City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – March 1, 2005
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 AGENDA.
Councilmember Jacobson reported she needs to leave the meeting by 9pm and would like to give her report prior to leaving.  Mayor Jones requested that the City Attorney give a report after the Engineer’s Report.  Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion passed 5-0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to approve the February 1st, 2005 minutes.  Motion passed 5-0.

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

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
Deputy Wick reported that for the month of February, two citations were issued and 19 calls for service were received.  They will continue with the increased enforcement on the stop sign until the end of March.  Councilmember Farnham commented that Saturdays and Sundays seem to be the worst days for violations.  At the next meeting, we will review the results with the Deputy.

Councilmember Williams reported that someone stole the road sign on the corner of Iroquis and Itasca.  He also added that he noticed that there were some animal calls on the January report.  He informed the Deputy that dogs were prohibited from a particular residence due to a court order.  Deputy Wick replied that the current owner is putting the house up for sale, and the wife is no longer at the residence.  

The City Attorney, MarkVierling, will fax a copy of the court order up to Sheriff’s Office so the Officers can stop by the house to see if there are any dogs there.

COUNTY ROAD 18 PROJECT UPDATE.
Corey Slagel from Washington County appeared before the Council to update them on the three county road projects in the area.  

Mr. Slagel reported that the big road project in Lakeland and Lakeland shores has been delayed until 2006.  The project turned from being a road widening project to a major reconstruction project.  A task force was formed with Councilmembers and residents in the area, and public meetings will be held in May and July.  They believe construction will begin in May or June 2006, and construction will last 4-5 months.

The second phase of the County Road 18 project is the overlay from the end of the reconstruction zone down to Afton.  That has also been delayed until 2006, so it will be done at the same time as the reconstruction.

The third project phase is the bridge replacement south of St. Mary’s Point.  They are just beginning to work on the design.  It will be a minimum width bridge (40feet).  They will have a public hearing on the project in April or May.  The project will most likely happen in 2006 or 2007, but they are waiting on the Legislature to pass a bridge bond.  The bridge will remain open during construction with one lane remaining open.  The construction is estimated to take 4-5 months.

Commissioner Gary Kriesel appeared before the Council next and asked if the Council had any questions or comments.  Councilmember Williams stated that he is not pleased to see that the road reconstruction project is being delayed for a year.  He is hoping that the County maintains the road in better conditions this summer.  Commissioner Kriesel replied that the analysis done on the soil conditions changed the scope of the project and that is the reason for the delay.

Councilmember Williams commented to Commissioner Kriesel on the issue of the Valley Branch Library down here.  He feels it is the worst one in the County system.  Commissioner Kriesel replied that he would like to hear more about the issue and will remember Councilmember Williams input.

CITY PLANNER.
Councilmember Farnham updated the Council regarding the plans for hiring a City Planner.  He tried to integrate everyone’s concerns and ideas into the documents prepared.  He went through, with the Council, the forms and procedures prepared by Mr. Glomski, of NAC Consulting, for the City.

Councilmember Farnham suggested that there be a 2-hour workshop for the Planning Commission and the Council for the purpose of Mr. Glomski walking through the new process.  The workshop will take place on Monday, March 28th, 7:00 pm at City Hall.

Councilmember Williams asked what the costs are going to be to have the workshop.  Councilmember Farnham replied that he would suggest allocating a total of 5 hours to prepare and conduct the workshop, and to finalize details with the City staff.

Councilmember Theede asked how much Planner time would be needed on a normal new build?  It was answered that it may take a couple of hours or less.  Mr. Simons, the City Engineer, commented that he has worked with Mr. Glomski before and he works pretty efficiently.  It may take a couple of hours or less.  Mr. Stensland, the City Building Inspector, added that he has worked with him before also.  He has noticed a big improvement in the operations of the City of Afton since Mr. Glomski has been working there.

Councilmember Williams expressed his concern that this could lead to excessive development costs for someone who wants to build a home.  Councilmember Farnham replied that this would only be an added cost if someone needs a variance.  If it turns out this approach is getting to expensive, the Council doesn’t have to use NAC Consulting in every case.  

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to adopt the 2005 Planning Application Schedule.  Motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacoboson to approve the contract with NAC Consulting for City Planning services.  Motion passed 4-1 with Williams opposing the motion.  

RESOLUTION – SUPPORTING LEVY AUTHORITY.
Mayor Jones reported that the Council received a letter from the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization requesting the Council approve a motion to support, at the State Legislature, the WMO’s abilitiy to assess individual homeowners within the WMO for their annual operating budget.  Right now there are a few residents who are assessed twice for two different watershed districts.

Mayor Jones commented that he has mixed feelings on this.  The Watershed budget seems to go way up with this WMO.  The annual bill used to be around $281 and now this year it more than doubled up to $642.  Councilmember Williams stated that on an annual basis he has voted against the contribution from the City because we don’t see any results from this organization.  Mayor Jones added that the Afton City Council approved this Resolution.

Motion by Mayor Jones, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to approve the Resolution encouraging the Minnesota State Legislature to create a special taxing district for the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization.  Motion failed 4-1 with Councilmember Jacobson supporting the motion.

GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET.
Mayor Jones addressed the Council regarding the Governor’s proposed budget.  He stated that there doesn’t appear to be a lot of impact for the City.  The City Treasurer, Tom Niedzwiecki added that the latest budget did come out more favorable, but it doesn’t account for inflation now.  He would encourage everyone to read their latest League of MN Cities publication which includes the summary recommendations from a task force on the future of city budgeting and financing.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.
City Engineer, Dave Simons, reported on the letter that was received from resident at 2470 Quebec Avenue South.  The letter was a response to the letter Mr. Simons had sent him about the posts that were taken out last summer.  In the fall, three of the posts were put back in.  The posts had caused some damage to the sod and the boulevard, and the residents in that area were concerned that it would happen again.  Mr. Simons had requested they remove the posts.  The resident believes the problem is with the snowplow drivers and the trash haulers.  

Mr. Simons asked the Council what they would like done at this point, since he did give the resident a month to remove the posts and that month is now up.  Councilmember Williams stated that the posts are on an easement that belongs to the City.  The posts should be removed because they are a hazard, and it is not good public policy to allow a nuisance like that to exist.  Councilmember Jacobson suggested making the homeowner aware of the different types of posts that could be placed there instead.

Mr. Simons stated that he will give the resident one more call and remind him that his one month to remove the posts is up.  He will inform him that the Council is still requesting that he remove them, and see if he will remove them himself.  If the resident doesn’t remove them, the City will hire someone to remove them and bill for the service.  

BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT.
Councilmember Williams asked Duane Stensland, the City Building Inspector, about the house that was brought in by Bob Hegna.  He is wondering what the status is because they don’t seem to be doing anything with it.  Mr. Stensland replied that it is a 1-year limit on the permit.  Mayor Jones requested Mr. Stensland contact Mr. Hegna to check on the status.

CITY ATTORNEY.
City Attorney, Mark Vierling, reported that last month he informed the Council of the request for determination from the Department of Administration on whether or not the City should have released information to a local resident, who requested documents from his office that were done on behalf of the City.  The Department issued its determination indicating that they are not in a position to offer an opinion because they couldn’t determine the issue.  Mr. Vierling further explained that in order to have a determination if the document in question is public or private, they would need to look at the document.  They can’t look at the document because it is protected by attorney/client privelege.

TREASURER’S REPORT.
City Treasurer, Tom Niedzwiecki, presented the financial statements for 2004 to the Council.

Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the 2004 year-end financial statements.  Motion passed 4-0 (Councilmember Jacobson noted as absent).

Mr. Niezwiecki gave his financial report for the month of  February, 2005.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks number 2348 through 2363 and the electronic payments for a total of $12,848.26.  Motion passed 4-0 (Councilmember Jacobson noted as absent).

MAYOR’S REPORT.
Mayor Jones reported he attended the Mayor’s Alliance meeting.  He requested the City Clerk post notice that a quorum of the Council may be present at those meetings.  The next meetings will be on March 10, April 14, and May 12.  They start at 4pm and are held at the firestation.
 
Mayor Jones reported that he also went to the Afton City Council meeting.  He is interested in seeing how some of the other cities run their meetings.

Mayor Jones informed the Council that he has been working on the Comprehensive Plan with the City Clerk.  He is proofreading the edits that were previously made.  The changes were what was requested by the Met Council.

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Councilmember Farnham
He asked about the issue of junk vehicles.  He prepared a document for the Council that points out the relevant ordinances.  He also prepared a possible process that could be used for enforcing the ordinance.  Councilmember Williams replied that the ordinances are not specific enough to easily enforce.      

City Attorney Vierling replied that he will take a look at the proposed process. Councilmember Theede added that he thinks this should be enforced.  Mayor Jones commented that one approach would be to send out warning letters.  Councilmember Theede will prepare a notice to residents for Councilmember Jacobson to put in the spring newsletter.  Mayor Jones volunteered to walk around in the spring and see where the obvious problems are.

Councilmember Jacobson
a.)    She went to the Cable Commission meeting and she was elected chairman.  She still hasn’t received the $2500 due from the Cable Commission for the City.
She was certified for the Board of Appeal and Equalization.  The meeting is scheduled for April 26.
The new chairs for the Council were ordered and delivered.  
She attended the Black Tie party for the Foodshelf. There were twice as many people that attended this year, compared to last year.
She is planning on doing a spring newsletter.

Councilmember Williams
a.)    He reminded the City Clerk to post the possibility of a Council quoum at the Planning Commission workshop.
He informed the Council of the League of Cities training on April 21.  Last year the Council approved reimbursement for any Planning Commission member or any Council member that attends.  

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to approve the reimbursement for the League of Cities workshop for any Planning Commission member or Councilmember.  Motion passed 4-0 (Councilmember Jacobson noted as absent).
He received the contract for the lawn service.  He recommended approval of the contract.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to approve the contract with Nu-Life Lawn Care.  Motion passed 4-0 (Councilmember Jacobson noted as absent).    

Councilmember Theede
a.)    He reported that he has spoken with Waste Management regarding the upcoming City Clean-Up, which will be held on April 23rd from 8am-noon.  They have agreed to remove the bins on the same day as the Clean-Up, in the afternoon.  Councilmember Theede reported that he has requested that Waste Management have a worker that will be on site to remove the bins as they get full. He will check with St. Croix Beach to see what their fees will be this year. Councilmember Williams suggested that someone should be checking the residency of the people dropping stuff off.

CLERK’S REPORT.
The City Clerk had nothing additional to report.

ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Theede, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:33p.m.  Motion carried.



Respectfully submitted,


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