City
of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – January 8, 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.
Mayor Jones suggested the Sheriff’s Report be moved up on the
agenda. Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by
Councilmember Williams to approve the Consent agenda, as amended.
Motion passed 5-0.
SHERIFF’S REPORT.
Sheriff Bill Hutton, appeared at the Council meeting, at the request of
Mayor Jones. Sheriff Hutton introduced Luke Garvey, the new
Deputy in this area.
Sheriff Hutton provided the Council with a history of his police
experience and what he hopes to accomplish as Sheriff. One of the
major things he wanted to achieve is the retention of deputies.
Right now the department is at full strength for the first time in 12
years. There are 91 sworn deputies.
Councilmember Williams asked about the current contract system in place
and if the County is planning on continuing with that system. He
mentioned the one neighboring city that does not contract for the
police functions. Is there a way to do a County wide requirement
so everyone is taxed for services received? Sheriff Hutton
replied that the funding cannot be changed because they have to follow
the statute requirements on that.
Councilmember Williams also asked about the Sheriff Department’s remote
command post trailer. He said Dakota County has an elaborate
system and wondered if this Department is looking at upgrading to
something like that. Sheriff Hutton replied that they are looking
to upgrade the current one they have and they would like to get another
one.
Sheriff Hutton reminded everyone to call the Sheriff’s Department if
they have any issues or concerns. The non-emergency number is
651-439-9381.
PUBLIC CONCERNS.
There were no public concerns at this time.
PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Councilmember Farnham updated the Council on the Comprehensive
Plan. The team is working on the 1st draft now and in the next
week they have a 3-hour long scheduled meeting to do a detailed review
of the draft. Their goal is to have it ready for the Planning
Commission’s next meeting.
Councilmember Farnham reported that the Planning Commission has no
pending applications.
Councilmember Williams had asked at a previous meeting that someone
look further into the Erickson project and the issue of impervious
surface. Councilmember Farnham reported that by having the
Ericksons agree to combine the lots, the percentage of impervious cover
actually went down.
The Clerk reported that she sent a letter to Mr. Erickson, providing
him with a copy of the resolution passed approving his variance.
The letter pointed out the added condition of installing rain gutters
on the garage and directing water runoff to the interior of the
property.
MPCA – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (XCEL FLY ASH SITE).
Mayor Jones reported that copies were received of the draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Xcel Fly Ash
project. There will be a copy at City Hall if anyone is
interested in looking at it. An informal public hearing will be
January 15th at the Stillwater Library and on January 24th at Oak-Land
Junior High. The public commentary period ends February 14th.
Mayor Jones questioned the City Engineer, John Parotti, on how he is
being approached by the different Cities regarding review of the
project. He replied that each City is taking a different approach
on what they need from his office. It is a substantial document
and it is a significant effort to review it. It is up to the City
if they want to enlist his help to review the report. Mayor Jones
commented that his sense is while this is an issue for all of the Lower
St. Croix Valley communities; this City doesn’t want to spend public
dollars on analysis.
2008 CITY APPOINTMENTS & FEE SCHEDULE.
Mayor Jones went through the 2008 City Appointments and Committee
Assignments. Changes were made by the Council to update the list.
Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to
approve the City of St. Mary’s Point 2008 City Commission
Appointments. Motion passed 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to
approve the 2008 Permit Fee Schedule and the 2008 Planning Application
Schedule. Motion passed 5-0.
STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District – Councilmember Williams reported that at the last fire
board meeting it was reported that they were up to 331 calls for the
year (as of November).
Cable Commission – Mayor Jones will start attending these meetings.
Middle St. Croix WMO – Councilmember Jacobson reported she attended the
last meeting and they discussed the Afton-Lakeland gully project.
They are looking at putting in permanent markers to document the spring
erosion.
LSCV Alliance – Mayor Jones reported that there was no Alliance meeting
this month.
CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland reported on the status of the current projects in the
City.
City Engineer
John Parotti reported on the MSCWMO’s plan to ban construction on
slopes exceeding 12%. He believes this was already adopted and it
is not completely uncommon. Any project that would require a
variance would trigger this requirement. The 12% grade applies to
lands having an average slope of 12% or greater over a horizontal
distance of 50 feet or more.
Mayor Jones reminded the Council that in 2008 we will be approving our
own local water management plan, as required by the Met Council.
It will be an addendum to our Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Parotti
informed the Council that they will also have to adopt the Middle St.
Croix WMO plan, as well as the Valley Branch Watershed plan.
Mayor Jones reported that a packet was received from FEMA and it
included some floodplain maps. Mr. Parotti replied that this has
been in the works for a few years. They are for review by the
City. The Council agreed to designate Mr. Parotti to review the
FEMA maps.
City Attorney
Cameron Kelly, informed the Council that there is a chart missing from
the City Ordinances in the zoning code regarding permitted uses.
He will prepare the chart for consideration by the Council.
Councilemmber Theede asked if anything was being done on the Holmer
property. Mr. Kelly responded that yes, a letter is going out
informing Mr. Holmer about the complaint regarding the structures that
may not be permitted, and suggesting a meeting to address the issue.
City Treasurer
Tom Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of December,
2007.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to
pay the bills with checks numbered 3013 through 3026, deleting check
3006, and the 6 electronic payments for a total of $16,376.47.
Motion passed 5-0.
City Clerk
The Clerk followed up with the Youth Service Bureau about their request
for a donation. Their letter response was copied for the
Councilmembers. Mayor Jones reported that there is also a request
for money for the Lucy Winton Bell ball fields. He suggested
considering both of these requests at the February meeting.
The Clerk informed the Council that the snow plowing contract was
signed and a copy was forwarded to Gordy Herman.
The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for this City will
be Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 pm – 7:30pm. Councilmember
Jacobson needs to attend the meeting because she is the only voting
member to meet the County’s training requirements.
The City Clerk reminded everyone that the February meeting will be held
on February 12, not the 5th due to the precinct caucuses.
COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He drafted a letter to the City of Afton in support of the 800 MHZ
system tower.
He contacted Pinky’s Sanitation to have our septic system pumped.
Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He reported that on two different occasions there has been a car parked
in the City Hall lot overnight during the heavy snowfalls. He is
suggesting we put up a “no overnight parking” sign in our lot.
City Attorney will look into what would need to be done.
2. Councilmember Jacobson
She had nothing additional to report.
Councilmember Williams
He reported that on January 14th, the Library will be showing a
documentary film about the St. Croix River.
There is some upcoming training under the League of Cities regarding
land use development. He would propose the City pay for any
Planning Commission members to attend.
Councilmember Theede
He had nothing additional to report.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Theede to
adjourn the Council meeting at 9:01 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald R. Jones, Mayor
Holly A.
Morley, City Clerk