City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – May 5, 2009
St. Mary’s Point Web address: http://stmaryspoint.org
PRESENT: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Russell, Councilmember
Jacobson, Councilmember Theede
ABSENT: None
CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Williams 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 Russell to
approve the consent agenda, including the April meeting minutes and the
May agenda.
Motion passed unanimously.
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT
Tom Niezwicki, City Treasurer, gave the financial report for the month
of May. Tom also noted that he received an annual increase notice
from the recycling company who services SMP, indicating a 9.3%
increase. Tom stated this should still leave SMP within budget
for the year 2009.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Russell to
pay the bills for a total of $8,118.06; and the 4 electronic payments.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC CONCERNS
Dave Nelson was present at the City Council meeting. Dave stated
that the resident packets at this meeting seem more complete than at
the April meeting and he thanked Council for that.
Dave addressed the minutes from the April meeting. Dave stated
that the Broecker residents that were present at the April meeting and
the action that took place was not reported in the April minutes and he
does not understand why. Dave stated that this topic should have
been both on the on the April agenda and in the May meeting minutes.
Mayor Williams responded that the issue was not known prior to the
April meeting and was therefore not indicated on the agenda.
It was also brought before the Council that “Slow Children” signs may
need to be re-painted and the signs may need to be
re-distributed. The resident who addressed this concern also
stated that he would like to see new signs placed within the City.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
Commander Stutz was present at the meeting to present the April report
and discuss the COPS Hiring Recovery Program.
7. COPS HIRING RECOVERY PROGRAM
Commander Stutz informed the Council that the Sheriff’s office has
applied to be a part of this program. He presented the Council
with a letter which outlined the program and the benefits for
increasing police coverage in the contracted communities.
Commander Stutz outlined the costs of hiring a new deputy and the
responsibility that would lye with St. Mary’s Point. He
emphasized that these figures are an estimate. $2,100 per year
for the first three years would be the responsibility of St. Mary’s
Point. Commander Stutz stated that his recommendation is to
utilize this plan, and stated that the activity is present within the
LSCV to keep an additional deputy busy.
Tom Niezwicki, City Treasurer, stated that this program would encompass
2% of the SMP total budget.
Mayor Williams urged Council to re-read all of the information
pertaining to this program and think about the advantages and
disadvantages of implementing this program.
RESOLUTION 2009-05-01; 2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO BE APPROVED
Motion by Councilmember Russell, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to
approve resolution 2009-05-01; to approve the 2008 Comprehensive plan.
Motion passes unanimously.
MOORING PERMITS
Mayor Williams stated that a concern was raised regarding the
information sent to residents currently holding a Mooring permit.
Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, stated that docking a boat on city
property and not private property is a right, not a privilege and that
the form re-iterates that the city does not assume liability for
damages to a boat that is docked on public property.
Councilmember Freesmeier inquired if the term” carrying full insurance
coverage” on the form should be more specific. Mayor Williams
stated that the form will stay as is for this year and next year
changes may be made to the form.
PLANNING COMMISSION/PLANNING
Louis Russell stated that two meetings were held. The first
meeting was to introduce the two new PC members and also the new City
Planner.
The application for a variance to re-construct a deck, submitted by
Peter & Linda Quinn, was approved by the Planning Commission at the
May Planning Commission meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Russell, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson, to
approve the Quinn variance.
Motion passes unanimously.
STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District
Mayor Williams reported the Relief Association was discussed and is
ongoing. The cost to SMP is yet to be determined.
Mayor Williams also reported a hiring freeze and a pay freeze are
currently taking place.
Cable Commission
Councilmember Freesemeier stated the next meeting is one week from this
Wednesday.
Middle St. Croix WMO
Councilmember Jacobson stated the resolution pertaining to the storm
water credits needs to be passed. Resoultion 2009-05-02; to
approve the resolution.
Mayor Williams inquired of the City Engineer if this would impact the
flooding on Itasca. John Parotti, City Engineer, stated that no,
it most likely would not.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Russell to
approve Resolution 2009-05-02.
Motion passes 3-1; opposed by Mayor Williams.
LSCV Alliance
Mayor Williams stated he did not attend.
CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland, Building Inspector, provided Council with a report of
ongoing projects within the City.
City Engineer
John Parotti, City Engineer, reported on the drainage issue on
Itasca. John reported that cleaning the drainage structures would
cost approximately $200 per unit.
John also provided an update on the St. Croix River flood level.
He reported levels are coming down and are projected to keep coming
down.
City Attorney
Cameron Kelly, City Attorney, reported on the Broetgger/Roetgger
project. He reported this has been an ongoing project for
approximately four years. Cameron went on to explain that
Roetgger is trying to obtain property from Broetgger, in the form of a
swap. Cameron stated that the City has to stamp the deed and the
next step will be for the County Surveyor to consider this process.
Cameron contacted Scott Richards, City Planner, who provided Cameron
with the deed. Cameron has contacted the attorney representing
Broetgger to try to obtain an original deed. Cameron stated that
with cooperation from all parties, this transaction should be completed
within one month.
E.) City Clerk
Nothing additional to report.
COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He reported on Sunday the STS crew came to the SMP park and the crew
removed Buckhorn trees. He reported SMP will have to obtain a
burning permit for the remaining brush.
September 12th & September 26th, the STS crew will also be in the
city of SMP.
He reported he attended the Safety Workshop sponsored by the LMC; and
stated the City Clerk made copies for the councilmembers who were not
in attendance.
He reported talking to the City of Lakeland and obtaining a contract to
have them cut the grass in the SMP City park.
Motion by Councilmember Freesmeier, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson,
to approve the contract with the City of Lakeland for them to cut the
grass at the SMP City park.
He reported on Art in the Park and said he has been corresponding with
Kris Blake regarding this program. This program will be on July
12th.
Mayor Williams inquired about putting up “No parking” signs on
Itasca. John Parotti, City Engineer, stated that this will
require a formal resolution; and after approving that resolution the
signs can be ordered.
Councilmembers
Councilmember Freesmeier
Nothing additional to report.
2. Councilmember Jacobson
She reported people who are planning to buy property at the end of
Itasca need to obtain a vegetation permit.
She also reported on the newsletter and the new deadlines for article
submission, which are May 28th.
Councilmember Russell
Nothing additional to report.
Councilmember Theede
Nothing additional to report.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 8: 56 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Williams, Mayor
Megan R.
Rucker, City Clerk
St. Mary’s Point web address: http://stmaryspoint.org