the nearby
homeowners, and he has received a favorable response from them.
They didn’t realize that occupying the trailer home was in violation of
the City ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Comp Plan Update
Mayor Jones reported that there is a revised work plan and schedule
that calls for a draft to be done by year-end 2007. There will be
6 sections to the Comp Plan. At the meeting tonight the Comp Plan
team talked about estimates of costs from City Staff.
Councilmember Farnham replied that the preliminary estimates are very
conservative, and therefore higher, and totaled about $30,000 for the
City Attorney, City Planner, and City Engineer. Mayor Jones
requested the City Treasurer put an estimate of $12,000 into the
preliminary 2008 budget. The Comp Plan team is working to reduce
consultant costs for the update.
Other Updates
Councilmember Farnham reported that there will be a Planning Commission
meeting this month. The McDonough’s are requesting a variance,
and the Wang’s a variance amendment. The Feehan/Nelson’s will not
need a Conditional Use Permit, just a Building Permit.
Councilmember Farnham informed the Council that the Schaffer’s house
did not get completely finished. One of the things they did not
do was to put up the vegetative screening that the DNR required.
The DNR has asked that any new building permit not get issued until the
screening is completed.
The Wang’s are requesting to pave the driveway. The previous
owners did get a variance when they built the house and part of that
included memorandum of understanding to put a driveway in on the City’s
right of way. The Wangs just want to pave that driveway.
This will require a public hearing.
CITY HALL GROUNDS.
Mayor Jones reported that there was an estimate for the removal of 9
trees. Prior to the meeting tonight, the Council did a walk
around the property to look at the trees. It was decided not to
proceed with the tree removal at this time.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to
solicit bids for someone to paint the exterior of City Hall and the
shed. Motion passed 5-0.
2008 CITY BUDGET – PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION.
Mr. Niedzwiecki, the City Treasurer, went over the 2008 draft budget
with the Council. This proposed budget has a 4.9% increase.
One factor to consider in the increase is the League of MN Cities bill
for legal fees for $43,000 for recent litigation. The estimates
for the cost of updating the Comp Plan are higher than expected also.
Suggested changes were made by the Council, and Mr. Niedzwiecki will
provide the Council with a revised budget proposal at the September
meeting for their vote. The Council agreed to have a budget
workshop prior to the next meeting at 5:30pm.
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT.
Tom Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of July, 2007.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to
pay the July bills as itemized for a total of $15,679.94. Motion
passed 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to
pay the 1st installment of the legal bill to the League of MN Cities in
the amount of $10,000 (check number 2930). Motion passed 4-0 with
Councilmember Williams abstaining from the vote.
STREET SIGN REPLACEMENT.
Councilmember Theede reported that the street sign has been replaced.
CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland reported on the status of the current projects in the
City.
City Attorney
Cameron Kelly, informed the Council that there was a hearing on the
Haslund variance at the end of July and both sides presented. The
Judge took the motions under advisement. Mr. Kelly will hopefully
have an update at the next meeting.
E.) City Clerk
The City Clerk had nothing
additional to report.
COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
Mayor Jones reported he spent a day working on the Comp Plan draft plan
and components.
Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He had nothing additional to report.
2. Councilmember Jacobson
She would like to thank Joann Vaughn for helping her clean up the ball
park last week.
She will attend the Watershed meeting this week.
Councilmember Williams
He reported he attended Gary Bryant’s funeral.
He attended the Art in the Park program and the entertainment this year
was great. He said Kris Blake did an excellent job organizing the
event.
The porta-potty in the park will be removed in October.
Councilmember Theede
He reported he had a couple of calls about clearing the small trees and
brush along the banks of Iroquis Street.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to
adjourn the Council meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald R. Jones, Mayor
Holly A.
Morley, City Clerk
St. Mary’s Point web address: http://stmaryspoint.org