City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – March 4, 2008
St. Mary’s Point Web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org

PRESENT:  Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Jacobson, Williams, and Theede
ABSENT:  Councilmember Farnham

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 Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Theede to approve the Consent agenda.  Motion passed 4-0.

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

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
Deputy Garvey appeared before the Council.  There were 7 calls for service during the month of February.  There was one citation issued for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

CHRIS LECLAIR – WASH CO. DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT.
Chris LeClair, an Environmental Specialist from Washington County, appeared before the Council.  He informed the Council that the State rules that regulate septic system design and installation went into effect.  According to State rules, Washington County has two years to update their ordinances, and after that cities and townships, if they choose, have one year to update their ordinance.  Right now the goal is for the County to have their ordinance in effect by February, 2009.  Currently St. Mary’s Point does have its own ordinance regulating septic systems which was adopted from the County ordinance.  Every two years this City signs a contract with the County for Public Health to provide permit and inspection services.

Mr. LeClair went through some of the changes that will go into effect when they update their ordinance.  He informed the Council that every time there is a draft ordinance they will  mail it out for review.  

Councilmember Williams asked Mr. LeClair about old septic systems in the City.  He said that there are still some cesspools being used by families and occasionally there are complaints from neighbors that they are being pumped into river.  He doesn’t know how to address that sort of thing.  Mr. Leclair said to contact his office with any concerns like that.

PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Comp Plan Update
Mayor Jones reported that there was a joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting where they reviewed the draft plan.  John Glomski, the City Planner, is making the recommended changes.  Beginning March 15, there will be copies available for public review at City Hall.  The Planning Commission meeting on March 31st will be a public hearing regarding the draft plan.  

John Parotti provided the Council with an updated draft of the Local Surface Water Management Plan.

Other Business
Mayor Jones reported that a letter was received from the Wangs regarding their application.  Mr. Kelly, the City Attorney replied that they do have a variance at this point, so they are cleared from the City to move forward.  Mr. Niedzwiecki reported that they did pay the amount that was due.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.
Mr. Kelly, the City Attorney reported that he looked at the City code at the request of John Glomski because there is a chart missing under the zoning code that has to do with allowed uses in the different zones.  He has prepared the chart, but it would need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission.  There would need to be a public hearing and then it would have to come before the City Council for approval.

2008 DONATIONS.
Mayor Jones reported that there are 3 requests for donations that the Council needs to review.  One from the Youth Service Bureau, one for the Lucy Winton Bell ball fields, and one for the recycling booth at the Carnival.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to donate $150 to the Youth Service Bureau.  Motion passed 4-0.

Councilmember Williams requested someone appear before the Council regarding the Lucy Winton Bell ball fields request.  Mayor Jones will contact Colleen Danford (755-4383) regarding the proposal.

Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Theede to authorize the expenditure of $74 towards the Afton-Lakeland recycling program.  Motion passed 3-1 with Councilmember Williams opposing.

CITY CLEAN-UP DAY.
Councilmember Theede reported that if the Council decides to have a Clean-up day it would be on May 3.  There are a few changes that would be in effect this year regarding appliances and hazardous waste.  Clean-up cost the City $3,400 last year and the Council has budgeted $4,000 this year for this year.

The Council discussed whether they should hold the City Clean-up day this year, or if they should skip this year and do it next year.  The main argument for skipping this year is due to the other financial issues in the City like the costs for the updates to the Comp Plan and legal bills.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to forgo the Clean-Up in 2008.  The City residents should be notified that it is due to budgetary constraints, but the Council does have the intent to hold Clean-up every other year from now on. Motion passed 3-0 with Councilmember Theede abstaining.

STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District – Councilmember Williams reported that both he and Councilmember Theede attended the meeting.  

Cable Commission – Mayor Jones reported there was not a meeting this month.

Middle St. Croix WMO – Councilmember Jacobson reported she attended the meeting, and they are looking for a new administrator.  

LSCV Alliance – Mayor Jones reported he missed the last meeting due to the meeting with our Planning Commission.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland was not at the meeting, but he did provide the Council with a report on the status of the current projects in the City.  

City Engineer
John Parotti provided the Council with a memo regarding his review of the preliminary FEMA maps with respect to floodplain boundaries.  He will leave two copies of the maps at city hall.  The City will have a specific time period to review and comment on the maps.  FEMA will send a letter to the City letting them know when the review period has started and how long it will last.  The City will have to adopt the data.

Mayor Jones suggested the Council come back to this topic once the review period starts.  The Council will take a look at the new maps and decide how they want to proceed.  They can decide if they should have an open house or forward it to the Planning Commission for an informational meeting.  

City Attorney
Cameron Kelly reported that there was another decision reached in the Haslund case.  The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s conclusions and said there should be no variance and they are not certifying the variance.  There is an appeal period, but he hasn’t heard about an appeal yet.

City Treasurer
Tom Niedzwiecki provided the Council with the annual financial report for 2007.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to accept the financial report for the year 2007.  Motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of February, 2008.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks numbered 3047 through 3059, and the 3 electronic payments for a total of $14,825.89.  Motion passed 4-0.

E.)    City Clerk
The City Clerk reported that she did receive information about foreclosures in the County.  She has forwarded the information to the Council for their review.  Mr. Niedzwiecki commented that he will follow up with the delinquent property tax reports.

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He reported that Kris Blake contacted him and wants to start planning the Art in the Park event for next summer.  The Council agreed to give her $600 for the project.

Councilmembers
1.    Councilmember Jacobson
She reported she will be attending two workshops from the League of MN Cities.

Councilmember Williams
He reported that the contract for Nu-Life Lawn service was received.  

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to approve the 2008 contract with Nu-Life Lawn Care for lawnmowing in the City Park.  Motion passed 4-0.

He is still working on replacing the tables in the Council chambers.
He informed the Council that the September meeting is during the Republican Convention in St. Paul.  He suggested moving the meeting to the following week.
He is trying to make arrangements with Sentence-to-Serve for a clean-up day at the north end of City Park.

Councilmember Theede
He had nothing additional to report.

ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:03 p.m.  Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Donald R. Jones, Mayor                Holly A. Morley, City Clerk






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