Members Present        Jay Roettger ,Gary Williams, Nancy Anderson, , Louise Russell,

Joe Freesmeier absent until 7:12 pm

 

Staff Present:                Cindie J. Reiter, Kevin Sandstrom, Tom Niedzwicki,

Others Present        

Call to Order by Mayor Roettger at 7:00 p.m.

 

Pledge of Allegiance was said

 

CONSENT AGENDA  

January 4, 2011 agenda approved

MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS TO APPROVE DECEMBER 7, 2010 MINUTES AND

JANUARY 4, 2011 AGENDA.

                        ROLL CALL: ALL AYES

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

 

CLEANING SERVICE

TSE proposal was presented and explained by city clerk and will be dovetailed with Lake St. Croix Beach city hall cleaning..

MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED MY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON TO CONTRACT WITH TSE PENDING CONTRACT DRAFTED BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY.

                ROLL CALL: 4 AYES, ONE ABSENT

 

FLOOD PREDICTIONS

It was presented that there are links on our website for Flood Insurance information and river levels.  It was also noted that Certificate of Elevation is from surveyor not the city.

 

Mayor Roettger asked for a letter to be sent to all property owners noting where sand and bags are and address those responsible for placing and cleaning up sandbags.  The city used 7000 bags in 2001.  Discussion of predictions, volunteer availability, need of mechanical means ( sand bag filler) Disaster Fund $3,500 balance.

 

MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON TO PURCHASE 5000 TO 7000 SANDBAGS AS NEEDED.

(In 2001 they purchased 1000 sandbags for $250.  

                        ROLL CALL:  5 AYES/(No dollar limit was indicated)

 

City Engineer, John Parotti presented Feb. 1, 2011 NOAA prediction of flood risk at Stillwater shows 62% chance of major flood stage in the Lower St. Croix Valley.  Hastings shows 90% chance of major flooding

Flood Insurance is 30 days after purchase to take effect.  Noted River level dropped slightly per measurements.  Feds dictate water volumes and adjust seasonally.

 

At the February 28th Alliance meeting John Parotti will present Flood Issues along with other presenters.  Emergency number list will be provided to City Clerk and Mayor from past contacts.  Also has FEMA flood fight handbook with good elevation information.  He also noted that LSCB has a flood management manual also.

 

Further provided information on raising Itasca Avenue and quantity of fill needed to do so.  A rough estimate to raise per last estimate plus 1 foot approximately $70K.  Explained possible process to raise the level  noting the best would be to turn base to gravel then overlay later.  Council Member Williams proposed other way of building temporary road in right of way.  Minimum. 690.5 elevation and some at 690 on centerline of road.  Past flood elevations were reviewed.  Council Member Williams said there is a 2% chance of reaching level 701 as of today predictions.  Also spoke to high levels of ground water.

 

City Clerk to draft a letter to send to all residents and to mail out within 2 weeks.  Predictions are state wide and limited volunteers will b e available.

 

STAFF REPORTS

.

CITY TREASURER

 

Financial 2010 still preliminary final year end transfers may be needed by city council direction.  Review of funds by balance was presented

Disaster Fund by $5400 less Lucas Dev. $1950.00, equals $3500 year end balance.

Discretionary funds can be used any time not designated.

2010 Preliminary no action needed other than year end transfers or leave as is for now.

 

CLAIMS:

The treasurer noted there would be addition of  4 checks #3713 to 3716 for;

                Herman Contract,  Washington County TNT Notice, Helen Broeker,        Videographer

                Louise Russell for supply reimbursements.

Total Approved #3703 to 3716, EFT #1-5 for $12,096.09

 

                MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED BY

COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS  TO APPROVE TO PAY ALL CLAIMS

        Roll Call. 5 AYES

 

Sheriff report (presented by Mayor Roettger)

6 calls (alarms and medical), noted city ordinance allows for  3 false alarms calls , then charge for  4-6 $50 after 6 calls $100 with in 12 month period for burglar and fire.

Discussion of who will bill is being considered by Sheriff and Attorney

 

City Engineer

 

City seal coat budget for this year was $40K, estimate however raising Itasca may alter this plan.                  Approximate 6K now in road improvement fund.  Waiting for Federal Highway Administration  to respond on the letter sent requiring sign upgrades.

 

Building Inspector

                Nothing to report at this time

City Attorney (Kevin Sandstrom)

        Nothing to report at this time.

City Clerk

Noted reminder that Certification of Elevation is not done by the city.

 

Standing Committee – Updates

 

Fire District;,  Council Member Williams attended last meeting and Fire Department Dinner.  The 2012 Payment to Fire Releif Aassn. to be provided after report to OSA.  Training budget funds from the state may be short and local budget needs can be adjusted locally.

 

Cable Commission ,Meeting cancelled

LSCV: Alliance: No December meeting.

Planning Commission- Recap of Planning Commission meeting and good conversation noted also change tof dated needed for February meeting to February 28 due to February 21 Holiday.  Copies of Comp Plan and Ordinance book done at UPS and asked if city account can be set up with UPS for future use..

 

MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS TO APPROVE AND ACCOUNT WITH UPS-HUDSON WITH CITY CLERK AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RUSSELL AS SIGNERS

        Roll Call,  All Ayes

 

Middle St. Croix WMO Council Member Anderson gave recap of meeting.  

Issues of TMDL :to be brought forward.  

Registration notice was noted for April 5, 2011 seminar on the St. Croix River..

Cost-Share Grants no longer going to be given to Cities, only to property owners.

Engineeer Parotti notes if in ROW these projects should be noticed and approved by city for appropriate placement.

 

Mayor Roettger:

Addressed shortfall at State and all local levels for volunteers available for flood activities, also Flood Insurance issues.

Alliance meeting is February 28, 2011 with local reps Katie Sieben and Denny McNamara to be included in local invitation to Alliance meeting.

        

Council Member Reports

        Council Member Williams

Flood Insurance inquires go to your agent.  Certs of Elevation is surveyor item.  Flood News propose separate special meeting in March by Council.  Road limits typical in March.  In event of flood statute provides exception and Engineer Parotti to review prior action maybe needed to lift limits in effect during flood.  

 

He noted he submitted to encouragement to Denny McNamara for support of post card vote as elections cost is approximately $10 per voter.

 

He noted Copier lease is up in June and to check on copier use going forward.

 

April 28, 2011 LMCIT yearly workshop is $20 per  and suggested invite planning commission.

He noted that a Minnesota Cities Magazine, variance authority article to be copied and provided to planning commission members.

NOTE:

Condolences to Family Dr. Phil Roy who passed away.  He was an active citizen in hockey and health inspector.

        

Council Member Russell

                Nothing to report, but encourage city council members to attend the February 28 meeting.

Council Member Jacobson/Anderson

                Noted a clipped mailbox by snowplow is resident responsibility

Council Member Freesmeier

                Nothing

Mayor Roettger

Checking on possible use of cell phone, AT&T to provide package proposal for 2 year contract with discount and all residents would then get discount.  Issue of fax availability to be looked into as is needed for elections.

.

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON TO ADJOURN MEETING AT 8:30

MOTION PASSED, ALL AYES.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________

Mayor, Jay Roettger

 

 

 

_______________________________________________

Attest: City Clerk, Cindie J. Reiter