CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF ST MARY’S POINT
16467 ST MARY’S POINT DRIVE
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 1, 2011
Members Present Jay Roettger ,Gary Williams, Nancy
Anderson, , Louise Russell, Joe Freesmeier
Staff Present: Cindie J. Reiter,
Kevin Sandstrom, Tom Niedzwicki,
Others Present Don Jones, Dave Nelson, Larry Wang,
Paul Brown, Duane Stensland
Call to Order by Mayor Roettger at 7:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was said
CONSENT AGENDA
Approve Minutes February 1, 2011
Approve Agenda of March 1, 2011 with changes to move up in order the
City Engineer report, change Planning Committee Meeting date to March
28, 2011, move Sheriff up to present as Deputy Hanson is in attendance
now.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
NANCY KARRAS ANDERSON TO APPROVE FEBRUARY 1, 2011 MINUTES AND
CHANGES TO MARCH 1, 2011 AGENDA.
ROLL CALL: ALL
AYES
SHERIFF REPORT
Deputy Hanson noted most complaints due to one resident.
They are also getting reserves trained and ready for the flood and snow
to melt.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dave Nelson resigned from the Cable Commission and requests Planning
Commission approve their minutes. Notes moratorium should be
lifted as with flood damage may need to approve building permits.
Spoke to opinion of Bluff City Builders not doing paid for flood
services. Also notes that if city buys cell phone, the statement
is public and believes phone should not be provided.
FLOOD UPDATE
Emergency Operation Manager, Dale Peirson gave summary of Alliance
Meeting with the flood forecast and presentation. He noted
outlook is not IF WE FLOOD but WHEN flood. New predictions are
out March 3rd and expected to be worse as colder spring and higher
precipitation. WSCO Dexter noted the sheriff’s office is to
provide assist to city not direction to city. Volunteer ID and
credentials are advised. The request for National Guard presence
is triggered by the Mayor. Additional deputy and patrol car are
going to be added to this contract area. Washington County will
need copy of 3/15 declaration of St. Mary’s Point City Council’s action
to declare.
PRESENTATION OF FLOOD PLAN (some items are proposed)
Credentials (potential to share with Lake St. Croix Beach
WI/FI Pack
Sand to rink for sandbags
Raise South end of Itasca by 27 feet
National Guards
School Bus Service
Waste Management and other refuse haulers
Evacuation if choose to stay is at own peril as LSCFD may not get in
Main boxes to be added (temporary)
Portable Pots (6 Locations)
Post NO TRESPASSING sign on dike at Iroquois
Dogs & Animals
Evacuation can not be forced
Fast Water near culvert may be somewhat lessened due to added culvert
found after 2001 flood. Road raising will not be done by ACOE as
leads to no accessibility but St. Mary’s Point Drive may fill and then
could add soil to elevate as goes to City Hall.
Iroquois is under water at 693.7 feet near Dorghety’s old house.
Fire and Ambulance service will not respond if water is higher than the
rubber on the truck, but may respond by boat as needed.
Question asked if road is higher that driveways how do we get up to the
house/roads? Conversations on Itasca Road and possible strategies.
Possible fill on R-O-W vs. on roadway for remedy. Also new
development may be new issues.
After flood event, issues discussed such as levee/dike along Itasca in
low areas. Perhaps in ROW in front of homes as proposed in 1965.
Overland flooding vs. flooding from seepage discussed
697 elevation prediction maybe an issue for this event.
Also possible FACEBOOK set up for city or GOVDELIVERY broadcast emails.
Civil air patrol will do fly-overs if requested for photography.
Emergency declaration-once declared do not have an end date of
declaration.
Advantage to declare early is for procurement of
materials/supplies. Possible declare near date of melt.
Utility concerns: Centerpoint just shuts off gas service on their own,
not at request of the city. Xcel may shut down the grid not just
individual homes.
Jersey barriers set may raise concerns for Fire Department access.
Also request local Traffic Closed to Co. Rd. 18.
Personal Credentials to be done in addition to vehicle ID tags. WCSO
Operations Center will be set up at old city hall in LSCB.
Current mapping of prediction is very good. Signs with elevation
posted (signs are in shed). 5000 sandbags purchased.
Inventory to be given out by name. Sand must be filled by
residents.
SMP Arena will be place for sand pile but hockey is still going on
until later March
Possible use of storage trailers could be placed at City Hall
Volunteer List and Sandbag video on ACOE website.
Possible sand drops through out city if residents desire. Make
sure temperature is up so bags do not
Freeze.
CLERK TO POST SPECIAL MEETING ON 3/15/11 AT 7:00 to Declare State of
Emergency for the city. Ice still not out on river and ACOE does
not break up ice any longer so risk of large sheets of ice may cause
considerable damage. Note that draw down pool at lock and damn
will not help because volume coming down is so great there would be no
impact on high water.
Further discussion on raising Itasca should be re-addressed at next
meting on 3/15/11 as elevation prediction should be out further.
Discuss getting waivers of trespass now for residents
Oil burning furnace with buried tanks may be an issue, find property
owner if new.
OML posting is not necessary during declaration per Attorney Sandstrom.
Expense of flood is expensive and city may or may not be
reimbursed. Volunteer Time needs to be kept track of for
reimbursement concerns for all hours.
City Engineer Parotti presented updates and noted Alliance Presentation
of substantial flooding.
New updates on March 3rd and he will attend webinar on Friday from NWS.
Phone call from residents can help interpret map or sheet
elevations. If we raise Itasca SEH would shoot elevation for
elevation points. Also notes ACOE flood fighting handbook has
very practical help on building sand bag beehives or sand boils.
He reviewed past options of raising Itasca so have some information on
file. (Past quote $75K to go up to 692 elevation). Property
owners can use survey to find elevations. And Washington County
topographical map; but note that they are aerial and not ground mapped.
Washington County surveyor can provide small maps of your lot and get
idea of elevation over land use is over 2 feet elevation contour.
Washington County 4 H Request for Funding
It was noted that $481 in LT parks and recreation and available if
needed.
No funds available at this time, as flood will likely cause damage to
park and need repair.
Washington County Street Stripping
Engineer Parotti said there is no need to stripe as it was done in 2010
and he will notify WA Co. to decline.
Building Inspector Stensland
In Reviewing the list of ongoing projects and he noted Pricilla
Farnum mechanicals are in the basement and may have issues in a flood
. Discussed what is needed for the Building Permits of potential
flood damage.
There is no permit for normal replacement and repair.
Treasurer Report, Tom Niedzwiecki
Provided the final 2010 detail provided and city does not have annual
audit.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY NANCY
ANDERSON TO APPROVE 2010 FINANCIAL REPORT
Roll Call: All Ayes
Treasurer to submit annual report to OSA by month end. Review of
2011 financials:
43120 Flood fund account has been established. Possible other
monetary funds identified for flood expenses if needed for
approximately $58K.
Claims presented for approval $16,862.77
Plus 50.00 Video
$16912.77
He noted the large expense of $10k was for Washington County sheriff
contract.
Discussion concerning allocation of fees based on population.
Census data is due out any day.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WILLIAMS TO APPROVE CHECKS FROM #3715 THRU 3725 WITH #1-5 EFT FOR
$16,912.77.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Mayor Roettger asked Treasurer Niedzwiecki if he checked on a line of
credit. MN Water Consortium may be possible avenue for
funding. Mayor feels advantage to have an Line of Credit or Bond
for emergency funding. Application for UPS services has been sent
in and can purchase permits or credential from with possible split with
Lake St. Croix Beach.
Attorney Kevin Sandstrom
Noted he would contact HSEM representative concerning post flood cost
reimbursement items needing clarification.
STANDING COMMITTEE – UPDATES
Fire District Rep.
Councilmember Williams expressed concern for is who is appointed and
proposed to add the mayor as alternate and he will also speak with Mike
and encourage him to attend.
Planning Commission
Councilmember Russell recapped the Planning Commission meeting and
presentation by Planner Gozola.
Buildable lots
Guest House
Elevation determination in regards to 35 foot height limit.
The next Planning Commission meeting is on March 28th.
Middle St. Croix WMO
Councilmember Anderson reported items of rain
gardens filtering contaminates from run-off.
Drainage structure at 21st and Itasca noted may need
to be checked.
Cable Commission
Councilmember Freeismeier presented copier
information and asked that it be provided in next council meeting
packet.
LMC
Councilmember Williams encourages all to attend Loss Control
workshop. There is a Town Hall Meeting with representative Denny
McNamara on March 5 at 10:00 at Green Mill in Hastings.
Mayor Roettger noted a request from Jim Gilles: Wellhead
Protection Plan to be updated as required by statute.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER RUSSELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
ANDERSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:14.
MOTION PASSED, ALL AYES.
_______________________________________________
Mayor, Jay Roettger
_______________________________________________
Attest: City Clerk, Cindie J. Reiter